DBPOWER SJ4000 Action Cam in the test

First impression of the DBPOWER SJ4000

Already the box in which the DBPOWER SJ4000 was delivered differs a bit from that of a usual China action cam. Nevertheless, the same accessories were included in the delivery. A waterproof housing was also included. It is interesting, however, that DBPOWER has included this camera with 2 batteries.

In the operating instructions the Action Cam is listed as SJ4000. The best-known manufacturer and actual producer of the SJ4000 is the Chinese manufacturer “SJCAM”. Unfortunately, this camera is often counterfeited, which is why a counterfeit can hardly be distinguished from an original SJCAM. However, there are notable differences when it comes to hardware. However, the “DBPOWER SJ4000” could just be a rebranding. You would receive an original SJCAM, but it has the DBPOWER logo. Older SJCAM models in particular were delivered without any branding.

The DBPOWER SJ4000 has a 12 megapixel CMOS image sensor and a 170 ° wide-angle lens installed on the hardware side. Unfortunately, the product description does not indicate which image processor or image sensor was used. Here, however, one can assume that at least the image processor uses a Novatek chipset. With a resolution of 1080p, the DBPOWER SJ4000 achieves the usual 30 images per second. At 720p, 30 and 60 frames per second are possible.

The camera has of course also built in a microphone so that sound recordings are also possible. This camera does not differ in connection options either. Of course we would have a micro USB port, a micro HDMI port and a micro SD card slot. The battery of the SJ4000 has a capacity of 900mAh. The standardized replacement batteries of the SJCAM can also be used here. There is also a 1.5 inch LCD display on the back.

OPERATION

You have to insert an SD card to start using it. However, this only recognizes SD cards up to 32GB. After switching on, anyone in the know should notice that the firmware used here is different from that of an original SJCAM. The DBPOWER start logo already indicates a separate firmware. Not only is the menu designed differently, you can also see a different firmware name under the “Version” menu item.

The installed firmware can be downloaded as a backup from the DBPOWER website. Out of interest I flashed the original SJCAM firmware onto the DBPOWER SJ4000. The firmware was accepted by the camera without any problems, but the menu navigation no longer worked as it should. The confirmation or trigger button no longer worked and the confirmation function was now on the side menu buttons. It can be guessed that at least similar hardware was installed.

The camera has several control buttons. The power button is located next to the lens. At the same time, you can use this button to change the recording mode or to the settings. LEDs on the housing indicate whether the camera is switched on and whether a recording is in progress. The camera's user interface offers numerous setting options that are clearly listed in the operating instructions. In addition to the resolution, the image stabilization, the white balance or the ISO can be changed, for example.

Picture and video quality

Compared to a SJCAM SJ4000, the video quality of the DBPOWER SJ4000 is almost the same. There were only small differences in the color temperature. It is therefore quite possible that the same hardware was installed here and only the DBPOWER firmware was adapted. The image quality is also good and can hardly be distinguished. If this action cam is a replica, it was implemented very well.

The sound quality is not worse with the SJ4000 from DBPOWER, but no better than the original. Especially through the waterproof housing, the sound recording but very quiet.