Blog posts of '2020' 'November'

After the success of Ronin S a versatile camera gimbal, DJI came out with a smaller and lighter version Ronin SC aimed to cater to growing market of vloggers using mirrorless cameras. 

While Ronin S was state of the art gimbal catering to both DSLR and Mirrorless camera users, it was pricey which gave its competitors some edge specially on the price point. DJI which is a force in itself in Drone and Gimbal market announced the launch of Ronin SC which is one of the lightest and cheapest catering to budding videographers using light weight mirrorless cameras. 

With its weight at just 1.1 kg (without camera), it’s very easy to operate even for long hours. It is great for photographers who use a camera which weighs under 2 kg. Ronin SC may create problems if you want to use longer lenses though. 

DJI has simplified the balancing system as well to suit photographers. Using the sliding quick release plate, its very easy to mount and balance the camera system. You can use smartphone app to balance the roll axis. There are locks for pan, tilt and roll axes to make things even easier for photographers. Overall the balancing is easy if you follow simple steps.

Specifications

Gimbal Type: 3-Axis Motorised gimbal

Payload: 2 kg (4.4 lbs)

Battery Life: 11 hrs in single charge

Charging time: Around 2.5 hrs.

Dimensions: 370(L) X 165(H) X 150(D)mm

Weight: 1.088kg

Features

Ronin SC has brought almost all features from its Ronin S. It has pan, tilt and roll along with a 360 degrees panning. It has modes like Timelapse, MotionLapse, Panorama and Motion Control. 

DJI includes two new modes in this – ActiveTrack and ForceMobile. In ActiveTrack you can tap on the subject using the mobile app and gimbal start following that subject automatically. In ForceMobile you can take complete control of your gimbal using your mobile at up to 25 mtrs away.

Build and Handling

DJI has always been known for high quality build of their almost entire product range and despite its affordability, Ronin SC is no exception. 

The Ronin SC is solid and well-built gimbal. It comes in a carry case which has space for all cables and accessories. The Record Button and Joystick are positioned on the handle which makes it easy to control. 

The Ronin SC has a 2450mAH battery which lasts for around 11 hrs in single charge. You can charge it using USB-C port. It also comes with an extended tripod grip, lens support, camera riser and a quick release plate. Various camera control USB cables are provided to help you get started almost immediately.

Its design and weight favors light weight mirrorless camera but it does create some issues when used with long or heavy lenses. The rear arm is angled to ensure it doesn’t obstruct your view of the camera screen. 

You can check how to balance Ronin SC in this video:

Performance

Camera gimbals are known to take lot of time to get them into a perfect balance mode and Ronin SC is no exception. Though the balancing has been simplified but it does require some trial and error to figure out the right way to balance. It is easy to balance and use with fixed focal length lenses like 35mm but it requires lot of trial and error when you use variable FL lenses or long lenses. In other words, this is the gimbal designed for light weight camera and small lenses where its performs the best. 

When shooting videos, its light weight and simple design comes in very handy. As in Ronin S, there is a focus wheel in Ronin SC as well which really makes your life easy while using manual focus.

Verdict

Every videographers or content creator is looking to give cinematic feel to their videos and with the Ronin SC they can do it easy without drilling a hole in their pocket. Setting up the camera is not as easy as it is made out to be and requires some trial and error before you can figure out the best camera and lens combination.

Its light weight however does help you in creating low level footage or even sideway footage quite with ease

Plus Points

• Light Weight

• Affordable

• Easy to operate

Negatives

• Set up takes time

• Works best only with prime lenses

• You can’t change the built-in battery

So if you want to use a gimbal with your light weight mirrorless camera with a prime lens, this is the best option for you. However, if you want to use it with a variable FL lenses, try it before you buy. 

You can buy Ronin SC at an affordable price at BUY NOW and Use RONIN750 for Extra ₹750 Discount!

While GoPro Fusion was the first ever 360-degree camera from GoPro but it left a lot to be desired and had glitches that turned enthusiasts away from it. This GoPro Max is a replacement of Fusion and in quite an improved version. 

Well, Max is a 360 camera with some features borrowed from the GoPro Black range to make it more versatile. It’s also very easy to use and helps you create videos from just one mounting position.

Build Quality

The Max is slightly smaller than its predecessor Fusion. Its interesting to note that it uses the FoldingFingers same as that in Hero8.

As expected from GoPro, the body of Max is well built with a rubber grip. The record button is on top of the camera and is slightly raised which is a small but welcome feature, making it easy to locate.

Two microphones are located right next to the Mode button.

One larger microphone is right in front just above the logo. Lens is right next to the microphone. You can find a second lens and one large microphone. Below these is located the touchscreen LCD.

The touchscreen is very responsive and is also bright helping you see in outdoor bright sunlight. The screen displays the camera mode you are in, camera resolution and frame, battery life and space left on the memory card. It also shows a circular arrow with which you can switch between lenses.

The Power/Mode Button is one side of the Max and on the other side is Battery Slot. The battery is 1600mAh Lithium Ion battery. Inside the battery compartment there is a MicroSD Card slot along with a USB-C port.

The Max is slightly bigger than Hero8, which means it just cannot support the GoPro Mods. Probably keeping that in mind, GoPro decided to incorporate a selfie screen and 6 microphones on each side of camera, which almost eliminates the need for couple of mods. It is waterproof up to 5 mtr without any housing.

360 Video

The Max shoots 360 footage at 5.6K. One disappointing thing is that the video shows visible stitch lines which actually dampens the spirit of user making the video look low quality. The video does not have HDR feature.

The stabilization is super smooth when shooting in well-lit daylight conditions but become awfully jerky as night set in. Another disadvantage is that it shows some noticeable chromatic aberration and purple fringing in backlit scenes. 

The Max has taken a slice of TimeWarp from the Hero8 which actually is shooting time-lapse handheld while on the move.

Action and/or Vlogging Camera

Till now the Max probably was going neck to neck with the Insta360 but the moment we talk about using it in normal video mode, it falls way behind its rival. The normal video has a max resolution of 1080p at 16:9 and 1440p at 4:3.

You can shoot videos at 4 different focal lengths viz 13mm, 16mm, 19mm and 27mm (all digital FL’s).

One of the best features is the way it handles horizon when you create video footage at extremely odd angles.

The video footage is customizable using ProTune. With this you can tweak video bitrate, shutter speed, WB and many more.

Battery and Connectivity

The Max uses 1600mAh battery which drains fast when used with TimeWarp. It gives you around 50 mins of continuous 360-video recording. There is a USB-C port which helps you charge on the go. It takes around 3 hrs to fully charge the battery. 

The Max has connectivity options of in built WiFi which helps you connect to your phone app. You can use this to live stream your footage on Facebook and YouTube at 1080p. 

Here are couple of video footages:

(Insert both video footages here)

Verdict

The GoPro Max is a solid built, waterproof and versatile 360 action camera. Till very recently it was ruling the market and then Insta360 launched their One R modular camera. 

Having said that The Max still impresses you with its design which is a unique GoPro and great features. Its sound quality is a path breaking feature which certainly is going to be the winner for some time to come.

Should you buy one? Well, definitely yes if you are GoPro fan. It is a great option if you are a first time investor into an action camera which shoots 360 footage but in that case, do look at what Insta360 One R has to offer.

You Can Buy From-

https://futureforward.in/gopro-max-360-action-camera-2

GoPro has been in the market of action cameras from ages now and what makes them still a force to reckon with is that they are continuously looking to improve. 

GoPro recently rejigged their product lineup making their Hero7 Black the entry level action camera.  With Hero7 Black, GoPro leap-frogged their own standards and competition, and they seem to have upped their ante with the release of Hero8 Black.

Let’s do the review of this action camera and find out is it worth upgrading from its predecessor. But before we get into that let’s find out how is it different from Hero7 Black.

How is Hero8 Black different than Hero7 Black?

• HyperSmooth 2.0 – While HyperSmooth was wonderful, its Ver 2.0 is even better which now works on ALL resolutions at ALL frames per second

• TimeWarp 2.0 – this feature though was great but had limitations. In ver 2.0 it now offers auto mode and real time intervals

• Folding Fingers – This is new feature where you do not need a cage to mount your GoPro

• Upgraded design – Smaller and lighter

• Video at 4K is now at 60FPS

• Improved audio with front facing mic

• MediaMods helps you convert your action camera to a production powerhouse

• DisplayMod lets you attach flappable screen to let you see yourself while vlogging 

• LightMod helps you attch LED light for vlogging

• Upgraded SuperPhoto giving better low light performance

• LiveBurst mode – great feature where you get 90 frames to choose from

• Inbuilt video and photo presets with ability to create your own presets

• Night lapse video helping you create time lapse at night and that too in 4K

• Live Streaming at 1080p

• Updated user interface making it more user friendly

Design and Built

In first look it looks like a replica of its predecessors with its signature GoPro look and design. But there are some significant changes which GoPro has incorporated. 

The front has a familiar display which is monochrome. The removable glass protector of fixed lens has been done away with replacing it with the scratch and impact resistant glass which as per GoPro is 2x more durable that the glass protector. Personally it bothers me because now I will find it difficult to fix my ND filter but as per GoPro, with this change, you will be able to capture better audio with the instruction of much improved front facing mic.

The Hero8 is slightly narrower and taller than the Hero7. It has a fixed lens. Now this has its own disadvantages because you can no longer remove or replace a lens. The biggest drawback is that you cannot easily replace it, in case of breakage. Another big disadvantage of the new slimmer and taller design is that it will require a new housing and if you are already using old cameras, you will need to invest more. 

The Power / Mode Button has been moved from the right side to the left side of camera. The battery door has been moved to the side and a vacuum sealing for water proofing. Old battery is compatible with the Hero8 but some features may not work with old batteries because they require high power discharge.

FoldingFeet is a new introduction which make the mounting easy. Most important use is it helps you mount the camera without camera housing. 

HyperSmooth 2.0

While the HyperSmooth in Hero7 was a game changer, it had some niggles and limitations. In the Hero8 GoPro has taken care of those shortcomings and made it even better with the introduction of ver. 2.0.

The version 2.0 of HyperSmooth now works on all frame rates and resolutions and that is a huge leap. 

You can watch this video for the same:

TimeWarp 2.0

This was another game changer in Hero7 which allowed you shot moving time lapse. In the Hero8, GoPro has introduced Auto Mode which lets the camera detect settings you will need to create smooth TimeWarp video. In its Ver 2.o, you have the option to pause, go back to real time footage for a moment and re-enter TimeWarp mode. May sound miniscule but does let you get creative with your footage.

LiveBurst

After sitting for long on on erratic and guess work oriented burst mode, GoPro wakes up with LiveBurst in Hero8. Using this feature, you can create a high frame rate video which gives you an option to choose a frame from 90 different frames. It starts capturing 1.5 secs before you press the shutter and keeps clicking 1.5 secs after you release the shutter. As an option you can even use this footage as a 4K video.

Improved Audio

Well again GoPro has been sleeping on its audio quality for quite a long. They seem to have woken up with the Hero8. 

The audio quality has significantly improved with the increase of number of mics used. Along with the onboard regular mic, there is welcome addition of front mic which has significantly improved wind noise cancellation feature.

Video Quality

While retaining the same chipset as in Hero7, GoPro has improved the video quality. You can now shoot 4K at 60fps along with 30fps and 24fps. The bit rate of 4K footage is also improved to 100Mbps from 78Mbps ofHero7. Bit rate is improved both in 4K and 2.7K footage. 

Accessories

While most features are an upgrade on the Hero7; introduction of Mods is something which is really worth talking about and certainly worth upgrading from the previous models. If you a vlogger, you are going to love this. Pls note that these mods are additional attachments which can be purchased at an additional price.

The main of these Mods is MediaMod. This is actually an external plastic frame with a built-in uni directional shot gun microphone. It also has 2 cold shoe mounts and 3 external ports viz USB-C, microphone port and micro-HDMI port.

Second mod is the DisplayMod. This connects Hero8 through Micro-HDMI of MediaMod. This is actually a flip screen which can flip upto 180 degrees helping vloggers see themselves while vlogging. Interesting point is that it has its own re-chargeable battery and does not use the Hero8 battery.

And third mod is the LightMod. This is an LED attachment which is water proof upto 10 mts. It constitutes 10 light emitting diodes with a silicon diffuser in front. The LightMod has 4 different levels of brightness with max being 200 lumens. It also does not use the camera battery but instead has its own re-chargeable battery which lasts almost upto 6 hrs.

Battery Life

While GoPro has been on adding new features and improving old features, one thing they have continuously failed is to address the issue of battery life. The battery lasts for 50 mins on a single charge. You can however remove the detachable battery door and charge the battery while in use.

Final Verdict

While on the face it may appear that Hero8 is significantly improved over Hero7, actually in practicality it’s not that substantial. Even if we want to argue, we would like to say that the price difference is way too much for the changes incorporated. When we look at this in isolation, it does appear to be a formidable action camera which has everything you need and more. Let’s see what goes For and Against this camera.

FOR

• Excellent image stabilization with HyperSmooth 2.0

• Top notch video quality with 4K/60p

• Option of Mods and easy functionality

• Much Improved audio quality

• Body integrated mount in the form of FoldingFingers

AGAINST

• Fixed non-removable lens

• Fidgety battery door

• Super expensive mods

So is this camera for you? Well if you are buying GoPro for the first time, then Hero8 is probably the best option which positions itself very well between the Hero7 and Hero9 both in the terms of features and price. If you are already on previous versions of GoPro other than Hero7, then it’s a great upgrade and probably a must-have in your camera bag. And if you are on Hero7, then you need to evaluate and do cost analysis viz a viz updated features.

All in all, a great rugged feature laden action camera with great attachment options.You can buy it at https://futureforward.in/gopro-hero8-black-3

Keeping up with their promise made last month, Nikon has announced the launch of their second generation models of already well established Z6 and Z7. While Z6 and Z7 were doing great, there were many inputs from the users and it’s great to see Nikon took a note of those inputs and released the upgraded models making these the new flagship mirrorless cameras in the Nikon Mirrorless Camera lineup. What is even more interesting to note is that it is the first time ever in the history of Nikon that they have used the words Mark II.

The Z6 II and Z7 II retain the soul of their predecessors Z6 and; both have the same 24.5MP and 45.7MP CMOS sensors respectively. The camera body remains the same. Nikon has also retained the same EVF and same vari-angle LCD screen.

They are so similar from outside that if you do not pay attention to the model number, you will not make out a single difference.

Let’s go through the changes one by one.

Dual Card Slots

While the Z6 and Z7 had only one card slot, the new Mark II they get UHS-II SD card slot in addition to XQD/CF-express. In terms of their functionality you get options primary or backup storage and even separate storage of JPEG and RAW file formats. You can copy images between the cards. However, there is no option to record stills and videos in different cards.

Vertical Grip

While the Z6 and Z7 had vertical grips but they were just to accommodate extra battery. They did not give control buttons; the Mark II versions of both cameras have the vertical grip (MB-N11) with control buttons enabling the shoot in portrait orientation.

This grip is not a part of the package and needs to be purchased at extra cost. When you fix this grip, it displaces the in-body battery but provides option of 2nd battery within the grip itself. The outer battery of the two is hot-swappable making it possible for you to change the battery without stopping the video recording. The grip also has an additional USB C-type socket to help you power up the camera.

Dual Processor for faster shooting

This probably is one of the most important and relevant change that Nikon incorporated. They have introduced Expeed 6 processors, practically doubling the processing power of cameras. The shooting rate gets expanded to 14fps in Z6 II and 10fps in Z7 II respectively.

USB C-Port

One big disappointment in the older cameras was the absence of USB C-Port which has been introduced in their Mark II versions. This helps you charges your camera using USB and also operate the camera while charging using this port.

Video – Internal and External

One significant change in using internal settings is the capability to shoot 4K at 60p. The Z7 II can capture higher frame rate video using 93% of the width of sensor. The Z6 II will use the native 3840 x 2160 crop from center of the sensor. As per Nikon, the 60p capability should come as a part of free firmware upgrade around Feb 2021.

As for the videographers using an external device to record videos, there are some significant improvements. In addition to already existing N-Log output, Nikon has introduced Hybrid Log Gamma footage which is a ready to view footage on HDR TV sets supporting this file format. Right now the cameras are limited to 4K30p output.

Very soon Nikon will release a paid upgrade to get output of RAW video streams.

Action cameras are very popular with adventurists and other sports enthusiasts who want to capture their own footage while on the move. Of late, they have also been getting popular with vloggers and content creators because of their portability, and some features like water-proof and high end video recording capabilities. Keeping this in mind different brands have been introducing vlogger oriented features as well in the action camera.

For an action camera to be good enough and versatile, it should check atleast the following boxes
right:

- Compact and water-proof body
- Touch Screen LCD preferable on both sides
- Ability to shoot at 4K 30p
- Good Image Stabilisation
- Good low light performance
- Good audio quality
- Ability to stream live on social media
- Features like Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Slow-Mo etc.
- Bundled with accessories and mounts

These are broad features one must be look at while making a decision. However, you may have your specific requirement which will always weigh more than other features.

Here is our choice of Top 5 Action Cameras. Pls. note we have not considered GoPro Hero9 Black in this because its entry in India has been delayed and we have not been able to test that.

1. GoPro Hero8 Black

Great All-Round camera with good value for money

Video Resolution (Max): 4K at 60 fps | Photo Resolution (Max): 12MP | Touch Screen: Yes | Battery Life in Single Charge: 158 minutes | Water Proof: Yes, up to 33 feet | Size: 2.6 x 1.9 x 1.1 inches | Weight: 119 GMS

Reasons to Buy

• One of the finest Stabilization
• Folding Fingers (Mounting Arms)
• High Quality Audio
• Different Mod

Reasons to Avoid

• Fixed non removable lens
• Poor low light performance
• Small Screen

Though there is now a GoPro Hero9 in market, Hero8 is still a formidable and feature laden choice of action camera. I fact now it becomes more affordable and still offering best in class features. Unique features like HyperSmooth 2.0 and TimeWarp 2.0 enhance its functionality. Optional GoPro Mods transform it into a cinematic camera. Introduction of FoldingFingers ensure ease of use without having to use the waterproof casing to mount the camera.
Another unique feature is its 4 digital lenses viz SuperView, Wide, Narrow and Linear, making shooting simple and seamless.

2. GoPro Hero7 Black

Flagship of 2018, Entry Level of 2020 – Quite a Formidable Option

Video Resolution (Max): 4K at 60 fps | Photo Resolution (Max): 12 MP | Touch Screen: Yes | Battery Life in Single Charge: 158 minutes | Water Proof: Yes, up to 33 feet | Weight: 119 GMS

Reasons to Buy

• Wonderful 4K video and image quality
• HyperSmooth is very useful and effective
• Waterproof that too without housing

Reasons to Avoid

• Struggles with voice commands
• Screen sometimes gets unresponsive

Once a flagship camera of 2018 has now positioned itself firmly as a formidable entry level action camera in GoPro’s rejigged line up. What makes it gain entry in Top 5 despite being an old camera is its affordability and great value for money with its features like HyperSmooth and being water proof without the housing. With a video quality of 4K at 60p its certainly a war horse even after the launch of Hero9.

It was the first camera to introduce both HyperSmooth and TimeWarp which is another reason to get your hands on this one.

3. SJCAM SJ6 Legend

Power packed budget action camera

Video Resolution (Max): 4K at 24 fps | Photo Resolution (Max): 16 MP | Touch Screen: Yes | Battery Life in Single Charge: 70 minutes | Water Proof: Yes, up to 33 feet | Weight: 83 GMS

Reasons to Buy

• Affordable. Suits everyone
• Gyro Stabilisation for super smooth videos
• Waterproof up to 10 mtr
• 4K at 24P

Reasons to Avoid

• No true 4K
• Poor battery life

In a market ruled by GoPro, this SJCAM has been creating its own market with their affordable yet feature rich action cameras. And this SJ6 Legend has features like Gyro Stabilisation, 4K, waterproof body and dual screen camera have made it very popular with masses. It offers multiple mounting options which makes it highly flexible.

 4. Insta360 One R Twin Edition

Unique modular, yet impressive 360 Action Camera

Video Resolution: 4K at 30 fps, 5.7K at 30 fps, 1080 at 200 fps | Photo Resolution (Max): 18.5 MP | Battery Life in Single Charge: 70 minutes | Water Proof: Yes, up to 5 mtr with bracket | Weight: 130.5 GMS

Reasons to Buy

• Unique modular design for extreme flexibility
• 360-degree camera with 4K making it unique action camera
• Waterproof up to 5 mtr
• FlowState offering great stabilisation

Reasons to Avoid

• Very Small Screen
• Poor battery life

Insta360 is one unique action camera offering 360 degrees and 4K footages, both of extreme high quality. Its modular design makes it \easy to switch between lenses easily. Option of Leica 1” Wide Angle Lens/Sensor combo ensures you get best in class low light image quality.
While it offers 3 different camera options, does it actually deliver? We can easily say Yes. With Leica 1” option it ensures you get great detail in low light., making it one unique action camera to do that.

5. GoPro Max 360

Dedicated 360-degree camera

Video Resolution: 360 degree 5K at 30 fps | Photo Resolution (Max): 18 MP | Battery Life in Single Charge: 90 minutes | Water Proof: Yes, up to 5 mtr without case | Weight: 154 GMS

Reasons to Buy

• Dedicated 360-degree camera shoots at 5K 30 fps
  
• Waterproof up to 5 mtr without casing
  
• In Camera video stitching
  

Reasons to Avoid

• 2D footage at extreme low resolution
• Poor low light performance
• No 4K option
• Stitching is poor showing stitch lines

This is good 360-degree action camera from GoPro. Though it does offer good 360 footages, if you want equally good non 360 footage, then look elsewhere. Its unique 6 microphone design ensures you get top notch audio. It steals features like TimeWarp, FloatingFingers from Hero8, which again makes it a good action camera option.
The biggest downside is its inability to shoot 4K which makes Insta360 One R Twin Edition take a formidable lead over this. Also it really disappoints with its low light performance where it even struggles to stabilise.

While DJI Ronin S was released quite a long time back, owing to its popularity and ease of use, it is still very popular with photographers. While this is a single-handed factor gimbal aimed at mirrorless cameras, its scalability to be used with DSLRs makes it a popular choice. 

Main Features

• 3-Axis Stabilisation

• Integrated Focus Wheel

• Quick calibration using Auto-Tune

• Creative Modes which are automated

• Max 3.6Kg Load Capacity

• Battery life of 12 hrs.

• Light Weight of 1.8 Kg with attached grip

The first look gives you an impression of Ronin S being a solid built with good grip. It has 3-Axis stabilization motor that ensures you get silky smooth footage. In terms of control, Ronin S has a dedicated Focus Wheel, joystick and trigger. The Power, Start/Stop and M button are located on the grip. 

The Ronin S is rated to 3.6 Kg, which is quite good and can balance even large zoom lenses like Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and Sony E 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE.

The Ronin S supports remote control on select cameras from Nikon, Panasonic, Canon and Sony. You can find complete updated list of supported cameras and features on Ronin-S Support Page.

Handling and Performance

Thanks to its strong motor and great algorithm, Ronin S does a fabulous job of stabilizing your camera.

It performs regular movements like follow left, right, down or point up etc very well helping you track your subjects with ease. The gimbal can be used in three different ways like normal, underslung and flashlight. These modes aid you in holding the gimbal at waist level, up high or low close to ground.

It has a great battery life which lasts for almost 12 hrs in single charge.

Operating the Ronin-S

The controls are simple with user friendly interface and intuitive. You can use the M-button to access three SmoothTrack presets. The LED shows the preset you are currently using. Apart from these 3 settings, there is a fourth as well which is the Sport Mode. This mode helps you trach extremely fast movements.

The trigger located in front helps you control multiple functions. You can re-center the camera by double clicking this trigger. To reverse the camera by 180 degrees to take selfie, you can triple tap this trigger.

Handle has hard rubberized grip making it comfortable to hold and operate.

Remote Camera Control which comes bundled is one of the most useful features of Ronin-S. You can use either MCC (multi camera control) or RSS (remote start / stop). You can check the complete list of compatible cameras and lenses to find out whether it supports your camera gear or not.

Ronin-S has a 2400mAH battery which gives 12 hrs of shoot in single charge. The battery gets fully charged in around 2 hrs time. Apart from normal functions, the Ronin-S can perform functions like Capture, Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Panorama and Track. It has an inbuilt intervelometer to help you create good Hyperlapse.

Our Verdict

The Ronin-S has a design which makes it very easy to operate. It terms of weight of 1.8kg might appear alright to many but it does become heavy after mounting the camera and lens. This combined weight makes it challenging to shoot continuously for longer durations.

Its compact size coupled with smooth performance, certainly makes it a great option. But is it for you? Lets share what we really liked and/or disliked about this gimbal.

We liked:

• Super easy to set up and calibrate

• Remote camera operation with select camera models

• Super smooth handling and operation

We didn’t like:

• Remote camera support not across camera models

• Battery charging adaptor not included in bundle

So if you are looking for a super smooth, easy to operate gimbal for your mirrorless camera and do not mind slightly heavy weight, this is the one for you.

You can buy Ronin S at https://futureforward.in/dji-ronin-s-handheld-gimbal-stabilizer-2  

Of late there has been quite an influx of action cameras. With everyone looking to create something different, action cameras are gaining popularity way beyond the sports and adventure buffs wanting to record their adventures. And price war, unique specs are again ruling the roost. One brand SJCAM quietly but with firm footing made their entry and very soon made their mark with their feature laden action cameras which were easy on pocket as well.

One action camera which offers features that can be segmented into top action cameras is SJCAM SJ6 Legend. Before we get into its review, lets first take a look at its specifications.

Specifications

• Chipset: Novatek 96660

• Sensor: Panasonic MN34120PA

• Video resolutions: 4K (4:3) 24fps; 2K at 30fps; 1080p at 60/50/30/25fps; 720p at 120/60/30fps; 420p at 240fps

• Bitrate: 60Mbps

• WiFi, 2″ LCD touchscreen 

• Digital Image Stabilization

• External Microphone

• Dimensions: 59×41×29mm / 2.3×1.6×1.1″

• Weight: 83g 

• 166° Field of View

• 16MP Still Photo

• Modes: Single Shot, Time-Lapse, Burst, Video+Photo, Car Mode, Underwater mode

• MiniUSB, MicroHDMI, MicroSD card slot ports

• Memory: MicroSD Class 10 and SDXC cards with max capacity of 128GB

• Battery life: 70 minutes with 4K at 24fps, 65 minutes with 1080p at 60fps

• Remote Control Supported

Camera Design

In appearance it looks like just another action camera available in market. It feels good to hold. Its small measuring just about 1.6(H) x 2.3(W) x 1.1(D) inches and weighs just 83 gms. Its outer body is plastic which is not waterproof unless enclosed in a waterproof housing which is rated to almost 100ft. This housing is included in the box. 

The camera has 3 different control buttons. Record button is easy to press and is positioned on top of the camera. You have two smaller buttons on right side – Power and Menu. On right side itself there are ports like MicroSD, MicroHDMI and MicroUSB ports which help you in external connectivity. There is also a built-in speaker and Mic.

Bottom of the camera has standard tripod mount which we feel is a unique feature and it does make this camera versatile.

It has LCD screens both at the back and front. The front LCD screen shows information like video modes, battery power and recording details etc. Back screen is a larger 2” LCD touch screen. This is where you can view all recording while in action. This back screen makes the interface and use very intuitive. It shows you the mode you are using which you can change using touch screen itself. The menu options visible on screen are large enough for you to be able to tap on them to make necessary changes. 

Connectivity

It has a built-in WiFi which helps you connect with the free SJCAM app. This app is available both for Android and iOS and using this you can easily operate the camera.

Battery

It has a detachable battery unit which has a rating of 1000mAH. It can record upto almost 70 mins with 4K settings. When you use 1080p at 30fps this goes upto 113 mins which is quite impressive. It gets fully charged in 2 hrs time.

Video and Photo

The SJ6 boasts of 4K video quality. It can record video at 4K at 24 fps at a bit rate of 25Mbps. It is important to note that this 4K video is not true 4K quality. It basically shoots at 2K resolution and creates additional required pixels to give 4K video. Its evident that because of the same reason, you may never find the video shot at 4K to be as good as the same shot by other more expensive action cameras but still it’s a great feature considering the price bracket.

Video quality is awesome when used in daylight condition. Quality however tends to go down in low light, which actually is a problem with most action cameras except for the high end action cams.

The SJ6 has one unique mode – Car Mode. When you use this mode, it gets converted into a dashboard camera and enables the movement detection.

It captures images at 16MP resolution and shoots both in JPEG and RAW. Details are great if used in normal angle of view. However, with wide angle, images tend to get softer and show loss of details when used in wide angle mode. 

Conclusion

The SJ6 is a solid built action camera which delivers 4K at quite an affordable price range. Considering the price point, it is feature loaded and delivers quite a punchy performance as well. So if you are the one looking for an action camera which has all the features you can ask for and still doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket, then go ahead own it now. As negatives, we would have liked it to offer true 4K but then that might have made it more expensive. 

Click the link below to buy:

https://futureforward.in/sjcam-sj6-legend-action-camera

The moment we say Action Camera there is one brand pops up on top of the list and that is GoPro. Well this is not about the company or the brand but all about what they deliver – yes it’s about action cameras and in particular their Hero7 Black which was once their flagship camera. While they have already released their flagship camera Hero9 Black, this camera continues to remain favorite with sports and adventure enthusiasts. 

We thought before we get into a detailed review of GoPro Hero9 Black, it is important to share detailed review of this powerhouse Hero7 Black.

Specifications

Video: 4K at 60, 2.7K at 120, 1440p at 120, 1080p at 240 and more
Photo: 12MP
Burst: 12MP at 30 fps
Time Lapse Video: At 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 second intervals
Timewarp Video: 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x video
Waterproofing: 10 metres underwater without the case, 30 meters underwater with the case
Screen: Intuitive 2" LCD Touchscreen
Stabilisation: HyperSmooth Video Stabilization up to 4K at 60
HDR: SuperPhoto Auto HDR Photo Enhancement
Live streaming: Yes
Vertical Portrait Mode: Yes for Instagram

With the release of Hero9 Black, GoPro has revamped its product line up which positions this Hero7 Black at entry level. What is most interesting is that what was once a flagship camera is not an entry level in the product line-up of GoPro. So let fine out why it’s still one of the favorites with GoPro fans and users. 

Key Features

• 4K Video @ 60p

• HyperSmooth Stabilisation

• Live-Streaming on Facebook

GoPro decided to continue with their signature body design and size but still pack in some additional impressive features. The camera body itself is waterproof till 10 meters and when you use it with camera housing (optional), you can take it upto 30 meters. In terms of mounts, you can use both GoPro branded and third party mounts which makes the list very wide.

Hero7 has 12MP Sensor. It can shoot videos at 4K 60fps. It can also shoot Full HD at 240fps (max) for a footage which is slowed down by 8X. 

One great feature of Hero7 is that it easily adapts to the portrait orientation mode. All you need to do is to turn the camera in portrait mode. This is a wonderful feature keeping in mind the popular Instagram reels.

Two of the best and most talked about features of Hero7 are HyperSmooth and TimeWarp Video. 

HyperSmooth

This is by far one of the best features of Hero7. As a first, GoPro used a combination of hardware and software over just optical stabilization to achieve super smooth image stabilization. It is so smooth that you do not feel the need of a gimbal. HyperSmooth can be used even with video footage settings at 60fps (full resolution). However standard stabilization works when shoot Full HD at 120fps and 240 fps.

You can the HyperSmooth capability in the following video footage:

https://youtu.be/nJX4llWUVfQ

TimeWarp

Another unique feature is its ability to create TimeWarp Videos. TimeWarp is actually a handheld time lapse video. GoPro uses its two features namely Time Lapse and HyperSmooth to allow you to capture TimeWarp. Yes, you got it right, it’s nothing but a handheld, yet super smooth time lapse video. 

You have an option to choose different speeds like 5x, 10x, 15x or even 30x. To choose your choise of speed, its better to record at all and decide.

You can check both HyperSmooth and TimeWarp video footage here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9KDqfpCgws

Voice Control

This allows you to go hand free and use voice commands to let camera perform a function. It can recognize upto 16 commands which include commands like “GoPro, take a photo”, “GoPro, turn on” or “GoPro, start video recording”.

Super Photo

Super Photo is almost like HDR where the camera uses local tone mapping and noise reduction to create excellent images even in low light conditions. 

Photo Quality

Hero7 Black can capture 12 Megapixel images. You can shoot both in JPEG and RAW format. Even though the sensor is small (1/2.3 inches), the image quality is good. In good lighting conditions it creates images that are sharp, crisp and have edge to edge details. For low light you can always use Super Photo feature.

It has a wide option which tends to distort images if shot from close distance. 

Connectivity and Live Streaming

You can use GoPro App on Android and iOS to transfer photos and videos. As a first for GoPro, this camera has a unique feature of going live on Facebook directly from the camera. For this you will need to connect your smart phone to the camera. Camera uses smart phone data connection to stream live. The live stream max resolution is 720p.

Accessories

The best part about Hero7 Black is that it is compatible with all old GoPro accessories along with multiple third party accessories as well. 

Final Verdict

After the launch of Hero9 Black, this camera has become their entry level action camera which means it offers a great value for money. Its unique features like HyperSmooth and TimeWarp make is almost a go to camera in action camera line up across all brands. Let’s point out what goes for it and what goes against before we share our final verdict.

FOR

Wonderful 4K Video Quality

HyperSmooth is actually super smooth

TimeWarp makes it real fun for travel vloggers and content creators

UI enabled portrait mode is very useful again

Live Streaming at 720p on Facebook is a boon for vloggers

Super Photos gives good quality photos in low light

Value for money 

AGAINST

Touch screen is slightly glitch

Voice commands can fail at times

So if you are looking for an action camera which offers best in class features at low price option within GoPro product lineup, then this is the camera for you. Its unique features, high video and photo quality make it a great option. However, if you are price conscious and are ready to compromise on top end features, there are other options available which you can buy at a much cheaper rate. You can buy it at https://futureforward.in/gopro-hero7-black