EKEN H6s
Eken just announced a new camera on their website: EKEN H6s. It seems that specs are pretty similar to EKEN V8s, but let’s take a closer look:
EKEN H6s
Image Sensor:
EKEN H6s features a 14 MP Panasonic MN34110 sensor, similar to EKEN V8s.
Chipset:
EKEN V8s uses an Ambarella chip, currently I don’t have confirmation which one. Some websites say it’s the A12 chip, same used in Thieye T5 or Firefly 8S.
Frame Rates:
The available resolutions are:
- 4K – 30fps – (25 fps with EIS)
- 2,7K – 30fps (EIS)
- 1080p – 60 (EIS) / 30 fps (EIS)
New compared to EKEN V8s is the 4K 30fps option. EIS is not possible with that selection.
Image Stabilization (EIS)
EIS is always active, except for the $K – 30fps settings. That’s a downside for me as EIS is not always useful. Would be nice to have the choice to turn it off manually.
Video Time-Lapse
EKEN H6s, same as EKEN V8s, offers video time-lapse, which means you get a video clip from your time-lapse. EKEN H9 series only offers photo time-lapse, so only individually photos are taken which you have to combine into a video on a computer.
Photo resolution:
Photo output is the same resolution as the sensor offers in effective pixels: 14 MP in .jpg format.
That’s a huge advantage compared to the famous EKEN H9, which only had a 4 MP sensor, so the 12 MP photo was upscaled!
Lens:
EKEN H6s has a 170° lens.
Connectivity & Ports:
Wifi is built in to connect with the EZ iCAM app (Android & iOS).
It also offers a HDMI as well as a micro USB port.
Microphone input via USB & A/V out via USB are not available.
Remote Control:
Usually EKEN models feature an “R” in their name when the remote is included, nevertheless the controller is included with EKEN H6s.
It is splash proof and has a working distance of 8m / 26ft.
Storage:
32 and 64GB microSD cards are supported, U3 (90 MB/s) cards are required and according to the manual FAT 32 and exFAT formatted cards can be used.
These are the card requirements and recommended cards according to the manual:
from EKEN V8s manual
Display:
The EKEN V8s has a “dual display” similar to H8 series cameras, which means a data/status display on the front and a 2” live view screen on the backside. Same layout compared to GoPro Hero 4 silver. The 2″ display on the back has a 320×240 pixel resolution.
Battery:
Like the other EKEN models, H6s features a 1050 mAh battery. Charging time is 3 hrs and recording time in 4K is stated with 50mins.
Attention! Earlier H9 models were compatible with SJCAM SJ4000 & SJ5000 batteries. The new EKEN batteries with the rounded corners are NOT compatible with SJCAM SJ4000 or SJ5000 series batteries!
Also not that while charging you can’t record a video or take photos, so you can’t use EKEN H6s as a dash camera!
EKEN old battery vs new rounded battery – newer cameras also have rounded slots!
The new rounded batteries are available at Banggood for 4.99 USD.
Dimensions:
EKEN H6s has the same size & button layout as EKEN H8 series and GoPro Hero 4 cameras. EKEN H9 is a bit larger and has the same size as SJCAM cameras (SJ4000 & SJ 5000 series). As EKEN H6s is the same size as a GoPro Hero 4 it is compatible with most GoPro accessories.
59 x 21.4 x 41 mm; 61g (including battery)
Accessories:
Like all newer EKEN packages, EKEN H6s comes with a great set of accessories including a 2nd battery and mini tripod.
EKEN H6s Accessories
The underwater case seems to have a new design with lens hood to avoid flares.
EKEN H6s – Underwater Case
Retailer / Price
- Banggood: 82.99 USD – (confirmed by EKEN)
- Gearbest: 81.99 USD – (confirmed by EKEN)
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 87.00 USD (Seller: China Bay – confirmed by EKEN)
- Amazon (Official EKEN Store)
Functions & Settings
Scrolling through the menu is the same as for other EKEN cameras. With Mode button on the front of the camera you can cycle through the main menu. To start recording, press the shutter button on top, if you reached the settings, also press the shutter to enter the sub menu. The main modes consist of:
- Video
- Time-lapse Video (a video file of your time-lapse is created)
- Photo
- Burst Photo
- Time-Lapse (which is photo time-lapse where individual photos are taken)
- Playback (Video & Photo)
- Settings, with the following options:
EKEN H6s Ports & Buttons
Settings
Video Resolution:
- 4k – 30fps
- 4K – 25fps (EIS = electronic image stabilisation: on)
- 2,7K – 30fps (EIS)
- 1080p – 60fps (EIS)
- 1080p – 30fps (EIS)
It is currently not possible to turn off image stabilization.
EKEN H6s – screen
Photo Resolution:
The only option is 14 MP (= sensor size).
Video Interval:
There are two selections available 1 min. and 5 min. This interval will come to action when selecting loop recording.
Looping Video:
The camera will record short clips and overwrite the earliest clip when the microSD card is full. This option is not available in 4K and 2.7K resolution.
Time Stamp:
You’ve got the option to show date or date & time in your recordings.
Exposure:
You can select: +-2.0/+-1.7/+-1.3/+-1.0/+-0.7/+-0.3/0 to correct the exposure of your camera manually.
Burst Photo:
In burst mode you get the same options compared to EKEN V8s: 3 photos in 1s / 7 photos in 2 s / 15 photos in 4s.
Time Lapse:
A new feature available for newer EKEN cameras like V8s, not the H9 series.
TL Photo Interval:
You can set an interval for the camera when it takes pictures:
3s/5s/10s/30s/60s
This is a photo time-lapse mode, so the EKEN will take individual pictures but not generate a video clip out of it, which you have to do manually.
TL Photo:
You have to switch it on to take time-lapses.
TL Video Resolution:
You can select either 4K 30fps or 2.7K 30fps for your time-lapse video.
TL Video Interval:
The selection is similar compared to photo time-lapse mode: 3s/5s/10s/30s/60s
This is a video time-lapse mode, where the output is a combined video file.
TL Video:
You have to switch it on to take a time-lapse video, even when selecting time-lapse mode in the main menu.
Power Frequency:
You can select 50Hz, 60Hz or Auto.
I guess it controls the shutter to avoid flickering as the frequency in lighting is different in several countries.
Language:
There’s a huge variety of languages you can set your menu, even more than for previous cameras:
English, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, French, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Hungarian, Slovakian and Greece.
Remote Control:
You got the option to switch on/off to allow EKEN H6s the use of the remote controller, which is included.
Date & Time:
Be sure to enter when using the time stamp option.
Sound Indicator:
You have several options to control when your camera should beep and the volume.
Screen Saver:
A nice option which shuts off the display to save battery:
off, 1 min, 3 min or 5 min.
Power Saver:
Same for the camera itself. You can select and the cam will turn off automatically when in standby:
off, 1 min, 3 min or 5 min.
Format:
To format your SD card.
Reset:
To get your camera back to factory settings.
Version:
Your camera’s firmware version is displayed.
App (Ez iCam)
EKEN H6s uses Ez ICam App (same as EKEN H9 & H8 series cameras) available for Android and iOS.
How to connect:
- You have to switch on the camera’s wifi (press the wifi button) and then look on your phone for network iCam-H6s followed by a series of numbers.
- the standard password is 1234567890
- Open up the EZ iCam App and select your camera – then the live view is show.
Comparison
Here’s a spec comparison of the currently available EKEN cameras:
| Model | EKEN H5s Plus | EKEN H6s | EKEN V50 Pro | EKEN H7 black | EKEN H7s | EKEN H8/H8R/H8s | EKEN H9R Plus | EKEN H9/H9R/H9s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 EKEN H5s Plus |  EKEN H6s |  EKEN Alphawise V50 Pro |  EKEN H7 black |  EKEN H7s |  EKEN H8s |  EKEN H9R Plus |  EKEN H9s | |
| Remark | skull design | also branded "Alfawise EKEN" | out of production | (to be confirmed) | ||||
| Sensor | 12,4 MP Sony IMX 078 | 14 MP Panasonic 34110 | 13 MP Sony IMX 258 | 12,4 MP Sony IMX078 | 14 MP Panasonic 34112 | 12,4 MP Sony IMX078 | 14 MP Panasonic 34112 | 4 MP Omnivision OV4689 |
| Processor | Ambarella A12S75 | Ambarella A12S75 | Ambarella A12S75 | Ambarella A12S75 | Sunplus 6350 | Ambarella A12S75 | Ambarella A12 | Sunplus 6350 chip |
| Lens / FOV | 170° | 170° | 170° | 170° | 170° | 170° | 170° | 170° |
| 4K Resolution max. framerate | 30fps native (real 4K) | 30fps native (real 4K) | 30fps native (real 4K) | 30fps native (real 4K) | 30fps native (real 4K) | 30fps interpolated (not real 4K) | 30fps interpolated (not real 4K) | 25fps interpolated (not real 4K) |
| 2,7K Resolution max. frame rate | 60fps | 30fps | 30fps | 60fps | 30fps | 30fps | 30fps | 30fps |
| 1080p Resolution max. frame rate | 100fps | 60fps | 60fps | 100fps | 60fps | 60fps | 60fps | 60fps |
| 720p Resolution max. frame rate | 200fps | - | 60fps | 200fps | 120fps | 120fps | 120fps | 120fps |
| Image Stabilization | yes up to 4K 30fps | yes up to 4K 25fps | no | yes up to 4K 25fps | no | no | no | no |
| Photo Resolution (native - unscaled) | 12 MP | 14 MP | 13 MP | 12 MP 16 MP interpolated | 14 MP | 12 MP | 14 MP | 4 MP |
| Display | 2" touchscreen | 2" live view | 2" live view | 2" live view | 2" touchscreen | 2" live view | 2" touchscreen | 2" live view |
| Front Display | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Facebook Live | no | no | no | no | no | only H8s | no | only H9s |
| Battery | 1050 mAh | 1050 mAh | 1050 mAh | 1050 mAh | 1050 mAh | 1050 mAh | 1050 mAh | 1050 mAh |
| WiFi | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Remote Control | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | only H8R & H8s | yes | only H9R & H9s |
| Ports | micro USB, micro HDMI | micro USB, micro HDMI | micro USB, micro HDMI | micro USB, micro HDMI | micro USB, micro HDMI | micro USB, micro HDMI | micro USB, micro HDMI | micro USB, micro HDMI |
| A/V out via USB | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Mic in via USB | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Dimension (mm) | 59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 | 59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 | 59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 | 59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 | 59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 | 59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 | ? | 59.3 x 24.6 x 41.1 |
| Mounts & Case | included | included | included | included | included | included | included | included |
| Aliexpress (ATPowers) confirmed retailer | $ 88.77 | $ 74.99 | $ 45.98 | - | - | - | $ 64.11 | EKEN H9:$ 36.99 EKEN H9R:$ 44.99 |
| Banggood | $ 122.99 | $ 91.99 | $ 71.99 | $ 101.99 | - | $ 75.99 | $ 91.99 | H9: $ 49.99 H9R: $ 44.99 |
| Gearbest: | $ 133.15 | $ 87.99 | $ 56.99 | - | - | - | - | H9R: $ 46.99 |
| Amazon US (official EKEN store) |  |  | - | - | - |  |  | EKEN H9R: |
Conclusion
So EKEN H6s is about double the price of an EKEN H9, is it worth it? Based on the specs I think the photo mode will be better for sure. Simply because the 14 MP Panasonic sensor is better than a 4MP Omnivision sensor. I’m not quite sure when it comes to HD video, I hope I can test the camera soon.
If you are looking for more infos, also check out the EKEN User Group on Facebook.
Demo Photos
Here are some photos taken with EKEN H6s by Grant Horon (well known from the Facebook Group). Click for full resolution:
Photo taken with EKEN H6s
Photo taken with EKEN H6s
Photo taken with EKEN H6s
Retailer / Price
- Banggood: 82.99 USD – – (confirmed by EKEN)
- Gearbest: 81.99 USD – (confirmed by EKEN)
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 87.00 USD (Seller: China Bay – confirmed by EKEN)
- Amazon (Official EKEN Store)
