The BIG SJ5000+ Plus Action Camera REVIEW - Includes sample clips

[@Techmoan]

UPDATE - Battery life now tested using Firmware 1.7 and I got 55 mins of 1080p60 Recording with the screen off. That's a big improvement and shows that there was something very wrong with firmware 1.4 (the one I used during the making of the review).

[@littycommittee1071]

Does it crash less on 1.7?

[@littycommittee1071]

Wayne I meant did the crash issue fail IDK bout the battery I haven't received mine yet (USPS sucks at life).

[@littycommittee1071]

Not fail I meant stop.

[@musicandthewalk]

How about the freezing problems does it still recur in the fw you are using?

[@supernovasx1986]

Don Fernando Capili 1) All the recordings were done with the waterproof case off. 2) I'll take it out on the motorbike if/when improvements are made to the firmware (and the weather). 3) It appears that version 1.7 Firmware is out. I've updated my camera and will report back after a week or so. 4) Good News Everyone - Just repeated the 1080p60 battery test using firmware 1.7 and got 55 mins out of the battery. 5) 1080p30 Battery Life Test with Screen off (Firmware 1.7) = 83 mins (note: this is a 1080p30 test not 1080p60) 6) I haven't experienced a single lock-up/freeze/crash/reboot of the device since upgrading to 1.7 See Point 6 :-D

[@Techmoan]

If I think of anything extra, I'll paste it here: 1) All the recordings were done with the waterproof case off. 2) I'll take it out on the motorbike if/when improvements are made to the firmware (and the weather). CLICK 'READ MORE' FOR MORE..... 3) It appears that version 1.7 Firmware is out. I've updated my camera and will report back after a week or so. 4) Good News Everyone - Just repeated the 1080p60 battery test using firmware 1.7 and got 55 mins out of the battery. 5) 1080p30 Battery Life Test with Screen off (Firmware 1.7) = 83 mins (note: this is a 1080p30 test not 1080p60) 6) I haven't experienced a single lock-up/freeze/crash/reboot of the device since upgrading to 1.7

[@DannyBaby1512]

You have to pause and read the FASQs because they are fantastic. The reason that you're the best reviewer out there is because of your typical British sarcasm! Great Video!

[@skid9992003]

Microphone sensitivity "problem" is actually so you can still get sound with the sealed waterproof case. You need that closer to 100 when you use the back without the holes. You also need dual stream and digital zoom switched on to use the app. Apart from that, nice review.

[@saautomotive9531]

Techmoan Thank you very much, you've saved my time and money. I appreciate all the effort you put in your videos. I'll be looking forward to the update, cheers!

[@josemontalvo4532]

Hello, Thank you for all your advice on the SJ 5000 Cameras. I'm a novice with the the SJ Cam 5000 and your Utube sites are way better the the 3 page booklet instructions in English that came with the camera. I purchased the SJ4000 first and a month later I purchased a SJ 5000 and I received that one a week later. I received my SJ 5000 Wifi Cam and it came a little different package from yours, but mostly the same accessories. The one thing I like the best is the LCD screen in the back. It fills in mostly all the back. The difference between shipping in Las Vegas, Nevada U.S.A. and Hong Kong, China is about two months. The China people told me 20 business days to receive the SJ 4000, but I'm in my 30th business day. Great site and thank you so much for your help. Happy in Arizona!

[@vidthreenorth4007]

For what it's worth, the firmware got upgraded and upgraded, and it got to the point where I recall being happy with it. My last version was 3.3.6. I had not used it for years and I recharged it and on that "first charge" it was buggy, but after running through some recharging and going through options, it stabilized quickly and was "good enough". I had also changed the lens, and used the lens it came with in another camera. Eventually I stopped using it because 4K camcorders came out and I switched to doing videos in 4K for a while. But lately, I decided that 1080P was actually good enough and so I started charging up my action cams again, remembering what state I had left them in. I have a couple of action cams now that give me extremely wide angle linear videos which I could use by editing clips into bigger projects. The Git2 is one of them.

[@Rcschim]

How often did some ask you if you are James May from TopGear? :-) Nice review. For aerial video 1080p60 would be nice. Battery life could be better. All together it looks close to an old gopro3 black msybe (not the gp3+) Thanks!

[@SeemsLegal]

Hi tech moan, can you review the toshiba camileo X-sports action cam for a future video please. It is currently £100 on Amazon reduced from £200 and looks like a good rival to the sj4000 and the gopro hero budget edition. It also has a 2inch LCD screen on the back so has the upper hand to the gopro, would love to see a comparison between these two. Great reviews by the way!

[@kens97sto171]

The mic issue could be so it can pick up decent sound when its inside the waterproof case.... Just an idea

[@BoyP]

Hello, I was wondering if you have the plan to test Xiaomi Yi Action Sports Camera in the future? Thanks Bojan

[@mikewilson6128]

I like the way you do your reviews - in depth and very helpful, if I had to moan about something it's that whenever you add music to the background then it's a bit too loud for we few that have difficulty in hearing. But overall extremely professional attitude and a "no nonsense" approach to all the videos.

[@CycleSmarter]

Do you ever buy anything from Woo Sang?

[@Techmoan]

Whenever I film there I usually buy a few things.

[@CycleSmarter]

Do the staff there know you film? I imagine there is an mythos amongst the workers there, of this guy that has to mentally prepare from standing outside for a while, before he goes in and buys.

[@Kevvedajsel]

CycleSmarter HAHAHAHH made me crack up! Thanks xD

[@thelastwheel]

CycleSmarter Immigration officer.

[@gamestv4875]

I love the lens distortion on these little wide angle buggers.The warping effect in some videos looks great.Nice review !

[@garmit61]

The best unboxing video on the internet! A bit disappointed you didn't spend a few minutes explaining exactly what the plastic bags holding the mounting parts are for though :-)

[@giarcnamron2566]

Fyi If you put the camera in the mount housing backwards with the clean cloth covering it it won't turn on when traveling or carrying it. the cleaning cloth keep it from scratching the lens on the case.

[@markjob6354]

The wide angle fish eye effect is a deal breaker for me. I don't enjoy looking at distorted images. Perhaps there's a good software solution as you mentioned, which would allow you to at least remove this undesirable effect in post ?

[@johnd2631]

FYI - Just got my SJCam SJ5000+ and it came with firmware version 2.1 if you want to take a look at the update. I'd appreciate it. So far it's working fine for me.

[@EllaBananas]

Ok, I love your videos. So don't think I'm being rude or anything, but I am fairly certain that the reason you keep haveing metering issues has to do with the fact that you have it set to spot metering. If you set it to multi or matrix metering it will compensate for the bright sun and dark ground and find a more adequate exposure. I tested this with my phone and settings it to spot caused the exact same metering you were experiencing. I ordered the sj4000 and will try it when it arrives, but try it for your self and see if it works.

[@ANIZZY517]

Hey I'm thinking of getting the -SJ5000 not the plus or the GoPro hero 3+ silver ,which one you think is better ? Thanks in advance .

[@sunz6005]

Can you review amkov sj5000

[@F-RibsAndSibs]

I bought the SJCam sj5000 Wi-Fi, it seemed a superb camera both for action and dash cam capability. Unfortunately I've had to return it to amazon due to a faulty zoom button. I have to say though, I'll be getting another of the same make/model.

[@IDemch]

One question about batterylife. What is the influence of filming in different resolutions on time?

[@zeev1308]

I dived with SJ4000 and SJ5000 to 28m deep. Works OK. On the land I have "white balance" with SJ cameras. I have 3 and every one make a different WB.

[@MichaelBennett1]

So the SJ4000 for battery life/firmware if 1080p60 isn't a requirement?

[@flow.dmusic]

I am a beatboxer and i am going to buy this one to record, i was so confusing about choose 1 of these SJCAM, because i know that SJ5000 wifi has poor audio quality so im gonna buy the plus one, so could you tell me that am i having a good choice ? thank you :)

[@bookerman16]

I just had the sj5000+ which I had for about a year without using it. Dug it out recently and updated it to the latest firmware, cue no end of issues, mainly that the icon stayed on screen rather than a live image. Managed to get it working then when running it off the mains it overheated to the point its now knackered. Anyway in the market for a new one and wondering if this is typical of SJCAM? When I thought the issue was the firmware their technical help was non existent via the website.

[@MrBooojangles]

Techmoan I have seen some of your action camera review videos and their very imformative. I have been looking at a WiMius S2 camera on Amazon UK sold by LIANTECH COOLING for £69.99 that has virtually the same specs with a 16mp sensor too. Do you think the Wimius would have true 1080 60p as well and be the same as the SJ5000 and just be the same camera with a different name?

[@EazyDuz18]

Why does the manufacturer not release a camera with an external mic input? All the higher priced competitors have it and i doubt it would cost much more to add one. I'd like a go at vlogging on my motorbike but dont want to mess around syncing video with a separate mic

[@01975Scorpio]

36 minutes.. I better grab a coffee before I start this one.. No doubt it will be as informative and well done as usual. Thanks Mr. Techmoan.

[@thefireuk]

It was going to be longer but the battery on the SJ5000+ used to film it ran out ;)

[@supercooled]

Great unboxing, haha. So is this a better buy than the SJ400? I really wished SJCam came out with 4K by now.

[@AfGun01111]

Waiting for the Mini 0806 review. Is there any upload date?

[@g7usl]

I can't find the review for your favourite M10 dashcam?

[@littleferrhis]

Could you do a review of the sportscam? It is 1080p and probably one of the cheaper cameras out there...

[@VideoSack]

I've never really been a huge fan of this box style of action cam popularized by the GoPro. For my main use on RC aircraft I much prefer the much smaller frontal area of the Mobius. It's even easy to simply velcro onto craft which is something I don't think I'd attempt to do with any of the box style. Then too, when recording off a motorcycle I prefer to be discrete. Having a box style cam and its mount protruding off a helmet just plain looks silly to me. The Mobius doesn't have all the bells and whistles as some of these but its video seems more than fine in most cases and costs a whole bunch less. It will be interesting to see what step the Mobius bunch takes next to up their game.

[@DmacReviews]

Have you heard if the SJ6000 is any good? I assume that would be a newer model? thnx

[@TheGARYANGIE]

I was wondering what frequency the wifi operates on. Looking to upgrade my fpv camera on my quadcopter and like the idea of the wifi for aerial still shots. Hoping it's 5.8 MHz as my bird operates on 2.4 MHz

[@musicandthewalk]

Is this the one with the ambarella or novatek chipset?

[@NestorYR]

Is it possible 16:9 in photo mode?

[@thatracingkid8904]

I have a question, can I capture a photo/video without making it in a "Distortion" effect? ya know, like a warp thing or whatever it is.

[@masterallcock]

Great review pal, but I'm just wondering, I don't think you mentioned whether or not it had the option to connect an external mic? I was thinking of using one for motovlogging so this is a must for me! Thanks in advance

[@ranchesi]

Hello. My 5000+ didnt work on low temperature (arround -15 C). I went skiing, had 2 full batteries and a powerbank for recharging, but on low temperature it was turning off after 7-8 sec. I tried switching batteries, recharging them, no success. Later, in the car, it was showing full battery, working ok. I see more people are complaining about this. I asked for info from the company, but no response. Is there some solution for this or will this only be a summer action camera? :(

[@thomasmillsiii8287]

Your editorials are always very professional. I'm sure your local TV stations have maybe contacted you to do reviews on a local or national basis?

[@Techmoan]

+Thomas Mills III nope...nothing like that, but it's probably for the best.

[@yvansoriano4541]

How can I eliminate the fish eye effect? Can I buy extra lens?

[@bossveendam]

Hi, first of all thanks for your great reviews! My question is, can this camera also be used as a webcam?

[@monkeydumpster]

Does the audio sound better in the waterproof case with the for sealed?

[@telmojunior7653]

you think this camera is worth the cost?

[@fletcherflit]

How long will the battery last without any use? I'm looking at these and I'll be on a three week trip and I want to know how long an extra battery will last.

[@susannekramer2359]

Do you recommend this one to the SJ4000 Wifi? Or wait for a better update and go with the SJ4000 Wifi first?

[@87Profound]

i wish to know how is the photo quality looking there ? will it able to capture a action scene with no motion blur either in burst mode or single shot ? i found alot action cam burst mode is just for showing .... when in action alot picture went motion blur......

[@alfredbengtson1561]

is the sj5000+ better than the gopro hero 3+

[@RamboHH]

what would you me to recommend to buy? I dont really need the WiFi option but the price should be good and it should be GoPro Style cam... whats ur choice?

[@5niran5]

what would be a good replacement for this camera?

[@drufoflyjack9734]

Where did you bought yours?...

[@20043670]

Please can you tell me what you would choose between the Sj 5000 and Sj 4000? Considering night time driving to

[@9896383383]

can we shoot photos and videos simultaneously?? how??

[@youd48]

Can you check the changes after 5 monthes of upgrading firmwares?

[@RogerSanderson]

Will there be one of the SJCam M20?

[@bradmyhal6854]

I am trying to decide if I want to buy the 5000+ but am worried about the bugs you talked about. I notice you say 1.7 fixed battery life and some crashing. Have you tried 2.1 yet? Can you or anyone comment on changes that 2.1 added? I can't find a list of firmware fixes anywhere. Thanks.

[@PawsAndProfoundFacts]

OMG i almost had a heart attack seeing you driving on the wrong side of the street

[@davidoff237]

Good afternoon, do you have any review or document about the improvements of the latest version of SJ5000+ v3.1? looking foward for your answer.

[@RetterInHD]

Hello from germany! Nice review. I'm very interested in the WiFi version of the SJ5000. Can you tell me where to buy the original SJ5000 with shipping to Germany? There are a several offers at amazon, but i'm not sure if they are original or fake...

[@PriscaMbala]

How long does the battery life takes to die

[@zionjames8871]

when your charging it. does the red led light change colors? and how long should i charge it for?

[@Kevvedajsel]

I've got the SJ4000, have got it for a couple of months now. Glad I bought that one and not the SJ5000. Just at night quality the SJ4000 is better (there is night video on my channel, "A-traktor drift") and the problem it had with sunlight is easily fixed (the tips are in Techmoans M10 review). So, overall the SJ4000 is the one to go! Much cheaper, much better.

[@PriscaMbala]

you must be in the UK because I always go to arndale on sundays

[@benherr2736]

I have this camera, and I keep having the video files displaying an "Unable to Read" error message. I tried changing Cards, various vides players, still won't read Any ideas ?? Ben Herr

[@BTom16]

Great reviews. Fantastic detail. Thank you! Comment 1: I use KDEnlive for post and it can stabilize video. Probably lots of other software can do this as well, considering KDEnlive is OSS. I've actually never used stabilization in post, as I don't do a lot of action shots, but it may ease the need for on-camera stabilization. Comment 2: KDenlive will also de-fish. Question: The spec shows 32GB max microSD. Have you tried a larger card? Some people report success with larger cards in the M10. Question: Does it lose time and date when the battery is swapped?

[@littycommittee1071]

How much footage does 32 gb give you on 1080p 60fps give you? What about 720p 120fps? Thanks

[@12222omar]

is there anything that indicate when picture is taking like gpro red sensor ??

[@tripmehard]

Techmoan Hi, I would like to know if we can actually update the firmware when a new one comes out and how do we do that? 

[@savagebananasoup]

Other people have asked this but no one has answered: CAN THIS BE USED AS A WEBCAM? I just bought one with the partial intent to use it as such but can't seem to work it out. PLEASE HELP!

[@regsragnarok]

How can i change the setting, from MP4 to MOV. I can't find it in the setting of SJ5000 plus?

[@MrTmshaft]

What camera would you recommend for hiking and i would like good sound quality and makro . Thanks for the help

[@miib2]

Great video, Techmoan would you also do the SJ5000x Elite review? bcoz it have the 4K function.

[@PhobosPlace]

are you going to do a video on the sjcam sj5000x elite?

[@sniper19200]

I have a question.. now i'm thinking to buy a sport action camera, which of SJ400 wifi and SJ5000 plus is better for vtt using ?

[@supernovasx1986]

Thanks for your review. What would you advise? The Sj5000+ Or SJ4000? I need one of these for my Quadcopter and I don't want to buy a gopro. Is the incrase of battery life the only improvement for V1.7???

[@VinceAlvinVillarin]

Please review the SJ5000x elite. Thank you.

[@jurasek141]

Hi, great review! Will you do SJCAM SJ5000 (with or without wifi) review? I think these two should be very good cameras. I own SJ4000 and I am thinking about SJ5000 because vieo quality shloud be better but I do not know nothing about battery life (the same asi SJ4000 or little bit lower?) and what about wind noise (I am using it mostly for motocross)

[@lauriedepaurie]

Techmoan since you're the expert at inexpensive actioncamera's. Are there actioncams that you can set to make a pic every couple of minutes? And if so, which one would you recommend? Aparently I'm the only guy that would use one like this xD I want it as something that's strapped to my backpack and takes some extra pictures when I'm too occupied to pick up a DSLR.

[@D4N1011011]

Could you review the Kitvision Splash 1080p Action Camera? It's available in Tesco for only £35.

[@EMTH_YT]

I went to get one and they were sold out.So I got the one that is £29

[@D4N1011011]

Is it any good?

[@EMTH_YT]

D4N1011011 Yes it is.They messed up my order for 720p and i got 1080p lol

[@schumy1975]

hi, how is the night time (low light) video quality compared to SJ4000 or M10? many thanks

[@brunopowell]

The Burst Rate mode disappeared in the latest firmware version (G20150302V01). Sucks

[@TheManInRiga]

As always, a proffesional and high quality review. Much appreciated. Thanks

[@cookiegaming44]

Can you do a test for the parrot bebop drone (hate that word) I was looking all over you tube for one but i can't seem to find one.

[@Z900nl]

Hi Techmoan, I got this action camera 2 days now. In the spec they told: can be used as a web cam, I tried several things but cant use is as a web cam. Do you know it ? Als when I pluggin the USB connected to the PC I get 3 choices, the middle is DV, what does it mean ? Thanks !

[@LewisVideoArchive]

Great video as usual. I'm going to a festival soon and wanted a small video camera to make a video diary and film some footage now and then. Looking at something like this or perhaps a HTC Re. Which would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

[@scarabal1]

Hi! Have you tested the sj6000. Is it any better than the sj5000? I was trying to look into the camera on the sjcam'so website and cannot find any information. Kind of strange. Do you know is it's being discontinued? Thanks!

[@brittonstudios]

With the newest firmware does this record in 480p 30fps, and if so what is the maximum recording total time you would get for a 32gb card? Much appreciated!

[@tod4y]

hi! Thx for the review. Ive really been looking forward to this one and it looks like a hell of a disaster. Just btw when talking about the back door exchange... On my SJ 4000 I havent switched the back doors more then twice or three times but the mount around the metal axis already has cracks on it. Just from the tension it gets when opening and closing from time to time...

[@dylancurbjumper]

I don't know if you'll get this and I've searched everywhere to find if anyone else has my problem with no luck. I recently bought an sj5000+... But now whenever i film something the areas that would usually be white just contain rainbow colored lines. I believe the problem may have arised from filming fireworks but I don't know. Is there any way to fix this?

[@xtian3188]

does it records true 60fps?

[@rudyckurniawan3283]

Hi Techmoan,Could you comnent on the size/ dimensions of the square part of underwater housing? I'm lookin into filter lens adapter and Underwater Filter. Thanks

[@propfella]

Thanks mate, I almost had my finger ready to purchase one of these, but I thought I may have a look to see if there were any reviews on YT. Thank you for being here and giving, as usual, a decent review. I'm afraid I can't warrant purchasing something which has "Less" crashes. I need No crashes, or at least very rare ones. Did the new firmware improve that nasty sound problem? Anyway, I may just go for the Sony instead, I'll trust your judgement. Thanks again, your review was great as always.

[@iammarc1]

Can you do a review of soocoo s60 action cam?

[@ichbins5138]

hi. can u take photos during a viedo recording?

[@emeraldstars345]

Would you go for the Sony AS30, the GoPro Hero (basic, new version), the SJ4000 or the SJ M10? Great video - thanks!

[@Techmoan]

emeraldstars345 If you are in the UK - you'll find my answer in the video description (with a link).

[@Christiandbist]

Hey can you use the sj5000 and the sj5000+ as a webcam or stream video to your pc? Ang if possible, how?

[@polo110]

How do you record slow motion videos??? Pls help