First impression of the AMKOV AMK100S
The AMKOV AMK100S is delivered with a manageable set of accessories. Overall, the scope of delivery is lower than that of conventional Chinese action cams. In addition to various mounts, a silicone housing and hard plastic protection, the camera also comes with a carrying case and an English-language operating manual. A waterproof case is only included with the AMK100S or the OKAA 360. Unfortunately, the camera is delivered under the name “Andoer 360” without a waterproof housing.
The camera housing is compact and measures just 5.10 x 4.20 x 3.46 cm. In addition, there is the low weight of 84g including the inserted battery, which makes the camera interesting for model pilots and quadrocopter pilots. The AMKOV AMK100S is sold as a 360 degree camera, but there is only a lens on one side of the housing. The field of view is 220 degrees. The focal length is f = 1.1mm and the aperture is F = 2.0.
Hands-on of the AMKOV panorama camera
On the side there are both the power button, the record button and the WiFi button. All control buttons are also equipped with LEDs. The speaker is on the opposite side. The microphone was placed below the lens. To make it easier to use, the AMKOV AMK100S also has a 0.96 inch LCD display, which can be used to make the most important settings. The camera can also be connected to an app via the WiFi function, which makes operation even easier and settings can be made directly via the app.
The connection options amount to a mini HDMI socket and a micro USB socket. Recordings are saved directly to an SD memory card, which is not included in the scope of delivery. It should be noted that memory cards with a maximum of 32GB are accepted. As an additional feature, the camera also has a tripod thread, which means that it can be connected directly to suitable photo mounts.
The battery is inserted on the back. The size differs from conventional action cams, which is why you need special batteries. The capacity is 1000mAh. Overall, the AMKOV AMK100S leaves a solid first impression. The workmanship is good and the scope of delivery was also convincing.
Recordings
General
The AMKOV camera uses a Sunplus 6350 image processor and an 8 megapixel Sony image sensor. More detailed information on the sensor is not known. Video recordings can be made with a resolution of 1920x1440 or 1440x1080p. The refresh rate is 30 images per second. The recording format with .mov, compressed with the .h264 codec. Image recordings are possible with 8, 5 and 4 megapixels. The image format is .jpg.
Software
The video recordings with the AMK100S require subsequent processing. An unprocessed recording has a spherical shape. The appropriate software is available on the AMKOV website with which recordings can be converted into panoramic images. This software also adds the 360 ° meta tags that are required by YouTube or Facebook, among others, to create a 360 ° recording. The recordings can also be viewed locally with the "Kolor Eyes" media player.
Quality
The recording quality was less convincing in the test. Details look muddy and the recorded sound leaves a lot to be desired. You should also keep in mind that the camera does not take full 360 ° recordings. Depending on how you record, you have thick black bars at the edges that further restrict the field of vision. Anyone expecting a full 360 degree camera will be disappointed!
Quadrocopter pilots can benefit from the AMKOV AMK100S. The large field of view creates beautiful aerial photographs, which are very attractive with reduced zoom and after appropriate smoothing.
Battery
We ran through various scenarios in the test. The runtime was around 90 minutes with the WLAN switched off. The recording was made with a resolution of 1920 x 1440. With WiFi switched on and an active connection to the output device, the running time was reduced to 70 minutes. The charging time with a conventional smartphone charger is around 3 1/2 hours.
Usability and app
If you are used to a large color display of an action cam, you first have to get used to the small LCD display of this camera. Just the settings can be made better on the app. To do this, the WiFi of the camera must first be activated. Then it builds its own Wi-Fi, to which one can connect to the smartphone or tablet.
The SYMAX360 app is also required to operate the cam. These are available for both Google Android and Apple iOS. You can download this app in the respective app store.
The live image from the camera is output via the SYMAX360 app. The transmission was stable in the test and only slightly delayed. Image disturbances only occurred at a distance of about 10 meters. All camera settings can also be made directly via the app. Recordings can also be called up, viewed but also shared with friends via the social media function. Subsequent smoothing of the recordings is also possible via the app.
Update: AMKOV has released another "360 degree" camera. The AMKOV AMK200S has two lenses with a 220° field of view. The video resolution is 1920 x 960 pixels at 30 frames per second. The image processor and the image sensor remain unchanged. Since it is an OEM product, the camera is also sold under the name "Elephone Elecam 360". As soon as we receive a test copy, a link to the detailed review will follow here!
AMKOV AMK100S (also Andoer 360 / OKAA 360)
Good workmanship
What's in the box
App support
recording quality
sound Quality
The AMKOV AMK100S is one of the first 360 grade cameras to be sold at a cost-effective price. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that this type of camera is still in its infancy. The recording quality is rather mediocre and even details seem muddy. Full-scale 360 degree shots are also not possible, which is already due to the design of the camera. What the AMKOV AMK100S is suitable for, however, are aerial photographs, in which above all the large angle of view can score.
