GoPro style Action Camera in Aldi

Zascar · 07-06-2016 01:26PM #1

Gopro style action camera, branded National Geographic in Aldi this week €45 https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thur-9-june/products-detail-page/ps/p/full-hd-action-camcorder/?pk_campaign=ie_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2016-06-06_15-11

It looks like one of the Chinese Gopro copies - if anyone knows the SJ4000 that you can buy on ebay. I've heard good thing about these - almost as good as a GoPro for a tiny fraction of the price. I believe all the mounts etc are the same.

Does anyone know any more?

Alanstrainor · 07-06-2016 01:32PM

The SJ4000 was/is a great camera, but it was cloned (clone of a clone...) and there were a lot of fakes going around.

This Aldi one looks like an SJ4000, but it could be a knock off, very hard to tell much from the spec. It's a bit of a minefield trying to source a genuine SJ4000 from SJCAM. I guess for the money, you can't go too far wrong here, but part of me would be wary.

I guess Aldi would have a decent return and warranty policy, which is definitely a plus.

JakeBell · 07-06-2016 01:44PM

There are a couple of footage examples up on Youtube and they look very bad. Even the manufacturer's footage in their sales video looks really bad:

youtube.com/watch?v=enJ6CByCLSA

User Samples:
youtube.com/watch?v=cKsrtVVu5fQ
youtube.com/watch?v=F4SLsg6RUXE

J.pilkington · 07-06-2016 01:51PM

From a few recent threads on aldi / lidl's tech stock it would seem there is better value / quality stuff out there, seems to be the same here

mrcheez · 07-06-2016 02:46PM

JakeBell wrote: »

There are a couple of footage examples up on Youtube and they look very bad. Even the manufacturer's footage in their sales video looks really bad:

youtube.com/watch?v=enJ6CByCLSA

User Samples:
youtube.com/watch?v=cKsrtVVu5fQ
youtube.com/watch?v=F4SLsg6RUXE

As an owner of a genuine SJ4000, those are definitely not from an SJ4000.

Check out the footage around 25:20 on this video for a comparison:
https://youtu.be/uirzCD-qALE?t=1520

dodzy · 07-06-2016 02:50PM

Looking for something for a spanish holiday next week. Paragliding, jet-ski, scuba footage. Would you rate the SJ4000 mrcheez ?

Looking at them on Amazon UK for in and around 55pound delivered. If you were to give it the seal of approval, i'd bite

mrcheez · 07-06-2016 02:55PM

dodzy wrote: »

Looking for something for a spanish holiday next week. Paragliding, jet-ski, scuba footage. Would you rate the SJ4000 mrcheez ?

Looking at them on Amazon UK for in and around 55pound delivered. If you were to give it the seal of approval, i'd bite

Yeah very good. I used mine recently while scuba diving in Japan, and before that used it on my commuting bike for several months. Footage is outstanding, plus (as the scuba dive leader in Japan mentioned) the standard GoPro doesn't have a viewfinder whereas the SJ4000 does, which comes in handy for taking underwater shots.

JakeBell · 07-06-2016 03:05PM

dodzy wrote: »

Looking for something for a spanish holiday next week. Paragliding, jet-ski, scuba footage. Would you rate the SJ4000 mrcheez ?

Looking at them on Amazon UK for in and around 55pound delivered. If you were to give it the seal of approval, i'd bite

If you had a wee bit more to spend the Gitup Git2 is a better camera. But both are decent action cameras.

Zascar · 07-06-2016 03:34PM

So can anyone link to a Real SJ4000 - the reason I want one is I already have an old gopro - but its the first version and the controls etc are terrible, I want something more updated - plus I already have a load of accessories etc which I want to use.

cson · 07-06-2016 04:26PM

In the market for one of these too; was looking at a second hand GoPro on adverts for ~€150 (GoPro+ I think).

Would the SJ be a better bet?

JakeBell · 07-06-2016 04:47PM

If you can spend a bit more (~€100) the Xiaomi Yi or the Git2 will take very good quality shots (the Xiaomi lacks a screen and some need to be opened to improve focus which is a bit of a turn off). I think the SJ4000 is the best of the cheaper models (~€70) models.

I'd imagine the best place to get a genuine model would be on a website like gearbest or banggood.

Here's the difference between one users Git2 (top) and SJ4000 (bottom): youtube.com/watch?v=cphp4wKz0Qg
There are plenty of comparison videos on Youtube.

JakeBell · 07-06-2016 04:50PM

If anyone is looking for more information or discussion on action cameras then here's a useful link: dashcamtalk.com/forum/#action-cameras.164

Corholio · 07-06-2016 04:57PM

Having had both a SJ4000 and a Xiaomi Yi, I just about prefer the Yi. The app for the Yi is fantastic and more than makes up for it not having a screen, it's so small that a screen wouldn't be the best use anyway. The Yi for me handled direct sunshine better than any other camera I used.

JakeBell · 07-06-2016 05:11PM

The Yi gets great reviews but that lack of a screen would be my big negative. The app requires WiFi which uses a lot of battery, though you can say that screens do too to an extent. With either method you are going to be using it to set up the shot. For me, the screen is much handier (you can set it to turn off after a short period) than pulling out my phone and connecting to WiFi.

Also some of the Yi cameras come without having been properly focused. It is fixable but it involves opening up the unit and turning the lens.

If you are getting a Yi get the international version. There have been a few small upgrades which include a better battery.

There's a Yi2 on the way which is a much more expensive unit but it's going to be competing with the new GoPros.

mrcheez · 07-06-2016 05:42PM

JakeBell wrote: »

The Yi gets great reviews but that lack of a screen would be my big negative.

Never heard of the Yi myself, but if using the camera in situations where you couldn't use a phone (scuba diving or jet-skiing etc) and you need to know that the camera is framing the shot correctly the viewfinder would be essential I would think.

Kenny Logins · 07-06-2016 06:44PM

Corholio wrote: »

Having had both a SJ4000 and a Xiaomi Yi, I just about prefer the Yi. The app for the Yi is fantastic and more than makes up for it not having a screen, it's so small that a screen wouldn't be the best use anyway. The Yi for me handled direct sunshine better than any other camera I used.

Same. I had the 5000+ but much prefer the Yi.

Kenny Logins · 07-06-2016 06:45PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Never heard of the Yi myself, but if using the camera in situations where you couldn't use a phone (scuba diving or jet-skiing etc) and you need to know that the camera is framing the shot correctly the viewfinder would be essential I would think.

If you can't frame a wide angle action camera for jet skiing or scuba diving without use of a screen, you've probably got bigger problems to worry about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GDZBXZunzM

mrcheez · 08-06-2016 12:13AM

Kenny Logins wrote: »

If you can't frame a wide angle action camera for jet skiing or scuba diving without use of a screen, you've probably got bigger problems to worry about.

Not really, I was taking still shots with the SJ4000 as well as videos and using the viewfinder I was able to determine whether or not the shot managed to capture all the elements I wanted perfectly.

There is a momentary delay after you press the shutter button so the fish I thought I captured in the first shot had half-gone out of the frame by the time the photo was actually taken.

Only using the viewfinder was I able to determine when I got the shot I wanted.

Couldn't really imagine using a non-viewfinder camera at all in such situations.

JakeBell · 08-06-2016 01:14AM

The screen is a no brainer for setting up shots but it is also useful for changing settings. Who wants to be pulling out their phone to change their camera settings?

mrcheez · 08-06-2016 08:12AM

JakeBell wrote: »

The screen is a no brainer for setting up shots but it is also useful for changing settings. Who wants to be pulling out their phone to change their camera settings?

Agreed, changing ISO settings at 30m below the surface was damn handy (not to mention being able to share pics with others mid-dive).

Maybe you could get a mate in the boat above to tweak the settings on the Yi for you while you communicate what you want through some sort of bubble-morse code

dodzy · 08-06-2016 08:59AM

mrcheez wrote: »

Agreed, changing ISO settings at 30m below the surface was damn handy (not to mention being able to share pics with others mid-dive).

Maybe you could get a mate in the boat above to tweak the settings on the Yi for you while you communicate what you want through some sort of bubble-morse code

Trying to track down one on Amazon that does not ship from Asia. Need to move quick to have it by next Friday. If anyone has a link, please post

mrcheez · 08-06-2016 10:16AM

dodzy wrote: »

Trying to track down one on Amazon that does not ship from Asia. Need to move quick to have it by next Friday. If anyone has a link, please post

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SJCAM-Original-Waterproof-Camcorder-Accessories/dp/B01CNVJVBC/

You get it delivered to UK using Prime and then shipped to Ireland using Parcel Wizard.

When you say "next Friday" do you mean in 2 days?? Don't think you will get it that fast but you never know!

EDIT: Alternatively you could get one from adverts.ie (they say its new): http://www.adverts.ie/video-cameras/original-sjcam-sj4000-wifi/10021016

dodzy · 08-06-2016 10:25AM

mrcheez wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SJCAM-Original-Waterproof-Camcorder-Accessories/dp/B01CNVJVBC/

You get it delivered to UK using Prime and then shipped to Ireland using Parcel Wizard.

When you say "next Friday" do you mean in 2 days?? Don't think you will get it that fast but you never know!

EDIT: Alternatively you could get one from adverts.ie, although 2nd-hand: http://www.adverts.ie/video-cameras/original-sjcam-sj4000-wifi/10021016

Cheers lad, yep. Seen them both but I want the accessories, well the yoke you put on your head specifically ! It comes with some of the AZ sellers but theyr'e all HK shipped. Dont need it until next Friday, 17th

I'll probably never use it outside of holidays though!

Alanstrainor · 08-06-2016 10:27AM

dodzy wrote: »

Cheers lad, yep. Seen them both but I want the accessories, well the yoke you put on your head specifically ! It comes with some of the AZ sellers but theyr'e all HK shipped. Dont need it until next Friday, 17th I'll probably never use it outside of holidays though!

Next Friday is the 10th.... Friday week is the 17th. Next means next god darn it!

mrcheez · 08-06-2016 10:29AM

dodzy wrote: »

Cheers lad, yep. Seen them both but I want the accessories, well the yoke you put on your head specifically ! It comes with some of the AZ sellers but theyr'e all HK shipped. Dont need it until next Friday, 17th I'll probably never use it outside of holidays though!

They always come with the accessories though.

Check the pics on http://www.adverts.ie/video-cameras/original-sjcam-sj4000-wifi/10021016

d31b0y · 08-06-2016 12:48PM

What about THIS Friday then, Alanstrainor?
It's always been;

This Friday - 'This coming Friday'
Next Friday - 'Friday next week'
Friday week - 'Friday in about two weeks but maybe next Friday but which next Friday though? Don't worry it's too far away to remember anyway'

Corholio · 08-06-2016 12:58PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Agreed, changing ISO settings at 30m below the surface was damn handy (not to mention being able to share pics with others mid-dive).

Maybe you could get a mate in the boat above to tweak the settings on the Yi for you while you communicate what you want through some sort of bubble-morse code

My experience with the Yi wasn't doing either watter skiing or diving so yes the screen may come in handy there, but for other uses of it I found the camera app more than handy to tweak the settings while being able to see what I wanted to film,and I also found the app's settings much quicker to change. It's also handier to be able to upload shots instantaneous depending on what you are using them for.

mrcheez · 08-06-2016 01:18PM

d31b0y wrote: »

What about THIS Friday then, Alanstrainor?
It's always been;

This Friday - 'This coming Friday'
Next Friday - 'Friday next week'
Friday week - 'Friday in about two weeks but maybe next Friday but which next Friday though? Don't worry it's too far away to remember anyway'

I think you're on your own there mate

saying "Friday week" today is definitely Friday 17th for most people

Alanstrainor · 08-06-2016 01:41PM

d31b0y wrote: »

What about THIS Friday then, Alanstrainor?
It's always been;

This Friday - 'This coming Friday'
Next Friday - 'Friday next week'
Friday week - 'Friday in about two weeks but maybe next Friday but which next Friday though? Don't worry it's too far away to remember anyway'

I'll take the bate...

Friday week, means the Friday after next, there is no ambiguity!

People get this wrong all the time, this is the only context I've come across where next doesn't mean next! Does next year mean 2018 so? Next month mean August? Oh but next Friday means the one in two weeks. Ugh.

Anyway, this Aldi cam is rubbish, buy the Yi!

d31b0y · 08-06-2016 01:53PM

Now you are getting it!

(I have this conversation with the missus all the time and I come down on the same side as you. I just wanted to know if I was crazy, or she was

)

dodzy · 08-06-2016 01:54PM

Ah jesus lads, get over the Friday thing. Your time would be far better spent finding me a headstrap !:p

GoPro style Action Camera in Aldi

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