dashcam, action cam, tech reviews and videos
The Ele Rexso Explorer Dual is a interpolated 4K action cam based on the Novatek NT96660 processor and an unknown image sensor (likely the Omnivision OV4689, since some spec sheets say “IMX179” but the IMX179 has not been combined with the NT96660 before. This is just a guess, however, so please don’t take it as truth). Externally the camera is near identical to the Firefly 7S, but the video results are quite different. I love this wine-red color it comes in too.
With a good build quality and great gyro, once the bugs are worked out this will probably be one of the better cameras available. Many Chinese companies release their products in a “beta” state and iron out issues as users bring them up… The SJ6 Air reminds me of the Mijia camera, where it feels like it has not yet reached its full potential.
All of these cameras are so close and the differences in how they process video are so minimal, that what you should look for while watching is which camera processes exposure more appealingly to you, which camera has the most appealing audio to you and which cameras user interface will work best for you. No matter which you buy you’ll end up with a camera that has decent video quality.
I’ve been using this as my go to controller for playing games on my PC. The controls are responsive and the overall design is comfortable. However the clear plastic is quite slippery and can be hard to hold in tense situations.
The Hamswan F68 is the perfect example of “fake specification”. This camera is capable of a maximum 1080p @ 30FPS. It uses frame doubling to achieve 1080p @ 60FPS. There is not enough resolution on the sensor for 2.3K nor 4K. Due to the high price and poor video quality, we recommend avoiding this camera.
The SPCA 6350 / OV4689 Processor and sensor combo does a decent job faking 4K. Some Youtubers even claim (incorrectly) that it’s better than GoPro 4K! You might not be able to tell the difference on a smaller screen…
English menus are now available on the Xiaomi Mijia 4K action camera, but there are no clear instructions on how to update. Since I don’t speak Chinese it was difficult to navigate the menus and find the right options, so I have written it out in a (hopefully) concise list.
This is one of the first cameras that combine the Ambarella A12 with an 8MP Sony IMX317 Sensor, so it has the possibility of standing out among competing real 4K cams for video quality. It’s got solid 4K video so far. It just needs some refining here and there (and a waterproof case).
Sure, the color and exposure is a bit off, the framerate of the 4K is too low (not real 4K) and the 1080p 60 looks like it’s been scaled up from 720p… But funny thing, from my preliminary tests this camera does better sharpness wise than many other cams I’ve tested that are also based on the Allwinner V3 / IMX179 (that are often 3x the price!). I can forgive a $25 cam for these issues but when resellers are selling these things for $75 – $150… Heck no! If you buy one, buy it at this price instead.
Initial impressions of this camera are very positive, and this camera is fast becoming one of my favorite real 4K cameras I’ve tested to date. The reason I prefer it over competitors such as the SJ7 Star or the ThiEYE T5e, is because it loudly beeps when buttons are pressed, compared to the other cameras, which only have soft beeping that is difficult to hear in the waterproof case.