Verdict and Conclusion
Another big thanks to SJCAM for sending us their M20 Action Camera, SJ Smart Remote and SJCAM Smart RF Remote Controller & Self-Stick for this review. There were some features we did not cover such as the x8, x4 and x2 slow motion capture, as we felt this was very much done in the same way as the SJ5000.
With around 40 minutes of video shot at different resolutions, about 20 photos taken, all the time need to learn the menu system, gyro set to on, a few minutes of trying out the wifi function with the smartphone app, we still had around half the battery charge remaining. This stays true to the word of SJCAM’s own specifications of 80 minutes of use. Videos were recorded with vivid colors without overcompensation in terms of exposure, and when moving into lowlight areas, the M20 coped better than the vast majority of action cameras.
For the photo buffs, the SJCAM M20 may not not take the quality of photos you require, but I have yet to come across an action camera that can shoot photos at a high standard. And now with the added bonus of the M20 storing RAW files, you can as much post-production as you desire.
The in-built gyro works well, and I now cannot see how I would use any action camera now without this function. Many old recordings I’ve shot on other action cameras which I didn’t use any image stabilization at all are not archived, as watching them gives me headaches with all the jolts and movements. There are a few niggles in terms of the camera trying to overcompensate for details whilst the gyro is switch on, but its something I can definitely forgive. I can see other action cameras following suit very soon on this, but when you consider that price of the M20 already has an in-built gyro, it really does beg to be seriously looked at.
I’ve joked many times before to GoPro users wanting to buy more mounting accessories that they should invest in a SJ4000; for the price you pay you get probably more mounting accessories than you bargained for, plus an extra action camera! The SJCAM M20 stays true to all its over action cameras by providing nearly all the necessary mounts you would need out of the box. This might not seem a big deal to many, but I’ve gone back to my SJCAM’s boxes to find an odd bit of mounting adapter from time to time.
Overall, the SJCAM M20 may be the best bang for buck action camera around. Priced at around USD$140, this really is a gem to use. Sure there are little niggles here and there (maybe better battery life, updated smartphone app) but what can be still categorized as a ‘budget’ action camera, no other in the same category on the market can really compete.
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Related Articles:
- SJCAM M20 vs GoPro Hero 4 vs SJ4000 Comparison
- The $7 Dollar Buying Challenge filmed using SJCAM 4000, SJCAM M20 and GoPro Hero4
- Buy now at Amazon – http://amzn.to/2ujRBh6
3 comments
This is great, but I found another good camera, it’s AKASO EK7000 4K wifi sports action camera, cheap and good quality, you can go to look at it, then you can do a different review,it will be great.
Should have included a raw sample to review.
Thanks for the feedback. TBH, we were pushed for time with publishing this review so there was a lot we skipped over. We will definitely try to have all the bases covered in future reviews.