Go Pro Alternative… Why I won't spend $400+

Amazing what a bit of research can dig up.. Go Pro, and its expensive competitors, are facing some stiff competition from below… I've been researching cheaper quality alternatives and they are out there… So I have settled on this one: SJ4000. If you do the research, and view the videos, it looks like a great alternative to the far more expensive Go Pro. I figured all of these gadgets are made in China, so why should I pay more for the Go Pro? This is by no means the only decent cheaper product.. Polaroid actually makes a great product that is as good as a Go Pro.

You can order them directly from the distributor (http://www.foxoffer.com/sj4000-full-...l#.Uy7fBVxgNuY) or get them on e-Bay.

I will be getting mine in the next couple of weeks. It's been ordered and once I get it I will post my own review. But so far, I have not come across anything negative expect from some GoPro owners (who are probably pissed that they could have saved $300+).

I just thought that some of you would be interested in saving some cash.


Here are some reviews and video...

British review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnHDu-oW7_Y

Comparison footage from Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oBP88VKJhE

More comparison footage:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDgMdw6xj-Q

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngoj6RViZT4

Good find, enjoy!

I almost wonder if IS a GP, not uncommon for these Asian companies to sell the plans / parts and have knockoffs made, happens all the time, from sports jerseys, to iPhones, etc. While the specs don't quite go all the way up the line of some models, it sure mirrors (build wise, and quality wise) some GP models.

At that price that is a good deal but it lacks in the frame rate department. Get into some serious action like waterfowling and you'll see the difference that 60+fps in 1080p brings. For the average user this should be a great camera for turkey or deer hunting. I may pick one up when the tax man gives me my refund. Thanks for finding this!

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Originally Posted by RideauOutdoors

At that price that is a good deal but it lacks in the frame rate department. Get into some serious action like waterfowling and you'll see the difference that 60+fps in 1080p brings. For the average user this should be a great camera for turkey or deer hunting. I may pick one up when the tax man gives me my refund. Thanks for finding this!

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I think that for most applications, this is more than enough camera… Once you upload it into your computer's movie maker software (I have i-movie), you can apply slo-mo and other fun stuff…

Would you guys agree that the comparisons on YouTube show a better picture quality? The one from Japan on the ski hills show a yellowish GoPro image and not as clear, IMO.

Polaroid has a great cam too… Tiger Direct sells is for $150 - the Polaroid XS100 Extreme Edition

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Originally Posted by Splaker

Would you guys agree that the comparisons on YouTube show a better picture quality? The one from Japan on the ski hills show a yellowish GoPro image and not as clear, IMO.

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This is not a TRUE comparison, (doing side by sides, etc, on Youtube, as they limit the fps (Frame Rate, to 30 Frames Per Second), So you are not seeing the TRUE video in its RAW, format.

For instance on my Black Edition 3+ I can shoot 1080p superview at 60FPS, that camera you list can shoot 1080p at 30fps, upload both to youtube, and you just lost quality on the GP side, as youtube compresses it.

As well I can shoot in 2k and 4k (the next generation of "high def" above 1080p, While youtube claims they now support 2k, anything over gets downgraded to 2k, or 1080p, so you are not seeing what the GP can really do.

I wont dispute, looks like a great camera for those who do not want to spend the money on a GP, or who do not require/want those higher end features, but that's what you're paying the extra 300 for.

What that camera also doesn't speak to, is it's post processing capabilities, the GoPro can be used in "Protune" mode, which is like taking pictures in "RAW" format on a DSLR Camera, it allows allot more post processing ability, to play with colors, shades, etc, in programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro.

Again obviously all those "extra's" are not required or wanted for everyone, and most may never take advantage of them, but that's what the extra money gets you.

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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie

This is not a TRUE comparison, (doing side by sides, etc, on Youtube, as they limit the fps (Frame Rate, to 30 Frames Per Second), So you are not seeing the TRUE video in its RAW, format.

For instance on my Black Edition 3+ I can shoot 1080p superview at 60FPS, that camera you list can shoot 1080p at 30fps, upload both to youtube, and you just lost quality on the GP side, as youtube compresses it.

As well I can shoot in 2k and 4k (the next generation of "high def" above 1080p, While youtube claims they now support 2k, anything over gets downgraded to 2k, or 1080p, so you are not seeing what the GP can really do.

I wont dispute, looks like a great camera for those who do not want to spend the money on a GP, or who do not require/want those higher end features, but that's what you're paying the extra 300 for.

What that camera also doesn't speak to, is it's post processing capabilities, the GoPro can be used in "Protune" mode, which is like taking pictures in "RAW" format on a DSLR Camera, it allows allot more post processing ability, to play with colors, shades, etc, in programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro.

Again obviously all those "extra's" are not required or wanted for everyone, and most may never take advantage of them, but that's what the extra money gets you.

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But that's a lot of extra money to dish out. If you're a photography/videography "geek" I can see how little details like that would be important… but if you just want a very decent recording of your hunt, I'll bet the cheaper version will capture a hunt very nicely. The owners of the cams are claiming better quality with the SJ400. There's a marked difference with the transition footage.. the SJ4000 transitions much better from darker to lighter scenes (for example when driving in a tunnel then exiting the tunnel, or going from shade to sunlight and back again)

anyhow, I just thought this would be useful for those of us who don't want to drop $400+ - Hopefully, I can capture a nice turkey hunt this year!

Here's that Polaroid I mentioned earlier… Seems closer to the specs (780 60) to the Go Pro..

$150. Excellent picture quality and reviews...

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...28355&csid=_61

I picked up the Sony HDR-AS15 a while back and am very impressed with the video quality. Great battery life, ease of set-up, simple to use, great audio. With a few options which where on sale I was out the door for $235.00. Something to take a look at.

outback

Thanks for the link and the descriptions Splaker! Definitely looks good for the price, can't wait for you to receive, test and review it for us. Currently blocked from youtube so I'm not able to watch the sample videos, does the SJ4000 have sound capabilities? Reviews of the Polaroid state that it does not.

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Originally Posted by Lakon

does the SJ4000 have sound capabilities? Reviews of the Polaroid state that it does not.

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Can answer this one as Splaker is currently offline, yes, it does do audio, however it does not have a "mic" in option, which isn't a big deal, only really used if you have a small mic to wire to yourself for "whispering" to the camera during a hunt, or if you use your camera to vlog (video log)