EKEN Action Camera Comparison
EKEN H5s Plus – EKEN H6s – EKEN H7 black – EKEN H9
New EKEN cameras were recently added, here’s an overview of currently available cameras. Besides the enduring popular EKEN H9 a while ago EKEN H5s, with the noticeable skull design, was released. The latest additions are H7 black and H7s. Here’s an overview:
| 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: |
Remarks:
Resolution/Frame rate:
not all EKEN cameras that are labelled 4K offer native 4K resolution. Another method to achieve 4K is to upscale the video from a lower resolution, called interpolating. E.g. EKEN H9 doesn’t offer real 4K; easy to check: 4K resolution equals 8 MP and EKEN H9 only has a 4 MP sensor. But that’s not the only criteria to check, if you want more info on that topic, check out my real vs fake 4K article.
Image Stabilization:
EKEN H5s plus, H6s and H7 black offer electronic image stabilisation (EIS). In the list you can see the highest resolution available with EIS.
Remote Control:
Be careful if the remote controller is included with your camera when you need it. You can’t upgrade the camera if it comes without. If you want a remote with your H9 you need to go for EKEN H9R or EKEN H9s.
Note: You can’t upgrade a H9 with a H9R firmware!
Display:
Some EKEN cameras offer a touchscreen which is very convenient to change settings and navigate the menu. The ones I labelled with “live view” have a regular display. You have to navigate the menu using the buttons.
Some cameras offer a front display as well. This can be interesting when filming yourself (vlogging) to see the recording time.
Ports:
All EKEN cameras are equipped with microUSB port and HDMI Port. Be aware that mircoUSB does not allow an external microphone! If you want to use an external mic (e.g. if you are looking for a vlog camera) you need to get one with either miniUSB (like Firefly 8SE or SJCAM SJ7) or USB-C (like SJCAM SJ8 series or YI 4K+)
EKEN H9 versions
Throughout the years many different EKEN cameras were branded H9. The original model (with similar specs and features) comes in 3 different versions:
- EKEN H9 is the base model.
- EKEN H9se was a downgraded version that users inferior components and didn’t offer 720p resolution.
- EKEN H9R comes with the remote controller. The controller can’t be used with an EKEN H9 camera you have to get a H9R version!
- EKEN H9s comes with a remote and is capable of live streaming.
Note:
You can only install very specific firmware versions for each production line. You can’t upgrade or use a different version. If you do so you will brick your camera with hardly any chance to undo this process. EKEN recommends NOT TO UPDATE the firmware if the camera is working. There are NO NEW features with other firmware versions!
EKEN Firmware Update Info
Besides them previously there were cameras like EKEN H9 Pro and EKEN H9 Plus. They are completely different in terms of processor and sensor. They just used the “H9” label as it was well known. These cameras are out of production.
Official Retailer – How to avoid getting fake EKEN cameras:
Amazon
EKEN suggests buying via Amazon, which is their official platform. They offer their products on the various local Amazon sites:
- USA – http://amzn.to/2f3q60s
- Canada – http://amzn.to/2fjMHak
- UK – http://amzn.to/2gliHQ0
- Spain – http://amzn.to/2fjQRyM
- Germany – http://amzn.to/2fzs50v
- France – http://amzn.to/2gjH1Bf
- Italy – http://amzn.to/2fjUlkN
Aliexpress
Aliexpress is a reseller platform. They sales are done by individual stores and not Aliexpress themselves!
Here’s a list of Aliexpress stores which are confirmed to ship original cameras:
- ATPowers: Visit Store
- Eddie Technology: Visit Store
- China Bay: Visit Store
- Kaipuda: Visit Store
- Golden Sky Technology: Visit Store
Banggood
was confirmed by EKEN to sell original products!
Gearbest
was confirmed by EKEN to sell original products!
But be aware! On Gearbest you can also find a “H9 camera” which is NOT a “EKEN H9“!
Conclusion
My opinion on the EKEN series cameras:
If your budget is around 50 USD: Get the EKEN H9 (or EKEN H9R). The value is great for the price and there is hardly competition achieving this quality for that price. Check out my EKEN H9 or EKEN H9s review to get more insight on this camera!
If your budget is around 100 USD: Get EKEN H5s Plus, to me the best EKEN camera. Of course the quality is way better than EKEN H9. In this area there is a lot of competition with similar cameras that also got other features (like external mic). E.g. take a look at Firefly 8SE, Xiaomi Mijia 4K or YI Lite. They not only offer better quality and image stabilization, their firmware is also updated and their smartphone apps work way better.
If you Budget is in-between you can take a look at my list which cameras match your needs. There is not much competition in that price range. One camera you could look at is Firefly 7s.
