SJCAM SJ8 Plus Novatek 96683 Sony IMX117 EIS real 4k H.265 HEVC Action Camera

[petesimon]

I purchased the "small box" SJ8 Plus from Banggood for USD $99. Firmware version is v1.0.7

I sent emails (which turned in to support tickets) to official SJCAM support http://support.sjcam.com and they replied. They said that they identified a bug for the 4k EIS and will release a firmware update (uh sometime) to fix the issue. I found two other bugs that I don't like. The 1080p 30fps EIS is also jerky and Frequency setting (for artificial lighting) is always 60hz and can not be changed. * See my other post below about SJCAM support.

4k 30fps EIS is jerky or "skipping". See these - https://photos.app.goo.gl/vFbtyX9UCGPGkbDLA - and see other video samples for jerky 1080p 30fps EIS.

Even though the codec is h.265 hevc, the bit rate for some modes is too low, for example the bit rate for 4:3 AR 2.7k 30fps is 16 Mbps and 1080p 30fps is about 9 Mbps. Wow, "how low can you go" ? Basically, as of right now, the camera can be well used in these few EIS enabled modes: 16:9 AR 2.7k 30fps, 4:3 AR 2.7k 30fps, 2k (1440p) 60fps, and 1080p 60fps. Or be used in all modes when EIS is completely disabled. But of course I often want to enable EIS. Also, if the cam is used indoors, then it can only be used in an environment of 60hz lighting (because 50hz will cause a 'flicker' effect). 🤣💡. I really looking for (a) firmware update(s) that will fix these issues.

Video samples, h.265 hevc. Download the file first before playing it - http://pc.cd/I50rtalK



Video bit rates


More photos of the camera and its user-interface (UI) - http://pc.cd/PlT

[DrekiTech]

Let me know if yours stutters and drops frames at 4K 30 w/ EIS. I am not sure if I got a dud

[zioroby6]

Can you confirm that external mic doesn't work and/or there isn't any option for that in the SJ8 Plus? Thank you!
By the way, any opinions about the camera in general? I'm considering it as a possible purchase...

[petesimon]

zioroby6 - i don't recommend to purchase this Plus camera now as per the issues stated in this thread. However, if your research findings are good about the SJCAM SJ8 Pro, then you can find it at USD $ 135 or more for the "small box" kit on Banngood, Aliexpress, Gearbest, (etc).

Also, I refuse to spend USD >$12 on a special SJCAM microphone, so I'm will try to use cheap USB Type C to 3.5mm female audio adapter and a cheap lapel mic with these SJ8's.

[zioroby6]

Oh, well, thanks petesimon for the hint. Yeah, as far as the mic goes I wouldn't spend anything for the original one. I will keep monitoring the Firefly 8SE which imho gives the best quality+accessories to price ratio (still 120$, but I hoped for another coupon at 100$ like it was in November). It's just a pity that the newer rev with Vxxx firmware has no mod by the master nutsey 😕

[nutsey]

I hope someone with an SJ8 Plus camera can join my NT96683 WebAPI research.

[petesimon]

*reserved* for SJCAM support information ...