2024-01-09 15:02:05
SJCAM, Chinese company specialized in action cameras, has just made the SJ20 Dual Lens. This atypical action camera is equipped with two sensors. This new configuration is presented as a way to offer images of optimal image quality, Day and nightwith a second optical unit brighter opening to f/1.3 versus f/2 for the first. A look back at the characteristics of this unusual machine.
SJCAM, a little-known company
If the SJCAM brand probably doesn’t mean much to you, it’s normal. This Chinese company, although marketing video equipment for years, has not been in the spotlight. It mainly offers cheap action cam that one might believe released from the same mold than DJI or GoPro.
The first action camera with dual photo/video module
However, with his new SJ20 Dual Lens, the firm manages to surprise us. This action-cam would, in any case, be the first to embark two sensors. If this is very common on our smartphones (which sometimes have 3, 4 or even 5 photo modules), it is very new in the small world of action cameras.
According to SJCAM, these separate sensors are dedicated to day and night capture. Both modules carry the same sensor (whose size was not specified) of a definition of 20 Mpx. They also have the same optics with a field angle of 154° (approximately 12 mm). The only difference between the two modules concerns the maximum aperture of the optics. The sensor « jour » has an opening equivalent to f/2 and the sensor « nuit » has, for its part, a maximum opening of f/1,3.
This would therefore make it possible to optimize image capture by low light. However, once past this basic explanation, SJCAM does not go much further. For example, we do not know whether the two sensors are capable of working together for better performance.
For clarification, SJCAM puts sequences captured with the SJ20 Dual Lens and the GoPro Hero12 Black side by side. Videos supposedly taken at the same time and which show that, at night, the SJ20 is doing much better, while the images from the GoPro are totally underexposed.
In addition to photos, the camera can capture videos in 4K 30 fps. THE 60 i/s are achievable in 2,5K et 1080p. It is also possible to produce slow motion sequences in 120 fps and Full HD and 720p.
For more stability, the SJ20 Dual Lens has a gyroscope guaranteeing a stabilisation on six axes. The camera also offers various specific modes. We can thus count on a motion detection triggering recording at the right time. There is also a mode Timelapse.
A very dense action-cam
In terms of ergonomics, we note two screens. A 2.29″ touchscreen rear monitor and a 1.3″ front return screen. The camera does 370 g for 70.5 x 55 x 30 mm. Its dimensions are thus quite similar to the GoPro Hero12 Black, but for a weight more than twice as high. The fault of the double photo module undoubtedly. We only count two buttons at the top of the camera, for switching on/off and for recording.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the camera is not waterproof by itself, which is a bit of a shame. You have to surround it with a protective frame to be able to go down up to 5 m deep. With a dedicated boxwe can even reach 40 m deep.
The SJ20 Dual Lens comes with an 800 mAh battery for an estimated battery life of 60 min (a 4K et 30 fps). It is possible to attach a battery external of 1050 mAh, to increase 120 min autonomy. Finally, SJCAM also offers a handle with an additional 4800 mAh battery, bringing the total autonomy to 8 hours of recording – for an additional €20. Charging takes place via a USB-C port.
Price and availability of the SJCAM SJ20 Dual Lens
The SJCAM SJ20 Dual Lens is available for 220 € on the manufacturer’s website. A “pro kit” including the pole with battery is also sold for €239.
Our first review of the SJCAM SJ20 Dual Lens
This camera is quite intriguing to be mentioned. After smartphone manufacturers, it is not so aberrant that action cameras are also equipped with multiple photo/video modules.
However, SJCAM is careful not to specify certain characteristics of this camera – such as the size of the 2 sensors. We are therefore curious to see what can really give sequences from the SJ20 Dual Lens.
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