SJCAM SJ11: Full Review

SJCAM is a well-known brand for action cameras that compete with GoPro. The SJ11 is one of their newer 4K models that aims to provide high-quality video and photos at an affordable price point.

The SJ11 has an impressive feature set for its price range. It can shoot up to 4K at 30fps, providing sharp and detailed video footage. The camera has built-in electronic image stabilization to deliver smooth videos even during active use. It also has a responsive 2.33" touch screen on the back for easy control and previewing shots.

One standout feature of the SJ11 is its adjustable field of view, ranging from ultra wide to narrow. This allows users to choose the perfect perspective for different shooting situations. The camera also provides 8x digital zoom for getting closer to distant subjects. With its compact form factor and included accessories, the SJ11 is a versatile action camera well-suited for everything from family vacations to extreme sports.

Design

The SJCAM SJ11 has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to mount and use in a variety of situations. The camera measures around 2.4 x 1.5 x 1.1 inches and weighs only 2.4oz, so it won't add much bulk or weight when mounted to a helmet, bike, or other gear.

Despite its small size, the SJ11 feels sturdy thanks to its durable polycarbonate plastic body. The rounded edges and shape allow it to easily slip into pockets or bags when not in use. Large buttons on the side and top make it easy to quickly start/stop recording or snap photos even when wearing gloves.

The front face of the camera has an integrated 1.5 inch touch screen, giving you control and preview of shots. The touch screen is crisp and responsive. The camera body provides a solid and stable base when mounted, with standard GoPro style mounts on the bottom to easily attach accessories.

The SJCAM C200 is another excellent offering from SJCAM. It features a sleek and compact design that is both waterproof and durable, making it perfect for all types of outdoor adventures. Weighing only 1.2oz and measuring 2.2 x 1.4 x 0.9 inches, it's even lighter and more portable than the SJ11. The C200 offers advanced image stabilization and can record in 4K resolution, ensuring you capture high-quality videos no matter the activity. Its user-friendly interface and multiple shooting modes make it a versatile tool for both amateurs and professionals.

Overall, the thoughtful compact design with rounded edges and lightweight body makes the SJCAM SJ11 easy to take anywhere and capture life's adventures.

Image Quality

The SJCAM SJ11 can capture high-quality images and video. It has a 20MP sensor and can shoot 4K video at 30fps.

The 4K resolution provides excellent detail and clarity in videos. At 30fps, footage is smooth and natural looking. Lower resolutions like 2K and 1080p are also available if you want to save space.

For photos, the 20MP sensor enables shooting high-resolution images up to 5472 x 3648 pixels. This allows for large prints or cropping flexibility. The images show good color accuracy and crisp details in ideal lighting conditions.

One handy feature of the SJ11 is the adjustable field of view options. You can shoot in Wide, Medium and Narrow. Wide captures the most expansive view, while Narrow focuses on the central area of the scene. This gives you creative flexibility when framing shots. The wide 155 degree field of view is particularly useful for action shots or capturing expansive scenery.

Overall, the combination of high resolution, adjustable field of view, and 4K/30fps shooting makes the SJ11 a great choice for crystal clear videos and detailed photographs during your adventures.

Another excellent option is the SJCAM SJ6Pro. It features a 12MP sensor and can record 4K video at 24fps, offering high video quality with excellent clarity. The SJ6Pro also supports image stabilization, making it a good choice for capturing smooth and shake-free videos. Additionally, it has a touchscreen interface for ease of use and a variety of shooting modes to suit different needs. Whether you’re shooting fast-paced action or scenic landscapes, the SJ6Pro provides versatility and high performance.

Video Features

The SJCAM SJ11 offers excellent video capabilities for an action camera in this price range. One of the standout features is the built-in electronic image stabilization (EIS) system. The 3.0 EIS provides smooth and steady video even when you're on the move, helping compensate for shakes and bumps. This is a huge plus for action camera footage where vibration is common.

The SJ11 also provides an adjustable field of view, allowing you to zoom from wide angle to a tighter shot. You can digitally zoom up to 8x while recording video. This makes it easy to capture both expansive scenery as well as closer perspectives on a subject without having to move around. The zoom works smoothly when filming and can be controlled directly on the rear touchscreen.

Overall, the combination of advanced stabilization and flexible zoom gives you more control when filming video. The SJ11 delivers stable, clear footage whether you're zooming in on details or capturing fast action sequences. It's a major upgrade over a basic action camera.

Photo Features

The SJCAM SJ11 has a variety of photo modes and settings that allow you to capture high quality photos. The camera can shoot up to 20MP photos, ensuring crisp details and vivid colors in your shots.

Some of the key photo features include:

• Photo Resolution - You can choose photo resolutions from 12MP up to 20MP. Higher resolutions produce larger photos with more detail.

• Time Lapse Photo - This mode lets you capture time lapse photos. You can set the time interval between shots for creative effects.

• Loop Recording - When this is enabled, the camera continuously takes photos and overwrites the oldest ones. Useful for capturing a specific moment.

• Burst Mode - Take up to 30 photos per second so you can capture fast action.

• Scene Mode - Choose from scene modes like Landscape, Portrait, Night, Backlight, etc that optimize settings for specific situations.

• Exposure Value Compensation - Adjust the exposure from -3 to +3 to get the right brightness in tricky lighting.

• ISO - Select ISO values from 100 to 3200. Higher ISO works better in low light but can increase noise.

• White Balance - Change the white balance to accommodate different lighting like sunlight, incandescent, etc.

The variety of modes and manual controls allow you to take great photos in almost any situation. The SJ11 produces crisp, vivid photos even at high resolution settings.

Audio Quality

The SJCAM SJ11 has surprisingly good audio recording capabilities for an action camera. It has a built-in microphone that does a decent job at picking up audio within a close range during video recording. The microphone quality is good enough to capture voices and sounds clearly when the camera is near the audio source.

You can also plug in an external microphone via the USB-C port for improved audio. This allows you to connect a higher quality microphone to vastly improve the audio recording quality, reducing background noise and enabling the capture of sound from farther away.

The camera provides audio options to tweak the recording to your needs. You can adjust the volume and enable or disable wind noise reduction. There is also an audio mode setting that lets you switch between normal and meeting modes depending on your environment. Overall the audio capabilities are quite flexible for an action cam.

Connectivity

The SJCAM SJ11 has several connectivity features that make it convenient to use. It has built-in WiFi that allows you to connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet via the SJCAM Zone app. This app allows you to view live footage, change settings, start/stop recordings, and more. The remote control utilizes Bluetooth connectivity, so you can control the camera from a short distance without needing to physically touch it. This is great for selfies or group shots. The remote has a wrist strap so you don't drop it, and allows you to start/stop videos or capture photos. The SJ11 also has HDMI output so you can play back footage on a TV or external monitor. Overall, the wireless connectivity options give you a lot of flexibility in how you use the camera and view your recordings.

Battery Life

The SJCAM SJ11 comes with a rechargeable 1050 mAh lithium-ion battery. This battery size provides decent battery life for an action camera.

You can expect to get the following recording times on a full charge:

• Up to 90 minutes when recording 4K/30fps video
• Up to 120 minutes when recording 1080p/60fps video
• Up to 180 minutes when recording 1080p/30fps video

The battery life is pretty standard for an action camera in this price range. The recording times are similar to other models like the GoPro Hero 7 Black. The battery is removable, so you can always carry a spare battery with you for longer shooting sessions.

Overall, the battery life is sufficient for most users' needs. Just be sure to charge the camera fully before longer recordings. The battery will drain faster when using WiFi, the rear screen, and higher frame rates or resolutions. But the SJ11 still provides adequate runtime even in more demanding use cases.

Durability

The SJCAM SJ11 is an extremely durable action camera designed to withstand tough conditions. One of the most impressive features is the IPX8 waterproof rating, allowing the camera to be submerged up to 30 meters underwater without needing an external housing. The waterproof design makes this camera perfect for water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

The SJ11 has also been drop-tested from heights of up to 2 meters without damage, thanks to the hardy construction. The camera body is made from durable ABS plastic that can take bumps and knocks during extreme activities. There have been reports of users dropping the SJ11 accidentally without any issues afterwards. Overall, the shock-resistance ensures the camera can keep recording even when things get rough.

Between the waterproof rating and shock-resistance, the SJCAM SJ11 is built to last through all kinds of adventures and continue capturing stunning footage no matter the conditions. This level of durability provides peace of mind that the camera can withstand accidental drops, splashes, or submersion with ease.

Price and Conclusion

The SJCAM SJ11 Action Camera delivers good value for money considering its feature set and capabilities. At around $120, it's priced competitively against other budget action cams like the Akaso EK7000 and Campark X30.

Pros:

• Shoots sharp 4K video at up to 30fps, plus 2.7K and 1080p at 60fps
• Comes with built-in image stabilization
• Has a responsive 2" touchscreen
• Offers different fields of view from narrow to wide angle
• Good still photo capabilities with 20MP photos
• Provides decent audio quality
• Features WiFi connectivity and a companion app
• Waterproof up to 30m without a housing
• Comes with a remote control and mounting accessories

Cons:

• Video quality is decent but could be better in low light
• App connectivity can be spotty at times
• Battery life is limited to around 70 minutes per charge
• Lacks advanced features like ProTune or RAW photo capture

Overall, the SJCAM SJ11 punches above its weight given its affordable price point. It's a great option for casual users looking for a versatile action camera without spending too much. While it doesn't quite match the video quality and performance of premium models, it still captures smooth, stabilized 4K footage. For the price, it's a compelling choice for capturing adventures and outdoor activities.