Go pro alternative ...
 

MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch

[Closed] Go pro alternative action cam

22 Posts
17 Users
0 Reactions
113 Views
Posts: 4954
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Hi all,

Looking for a "action cam". Would be using for simple stuff like filming my daughter out and about, filming stuff in the workshop maybe. Stuff I use my phone for now but want to have a device I am less worried about and can mount easily a few places, not kill the battery on my phone etc.

Loads on ebay but I can't tell them apart as I have no camera knowledge.


 
Posted : 27/11/2016 10:17 am
Posts: 4954
Free Member
Posts: 2305
Full Member
 

Sjcam would get my vote. Whichever model suits your budget.


 
Posted : 27/11/2016 10:20 am
Posts: 801
Free Member
 

There one at Aldi at the moment for £50 looks alright


 
Posted : 27/11/2016 10:21 am
Posts: 10258
Full Member
 

I'd suggest looking at SJCAM. Either an sj4000 or M10. Basically the same camera just in different shape cases. My M10 was £37 off eBay - couldn't find it cheaper than that.


 
Posted : 27/11/2016 10:50 am
Posts: 4954
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks looks interesting.

Looking up the SJCAM it outwardly looks very similar to the I lined In the OP. I guess it is a rip off.

Any recommendation for easy visiting software. Literally simple. Fast-forward cut that bit out, cut that bit out, concatenate the bits I want to keep


 
Posted : 27/11/2016 9:10 pm
Posts: 4368
Full Member
 

Windows movie maker is a piece of cake to use, takes a while on my crappy laptop but does the job nicely. Free too, which is nice


 
Posted : 27/11/2016 9:13 pm
Posts: 10258
Full Member
 

I haven't edited any video yet from my sjcam m10. I've got a Mac mini, so was thinking about using iMovie. Newer macs seem to have thus included for free, but mine doesn't so will need to buy it for a tenner. No idea if my mac has enough processing power to do this quickly / easily, but will know early next year. Currently off my bike after shoulder surgery.

The cheaper sjcam rip offs maybe as good, or may not. Looking online there are mixed reviews - I think the main problem is you just don't know what you're getting. Make sure you order one that has sjcam printed on the front - lots call themselves sj4000 in the eBay ad, but none of the ripoffs have sjcam printed on them. Note the box the camera comes in has a scratch off panel so you can verify it is geuine on the sjcam website.

I broke the on/off button on mine - and for $10 sjcam repaired it - I had to send it back to China. That $10 seemed to be partly for postage do seemed fair. They even gave me an extra battery when they sent it back.


 
Posted : 28/11/2016 3:59 pm
Posts: 4954
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Interesting thanks.


 
Posted : 28/11/2016 4:42 pm
Posts: 2530
Free Member
 

Amazon were selling the sjcam m10 plus (in yellow) for £69.

It's got image stabilisation and all the usual accessories.

For me it was that or the Polaroid cube PLUS. The cube plus has image stabilisation too and probably a 'faster' (better in low light f2.0 lens)

Haven't had the chance to try out my m10+ as I've just been knocked off my bike (slight hijack there!)


 
Posted : 28/11/2016 11:25 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Sjcam is good value, but I have a Xiaomi Yi one which has a slightly higher spec (it can do 1080p at 60fps which an SJ4000 or M10 can't) for not a lot more money - and supposedly a better quality sensor as well. Depends how much you want to spend - you probably can't go wrong with either for typical basic filming most of us do.


 
Posted : 28/11/2016 11:46 pm
Posts: 5481
Free Member
 

Another Xiaomi Yi user here. For the price, a fantastic bit of kit. Very happy with it. Heaps of cheap spares and compatible with GoPro accessories.

The Xiaomi Yi 2 is also getting some fantastic reviews.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 2:57 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

alternative to the xiaomi and def worth looking at would be the GitUp Git2. similar price and spec, but it came out on top in the many reviews/comparisons i read before buying.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 8:06 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Maplin have their version on sale


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 8:14 am
Posts: 889
Full Member
 

Saw that Aldi cam, anyone got one? How does it compare to say a go pro session


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 8:44 am
Posts: 44
Full Member
 

Git2 is great. New firmware has just added image rotation for when you need to use it upside-down, eg. with some chest mounts.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 1:47 pm
Posts: 889
Full Member
 

[url= https://www.aldi.co.uk/p/74269/0 ]This [/url]is the aldi one I'm referring to.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 2:07 pm
Posts: 1143
Full Member
 

I have an SJCAM. Although I've not used it loads, the output looks great to my untrained eye.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 2:08 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Got a couple of Silverlabel Focus Action Cam on order, £89.99
http://www.madison.co.uk/products/cycling/electronics/cameras/silverlabel-focus-action-cam-1080p/

There is one below at £49.99
and one above for £159.99


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 2:29 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

[quote=MTB Rob ]Got a couple of Silverlabel Focus Action Cam on order, £89.99

They're rather coy about the 1080p only being at 30fps, so lower spec than what I have for more money.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 5:53 pm
Posts: 1325
Full Member
 

prawny - Member
Windows movie maker is a piece of cake to use, takes a while on my crappy laptop but does the job nicely. Free too, which is nice

It doesnt work with .MOV files does it? I took a load of clips on my lads SJ4000, but no idea how to edit them, windows movie maker doesnt like them.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 6:13 pm
Posts: 2728
Free Member
 

sjcam are great, the wifi is quite cool to control via an app from ipad et al, but the downside of them is that when using the buttons on the waterproof housing its really easy to snap the tactile switches on the board. google it, it comes up a lot. shame as they are great otherwise.


 
Posted : 29/11/2016 6:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

It'll be worth looking at the super basic GoPro hero which they release a year or so back. I had an old hero 2 but the battery was going and the new budget hero was defo better quality.
I got it new for £99
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/the-99-gopro-hero-first-look-42576/

Here is link to me using it. bd sure to change the quality on YouTube as it starts playing the videos in lower Quality


 
Posted : 30/11/2016 6:47 am