Don’t get confused! Besides the Elite there is a SJ5000X Limited Edition.
The “Limited Edition” comes with a 4MP Omnivision sensor, the “Elite” will have the 12,4 MP Sony sensor!
In the meantime SJCAM also announced SJCAM M20, SJ6 Legend and SJ7 Star. Here’s a comparison, followed by the SJCAM SJ5000x elite review:
Comparison
Here’s a comparison of the latest SJCAM cameras: SJ6 Legend, SJ7 Star, M20 & SJ5000x elite:
| SJ8 Pro | SJ8 Plus | SJ7 Star | SJ8 Air | SJ6 Legend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| 12 MP Sony IMX377 sensor | 12 MP Sony IMX117 sensor | 12 MP Sony IMX117 sensor | 14 MP Panasonic MN34112PA sensor | 16 MP Panasonic MN34120PA sensor |
| Ambarella H22 Processor | Novatek 96683 Processor | Ambarella A12 Processor | Novatek 96658 Processor | Novatek 96660 Processor |
| Body: Plastic | Body: Plastic | Body: Metal | Body: Plastic | Body: Plastic |
| Lens: 170° FOV Aperture: f/2.8 | Lens: 170° FOV Aperture: f/2.8 | Lens: 166° Aperture: f/2.8 | Lens: 160° FOV Aperture: f/2.6 | Lens: 166° FOV Aperture: f/2.8 |
| native 4K max. 60fps | native 4K max. 30fps | native 4K max. 30fps | no 4K | interpolated 4K max. 24fps |
| 2.7K max. 60 fps | 2.7K max. 60 fps | 2.7K max. 60 fps | 2K (1728x1296) max. 30 fps | 2.5K max. 30 fps |
| 1080p max. 120fps | 1080p max. 120fps | 1080p max. 120fps | 1080p max. 30fps | 1080p max. 60fps |
| 720p 240fps | 720p 240fps | 720p 200fps | 720p 30fps | 720p max. 120fps |
| Bitrate: 65 Mbps (4K30) | Bitrate: 33 Mbps (4K30) | Bitrate: 12 Mbps (1296p) | ||
| Image Stabilization: yes up to 4K 30fps | Image Stabilization: yes up to 4K 30fps | Image Stabilization: yes up to 1080p 60fps | Image Stabilization: no | Image Stabilization: yes up to 1080p 60fps |
| 6-axis gyro sensor | 3-axis gyro sensor | 3-axis gyro sensor | - | 3-axis gyro sensor |
| Digital Video Zoom | Digital Video Zoom | - | Digital Video Zoom | - |
| Format: .mp4 / .h264 & .h265 | Format: .mp4 / .h264 & .h265 | Format: .mp4 / .h264 | Format: .mp4 / .h264 | Format: .mp4 / .mov .h264 |
| 12 MP native Photo Resolution | 12 MP native Photo Resolution | 12 MP native Photo Resolution | 14 MP native Photo Resolution | 16 MP native Photo Resolution |
| RAW photo | RAW photo | RAW photo | no RAW photo | RAW photo |
| 2,33″ Touchdisplay | 2,33″ Touchdisplay | 2″ Touchdisplay | 2,33″ Touchdisplay | 2″ Touchdisplay |
| 0,96" Frontdisplay | 0,96" Frontdisplay | - | - | 1" Frontdisplay |
| Battery: 1200 mAh | Battery: 1200 mAh | Battery: 1050 mAh | Battery: 1200 mAh | Battery: 1050 mAh |
| wifi: yes | wifi: yes | wifi: yes | wifi: yes | wifi: yes |
| Bluetooth: yes | Bluetooth: yes | Bluetooth: yes | Bluetooth: yes | Bluetooth: yes |
| Remote Control: yes | Remote Control: yes | Remote Control: yes | Remote Control: yes | Remote Control: yes |
| microSD: up to 128 GB | microSD: up to 128 GB | microSD: up to 128 GB | microSD: up to 128 GB | microSD: up to 128 GB |
| USB-C | USB-C | mini USB | USB-C | mini USB |
| external microphone: yes | external microphone: yes | external microphone: yes | external microphone: yes | external microphone: yes |
| Case & Mounts included (Full Box Set) | Case & Mounts included (Full Box Set) | Case & Mounts included | Case & Mounts included (Full Box Set) | Case & Mounts included |
| Retailer/Price: (small box) | Retailer/Price: (small box) | Retailer/Price: | Retailer/Price: (small box) | Retailer/Price: |
| SJCAM: 269.00 USD | SJCAM: 179.00 USD | SJCAM: 199.00 USD | SJCAM: 99.00 USD | SJCAM: 159.00 USD |
| Banggood: 188.99 USD Coupon Code: 369eae | Banggood: 157.99 USD Coupon Code: b71c67 | Banggood: 135.99 USD | Banggood: 87.99 USD Coupon Code: b71c67 | Banggood: 116.99 USD |
| Gearbest: 215.99 USD Coupon Code: SJ8Series1 | Gearbest: 155.99 USD Coupon Code: SJ8Series3 | Gearbest: 159.99 USD | Gearbest: 79.99 USD Coupon Code: SJ8Series5 | Gearbest: 106.99 USD |
| Aliexpress: 269.00 USD | Aliexpress: 179.00 USD | Aliexpress: 199.00 USD | Aliexpress: 99.00 USD | Aliexpress: 159.00 USD |
| Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
SJCAM SJ5000x Elite
Image Sensor:
The SJ5000X Elite comes with a native 12,4 MP Sony Sensor IMX078CQK.
That’s a huge step forward from the native 4MP Omnivision sensor used in the SJ5000X Limited edition.
The “Limited” was advertised with 12MP, which is upscaled from the native 4MP Omnivision sensor OV4689.
As far as I know that’s the first time SJCAM uses a Sony sensor. In the SJ4000 lineup first used Aptina then OmniVision sensors. SJ5000 & SJ5000+ use Panasonic sensors.
The Sony IMX078 sensor used in this camera has a sensitivity of 1437 digits and could shoot 4000 x 3000 pixels 4k at 42fps. This sensor is also used in the Pentax Q camera. Even tough it could shoot 4K with 42fps the Novatek 96660 chip is not capable of that. This sensor is also used in the Firefly 6S, SJ8000 and Elephone Explorer Pro.
The Sony IMX206 sensor (used in the Xiaomi Yi and most likely will be in Git2) has a sensitivity of 1096digits and can only shoot 4k at 12fps. So at least for video application the IMX078 is better due to better low light sensitivity and higher fps in 4k video compared to IMX206.
Sony IMX078 Sensor Specs
Chipset:
The SJ5000X Elite will feature the new Novatek 96660.
The SJ5000+ uses an Ambarella A7LS chip, same one is used in the Xiaomi Yi.
Lens:
The SJ5000X Elite has an adjustable Wide-Angle View Lens to adjust between 170°, 140°, 110° and 70°.
The adjustment is not optical but electronically, so there might be a loss in video quality.
The camera also comes with a 4x digital zoom.
Video Resolution & Frame Rate:
- 4K – max. 24fps (interpolated)
- 2K – max. 30fps
- 1080p – max. 60fps
- 720p – max. 120fps
SJ5000X Specs
Recording Format:
The videos are recorded in .mp4 files with .h264 codec.
Photo Resolution & Format:
Image resolution up to 12 MP (4032 x 3024 px) is available; .jpg Format
Display:
The SJ5000X Elite offers a 2″ live view screen.
Battery:
A detachable 900 mAh battery is used, which is the same for all other SJCAMs.
Storage:
All SJCAMs were limited to 32GB microSD cards,
now finally the SJ5000X Elite will support selected 64GB and 128 GB microSD cards!
Connectivity & Ports:
The camera offers wifi for wireless remote via iOS or Android App,
a USB port for charging and A/V output, (not sure if Microphone in).
and a microHDMI port for HD video output.
Dimension & Weight:
61×42.4×25 mm; 74g (with batteries)
SJ5000X Dimension
Accessories included:
As for all SJCAM models the SJ5000X Elite will come with a huge accessory pack, including:
Waterproof Case, Quick Release Buckle, Housing Backdoor with Holes, Handlebar Seatpost Pole Mount, Curved Adhesive Mount, Flat Adhesive Mount, Way Pivot Arm Mount, 3M Adhesive Tape, Frame Mount, Quick Release Clip for The Frame, Vertical Quick Release J-Hook Buckle, Universal 1/4″ Camera Tripod Mount, Tripod Mount Adapter, Bandage Set, Cleaning Cloth & USB Cable.
Basically all you need!
SJ5000X Elite included Accessories
Special Features:
Gyro Image Stabilization which is a hardware built in gyro to avoid shaky videos!
Features:
Among many others:
Photo & Video Time-Lapse
Burst Mode (3-10 photos per second)
The camera is available in 7 colors: Black, White, Silver, Yellow, Blue, Gold, Red
Retailer / Price Comparison:
- SJCAM: 149.00 USD
- Banggood:
- CN Store: 115.59 USD – Coupon Code: c58d96
- EU Store: 119.99 USD
- US store: 119.99 USD
- Gearbest:
- CN Warehouse: 111.99 USD – Coupon Code: SJ5000X
- EU Warehouse: 115.66 USD
- US Warehouse: 119.99 USD
- Geekbuying: 122.89 USD
- Aliexpress: 125.27 USD
check link for current price – for updated prices see my camera comparison page
Discuss and get updates here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SJcamUserGroup
Settings
These are the settings available to select:
Resolution
- 4k – 2860 x 2160 – max. 24 fps – be aware that it is not native 4K, the image is interpolated!
- 2k – 2560 x 1440 – max. 30 fps
- 1080p – 1920 x 1080 – max. 60fps
- 720p – 1280 x 720 – max. 120 fps
- VGA – 640 x 480 – max. 240 fps
Loop recording
With the available settings: Off/3/5/10 minutes. Videos will be recorded in files with respective length and the earliest ones overwritten once the SDcard is full. This feature is meant to be for use as dash cam.
FOV
You can select different FOV (field of view) settings: 170°/140°/110°/70°/off. The field of view will be narrowed, be aware that this might result in a quality decrease.
WDR
to switch on wide dynamic range
Gyro
which will stabilize your video.
Motion detection
The camera will start recoding when motion is detected. Be aware that the camera won’t turn off when there is no motion, you have to stop recording manually.
Audio and volume
You can turn off audio and set the volume.
Slow motion
The camera will automatically create a slow motion clip, no editing has to be done afterwards.
Video file format
I think it’s a nice option that you can choose .mov or .mp4 format.
Image size
12 MP is the max. setting
Quality
There are the options Fine/Medium/Standard. I’m not quite sure about the impact. On Yi Action camera quality controls the bit rate.
Sharpness
The options are Strong/Normal/Soft. If you are processing your video in postproduction it is better to turn sharpness to soft.
White Balance
You got several options to check color temperature: Auto/Daylight/Cloudy/Tungsten/Fluorescent
Color
Some kind of basic filters you can apply to your recordings: Black & White, Sepia, Warm, Cool
ISO
You can set a value for ISO if you want to. I try to limit ISO if I want to avoid noise in low light, of course the recordings will be darker then.
EV
You can manually correct exposure
RAW
Besides .jpg images you can also take RAW images for better editing afterwards.
Burst mode
You can select off/3/5/10 photos to be taken with one press of the shutter button.
Dash cam
If switched on the camera powers one when connected to a power source; when connected with a car charger e.g.
License No set
you can enter a name as datestamp e.g. your car license plate.
Date/Time
To set date and time, check it before using a time stamp.
Auto Power Off
The camera will automatically power down when in standby to save battery.
Keypad Tone
to set the buzzer volume when pressing buttons
Light Set
You can choose which LEDs should light up. Might be interesting if you don’t want to draw attention on your camera.
Screen Savers
to set a time when the screen will go black to save battery.
Frequency
You can choose 50Hz and 60Hz to match light frequency to avoid flickering.
Logo Watermark
to display a logo in your recordings
Language
Lots of languages to choose from: English / French / German / Spanish / Italian / Portuguese / Simplified Chinese/Japanese/Traditional Chinese/ Russian/Korean/ Czech / Slovak / Hungarian / Danish / Dutch / Turkish
WiFi SSID
which is the camera’s wifi name
WiFi Password
to change your password – standard password is 12345678
Delete
to delete recordings / images
Format
to format your SD card
Default Settings
to set the camera back to factory settings
Version
to display the installed Firmware Version
Conclusion
So what’s the competition?
The SJ5000X elite seems to have the identical specs as the SJ8000, Elephone Explorer Pro and Blackview Hero 3. Also the size and button arrangement is the same, seems like to be the same camera just with a different design and branding. Take a look at the other ones – might be cheaper.
But there is one benefit of having the SJCAM: you know the brand and website and where to get App and Firmware updates!
- The Firefly 6S might be a competitor, it has similar specs, no live view screen but a larger battery.
- Elephone Explorer Pro seems to have similar specs, but a lower price tag!
- Of course Xiaomi Yi comes to mind, but it doesn’t have a screen, gyro image stabilization nor 4K resolution.
- And the all new Git2, which will also has a built in gyro, a larger sensor (same as Xiaomi Yi) but a little smaller screen.
Here’s my data comparison where you can look at the data side-by-side.
SJCAM already announced their newest product!
If you plan to order a SJ5000x elite be aware that SJCAM already announced their newest “most powerful SJCAM action camera to date” – the SJCAM M20: Find more information in my Blogpost: SJCAM M20 Overview
SJCAM M20 Specs
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