Review of the best EKEN action cameras for 2024

Some 10 years ago, video cameras were huge, which made shooting on the move was a difficult process. However, now, to the delight of people who lead an active life, action cameras have come. These devices are quite small and can be easily attached to a motorcycle helmet. This article provides an overview of the best EKEN action cameras.

What is it for?

Buy an action camera is necessary for users who go in for active sports or record videos under water and in other extreme conditions. These gadgets have recently become popular for cyclists. The fact is that the ability to fix the action camera on the head guarantees video recording from the first person, which makes it possible to demonstrate the actual events without being distracted by the shooting procedure itself.

The presence of an anti-shock shell makes the device resistant to mechanical damage, for example, if the operator falls to the ground. The water-resistant design makes it easy to use action cameras for underwater photography.

Interesting! A couple of years ago, they wanted to use action cameras to record staged films, but they abandoned such an idea because of the poor quality picture from the side of the subsequent post-processing of the material.

Action cameras are also used as a DVR for a car, since they are mounted in much the same way as ordinary webcams. A good viewing angle ensures that everything that happens on the road is captured.

Often among users, the question is raised whether it makes sense to take such a gadget for photos of ordinary celebrations and similar holidays. In these cases, experts advise using an ordinary camera or "fotik" who can record videos.

The description of the parameters of all popular models and the significant characteristics for their normal operation clearly shows that they should be used when it is unrealistic to engage in long-term configuration, adjust focus and use all the experience that is useful for good quality shooting.

Rating of the best EKEN action cameras

Telephones have actively burst into human life, taking the place of photographic and videographic equipment. But any technique needs careful use. A scattered display and a broken case are frequent breakdowns of devices. What if you need a camera for a quadcopter or shooting video in any extreme conditions?

N. Woodman has formed his own niche - action cameras. These are practical devices that easily cope with such purposes. Technology is advancing rapidly, and many Go Pro alternatives have emerged in the electronics market. The success of the latter is being replicated by many brands, from “no-names” to recognized “foremost” in this field, among which it is worth highlighting Sony, Xiaomi and Olympus. This article has compiled a rating of quality action cameras from EKEN.

"5th place: EKEN A8"

The popularity of models of this brand should start with this particular camera. Budget gadgets, namely the A8 belongs to this price segment, most often have a lot of disadvantages. For a "modest" fee, a person will receive full support for the Full HD format at their own disposal. The company did not make experiments and equipped the device with an ordinary 12 MP CMOS matrix.

An obvious advantage is the autonomy of one battery charge: the gadget writes at the limit parameters for about 2 hours. This is a very good value for an inexpensive camera.

The viewing angle is 120 degrees, there is a widescreen mode. In addition, the model is equipped with a full LCD screen with a diagonal of 2 inches. By the way, you can use it to watch filmed videos. An ordinary USB interface acts as a communication.

Shooting is done exclusively on a flash drive, since the model has little capacity for long-term recording. Support for memory cards only microSD format. Innovative and ultra-fast media are not available.

The gadget weighs only 64 g, which is why it feels very comfortable in the hand, and even if it is fixed on the shoulder or head, there is no discomfort. It should be noted that such action cameras are in demand today.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Durable shell;
• Nice design;
• Lightness;
• The maximum operating time is not less than 2 hours;
• There is an opportunity to take pictures;
• Widescreen support;
• The recording format is 1080p.

• There is no image stabilizer;
• Not enough configurations;
• Poor image quality.

The average price is 2,600 rubles.

"4th place: EKEN H5S PLUS"

A highly productive brand from China, EKEN, is profiled in the manufacture of action cameras with excellent functionality. The simplest set consists of a camera, aqua box, a remote control with a lock on the hand and a set of tripod fasteners. The appearance is very balanced - the gadget lies comfortably in the hand, and is also intuitive to use.

This device has an excellent touchscreen display with a good viewing angle. The same should include shooting parameters in several modes with high FPS. All this is due to the Ambarella A12 processor. The stabilization of the electronic type is performed very well in the gadget. The camera also has disadvantages, one of which is poor translation of the menu. But with the best recording quality, it's worth putting up with it.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Pretty solid equipment;
• Excellent multi-touch display with a good viewing angle;
• There are modes with high FPS;
• Acceptable recording quality;
• Unusual appearance;
• Matrix made by Sony.

• Bad stabilizer;
• Low quality translation of the menu;
• High price.

The average price is 6 800 rubles.

"3rd place: EKEN V8S"

This model is the most expensive of the five cameras in this review. But it is this action camera that will be a good purchase for fishing, since the gadget proved to be excellent in tests under water. It is worth noting that if you charge the device with a “non-native” charger that comes with the bundle, but for example, from a laptop, then it gets too hot.

In addition, the indicator of the charger on the auxiliary display can show an almost full charge, and after a couple of minutes it has completely sat down. In fact, this model is not much different from those discussed above, so which one to choose, it is undoubtedly up to the user to decide.

Advantages and disadvantages

• UHD 4K support;
• The complete set includes a remote control for controlling photo and video shooting;
• Wide-angle optics that is 170 degrees;
• Auxiliary display;
• Waterproof up to 30 meters in a specialized box;
• She showed herself best in underwater photography.

• English language instruction only;
• No flash drive included;
• There is no auxiliary battery in the set;
• All slots (HDMI, microSD, microUSB) are open;
• Heats up if you charge a "non-native" charger;
• Incorrect battery charge indicator.

The average price is 8 800 rubles.

"2nd place: Eken H8 Plus"

The model is equipped with two screens - a tiny informational (0.95), which is located in front, and the second LTPS. The latter has a resolution of 320x240 px, it is located at the back, there is no multitouch. All control is carried out by mechanical keys that are located on the shell. There is a connector for microSD, microUSB and HDMI, which, by the way, are not covered by anything.

Matrix type - 12.4 MP sensor IMX 078 from Sony, which was released back in 2011. The same sensor is used in the SJ5000X Elite and Firefly 6S cameras.

The model is equipped with a wide-angle type optics with a focal length of the lens of 170 degrees. It should be noted that it is not possible to change the viewing angle in the configuration, but if there is a need, you can change the optics to a less wide-angle one, due to which the distortion can be really reduced. The optics have an ordinary thread m12x0.5. In the role of media, the model uses microSD format flash drives, the capacity of which is no more than 64 GB. The rated speed class is U3, which is equal to 90 Mb / s.

It is worth noting that this model has a time-lapse photo, so the gadget is able to take individual pictures using a pre-set time interval. Each picture is recorded to its own file. The model cannot save the time-lapse into a complete movie, it will have to be done independently, using specialized software for an amateur.

In addition, the device is controlled remotely using a phone or tablet that is connected via a wireless Wi-Fi network. The brand does not have a proprietary program, but on the official website the company provides an opportunity to download the Ez ICam application, which is available for both Android and iOS phones.

The program allows you to use the phone as a viewfinder, download and watch the videos and pictures taken, switch between modes, and activate / deactivate recording. It is worth noting that on smartphones running Android, users notice periodic braking and crashes, and if you move more than 10 m away, the video signal or connection is lost.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Interchangeable lens;
• Excellent recording quality;
• Supports time-lapse;
• Controlled remotely via a smartphone or tablet.

• No stabilization;
• Long start.

The average price is 7,000 rubles.

"1st place: EKEN H9R"

An excellent option to become the owner of a good action camera for a relatively low cost. The model is standardly made, like the Go Pro, from the form factor side, and also has an acceptable package bundle. For those who like to save money, there is good news - the camera is sold not only on aliexpress, but also in almost all other stores in the Middle Kingdom.

The set includes a special box, a set of clamps, and a remote control for controlling the camera at a distance on a belt.

The recording quality at this price should be considered acceptable: the model is very similar to the well-known SJ4000 - it has an ultra-precise automatic white balance. But in any case, it is necessary to treat “4K” engraving on the shell with a “slice” of skepticism. The fact is that the model claims a resolution of 4 MP, but in fact, for shooting in 4K, a matrix of at least 8 is required.

In this regard, it will be advisable to set the 1080p mode, especially since the model shoots in it at 60 FPS. If we compare it with the same SJ4000, then in this mode the shooting is carried out only at 30 fps.

It should be noted that the optics are relatively narrow-angle here. Its viewing angle is 140 degrees, but, most likely, this is even an advantage. The fact is that lenses with a wide viewing angle in models of this price segment do not guarantee good quality, but only change the picture at the edges of the picture. By the way, you will need to direct the action camera accurately, and the auxiliary 2-inch display serves as an assistant for this.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Excellent equipment;
• Writes in Н.264;
• Acceptable duration of work.

• As with many inexpensive action cameras, this is a low quality microphone.

The average price is 4,500 rubles.

Comparative characteristics of EKEN action cameras

How to choose an action camera?

The criteria for choosing an action camera are similar to buying a camera or camcorder. First of all, you should pay due attention to the quality of the lens, the type and number of sensors. It is worth remembering that if you end up with a soapy picture with multiple noise and distortion around the edges, then there is no way to fix it with the help of software.

In the budget segment of action cameras, it makes no sense to focus only on viewing angles. The fact is that a good quality wide-angle camera will not fit into this price in any way, so it would be advisable to purchase a lens "narrower", but also of higher quality.

The limiting shooting resolution should always be less than the matrix parameters. Otherwise, recording at the maximum resolution will not give any plus over a lower one: the quality will decrease, and the costs of the carrier and battery power will increase pointlessly. For gadgets with an electronic type stabilizer, the difference between resolution and shooting should differ significantly at times.

And, of course, autonomy, durability and moisture protection are very important for such a device, since it will have to be removed in extreme conditions.

Naturally, this review does not cover all models of action cameras from the manufacturer EKEN, but in reality, the gadgets given in this article are the most fascinating of those that it makes sense to look at.