Are you looking for an action camera suitable for adrenaline Junkies as well as social media creators this ticks that box!
First Impressions
The SJCam C300 is everything you could need from an action camera it is compact, offers plenty of accessories, easy to use and the most important factor is the image quality. I was especially pleased that the C300 provides excellent versatility for this camera with multiple shooting modes, 6-axis gyroscope stabilisation and a 1.33-inch double touchscreen.
It comes in at £129 via Amazon and is aimed at those needing an entry-level action camera. The main features of these action camera is the following:
- Display Size: 1.3 Inch
- Resolution: 20MP
- 8x Digital Zoom
- Autofocus
- Touchscreen
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery
- Built-in Microphone
- 154-degree camera angle
- Video Recording: 4K@30fps, 2k @ 30/60 fps, 1080P @ 30/60/120 fps or 720p @30/60/120 fps
- Storage: Micro SD card with max support of 128GB
- Waterproof – Up to 30M with case
Design
The SJCAM C300 is available in two colours – Black or White and the first thing you will notice is just how portable it is. The C300 measures 68.65 x 32 x25.50mm and it’s very lightweight at only 55 grams.
The design of this camera is unique you might think at first that there are two cameras but it’s just the camera’s modular design and comes with dual battery packs. This gives you the option to use the removable battery 1000 mAh or the battery pack 2800 mAh, which provides access to a second screen, useful grip and up to 6 hours of HD recording.
The C300 has two 1.33-inch touchscreens offering a wide range of shooting positions and allowing you to frame your shots perfectly. The first screen is located underneath the lens perfectly if you are doing a piece to the camera and want to ensure you’re in the shot.
The second screen is on the battery module and shows what you’re shooting in front of you and is ideal for reviewing captured content. You will also find the battery module is nice to hold especially if you are filming while walking like in the video we made to accompany this review. You will also notice you can attach it to a tripod or selfie stick to the bottom of the battery module.
Continuing the design/build of the C300 you will see there are two buttons to switch the C300 on and also to start recording. They are positioned at the front of the camera and on the battery module. The touchscreen also lets you access the rest of the settings and menus and I found navigating using the touchscreen was responsive without being too much.
Accessing the menu and settings can be done in two ways:
1) On the LCD Screen on the camera itself which can be a little fiddly.
2) Download the free-to-use app on your mobile phone which once you have connected to the C300 you can access the menu and also see your videos and photos in the gallery section of your phone with zero effort. This would allow you to upload to socials right away with no effort.
The C300 also has a built-in microphone which can be found at the back of the camera. I felt the positioning on the microphone could be improved especially if the prime use of this camera is vlogging. The reason for this is at times it does struggle to pick up sound and you might find yourself having to dub over the recording later which is never ideal.
Last but not least is the storage the C300 does not have any internal storage what you do have is a MicroSD card with a max support of 128GB. The MicroSD is inserted at the back of the camera under the battery. You might find it can be tricky installing however once done this little gadget allows you to get your footage via Wi-Fi or via the USB-C cable meaning you won’t have to take out the microSD card every time you want to access your footage.
Accessories
When you unbox the SJCAM C300 the one thing you will notice is the wide range of accessories that is provided. The C300 comes with the following:
- Base Mount
- Back Clip
- Flat Bottom Bracket
- Helmet Base & Screw
- Waterproof case
- Magnetic Lanyard.
- Standard ¼ inch swivel mount
The standout accessories provided in our pack were the waterproof case which works up to 30m and you will also notice it’s also dust-proof and shock-proof. This allows you to use this camera for a wide range of activities without any risk of damage.
Also provided was the magnetic lanyard which if you want to use the camera as a bodycam just pop it into the holder. The magnet is strong and when testing did not fall off no matter how hard you’re moving.
Performance
When using the SJCAM C300 you can record multiple shooting options such as stills, time-lapse, video, car mode (dashcam) and live broadcast.
The C300 uses a 12MP Sony sensor that is capable of recording 4K footage for up to 7 hours, but you can also record in 2K, 1080P & 720P and you can gain a max frame rate of 120fps. We found the reason people will flock to this camera is because of its capability of shooting 4k at 30fps ideal for vlogging.
You will also notice the camera has a wide-angle lens which covers 154 degrees, and it also comes with a 6-axis gyroscope stabilisation which performs well and gives us smooth footage even when capturing fast-paced action or when used as a Dashcam.
The footage captured was sharp, detailed and vivid. If I had to find fault, I would say it’s recording in low light which is odd as it has night vision, I just found the images came out a little grainy and there was a struggle with white balance at times.
Finally, the C300 is connected to an app, which can be used to control the camera and its settings remotely and even allow you to handle online streaming. I found the app basic but easy to use. It also communicated smoothly and quickly with the camera.
Example of the C300 taking a still picture.
My Experience
I was very impressed with the number of attachments provided you can clip it onto your clothing using the magnetic lanyard. It can be connected to a cycling helmet for that all-action experience or you can even use the camera underwater. I found that the fact I did a lot of driving using this in the car felt like a great way to get the most use out of the camera and the provided dashcam mount allowed me to do just that.
The C300 offers a 154° wide-angle camera that provides a full view when driving even in my SUV and this made me feel safer when driving. The only negative when it comes to using the C300 in car mode is there was no way to detect my speed when driving something really useful if you are involved in an accident or witness one.
The below footage shows the C300 in car mode:
Verdict
The SJCAM C300 is an excellent option for someone looking to buy an action camera without breaking the bank. The C300 is a compact, easy-to-use camera regardless of your level. You might be a beginner or a professional looking for an extra camera to include in your kit. You will find you can use this camera anywhere even as a webcam and it can be exposed to all the elements from -10 °C~45 °C with an IP68 rating.
What I found this camera most useful for is Vlogging. The C300 will provide you with an excellent entry level into the world of Vlogging. The C300 benefits from being lightweight and can fit in your pocket with ease meaning you will never miss a moment.
Overall, the SJCAM C300 is a massive game changer that will be very disruptive in the market and will sit quite easily alongside the likes of DJI and GoPro without the massive price tag. If you are a budding Vlogger or extreme sports enthusiast who is looking to record and capture their action I would honestly say you will not be disappointed.
Product Rating
Design: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Easy to Use: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Features: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Battery Life: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Camera Capabilities: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Range of Accessories: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Value for Money: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Overall ranking: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars – 4.8 stars
The SJCAM C300 is available via Amazon for £129- Click here to buy!
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