EKEN V8S Action Cam
Image sensor and image processor
The EKEN V8S Action Cam is equipped with an Ambarella A12S75 image processor and a 14 megapixel Panasonic MN34112 image sensor. By using the Ambarella A12S75 in combination with the Panasonic image sensor, the camera is able to record native 4K video material at 25 frames per second. The A12S75 image processor is also used in many other China Action Cams. Probably the most famous models are the Hawkeye Firefly 8S, the ThiEYE T5e and the SJCAM SJ7 Star. How to assess the video quality of the EKEN V8S can be found in the following videos.
4K @ 25 test recording
Stabilization, display and connections
The EKEN V8S is able to electronically stabilize the image even at high resolution 4K. The manufacturer does not reveal how EKEN's electronic image stabilization (EIS) was implemented. After all, 2K image stabilization has only been officially supported since the Ambarella H4 image processor. In addition, the first users of the Action Cam report that the EIS cannot be deactivated at any resolution! On the back of the case there is a 2 inch LCD display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. There is no touchscreen operation. In addition, there is a small LCD display on the front, from which the status of the camera can be read. The connections amount to a micro HDMI and micro USB socket, as well as a micro SD memory card slot. The possibility of connecting an external microphone is not supported!
WiFi, App and Battery
The EKEN V8S can be controlled via a 2.4G remote, as can be seen from the EKEN H9R knows, and there is again the possibility of control via a smartphone or tablet. For this purpose, the Action Cam is equipped with a WiFi module (802.11 b/g/n). It is operated via the EZ iCam app, which is available for Android and iOS devices. The battery has a capacity of 1050 mAh. The dimensions of the battery differ from the widely used "SJ4000 standard", which is why most third-party batteries cannot be inserted into the EKEN V8S. One battery charge provides an approximate 4K recording time of 50 minutes. But here too, only the first tests will show how the battery life actually behaves.
Preview-Conclusion
EKEN takes an unusual direction with the V8S. An action cam that takes natively in 4K and even stabilizes the image electronically sounds tempting at first. The fact that the EIS function can not be deactivated at any resolution and that the 4K EIS is officially supported only with the Ambarella H2 advises caution when buying this Action Cam!
As soon as our test copy has arrived, the detailed review follows!
