SJCAM SJ6Pro: Full Review

SJCAM is a China-based action camera manufacturer that has been producing affordable GoPro alternatives since 2014. The company is best known for its SJ series of action cameras that aim to provide a compelling combination of features, performance, and value.

With the SJ6 Legend in 2018, SJCAM made a splash by offering 4K/60fps recording and rock-solid electronic image stabilization at a fraction of the price of high-end action cameras. The new SJ6 Pro builds on that foundation with upgrades like a front-facing screen, external mic support, and improved stabilization.

Let's take a closer look at what the SJ6 Pro brings to the table and how it stacks up as an affordable 4K action camera.

Design

The SJCAM SJ6 Pro has a compact and portable design that makes it easy to take with you anywhere. It measures 60.7 x 41.1 x 29.8mm and weighs only 63g without the battery, making it one of the smallest and lightest 4K action cameras available.

Despite its small size, the SJ6 Pro feels sturdy and durable thanks to its metal and plastic construction. The camera body has a textured finish for a secure grip. There are standard action camera mounting points on the bottom and back so you can easily attach the SJ6 Pro to helmets, selfie sticks, tripods etc. Overall the design is functional yet stylish with some nice design touches like the color LCD on front. The SJ6 Pro won't weigh you down while providing great performance and image quality.

If you're looking for an upgrade, consider the SJCAM SJ10Pro. It offers enhanced features including superior 4K video recording and a higher frame rate. The SJ10Pro maintains a compact design but includes improved stabilization and waterproof capabilities without needing an external case. More information is available SJCAM SJ10Pro.

Image Quality

The SJCAM SJ6Pro features a 24MP sensor that is capable of capturing high-resolution still images. The camera can shoot video in a range of resolutions up to 4K at 60fps.

The 24MP sensor provides plenty of resolution for capturing detailed still photos. Images show good sharpness and color accuracy. The larger sensor size also helps with dynamic range and low light performance. Still photos can be captured in JPEG or RAW formats.

For video, the SJ6Pro offers a wide range of shooting modes. The highlight is definitely the ability to record 4K video at up to 60fps. This allows capturing ultra high resolution footage that remains smooth and fluid. The 60fps frame rate gives flexibility for slow motion when editing.

Besides 4K, the camera can also shoot 2.7K video at up to 60fps. At the 1080p resolution, you get frame rates up to 120fps for excellent slow motion capability. The high frame rates at all resolutions ensure smooth, detailed video footage.

The SJ6Pro uses the efficient H.265 video codec. This keeps video files sizes manageable while maintaining quality. Overall, the camera delivers excellent video and photo quality for an action camera in this price range.

In addition to the SJ6Pro, SJCAM also offers the SJCAM C200. The C200 is a compact and lightweight action camera designed for portability without compromising on performance. It supports 4K video recording, has a 16MP sensor for clear still images, and includes features such as WiFi connectivity and waterproof capabilities. The C200 is perfect for capturing adventures on the go.

Screens

The SJCAM SJ6 Pro comes equipped with dual screens - a rear touchscreen and a front status display.

The rear 2.33" touchscreen has a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. It's large, bright, and responsive, making it easy to frame shots, review footage, and change settings on the camera. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and the screen is viewable even in bright sunlight.

The front status display is a small monochrome screen that shows you important shooting information like battery life, storage space remaining, and mode. It's a handy way to get a quick status check without having to turn on the full rear screen. The front screen turns off when not in use to conserve battery life.

Having both a touchscreen and a front status display is useful, allowing you to quickly check settings and framing without draining the battery. The dual screen setup adds versatility to the SJ6 Pro.

Stabilization

The SJCAM SJ6 Pro features SJCAM's proprietary stabilization technology, Stabilization 2.0. This is an upgraded version of the stabilization used in previous SJCAM models.

Stabilization 2.0 utilizes both electronic image stabilization (EIS) and optical image stabilization (OIS) to deliver smooth, shake-free videos and photos. The gyroscope detects camera movement and shifts the lens or image sensor to counteract it. This results in much less shakiness compared to having no stabilization.

In testing, Stabilization 2.0 proved very effective at smoothing out bumps and vibrations during activities like riding a bike, walking, or being in a moving vehicle. It's not gimbal-like stabilization, but it's a marked improvement over no stabilization. The stabilization worked well for both 4K and 1080p video.

The dual EIS + OIS stabilization gives the SJ6 Pro a leg up on competitors that rely on just one type of stabilization. Having both hardware and software stabilization makes for the best stabilization possible in an action camera of this size and price range.

Overall, the stabilization is a highlight feature of the SJ6 Pro, allowing users to capture smooth video during a wide range of motion-filled activities. It's a solid upgrade over past SJCAM models.

Audio

The SJCAM SJ6Pro has excellent audio capabilities for an action camera. One of the standout features is the external microphone support via a 3.5mm mic jack. This allows you to connect high-quality external mics to vastly improve audio quality compared to the built-in mic.

The external mic support is great for vloggers, musicians, and anyone who wants crystal clear audio in their videos. You can use lapel mics or shotgun mics to capture audio from yourself or subjects while minimizing background noise. This takes videos to the next level compared to tinny built-in mic audio.

Some action cams lack mic ports so external audio is impossible. The SJ6Pro changing this with excellent external mic support is a huge advantage for serious content creators needing pro-level audio. This feature alone makes the SJ6Pro standout in its price range.

Waterproofing

The SJCAM SJ6Pro has impressive waterproof capabilities without requiring a separate housing case. The camera itself is rated for waterproofing up to 40 meters, making it suitable for use when swimming, snorkeling, or doing other water activities.

The lack of need for an extra housing is convenient, as it reduces the amount of accessories you need to bring and makes the camera simpler to use. The built-in waterproofing gives you confidence that the SJ6Pro can withstand splashes, rain, or being fully submerged without damage.

40 meters of waterproof rating is quite deep, deeper than most consumers would ever need. This rating matches or exceeds the waterproof capabilities of high-end action cameras from other major brands.

Overall, the robust IP68 waterproof rating down to 40 meters is a standout feature for the SJ6Pro, allowing you to capture underwater footage and adventures without extra equipment. The waterproofing works right out of the box, protecting your investment in the camera.

Connectivity

The SJCAM SJ6Pro offers robust connectivity options to complement its powerful video and photo capabilities. It has built-in WiFi which allows you to connect the camera directly to your smartphone or tablet via the SJCAM Zone app. This enables remote control of the camera, live preview, and quick sharing of content.

Bluetooth is also included for pairing external devices like remote controls or external mics. The camera has a micro HDMI port to output video directly to a TV or monitor, as well as a USB-C port for charging, data transfer, or live streaming.

Overall the connectivity of the SJ6Pro is very good, with the inclusion of WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and USB-C allowing for flexible control, previewing, sharing and streaming of your content. The wireless options make it easy to connect to your other devices on the go.

Battery Life

The SJCAM SJ6Pro comes with a removable 1150mAh battery that provides decent battery life. You can expect to record around 70 minutes of 4K video at 60fps on a single charge. Dropping down to 1080p 60fps extends this to around 120 minutes. These battery life estimates are quite good for an action camera of this size.

The battery charges via USB-C, which is convenient as it's the same port used for data transfer and live streaming. A full charge takes around 2 hours. The camera does not come with a standalone battery charger, you need to charge the battery while it's inside the camera.

Overall, the battery life is similar to other action cameras in this price range. Just be sure to pack an extra battery or two for all day shooting sessions. The quick charge time helps minimize downtime between battery swaps.

Conclusion

The SJCAM SJ6Pro is an impressive action camera that offers great value for money. Here's a quick summary of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Shoots 4K video at up to 60fps for smooth, high-quality footage
• 24MP photo resolution provides detailed still images
• Dual screens allow you to frame shots and preview footage on the device
• Advanced stabilization produces steady videos even during motion
• External mic support delivers improved audio quality
• 40m waterproof rating enables underwater use without a case
• WiFi connectivity allows wireless control and sharing
• 8X digital zoom expands framing possibilities

Cons:

• Battery life could be better when shooting high resolutions or frame rates
• Low-light performance not as good as some competitor cameras
• No built-in GPS for geotagging
• App connectivity can be glitchy at times

Overall, the SJ6Pro delivers great features and performance for the price. It's a versatile action cam suitable for everything from sports to underwater use. Just be aware of the battery life limitations when shooting high-end video modes. But for the money, it's hard to beat the SJ6Pro's combination of image quality, stabilization, and features.