Preview of the SJCAM SJ8
Update (22, March 2018)
SJCAM announced on Facebook that the SJCAM SJ8 Pro is about to be released. A teaser picture confirms the design of the new 4K Action Cam. The exact release date is still pending. It is also not yet clear whether the manufacturer will co-publish the other two models, the SJCAM SJ8 Plus and Air. We will keep you up to date and will update the post as soon as there is new information.
Update (07: December 2017)
A new leak has been doing the rounds for a few days, according to which 3 models of the SJCAM SJ8 are to be released. The leak comes from the site "Poshgadgets", a blog that is most likely run by SJCAM itself and specifically serves as a release platform for all SJCAM "leaks".
The model with the best features will be called “SJCAM SJ8 Pro” and will be equipped with an “Ambarella H2-2S85” image processor and the aforementioned Sony IMX377 image sensor. The SJ8 Pro promises native 4K recordings with up to 60 frames per second. Further features include a 2.33 inch touchscreen, voice control options, gyro image stabilization, an 8x digital zoom and support for an external microphone and an external remote control. The battery capacity is said to be 1200 mAh.
The mid-range model will appear under the name “SJCAM SJ8 Plus”. This is also an action cam with a native 4K resolution, but it only records at a maximum of 30 frames per second. The image processor is a Novatek 96683. The image sensor is a 12 megapixel Sony IMX117. The other features will be identical to the SJCAM SJ8 Pro. Examples of models already available with similar features include: ThiEYE T5e or the SJCAM SJ7 Star .
The low-budget model will be released under the name “SJCAM SJ8 Air”. The image processor will be a Novatek NTK96658. The image sensor is a 14 megapixel Panasonic MN34110PA. This action cam records videos natively at a maximum resolution of 1080p with 60 frames per second. Photos can be taken with up to 14 megapixels. The other features also differ only slightly from the two larger models. The rear 2.33 inch touchscreen will be available. However, you have to do without the status display on the front. WiFi and gyro image stabilization are listed as features.
The SJCAM SJ8 model series will be released at the beginning of 2018.
After the current SJCAM top model, the SJCAM SJ7 Star has been on the market for almost 1 year now, rumors are increasing that SJCAM will release a successor with the SJ8 this year. The SJCAM SJ8 will be a high-end action cam with decent hardware equipment that will, among other things, record videos in 4K at 60 frames per second.
Source: PoshGadgets
Image sensor and image processor
According to the first leaks, the image sensor is a 1 / 2.3 inch Sony IMX12.35 image sensor with a resolution of 377 megapixels. The same is among other things in the current one Yi 4K + installed and does an excellent job there. The image processor bears the name Ambarella H22 and is a system-on-chip announced at the beginning of the year, which, in terms of performance, is located between an Ambarella H2 and the Ambarella A12 SoCs. This combination allows the SJCAM SJ8 to record videos natively in 4K at 60 frames per second. The recording format is MP4. There is no information about video encoding yet, but the Ambarella H22 is able to encode video material in H.265 as well. Images can also be saved in RAW raw data format, among other things.
Display, EIS and GPS
Touchscreens have become indispensable in current action cams and make operation immensely easier. The SJCAM SJ8 will also be equipped with a touch display on the back, the diagonal of which will be 2.33 inches. In addition, there will be a front LCD display with a diagonal of 0.96 inches, which will probably be used to display the camera status. Electronic image stabilization, which will be available up to a resolution of 4K at 30 frames per second, is also likely. The ability to determine position, for example to record distances and speeds, will only be available via an external GPS module.
Voice, battery and others
In addition to the operation via touchscreen, it will also be possible to control the SJCAM SJ8 via voice commands. Presumably the function will be similar to one Yi 4K + or GoPro Hero5. Those who prefer to operate the Action Cam remotely will be able to use the camera's WiFi function. Using an app, it will be possible, in addition to live image output, to make camera settings directly via the connected smartphone or tablet and even transfer recordings wirelessly. No information is available yet on the battery capacity. Presumably the capacity will be between 1000 and 1400 mAh. Again it is known that the Action Cam will be equipped with the current USB-C standard, via which external modules, such as an external microphone, can be connected.
assessment
Although the SJCAM SJ8 promises something, it brings nothing in comparison to other high-end action cams. Compared with the Yi 4K +, which has been stirring up the market since the beginning of the year, the SJ8 even lags behind in terms of equipment. Instead of relying on the latest Ambarella H2 processor, SJCAM prefers to use the weaker Ambarella H22. To what extent the SJCAM SJ8 can finally prevail and at what price the Action Cam will appear, we will probably find out in September. At least the online retailer GearBest has already added the SJ8 to its range.
Phil
17. July 2018 12 to: 05
At first glance, the difference between the SJ8 Pro & SJ8 Plus does not seem that big, but it is quite clear:
SJ8 Plus has a lower data rate and only 3-axis stabilization, you can see that pretty clearly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXs-tVl_pvU
Timo admin
17. July 2018 12 to: 29
Hi Phil, I watched your video and I agree. Currently I have the SJCAM SJ8 Plus and Pro in the test and just in detail, the differences between the two Cams but huge. Unfortunately, I am not really satisfied with the stability of the user interfaces. With both cams I already had several total crashes and the plus I had to even flash again.
Phil
18. July 2018 09 to: 04
Hmm, that does not sound so good. Then maybe YI, it runs very stable.
Timo admin
18. July 2018 09 to: 55
Did not crashes or freezes occur in your test?