EKEN H8 Pro & H8 Plus are the newest releases from EKEN Action Cameras. Despite sharing the name H8, there are a lot of differences to EKEN H8 Pro and H8Plus! Even tough H9 and H8 were labelled 4K camera, the 4K video resolution was not native. It was an interpolated 4K resolution from a lower resolution sensor output, but that has changed:
EKEN H8 Pro is the first EKEN camera with native 4K resolution!
EKEN H8 Pro – Packaging
That is also indicated on the packaging which says real 4K.
Later EKEN H8 Plus was released which is a improved version of H8 Pro as it holds a better sensor!
Comparison
EKEN H8 Plus and H8 Pro are out of production in the meantime. Here’s a list of 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: |
Fur further infos on out of production models see my EKEN comparison article.
EKEN H8 Pro & H8 Specs
Image Sensor:
EKEN H8 Pro uses a 12,4 MP Sony IMX078 sensor, the same sensor used in the EKEN H8 as well as Firefly 6S, SJ5000X Elite and SJ8000.
EKEN H8 Plus uses a 12,4 MP Sony IMX117 sensor, same sensor as used in GoPro Hero4 black.
Chipset:
EKEN H8 Pro uses a new Ambarella A12 chip. This chip enables the camera to process native 4K video from the sensor. In comparison a Sunplus 6350 chipset is used in EKEN H9 & H8.
Frame Rates:
- 4K – max. 30fps
- 2,7K – max. 60fps
- 1080p – max. 120 fps
- 720p – max. 200 fps
As mentioned in the beginning, this is EKEN’s first native 4K resolution camera.
Lens:
EKEN H8 Pro 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!
Remote Control:
With the other models the name indicated if a remote is included (EKEN H9 = no remote / EKEN H9R = remote included).
Good news, the remote is included with the H8 Pro, no special name.
Storage:
Usually EKEN states 16 or 32 GB cards, but 64GB cards also work, they just weren’t guaranteed. Min. class 10 / U1 is recommended. With native 4K resolution recording I would recommend using an U3 microSD card.
Display:
The EKEN H8 Pro has a “dual display” similar to H8, which means a data/status display on the front and a 2” live view screen on the backside, similar to GoPro Hero 4 silver.
Battery:
Like the other EKEN models, H8 Pro features a 1050 mAh battery.
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!
EKEN H9 vs EKEN H8 battery
The new rounded batteries are available at:
Dimensions:
EKEN H8 Pro has the same size & button layout as EKEN H8 and GoPro Hero 4. EKEN H9 is a bit larger and has the same size as SJCAM cameras (SJ4000 & SJ 5000 series). As EKEN H8 Pro is the same size as a GoPro Hero 4 it is compatible with most GoPro accessories.
59.3 x 21.4 x 41.1 mm; 61g (including battery)
EKEN H8 Pro – Dimensions
Versions:
EKEN H8 Pro includes a remote control – no special version! – it is available in 7 different colors.
Accessories:
Similar to other EKEN cameras it comes with a huge pack of accessories:
Note: EKEN as a different design of screws compared to GoPro.
EKEN H8 Pro – Accessories
Retailer / Price
- Banggood: 129.99 USD
- Gearbest: 119.99 USD – coupon code: GBH8PRO
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 139.99 USD
- Amazon (Official Store):
Body, Buttons & Ports
EKEN H8 Pro – Front- & Backside
EKEN H8 Pro has the same size as a H8, but a different size than EKEN H9. Whereas the EKEN H9 is the same size and has the same button arrangement as SJCAM SJ4000 & SJ5000 series; EKEN H8 Pro is the same size with the same button layout as GoPro Hero 3 & 4.
Similar to the GoPros EKEN H8 Pro 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 buttons to scroll the menu. Two buttons are easier to use, but the GoPro also has one button, so I guess EKEN H8 Pro 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 between EKEN H8 Pro, H8 & H9. More on that later.
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 camera comparison – H9 vs H8 vs H8 Pro vs K8.
Functions & Settings
Scrolling through the menu is the same as for EKEN H8, but a bit different compared to the EKEN H9, where you had up and down buttons to navigate. The EKEN H8 Pro 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 cycle through the modes using the Mode button on the front of the camera. 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:
EKEN H8 Pro – Menu Cycle
- Video
- Photo
- Burst Photo
- Time-Lapse (which is a photo time-lapse where individual photos are taken)
- Playback (Video & Photo)
- Settings, with the following options:
EKEN H8 Pro – Settings
Video Resolution:
EKEN H8 Pro – Video Resolution
- 4k – 30fps
- 2,7K – 60fps
- 1080p – 120 & 60fps
- 720p – 200fps
There are no options to select PAL mode which will give you 25fps (and a multiple of that). It’s a bit strange that there are 200 fps in 720p available. It should be 240 fps (a multiple of 30 fps). Usually 200 fps is used when the camera uses a PAL 25 fps standard.
Photo Resolution:
The only options are 12 MP (= sensor size) and 8MP.
Video Interval:
There are two selections available 1 min. and 5 min. Currently I’m not sure what it means.
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.
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:
Now you got way more options compared to EKEN H8: 3 photos in 1s / 7 photos in 2 s / 15 photos in 4s / 30 photos in 8s.
Time Lapse:
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.
Time Lapse on/off (called continuous lapse in previous menus):
You have to switch it on to take time-lapses. Finally the label is clearer than “continuous lapse” which was used earlier.
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.
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
Interestingly “Metering” is no longer available, as well as Upside – Down Mode.
App
EKEN H8 Pro uses Ez ICam App (same as H9 & H8) 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 Pro 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.
Retailer / Price
- Banggood: 129.99 USD
- Gearbest: 119.99 USD – coupon code: GBH8PRO
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress: 139.99 USD
- Amazon (Official Store):
Conclusion
I was really excited when the EKEN H9 was released as it was labelled 4K, which was rare during that time. Soon disillusion followed the excitement, as I learned H9 only shoots an interpolated 4K video with a max. of 15 fps. Later on the frame rate was increased, but still it is not real 4K.
Now I’m excited again, as EKEN H8 Pro seems to be the cheapest native 4K camera available with a price tag close to 150 USD – compared to a 249 USD YI 4K action camera e.g. Yes it may offer less features (no touch screen, no electronic image stabilization,…) but it comes with lot’s of accessories. Let’s see the results when the first videos are online.
Here you can find an overview of native 4K Action Cameras.
