Action cams have gotten a lot smarter over the years. For starters, they have higher quality lenses and a whole host of features to let you capture silky smooth videos. With 8K action cams like the SJCAM SJ30, you will be able to record crisper videos outside. This is a dual-lens, waterproof action cam with day and night recording modes and 6-axis gyroscope stabilization that lets you record videos at up to 8K@20fps. The good people behind it were kind enough to send us one to test. Let’s see what was included:
Our SJCAM SJ30 came in a compact package that had the camera and a whole host of handy accessories. The main camera looks sleeker than the other SJCAM models we have tested. It has a 2.51″ flippable touchscreen display, which means you will be able to record yourself while monitoring what’s in the frame. Our package also had a bunch of mounting options, including curved & flat mounts and a tripod mount adapter. The main mounts are magnetic. Two detachable wind guards are also included, which you can install with a simple twist.
The Charging Combo (the one we got) has a handle with 7 hours of battery life. You can connect it to the camera with a USB-C cable. Its buttons let you monitor battery life and interact with the camera more naturally. For instance, you can change modes with a double tap. SJ30 can go through battery life very fast when you are recording 8K video, but with the handle, you will be able to film longer vlogs with peace of mind. This action cam has a top shutter button for starting recordings. The side button not only turns the camera on but also lets you switch between day and night recording with a press.
We found the voice control feature to be quite responsive. You will have to use commands such as “video start” or “take photo” to start capturing hands-free. The SJ30 has app connectivity, but you don’t need it to start recording. It can automatically switch lenses, which is a plus. The night lens produces significantly clearer images in low-light conditions.
Here are the video modes available:
- Day Lens: 8K@20fps, 6K@30fps, 5K@45fps, 5K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 4K@30fps, 2K@120fps, 2K@60fps, 2K@30fps, 1080p@240/120/60/30fps, 720p@120/60/30fps
- Night Lens: 6K@30fps, 5K@45fps, 5K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 4K@30fps, 2K@60fps, 2K@30fps, 1080p@60/30fps, 720p@60/30fps
We found the touchscreen display to be quite responsive and intuitive to use. You can switch modes with a swipe to the left. A swipe up gives you access to video, timelapse video, slow motion, dashcam, livestreaming, and other modes. You can also tap on the gear icon to access language, auto-off, screen saver, voice broadcast, and other features. With a swipe to the right, you can review your past photos and videos.
The SJ30 cam is smart enough to flip the screen as you turn it 180 degrees. It is ready for TikTok and Shorts with support for vertical videos without cropping. You get anti-shake and horizontal lock modes for image stabilization. The latter feature comes in handy for shots that involve your camera tilting and rotating. This camera is ready to go out of the box but you have the option to change white balance, sharpness, saturation, contrast, WDR and ISO settings. You should be fine if you go with the default settings for most of these.
Just like other SJCAM models we have covered, this one has app connectivity, so you can change modes and interact with the camera remotely. You also have the option to connect it to your computer or laptop via USB-C to activate the webcam mode. It is also possible to move your video files through this method. The camera has a lot of automatic features, but you also have the option to change white balance, color, exposure, saturation, and contrast. The SJ30’s motion detection feature comes in handy when you want the camera to start recording as soon as you get moving (e.g., when you start driving your car). Various preset modes are available with a swipe up, including timed photos, car mode, livestreaming, and burst mode.
Our package came with everything we needed to start testing. The camera is waterproof up to 5 meters even without a case. We washed the camera with water and even submerged it in a tall glass of water and had no issues. There are additional accessories that let you do more. For example, you can get a waterproof case with a 30m rating. You can also get an M4 wireless microphone to capture better audio. Bike and motorcycle handlebar mounts are also available.
Overall, we found the SJCAM SJ30 to be a huge upgrade over the C300, which was the last model we tested. It captures crisp, smooth 8K and 6K video. It is also a very capable 48MP photo camera. Its dual lenses enable you to record better quality videos in low-light conditions. The included power handle extends battery life and helps with handheld shots. The waterproof function worked like a charm. If you are looking for a sleek 8k action cam that gives you a lot of bang for your buck, you should give this one a serious look.
