GoPro Cam unit

Hi Cary - I'm researching these too. There's a goPro4 due out soon whichis hoped should produce 4k @25fps. I'm looking at a drone to mount it on too :)

I bought a "Look a Like" in Lidls sometime back for £89! It doesn`t have the functionality of the GoPro but the results are surprisingly good. Comes with a case suitable for diving & I plan to use it soon when we visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe :-)

I have one of those Chinese cameras that were featured on here by Tom H and played with it and have a GoPro (2?) bought from costco on a whim.
not really used in anger yet though

My review of the No-Pro SJ4000 has been published in the latest issue of Film and Video maker.

You can read all about this amazing little action /dash cam here:

http://www.theiac.org.uk/news/Tom-Hardwick-SJ4000-review.pdf

In which you say it shoots at 30fps.
Is that the only frame rate?

Not great for mixing with the European 25fps standard.

The GoPro 4 is due out next week. Personally, I'd wait for that.

The SJ4000 and almost every single Chinese-made action-cam you can name shoots at 30 fps.  Edius makes light work of it and produces DVDs and BDs that play beautifully smoothly even when integrated with 25 fps footage.

Such good and cheap action-cams have goaded GoPro into introducing the £100 GoPro Hero.  It's still twice the price of the SJ4000 and more than 3x the price if you include the viewfinder, but it will shoot at 25 fps and 50 fps at 720P. But it won't loop the video and it's only fitted with an f/2.8 lens so I fear for its safety in the market place.

Now the GoPro4.  That looks like a real goodie.

I must admit I bought 4 of the 4000's and haven't regretted it. To be honest I didn't even realise they worked at 30fps until I noticed the editor box where it said it! I've had no problems like Tom mixing the footage from my real go pro, the 4000s and the proper camera HD material - in fact, the pictures it produces match my JVC cameras better than the go pro which always seems to have more saturation than I like, but I guess does make the images prettier!

I've broken two of them now because I don't worry so much, and getting back from the heavily wooded area in a 4x4 and not counting to 4 as one has vanished doesn't make me so cross. Kind of consumable - and they come with loads more accessories!

I'll keep buying them - but must keep buying different colours. All one colour is a pain! Not sure about pink though?

The 4 is in at Prestons = http://www.hpreston.co.uk/dp/B00O36GZU6/ref=wcr_dp_numReviews#GuestReviews

Used my "Lidl`s" cheapie whilst swimming in the Devils Pool at the edge of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe! Stunning results!

My  SJ4000 arrived this week - can't believe what you get for less than £60 !

robo

what supplier Robo?

Dave - bought through Amazon UK - if you search Novatek SJ4000 you'll find it - this stupid board doesn't want to let me do a simple copy and paste !! I got the camera, spare battery and sd card for £56.70  all arrives in less than 10 days.
I did check out the clips on YouTube about dodgy imports and mine seems to tick all the boxes as the
genuine article.

robo

Hi robo, you couldn't link to Amazon please, thanks.

Is this the one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Novatek-1-5Inch-Waterproof-Security-recorder-Black/dp/B00JA0LQ2C

Harry

That's the one Harry, and at £39 delivered it's the cheapest price I've seen on the web, snap it up.

But don't go believing that spec sheet. It's not a 12mp sensor, it won't go anywhere near that depth in that little housing (the pins will leak) and it certainly won't shot at 720p/60.

But no matter, it's a very capable little camera indeed, and I love mine.

tom

Thanks for the link.

How can you be sure your buying a genuine article and not a dodgy import?  Thanks in advance.

You beat me to that question, Tony.  After reading some of the comments on the Amazon site it had me thinking the same as you.

Harry

:)

Just taken delivery of the SJ4000 which cost just under £ 39. No complaints , HD 1080 video looks fine. Loads of bits and bobs in the package which took nearly 4 weeks to deliver.
John

Well John, how are you getting on with your new toy ? :)

 Tony

Sorry for the delay, just returned from a cruise. The camera worked fine indoors, outdoors, wet weather, dry weather, etc. Only one issue, namely it records in Mov mode and therefore the sd card does not work directly into my HD tv.

John

No problem John, thanks for the info.