SJCAM SJ9 Max

SJCAM SJ9 Max, a new aspirant to take the throne away from the GoPro

We already have here the new series of SJCAM action cameras, which comes in two models: the SJCAM SJ9 Strike and the SJCAM SJ9 Max, which is the one we are going to analyze today. Both feature 4K recording, water protection and WiFi connectivity. With the SJ9 Max, the Asian company aspires to compete directly in the market of sports cameras, and especially with the GoPro.

We find ourselves in front of an action camera aesthetically very similar to the ones we are used to seeing, with a spatial grey finish, which at first sight is practically matt black. The rectangular body with rounded edges is made from ABS plastic, which is combined with some metallic elements. The SJCAM SJ9 Max is pleasant to the touch and “adheres” very well to the hand, thanks to the various rubber coatings that surround it. As it could not be otherwise, this camera is very compact and lightweight. This will allow you to hold it in your hand for a long time without getting tired.

On the front of this SJ9 Max camera, apart from a status LED and a huge protruding lens, we can see silkscreen the manufacturer’s logo and model name. If we take a look at the top, we’ll see the trigger button marked with a red circle. While in the lower part, there is an entrance to mount a tripod, as well as a battery compartment and a slot for microSD cards with a capacity of up to 128 GB, which is covered with a rubber cover that prevents water from entering.

The truth is that the look of this SJCAM sports camera is quite similar to that of its “big sister”. The main difference is that it doesn’t have the 0.96″ LCD panel in front of it that the SJCAM SJ9 Strike does. Behind both share a 2.33 inch UHD IPS touch screen. On the left side, underneath a rubber cover, we have a reversible USB Type C port that provides greater convenience, and a high transfer speed for data transmission, battery charging and peripheral connection. On this side we can also notice the presence of a microphone (mono).

It is important to note that this SJCAM SJ9 Max action camera is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters, without the need for a casing. The manufacturer also offers a special case, which will give you the opportunity to record underwater up to 30 meters deep.

This action cam SJ9 Max is equipped with a Sony IMX117 image sensor that will allow you to record 4K videos at 30fps as well as 240 fps sequences at 720p. In addition the SJ9 Max uses an innovative three-axis Super smooth stabilization system, which will give us the ability to achieve videos with very sharp images and without jolts. On the other hand, this camera has a 12 MP sensor with digital zoom, which is prepared to capture photographs with excellent quality, both in RAW and JPEG format.

As for the capacity of the battery (which is removable), it reaches 1,300 mAh. This will give us to record for 140 minutes (more than 2 hours) with Full HD quality. This battery takes about 2 hours to fully charge. Unlike the Strike version, this sports camera does not incorporate a wireless charging system.

A plus point of this SJCAM SJ9 Max camera is that it includes up to 9 camera modes, including Burst and Time Lapse modes. You can also maintain absolute control of the camera with the built-in Wi-Fi. Make the necessary adjustments, and take photos and videos from your smartphone. And if you want to be the envy in social networks with your incredible videos, you can share them or even stream them live through platforms like Facebook, Youtube or Sina.

Another equally interesting option is the SJCAM SJ8, a camera that relies on a 12.3 megapixel Sony IMX377 sensor, allowing you to record videos in 4K at 60 fps. Apart from an Ambarella H22 processor, this camera features Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi, a micro HDMI output and a reversible USB-C input. The configuration is completed with a 1000 mAh battery, whose autonomy allows one hour of continuous recording.

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