SJCAM SJ11 Active Review: Is it a Good Budget 4K Action Camera?

[@g0th1cazn]

Surprisingly, it is a good camera. Seeing the side-by-side footage with the GoPro 11, the bleeds and blending of the GoPro are lacking, but with the SJ11 is a little more clearer. There were some scenes that you can clearly see pixilation. Thanks for the review.

[@TechMishka]

The pixelation is often caused by the compression that KZbin applies.

[@h9hkk6155]

Yup, to my eye also SJ11 looks clearer than GP11 😮😮😮

[@rickarmstrong9793]

I've been contemplating an SJCAM as a "starter action cam," so I do greatly appreciate your video. The subject also got me to thinking. An SJCAM will likely never surpass the current model of GoPro. So I'm not sure putting them head to head is a fair matchup. But just imagine comparing it an older GoPro, or multiple old GoPros. How far back would you have to go for the SJ11 to outperform GoPro? Consider this, for the pricepoint of the SJ11, you could get into a used Hero 9 Black; a used 8 for much less.

[@TechMishka]

Honestly ... Too many generations. Hero 6 is a lot better, maybe even Hero 5 - it doesn't have stabilization in 4K, but image quality is better IMO.

[@rockel83]

SJcam can't be considered as an budgetcam annymore. In the past they surely were great. A budgetcam will always have less quality or options. For that, the reason to choose for a budgetcam would be the price to be able to make good concessions. But with this price it's no concession anymore for the hardware you get. Like an Hero 9 will have a price difference of just something like $30 on offer now. And Blackfriday is close now. All accessories you buy now will be later interchangeable on the 10, 11, 12 and probably on the "13" too (probably the batteries, because of their newly Enduro's). And in image quality there're no extreme gaps between a Hero 9 or 11 or 12. A new er GoPro only has some newer features. Like stabilization 6.0 instead of 3.0 or so, and things like horizonlock etc. I've used my old $60 SJcam M10+ out of 2016 until last year on trips and vacations. Colors were a bit terrible. But after some tweaking in post edit, it was actually quite decent. And even holding up pretty good next to the Osmo Action 3. It's still blowing away modern action cams like Akaso, which cost 3 times more now, in clarity and sharpness. And I believe back then it was even holding up pretty well against the Hero4, which was much more expensive. This is what budgetcams should be.

[@rickarmstrong9793]

@@TechMishka Funny thing. Shortly after my original comment, I found a Hero 10 in a pawn shop. It was marked 230. The day before I found it, I saw that with the release of the Hero 12, prices on older models took a big drop. I told the pawn shop guy the current "going price," and got it for 175.

[@suprlite]

You can get sj11 for about 150 bucks, so definitely still budget compared to gopro.

[@jamesmondragon526]

Do you recommend it for just casual capturing moments or things that happen while riding a motorcycle?

[@TechMishka]

It will be fine, yeah.

[@raouloctav]

didn't hear abou SJcam for a long time. SJ4000 opened the door for me and had great clips with it yet afterwards the price and specs lent me to Gopro

[@TechMishka]

Yeah, these were iconic cameras.

[@maks886]

Hi, I am looking for a camera to film my kayak trips. For that I need a long battery life (or cheap replacement batteries) and resistance to overheating in the sun. I am considering such an sjcam, but maybe an older gopro or dji would be better for the money? I heard some gopros had issues with overheating? I don't plan to run the camera at a constant 4k

[@TechMishka]

If you film in 1080p it will never overheat. And you are right - older GoPro and DJI models are totally awesome.

[@mosaicmmosaic7699]

Another summer, another action camera and Mike is in Chalkidiki I guess. Welcome back. ( unfortunately sjcam is far from the old days)

[@TechMishka]

Yeaaaaahhh. Can't wait for next year.

[@cengizender7217]

Hi. Thank you very much. Are the lens gears of these two models the same size? Did using this filter damage the gears afterwards?

[@TechMishka]

Not sure about it. Better don't take any unnecessary risks.

[@oversteer_9339]

Way better than gopro because of the price of the cam itself and the accessories you can get with it. Gopro accessories cost a fortune!

[@TechMishka]

They do, but are mostly useful.

[@KorsanTurk]

Hello, SJ11 and SJ8 pro which one has better picture and microphone sound quality? Which one would you recommend please? Thank you.

[@TechMishka]

I'd recommend buying an older DJI or GoPro camera. I believe that SJ8 PRO might be the better out of the two

[@KorsanTurk]

@@TechMishka Thank u very much :)

[@ammarhaikalmohdroslan887]

is go pro hero 4 still good​@@TechMishka

[@restyrestituto]

Might be an irrelevant question, is it usable when it's plugged in to the charger? I'm planning to use it as a mounted camera for basketball games.

[@TechMishka]

Yes, it is. You can film while the battery is being charged.

[@QuicknStraight]

I just bought a second hand Inst360 One R 4k (battery, core, 4K mod, cage, with 64GB card) for the equivalent of just over $100. Why waste more on cameras like this???

[@roljavi]

Because not everyone can run into an drug addict online who is selling his shit to get another dose.

[@rockel83]

At this price point these camera's are not worthy anymore. Even for like $40 more you will buy a new Hero9 on offer. Which is pretty similar in quality compared to the 10, 11 and 12. And it still uses the same accessories and batteries. So a future update would be relatively "cheap". For less then $200 you surely would find a good Hero9/10 in good condition. Or even a Osmo Action 1 or 2. I feel that paying $189 for a cam like this is throwing away money. Especially when looking to the future if you would like to have new accessories like batteries.

[@TechMishka]

Agreed - you had a great deal!

[@GeneCavalcante]

I'm looking for a good camera to use in my motorcycle trips but can't afforf a Gopro right now. Is this one worth it ?

[@TechMishka]

I'd go for a used goPro

[@mateuszgolebiowski9680]

Hi. I have a question. Does the standard package include bike handle? I need a camera to record my bike rides?

[@TechMishka]

No such accessory in the box

[@supernoobie1291]

Hi , I wanna flim the rollercoaster rides , do you think it will be suitable or do you have any affordable and good camera recommendations?

[@TechMishka]

It will be OK. I'd recommend checking some good deals about older GoPro a d DJI Osmo Action models

[@SteveKayakFishingMalta]

Hi, well done for the video, I have just got the SJ 11 Active and one think i'm not happy because when I stop recording the camera stays switched on for 3 minutes, There is an option to get the camera switched off automatically when stop recording ?

[@TechMishka]

You can power it off manually.

[@SteveKayakFishingMalta]

@TechMishka but i want to be switched off automatically when i stop recording like a gopro, there is an option ?

[@matejvidmar4914]

Hello. Can you suggest which ND filter I should buy additionally for this camera? Which one do you use in the description (it has a red border). Best regards, Matej

[@TechMishka]

Hey Matej, honestly - the camera will be better without ND filter. These that Ingot are from Osmo Action 1 but don't fit that well.

[@matejvidmar4914]

@@TechMishka Thank you very much.

[@ElectricNation100]

Can you use an external mic with this ?

[@TechMishka]

You could, if you get SJCam's connector.

[@jeyi-jj]

Hello sir. Can the sj11 model use an external microphone?

[@TechMishka]

Yeah

[@Chris-nw3tn]

​​@@TechMishkahey, great video. I bought the sj11 because of your video. However, i also bought a wired usb c mic from ali-express. It said it was for the sj11, but it doesnt seem to work. Is this microphone broken? Or do you need to change some hidden settings to use the external microphone? Edit: i saw your comment about buying a mic from sjcams website (which i cant really, way to high shipping costs). They do have mic's but only for other sjcams (at least it doesnt include the sj11 in the description).

[@FarabiReza-gn4hq]

Hello, Can you tell me how can i use external microphone with this sjcam 11 active???

[@TechMishka]

You buy one from SJCam and you connect it.

[@FarabiReza-gn4hq]

@@TechMishka i visit their website but no microphone or adaptor there

[@FarabiReza-gn4hq]

@@TechMishka can you give me link

[@goodfodder]

supports h265 codec, which the nt96660 does not support

[@TechMishka]

You are right indeed

[@petecampbellzwift]

Thanks for the reviews. Love the beach scenes, are you in Crimea? Reminds me of my time there.

[@TechMishka]

Nah, I am based in Bulgaria, but often travel to Greece

[@ZH-gp3we]

I’m looking a budget action camera for night indoor concert. Any suggestions?

[@TechMishka]

Try the newer DJI or Insta360 models

[@ZH-gp3we]

@@TechMishka okay thank you for the suggestions!

[@suprlite]

Thats not budget

[@jahidshahshiamun2654]

Bro please reply..i want to buy action camera within next 2 days.. Which one will bettter in these three..please suggest.. Sjcam 11 active vs akaso brave 7 LE vs brave 7?

[@TechMishka]

I'd go for a second hand DJI Osmo Action

[@farabireza1664]

Hello can you suggest me a microphone for sjcam11 active? i need cheaper please reply

[@TechMishka]

Check on SJCam's website

[@roadtoabroad75]

@@TechMishka i didn’t see any microphone at their website please suggest me a microphone

[@pijin200]

should i get this sjcam sj11 active or gopro hero 5? please help tq

[@TechMishka]

Get the Hero 6, it is much better

[@rashedulislam1897]

Sj11 or c300 or Akaso brave 7 le... Which one better

[@TechMishka]

Get a second hand Osmo Action 2.

[@suprlite]

That doesnt answer the question.

[@AquaBabe27]

Exactly. Been reading his reply. Lol

[@wqdasdf7169]

Hello! Is anybody tried new SJ20? I can't find any video with it. Also is it camera force you to register in mobile application as DJI does or not?

[@TechMishka]

Perhaps you are not forced to register. I'll be happy to review it - SJCAM won't send me a unit most likely, so I wait for the camera to arrive at Amazon. If at all...

[@wqdasdf7169]

@@TechMishka it's available for order at his official site. But I haven't seen them at Amazon or my local marketplaces.

[@nolemijatobicc]

What micro sd card should I buy for this camera so that it can record in 4k without being expensive. I tried a lot of cards, but none of them can record in 4k choppy video. Does anyone know what the problem is

[@TechMishka]

SanDisk u3 models are great and not that expensive.

[@boost808]

I just got mines in today I notice once in a while it skips a frame or glitches while recording did you have this problem?

[@TechMishka]

Frame skipping is unusual. Try another microSD. Or try recording in lower resolution and see if it still happens.

[@RCBR-3067]

seems like you recomend more a used gopo, osmo....and that this cam has too many limitations.

[@TechMishka]

I do recommend used GoPros and Osmo actions. Or their olde generations.

[@SayyidinaUmar-u3g]

Support mic exsternal?

[@TechMishka]

Yeah, but SJCAM's only.

[@jcsplolonger]

Can I plug external mic on it??

[@TechMishka]

Yeah, as long a s you buy it from SJCam

[@shakilfaij]

Aksho Brave 7 le or Sjcam SJ11 active?

[@TechMishka]

Akaso 😊

[@anthonyfernandez9380]

Where i live getting a good price on a second hand GOpro or Dji is almost impossible. but i just checked the price on Sj11 its just 128 Dollars i dunno why its this cheap where i live at this price would its price to performance still be worth it.

[@TechMishka]

It's cheap because it is not a good camera.

[@eresuplays]

where can i buy the nd filters u have

[@TechMishka]

These are old DJI Osno Action 1 filters as far as I remember. But you don't need them for this camera.

[@NornasuhaAzman]

The battery need to charge separately?

[@TechMishka]

It can be charged via the camera USB port.

[@paoshin24]

how long did the battery last?

[@TechMishka]

Depends on the usage. Up to 1 hour in some cases

[@MusphyOfficial]

how about sjcam c110 plus

[@TechMishka]

I dont feel like recommending SJCAM anytime soon

[@grida7000]

It's pretty good. I'm just saying that the saturation is visible.

[@TechMishka]

👍👍

[@visa4you745]

It support external microphone?

[@TechMishka]

Yeah, but you need SJCAM's adapter.

[@gameplayandvlogs7025]

is it cropped at 4k? what about 1080p? pls make video. thanks

[@TechMishka]

It feels cropped when EIS is on. Other than that it is not.

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@TechMishka]

Welcome 😊

[@paularriola5246]

Sj11 or akaso brave 7 le?

[@TechMishka]

SJ11 is superior IMO

[@KevinHallSurfing]

Again with the old stock Novatek SoC. The first SJ4000 used the NT96650 (released Feb 2012) with the IMX078 20 fps. The IMX117 sensor (released Nov 2012) was then a big upgraded to 35fps. Used with NT96655 and NT96660 (released Dec 2015) it is still a long time ago and I have to wonder why they are using this superseded technology. 🤔

[@XiaoboTechnology]

SJ11 does not use NT96660, this is a wrong information on the video. NT96660 wouldn't have such a video quality showed on the video.

[@TechMishka]

That's the info I got from SJCAM. Which is the SoC according to you?

[@KevinHallSurfing]

@@XiaoboTechnology Found SJ11 Action AUD $100 off the price! Had problems lately with AliExpress, 90 days and no delivery x 2 orders, but some arrived so a gamble and discount only for a few days but also an SJ11 "FLAGSHIP" has popped up ... more costly ... but is it better?

[@goodfodder]

the nt96660 does not support h265 nor 1080p 120fps, suspect a nt96680 variant which is much newer

[@KevinHallSurfing]

@@XiaoboTechnology What SoC does it use?

[@connect8103]

How about the sound....if u put at motorcycle

[@TechMishka]

You will need a dedicated microphone if you plan to use it for motovlogging

[@JayveeBaccay-dh8kn]

is it waterproof sr without casing??

[@TechMishka]

Yes, but I'd always use it with a case given SJCAM's reputation.

[@JayveeBaccay-dh8kn]

external mic acces,,

[@EZFred3.0]

sj11 active vs sj10 pro which one would you recommend bro?

[@TechMishka]

The Pro.

[@EZFred3.0]

@@TechMishka thanks bro😊

[@seyyitince5495]

Could you please explain why do you prefer sj10 pro ?@@TechMishka

[@olmade1]

External mic ??

[@TechMishka]

Yeah, there is an optional one from SJCAM

[@hayabusaTravels]

Better get an Osmo Action 1... or wait for a while (in autum) and get a Action 3 at the same price... as soon as the Action 5 will appear.

[@TechMishka]

Sounds like a good plan

[@wwbren]

Can't believe they are still sticking to that Novatek chip.

[@TechMishka]

Sadly the SoC business in this segment is struggling...

[@juniorako1992]

did you say acer 361r?

[@TechMishka]

I'm afraid not.

[@juniorako1992]

@@TechMishka ohh sorry, then what it is? may i know? cause i want to buy an action cam Thanks in advance

[@Hookaholic-P2H]

Akaso brave 7 please

[@TechMishka]

It is a good one

[@NKAENERGYVENTURES]

Hi, why everytime i download video from my sjcam, the video turns to slow motion mode? How to fix this? Please assist

[@TechMishka]

Try watching from a different player - VLC is a good one.

[@mujtabaafzal3046]

Is it supports fpv..?

[@TechMishka]

Not supported, unfortunately

[@RCBR-3067]

its hard to make a desicion when on a budget...so many videos online recomending one or another ...uf

[@TechMishka]

Yeah... But you can narrow down your priorities.

[@plehboy]

Guys please, i found this camera on sale for 90€, is it worth it or buy a used Gopro (probably cannot even afford a relatively new Gopro for that amount)?

[@TechMishka]

90 for this one is a good price

[@aizielarif9354]

Does this sjcam 11 active has GPS features to add speed indicator overlay like the gopro ?

[@TechMishka]

Nope. Latest GoPro lacks GPS too

[@shakilfaij]

This SJ11 or Akaso brave 7? Which one Better

[@TechMishka]

SJ11 might be slightly better about image quality.

[@РоманПапин-р2о]

Ей можно пользоваться под водой?

[@TechMishka]

Better don't!

[@h9hkk6155]

Watching on a big TV, and side by side with GoPro this SJcam looks better - better colors, and better sharpness

[@TechMishka]

Oh wow!

[@yasinkaratas8679]

Sony Sensör farkı 👌

[@TechMishka]

😊

[@A-G-F-]

Honestly, for 80 ish bucks seems good

[@TechMishka]

Yeah

[@Tareqshowoffvlog]

Nice ❤

[@TechMishka]

Thanks 🔥

[@АлександрКопытенко]

Отличный обзор, спасибо за видос! :) Не смог найти конкурента для sj11 такую же цену в 100$ (Ali)))

[@TechMishka]

True that, if you can buy it for $100 - go for it!

[@genioitalianoadvtorinooper9517]

Yes it is

[@TechMishka]

👍👍

[@davefink2326]

Off-brands sell these capabilities and quality at $129.

[@TechMishka]

Like which one?

[@gpfnz]

Why are you so positive when reviewing this SJ11 action cam but then in your replies to questions you recommend other brands and models? It sounds like you've changed your mind about this camera?

[@TechMishka]

Not at all. I give my honest opinion about it, and in the comments I share my general opinion about SJCAM as a company.

[@saialexander1873]

Please do more research about soc & image sensor, I know u hate sjcam but dont spread false information. This thing use Novatek NT96580 and IMX415

[@TechMishka]

Thanks for stepping in and sharing your insights. Where did you get your info from? Well, regardless - the price is way too high for what the camera provides in terms of image quality.

[@Tareqshowoffvlog]

Bro external microphone use no way😢😢

[@TechMishka]

😑

[@save4vlogs]

I agree with the clip. So I didn't offer this version. 😢SJ6Pro😢 😂SJ8DualScree😅 😢SJ4000DualScreen😅 😢SJC300😢

[@TechMishka]

I miss the good old SJ7 star. But most of all I miss the Firefly 8s

[@zanezynie5932]

Sir between sj11 and sj8 pro, which one is better?

[@TechMishka]

Whichever is cheaper :)

[@marycatherinebarker]

It uses a usb-c connection which gets my attention right away.

[@TechMishka]

☺️

[@pouriapmd6077]

Idk sounds like S(j)CAM to me

[@MassimoTava]

After I seen the price of $186, I would have to agree with you.

[@TechMishka]

😔

[@beyotramossingson9308]

Gopro is the best!

[@TechMishka]

👍

[@PapsGhelo5328]

he just can't be fitted with an external mic sjcam sj11 active

[@TechMishka]

🫤

[@JEJAKSIBHOE]

👍👍

[@TechMishka]

I hope to see a new "pro" model soon or later.

[@JEJAKSIBHOE]

@@TechMishka Awaited

[@prakoso9504]

SJ 11 is the same price as Akaso Brave 7, for that price you can get a used GoPro Hero 8. It all depends on your taste.

[@TechMishka]

I'd choose the used Hero 8. Every single time

[@That-riyadh-gamerBlogspot]

3 clicks felt longer for you? Wow... How impatient. 1st world problems much?

[@TechMishka]

Just comparing to some better tuned UIs

[@williamwallace6508]

Hard to understand him.

[@TechMishka]

Oh no!

[@glamych]

Мусор, лучше на мобилу поснимать.

[@TechMishka]

Agreed!

[@abhijeetkhetle1728]

Hey brother action camera is for doing action, but you did not show any action in this video, so my recommendations put some more bugs and buy some reputed action cameras. This nowadays budget action camera is just a gimmick, pathetic video quality, stabilization

[@TechMishka]

Ok!

[@kormatoes3485]

Scam j

[@TechMishka]

😞