Action cameras are very popular among summer sports fans, but also among hiking enthusiasts and pet owners. Quality 4K recording however, with water resistance, it doesn't have to break your wallet anymore.
The available model is proof of this SJ4000 Air, which we will review in detail, along with the test record, in our testing today.
Where can you buy the SJ4000 Air action camera?
SJ4000 Air is on sale on the well-known online marketplace Aliexpress.com. You can also use our advantageous discount coupon and you will also be pleased with the fast delivery from China, only in 10 days!
SJCAM SJ4000 Air
10-day delivery via Aliexpress Standard Shipping
Aliexpress Standard Shipping is available for this product with guaranteed delivery within 10 days. It is the most convenient way of delivery, which takes place without customs fees and in most cases is delivered by a courier company.
These are the technical specifications:
Model | SJ4000 Air |
---|---|
Weight |
35 grams |
dimensions |
29.8 x 59.2 x 41 mm |
Resolution |
4K / 30fps |
Digital zoom |
4x |
Photography |
Yes; 16 MPx |
Water resistance |
Yes; with casing up to a depth of 30 m |
Drums |
900 mAh |
charging |
USB-C; 2-3 hours |
SJ4000 Air: Package contents and accessories
Action camera SJ4000 Air it offers a really compact body at the level of only 29,8 x 59,2 x 41 mm and a weight that does not exceed 35 grams (without case and inserted microSD card). However, it has a plastic design, both the buttons and the body of the device, which, however, is patterned and improves the grip in the hand.
On the front, the camera contains only the lens itself and a button for turning off, turning on the device, and at the same time changing the mode. There is a physical trigger on the top edge, followed by a pair of buttons for switching the menu and zoom, a slot for a microSD card, a connector for charging and a microHDMI output.
On the bottom, you will find the socket in which the battery is located. The back is then the home of the color LCD display, which, however, is not touch-sensitive and you can use physical buttons to control it.
The sales package is really rich and includes full-size waterproof case up to a depth of 30 meters, which also includes extended control of physical buttons or attachment to other accessories. You will also find a set of various extensions and a USB-C cable for charging the camera itself.
Design and quality of workmanship
As we mentioned above, the camera body itself is plastic, which is not a bad thing at all. The replaceable battery is also an advantage, and all parts fit together really well. The only exception is perhaps the socket in which there is a battery. The cover that is on it sometimes comes loose by itself during rough handling. However, this error is solved by the included case, which gives the camera robustness and confidence in the control of the buttons.
The integrated LCD display has a diagonal equal to 2", wide frames and an unspecified resolution. However, we wouldn't estimate its resolution at more than 720p for everyday use.
The display is used for previewing the images or videos themselves, but you can also use it to adjust various functions in the menu, and you can also find use in dashcam mode. We praise its use, despite the fact that it is not a high-quality panel.
Below the display there is another blue LED that signals recording, and it also lights up when the device is turned on. The device also offers a speaker for playing content and has an Allwinner V3 processor that takes care of the operation of the system itself.
4K resolution and software features
The maximum recording resolution is 4K at 30 fps. However, it is a relatively low-quality video with occasional glitches. Fortunately, you can choose from several possible resolutions, including 2,7K at 30 fps, and 1080p at 30 and 60 fps. The built-in microphone for the audio track is also pleasing, but it has only basic quality.
And it was Full HD video at 60 frames per second that seemed the most reasonable to us when recording. The integrated sensor also offers the possibility of creating a 16 MPx photo and has a wide angle of view up to 170 degrees. You also have 4 x digital zoom available, which you control with the buttons on the side edge.
After switching the video or photo mode, you will still see an album with your recordings and a menu with settings. These are divided for individual modes separately, and then you also have connectivity settings (the camera supports Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz) or language, date and time settings.
The manufacturer SJCAM also offers mobile application for this action camera. However, its use is very limited and slow, we recommend downloading a possible update to the latest firmware in it.
In the vast majority of cases, it is easier to remove the microSD memory card from the camera (the microSD card is not part of the package). You can insert it into your computer and you can already play or adapt your recordings right here.
Among other software functions, we can mention the car camera mode, where the camera automatically turns on when you start the car and turns off when the car turns off. You can also customize recording loops and recording resolution. It also has a slow-motion, time-lapse mode and a video camera mode, which, like a car camera, is also described in more detail in the paper user manual.
Sample of 16 MPx SJCAM photos:
Video sample at 4K/30 fps resolution:
Video sample at 1080p/60fps resolution:
Battery and endurance on a single charge
The integrated accumulator offers capacity 900 mAh. During our testing, we noticed a duration of 30 minutes, then the camera needed to be charged via the USB-C connector. However, we mostly recorded in 1080p resolution. The camera automatically turns off after five minutes of inactivity.
The advantage is the replaceable battery, so if you buy several pieces, you can replace the battery with another piece within a few seconds and continue recording content.
However, charging the battery is relatively slow, with the included charging cable you can reach full capacity in about 2-3 hours. On the road, you can also use a power bank for charging. We tried a model from Xiaomi with a capacity of 10 mAh and a power of 000 W, and we had no problem with such charging.
Final Rating: SJ4000 Air
How to review a camera SJ4000 Air? First of all, this is not a professional video recording tool. However, for the price of 34 euros, you will get high-quality processing of the camera body, and sufficient records for hobby use, for example from hiking or trips.
We can recommend this camera for the given use, and it won't get lost, even in the segment of cheap car cameras. However, we preferred the lower and more stable 1080p/60 fps resolution rather than 4K, which is rather an exception at the price.
However, if you are looking for advanced image stabilization settings, a functional connection with a mobile application or a remote trigger, a more durable body or a larger number of accessories, we recommend that you look at more expensive models, for example from GoPro.
SJCAM SJ4000 Air
10-day delivery via Aliexpress Standard Shipping
Aliexpress Standard Shipping is available for this product with guaranteed delivery within 10 days. It is the most convenient way of delivery, which takes place without customs fees and in most cases is delivered by a courier company.
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