EKEN just released a new camera, which is capable of shooting 4K resolution at 30fps!
So it seems to be some kind of successor or top-of-the line product compared to the popular EKEN H9
Nevertheless it is called EKEN H8 and H8R when the remote is included!
EKEN H8 Front- & Backside
Eken H8 specs
Image Sensor:
The EKEN H8 uses a 12,4 MP Sony IMX078 sensor,
Thats the same sensor used in the Firefly 6S, SJ5000X Elite and SJ8000.
Chipset:
The camera uses a Sunplus 6350 chipset, same manufacturer as in the EKEN H9
Frame Rates:
- 4K – 30fps
- 2,7K – 30fps
- 1080p – 60/30 fps
That’s quite a surprise: Whereas most other cameras such as Firefly 6S, SJ5000X Elite, SJ8000 and Git2 offer 4K at 24fps max, the EKEN H8 tops them with 30fps. I was a little skeptical at first, but even the camera is branded 4K30.
Also quite interesting that 720p resolution is not shown in the manual.
Lens:
The EKEN H8 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 an USB port.
Mic in via USB & A/V out via USB are not available!
Similar to the EKEN H9, the EKEN H8 is also available as H8R including a remote control.
Storage:
microSD – interestingly the manual states 16 or 32 GB cards, that was the case for the EKEN H9 as well, but 64GB cards also work with the H9.
Display:
The EKEN H8 has a “dual display” which means a data/status display on the front and a 2” live view screen on the backside.
Battery:
Like its predecessor H9 the EKEN H8 features a 1050 mAh battery, but be careful, the size is different compared to the H9!
EKEN H9 vs EKEN H8 battery
The new rounded batteries are available at:
Dimensions:
The EKEN H8 got smaller. The EKEN H9 was the same size as SJCAM cameras, the EKEN H8 is the same size as a GoPro and also compatible with GoPro accessories, as the buttons now are on the same position as the GoPro buttons. Therefore the up/down buttons are gone and are replaced with a wifi button.
59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 mm; 61g (including battery)
EKEN H8 dimensions & ports
Versions:
The EKEN H8 doesn’t include a remote control, the version including the remote is called EKEN H8R.
Both are available in 7 different colors.
Accessories:
Similar to the H9 the EKEN H8 comes with a huge pack of accessories:
EKEN H8 included accessories
EKEN H8 vs EKEN H8R
The difference between EKEN H8 and H8R is the remote control which comes with the H8R:
EKEN H8R with underwater case and remote control
Retailer / Price Comparison:
EKEN H8
- Banggood: 82.99 USD (sold as EKEN H8 with EKEN Logo)
- Gearbest: out of stock (sold as H8 camera)
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 75.48 USD (seller ATPowers – confirmed original EKEN)
Amazon (official EKEN store) – recommended by EKEN to get original camera!
currently only available as H8R.
EKEN H8R
- Banggood: 74.99 USD (sold as EKEN H8R with EKEN Logo) – coupon code: a1651c
- Gearbest: 77.99 USD (sold as H8R camera)
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 81.48 USD (seller ATPowers – confirmed original EKEN)
Amazon (official EKEN store) – recommended by EKEN to get original camera!
Body, Buttons & Ports
The EKEN H8 has a different size than the EKEN H9. Whereas the EKEN H9 is the same size and has the same button arrangement as SJCAM 4000 & 5000 series; the EKEN H8 is the same size with the same button arrangement as the GoPro Hero 3 & 4.
Similar to the GoPros the EKEN H8 also go a small data LCD screen on the frontside displaying the current settings of the camera.
EKEN H8 vs EKEN H9 – Front
On the right side you’ll find one button (wifi-button), whereas the H9 had two to scroll the menu. The two buttons make it easier, but the GoPro also has one button so I guess the H8 sticked with the one button design to match GoPro accessory.
EKEN H8 vs EKEN H9 – Ports
On the back side both cameras feature a 2″ LCD screen. The menu is a bit different as the EKEN H8 navigates with one button.
EKEN H8 vs EKEN H9 – LCD Screen
The layout on the left side looks a bit different, but the ports are the same: micro HDMI, microUSB and microSD card slot.
EKEN H8 vs EKEN H9 – Buttons
You can find a data comparison of these cameras in my article: EKEN H8 vs EKEN H9
Functions & Settings
Scrolling through the menu is a bit different compared to the EKEN H9, which had up and down arrow buttons to navigate. The EKEN H8 has a different layout similar to the GoPro to make it compatible with GoPro accessories. Besides the Mode/Power and Shutter/Select button, there is only a wifi button. So you have to scroll through the modes using the Mode button. To start recording, press the shutter button, if you reached the settings, also press the shutter to enter the sub menu. The main modes consist of:
- Video
- Photo
- Burst Photo (3 pics)
- Time-Lapse (which is a photo time-lapse where individual photos are taken)
- VR 180 Video (I have to do some research on this feature, it is only available within the Ez iCam App)
- Playback
- Settings, with the following options:
EKEN H8 Menu
Video Resolution:
- 4k – 30fps
- 2,7K – 30fps
- 1080p – 60fps
- 1080p – 30fps
There are no options to select PAL mode which will give you 25fps (and a multiple of that) and currently no option for 720p with possible 120fps is shown.
Photo Resolution:
The options are:
- 12 MP
- 8MP
- 5MP
Looping Video:
The camera will record 10min. clips and overwrite the earliest clip when the microSD card is full. This option is not available in 4K and 2.7K resolution.
Metering:
This is where the camera measures exposure with the options: Center/Multi/Spot
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:
The camera will shoot 3 pics within a second and that’s the only option you’ve got.
Time Lapse:
You can set an interval for the camera when it takes pictures:
2s/3s/5s/10s/20s/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.
Continuous Lapse:
You have to switch it on to take time-lapses.
I actually don’t know why you have to select it, as time-lapse is a separate camera mode.
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:
English, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, French, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Japanese, Korean & Thai.
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.
Upside Down:
You can flip the image in case you mount your camera upside down.
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:
Where your camera’s firmware version is displayed
You’ve got some basic features, but I’m missing white balance or auto-record / auto-powerup to use this cam as a dash cam.
App
Like for the EKEN H9 the H8 uses the Ez ICam App (available for Android and iOS).
How to connect:
- You have to switch on the camera’s wifi and then look on your phone for network ICAM-H8(R) 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.
Video
During a firework display I set up an EKEN H8, H9, YI 4K Action Camera, Yi Action Camera (CN & Int.) & Firefly 6S.
A very basic low light comparison:
Conclusion
The data I received from EKEN is pretty promising. 4K resolution with 30fps seems a nice new option many cameras such as SJ5000X, Firefly 6S and Git2 are not capable of (their max. is 24fps.) I guess the 4K resolution is interpolated like the other cameras. The EKEN H9 became a very popular model and the EKEN H8 may continue the success of EKEN. The H9 had some issues like the short battery runtime. Currently I’m not sure which type of battery is used in this camera, if it is the same as the SJCAM batteries like in the H9 or if they are similar to the GoPro batteries, as the EKEN H8 is now the same size (Git2 has the same size as GoPro and uses SJCAM like batteries; Firefly 6S has the same size as GoPro and uses GoPro Hero 3 like batteries). I hope battery life improved with this camera, as well as some other issues like Firmware Updates. I hope I can test the camera soon to reveal these issues.
I still have to get some more information on this camera and will update this posts as soon as I have more insight.
If you want to talk with other users, join the Facebook Group!
Retailer / Price Comparison:
EKEN H8
- Banggood: 82.99 USD (sold as EKEN H8 with EKEN Logo)
- Gearbest: out of stock (sold as H8 camera)
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 75.48 USD (seller ATPowers – confirmed original EKEN)
Amazon (official EKEN store) – recommended by EKEN to get original camera!
currently only available as H8R.
EKEN H8R
- Banggood: 74.99 USD (sold as EKEN H8R with EKEN Logo) – coupon code: a1651c
- Gearbest: 77.99 USD (sold as H8R camera)
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 81.48 USD (seller ATPowers – confirmed original EKEN)
Amazon (official EKEN store) – recommended by EKEN to get original camera!
