EKEN H9 action camera review. EKEN H9 Action Camera Review Eken H9 Camera Size
Even 30-40 years ago, the first enthusiasts tried to create the first prototype of an action camera, but none of them went as far as Nicholas Woodman, the creator of GoPro action cameras. GoPro's Hero series cameras have become so relevant and timely that they have spawned a whole galaxy of followers. Sales of GoPro cameras have grown rapidly and Chinese companies like Xiaomi, EKEN and SJCAM did not miss the opportunity to occupy their niche.
Chinese companies did not miss their opportunity and proudly presented their devices as a GoPro killer, one of such cameras is the EKEN H9 4K at a cost of up to $100 and excellent technical specifications this camera will not kill GoPro, but it will be able to reach its audience.
An action camera that allows you to shoot video in 4K format and, at the same time, has a price tag of $60 is an almost incredible success. But more often than not, such loud statements are just marketing ploys. What exactly is EKEN H9?
Equipment EKEN H9 Ultra HD 4K
The EKEN H9 Ultra HD 4K review should start with the configuration, because for such a price it is really very extensive. Along with the camera, the user receives an aquabox, an optics cloth, a spare back panel, as well as various clips, Velcro and fastenings for various types shooting.
Please note that the spare cap is not designed to be submersible in water!
Appearance eken h9 4K
In its appearance, EKEN H9 resembles the market-leading GoPro - the majority of action cameras are produced in this format. Ribbed side edges provide a secure grip.
On the front panel there is a power button for the device, and on the top edge there is a shutter button. A pair of indicators notifies you of camera activity, as well as the charging process.
On the right side there are control keys, and on the left there are microHDMI, microUSB connectors and a slot for a microSD card. The speaker and microphone of the EKEN H9 are also located on the side edges.
The entire back of the device is occupied by a 2” diagonal display.
Features of the eken h9 action camera
EKEN H9 is equipped with a 4 MP OmniVision sensor, which captures frames with a 170˚ view. All data about the shooting process is displayed on the screen.
The camera has several shooting modes. In 4K mode, the device shoots video at 10 fps. It’s difficult to call it full-fledged 4K shooting. But the traditional FullHD camera shoots without problems. Shooting can be done at 30 or 60 fps. In HD format the maximum frame rate is 120.
Camera settings allow you to adjust the exposure, display the date in the frame, change the photo resolution, start continuous shooting mode, etc.
There is a special proprietary application to control the camera from an Android smartphone.
Shooting quality EKEN H9
Considering the cost of the EKEN H9, it is quite difficult to make any complaints about video quality. When shooting in good lighting, the camera produces a very decent picture. It does not distort colors, the picture does not turn out to be too contrasty. Of course, excessive sharpening catches the eye - the device is trying to achieve greater video clarity using software filters.
Before you start recording, it’s best to make white balance adjustments using an app on your smartphone so that the video doesn’t turn blue or yellow.
When shooting indoors, noise quite naturally begins to appear in the video. It is simply impossible to demand more from a camera with such a price tag.
EKEN H9 battery life
The manufacturer's website states that the battery has a capacity of 1050 mAh. In fact, a 900 mAh battery is hidden under the back cover of the action camera.
With FullHD shooting at 30 fps and a working Wi-Fi module, the camera can work for about 90 minutes. When working in FullHD/60 fps or 4K mode, the battery life on a single charge will be reduced to 40 minutes.
Conclusion
Of course, EKEN H9 cannot be called a full-fledged 4K action camera - the information provided by the manufacturer is nothing more than marketing ploy. This solution is well suited for beginners who, for a tiny amount, can get a device for their first attempts at recording video with normal quality, as well as a large set of accessories that will help diversify their shooting.
Advantages of the EKEN H9 action camera:
- budget price segment;
- Extensive set of fastenings;
- 2-inch display;
- Possibility of shooting in FullHD mode at 60 fps;
- Decent photo and video quality for its price category.
Disadvantages of EKEN H9:
- Short battery life;
- The ability to shoot in 4K format only “on paper”.
Although the manufacturer has implemented an application for controlling the device from a smartphone, it does not provide full control over the device. Over the course of several weeks of testing the camera, a large number of minor flaws in the operation of the standard software surface.
But all this can be explained if we take into account the cost - in its price segment, the EKEN H9 occupies a very worthy place among cheap action cameras.
Today we are looking at an action camera from China called the Eken H9. If you place an order in the Bangood store, delivery will be free, but you will have to wait from two to seven weeks. Before purchasing, you will be offered a choice of one of seven body colors: black, blue, white, yellow, crimson, gray and silver.
On the back of the package there are the main characteristics of the product, among which Full-HD resolution of recorded video should be highlighted. Water resistance of the aquabox. Possibility of recording in 4K format, connecting a micro SDHC card, which, by the way, is not included in the kit. The battery capacity is 1050 milliamp hours, which is enough for 1.5 hours of shooting in Full-HD format.
There is also a QR code with which you can download an application to control the camera in operating systems iOS and Android. The left side of the box shows the items included with the Eken H9 camera.
Characteristics of the Eken H9 action camera
- The number of body colors to choose from is 7;
- Display - 2 inches;
- Waterproof case - up to 30 meters;
- Video resolution and quality - 4K 25 fps (3840 x 2160), 2.7K 30 fps (2704 x 1524), 1080 60 fps (1920 x 1080), the same indicators, only at 30 fps , 720 120 fps (1280 x 720);
- Photo sizes: 12, 8, 5, 4 megapixels;
- Input and output - Micro USB/HDMI;
- Viewing angle - 170 degrees;
- Battery operating time - 1050 milliamp hours (1080 at a speed of 30 frames - 1.5 hours, 4K, 2.7K at a speed of 25 frames - 1 hour);
- Memory card - Micro SD card (not included);
- Audio recording is in Wave format with a bitrate of 176 kilobits per second;
- Dimensions - 59 x 25 x 41 millimeters;
- Built-in Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n;
- Multilingual - Dutch, Polish, Turkish, Czech, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, German, English, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish;
- Weight with battery: 64 grams.
All fans of action filming can order a budget action video camera Eken H9 on the Bangood website for only 2,760 rubles. The seller presented 7 different body colors. On this moment This camera is 22 percent off. Delivery is free, but can be quite long - from 2 to 8 weeks. You can order a camera by clicking to this link .
Appearance of the Eken H9 camera
On the front side there is a lens and an on/off button. This button is also responsible for switching between different camera modes. There is an LED indicator and inscriptions about the manufacturer's brand.
On the right side there are buttons for moving up and down in the menu, as well as a grille for the speaker. At the top end there is another button and an LED indicator. On the left side there is a micro-USB socket (here you will need to insert a cable for charging and synchronization with a computer), an HDMI socket for connecting to a TV, and a slot for a micro SD card. There are also holes for the speaker here.
A two-inch display is located on the back of the camera. On the bottom of the chamber there are holes for ventilation and a cap, under which there is a battery with a capacity of 900 milliampere hours, although the box said 1050 milliampere hours.
The camera is turned on by long pressing the button located on the front panel where the lens is.
In addition to the camera, the set includes an aquabox and an additional cover for the aquabox with slots on the sides. A 1000 milliamp mains charger, as well as a variety of mounts, frames and clamps, thanks to which the camera can be mounted on tripods, monopods and other surfaces. The clip allows you to attach the camera to your clothing. Straps for fastening, cables, double-sided tape and USB cable. A cloth for wiping the camera lens.
In addition to all this, there are instructions for use in English.
The camera shoots in resolutions of 4K (10 frames per second), 2.7K (15 frames per second), 1080 pixels (60 frames per second), 1080 pixels (30 frames per second). 720 pixels (120 and 60 fps). The first two modes - 4K and 2.7K, were rather made for marketing purposes in order to attract the attention of more potential buyers, because it is unlikely that any user will shoot video in ultra high definition with an action camera.
All fans of action filming can order a budget action video camera Eken H9 on the Bangood website for only 2,760 rubles. The seller presented 7 different body colors. The camera is currently 22 percent off. Delivery is free, but can be quite long - from 2 to 8 weeks. You can order a camera by clicking to this link .
The Eken H9 camera can be used as a video recorder. To do this, you need to switch it to cyclic recording mode. Among other things, the camera can take photographs. The maximum resolution of a single image is 12 megapixels.
There is a mode for taking photos at a certain interval. The minimum value is 2 seconds, followed by an interval of three seconds, five seconds, 10 seconds, 20, 30 seconds. Finally, the maximum value is one minute (60 seconds).
The useful capacity of the battery during testing was 700 milliamp hours, which is 200 less than the declared capacity on the battery itself, not to mention the indicated capacity on the box of the Eken H9 product.
Recording time in Full-HD at 60 frames per second is 57 minutes. One hour of recording takes 9.45 gigabytes of memory.
Recording time in Full-HD at 30 frames per second is 1 hour and 32 minutes. One hour of recording takes up 5.7 gigabytes of memory.
HD recording time at 120 frames per second is 1 hour and 12 minutes. One hour of recording takes up 12.3 gigabytes on the memory card.
HD recording time at 60 fps is 1 hour 22 minutes. One hour of recording takes up 5.17 gigabytes of memory.
The menu is translated into Russian by default. Despite the fact that in some places the translation is rough and inaccurate, every user will be able to read the information and not get confused in the terms.
If you control the camera via a smartphone or tablet using a special application, the image delay will be approximately one second. That is, having made a movement in front of the camera, you will see a mirror image of this movement only after one second.
Using this application for Eken H9, you can record video, stop it and take photos, also set white balance, resolution during video and photo shooting, view the footage and download these files to your smartphone or tablet.
The application is very easy to use. There may be some braking while working with it. Let's hope that in the next version of the application the developers will eliminate this unpleasant detail. If you work in conjunction with a smartphone and a camera in an open area, the connection is maintained at the proper level at a distance of up to 50 meters.
Conclusion on the Eken H9 camera
The main disadvantage of the Eken H9 camera is that in time-lapse mode, the minimum value is only two seconds. I would like to see a setting here for 0.5 and 1 second.
Another disadvantage can be considered that the camera characteristics are too high, for example, 12 megapixel photos. So even an old smartphone that claims to have a 5 megapixel camera takes photos no worse than the Eken H9.
The advantages are the equipment and cost of the camera. Analogues are more expensive and not all have so many accessories in the box. In most cases, you have to additionally buy different mounts and boxes.
The good thing is that the camera has an excellent informative and understandable interface. Ability to control shooting via smartphone or tablet. In addition, the Eken H9 camera can be used without an internal battery. To do this, you just need to connect a network cable or Power Bank and the camera will work perfectly.
All fans of action filming can order a completely budget action video camera Eken H9 on the Bangood website for only 2,760 rubles. The seller presented 7 different body colors. The camera is currently 22 percent off. Delivery is free, but can be quite long - from 2 to 8 weeks. You can order a camera by clicking to this link .
Hi all!
Action cameras are all the rage right now! Convenience, compactness, immediate start of shooting interesting moments - this is truly impressive!
Such cameras are essentially similar to each other, they always come with a bunch of different types fasteners, for example for monopods (inexpensive monopod for action cameras).
So, I need an UltraHD (4K) camera in order to end up with a picture that is not much worse than cameras from GoPro. As a result, I bought this model from the Chinese company Eken - H9:
Arrived quickly, less than a month, packed in a branded box:
The main point is that when recording 4K, the frequency is 10 frames/sec, which, of course, is lower than that of GoPro 4th generation cameras. But the price, you see, is stunning - not 20-30 thousand, like GoPro, but about 2500-3000 rubles (bought in July 2016)!
Essentially for the record great video For playing on TVs with a diagonal of 1 m, the FullHD format is sufficient (this camera records it at a frequency of 60 frames/sec). For those looking for a model with a higher frame rate when recording 4K, here is my review of a more expensive action camera.
There are very big advantages compared to competitors- I wrote about GoPro above, but if you take the Chinese Xiaomi Yi of the first generation, then at a higher price, the sound there is often glitchy when recording, since their microphone is sometimes defective - it is muffled by a layer, and you have to disassemble and remove it (see reviews in Internet).
The equipment is initially quite rich: sealed box for underwater filming and in snowstorms, charging, mounts for helmets, monopods, bicycle handlebars (for those interested, here’s another review of an excellent bicycle model), etc. Here's what was in the box:
As you can see, everything is neatly packed, intact (if you’re lucky with the mail :)
This model has a screen, which is very convenient when shooting and viewing videos and photos. There are also a bunch of settings there. The camera size, as always, is small, standard for GoPro boxes, for example:
The components, of course, are also compatible with GoPro accessories, which is of course convenient.
The battery (900mAh) lasts for about an hour of recording. You can order a kit with a lower 1050 mAh battery.
For lovers of dry statistics, here are the characteristics from the manufacturer:
And I remind you that such cameras require SD cards from class 10 and faster, with high recording speed (for example, Samsung pro), with cards of a lower class you will get uneven video recording.
Happy shopping everyone!
If you liked the review - feel free to upvote!)
Appeared recently and has good iron. The first thing that attracts attention is the 4K mode present. Not everyone here supports 2K monitors, but the camera already has that resolution. But how justified is its presence and how does the camera generally shoot? I suggest you look into it. And let's compare it with Blackview Hero2.
Specifications
- Chipset Sunplus 6330M
- Sensor OV4689
- 2" screen 320*240
- Viewing angle 170 degrees
- 4K 10fps, 2.7K 15fps, 1080p 60/30fps, 720p 120/60fps
- Battery 1050mah
- Microsd up to 64GB
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
- Timelapse 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 60
- H.264
- WiFi
The camera is delivered in this box. There was no looseness inside, the box remained intact.
On back side technical information is provided.
Open the box. The camera and additional accessories are contained in a transparent blister. For the price we get an excellent set. Let's look at it in more detail later.
There are instructions in English, which indicate how to combine fasteners with each other.
Cloth for cleaning optics.
Camera mount for tripod.
Fastening with a latch at the base. Can be used in conjunction with a wrist strap.
The kit includes as many as 3 mounting screws.
They didn’t forget to put in a back wall with slots on the sides for a protective box.
2 more tripod mounts.
Crocodile mount. You can hang the camera on your jacket pocket.
There are 2 platforms with 3M tape on the bottom.
You can mount the camera on the handlebars of a bicycle.
Set of various straps.
USB-microUSB cable for charging and data transfer.
This camera comes with a European plug charger with a charge current of 1A.
And there are plastic ties and one metal cable.
Honestly, the kit is impressive compared to the Xiaomi Yi kit, which is also more expensive. Now let's move on to the camera itself. I have a camera with a black casing. Dimensions 59*25*41mm. Aquabox included.
What can I say about the quality of the aquabox? Well assembled, no cracks. The buttons are pressed freely and without unnecessary effort. In this regard, everything is fine. When closed there is no gap between the back and side walls. This is good.
The back cover latch is a common type, but I don’t really like those: you have to firmly press the back wall of the aquabox before closing, otherwise it may get on the sealing rubber and the latch will simply rip off. It costs a penny, but it will still be unpleasant.
And a view of the protective box from the side of the camera sockets.
On the front of the camera there is the inscription 4K Ultra HD and Wi-Fi. The viewing angle of the lens is 170 degrees. The button is responsible for turning on and switching. Compared to my Blackview Hero2, in this camera the power button is also responsible for switching modes: video, photo, Burst mode takes 3 photos in a row and photos with a timer. There is an indicator next to the on/off button. It lights up with a blue flame while charging.
On the left side there are microUSB and microHDMI sockets, with a microphone above them. There is also a tray for a microSD memory card located nearby. The maximum supported card is up to 64GB, which is great.
On the right side there are up and down buttons. Up is for navigation, and down is for navigation and turning on wi-fi. The camera speaker is located nearby.
At the top there is a button to confirm the choice of setting and release the shutter. It is black with a red circle inside. Near it there is an indicator that lights up red during shooting. The knurling on the camera body is small, this can often be found in other cameras.
The screen in this camera is 2 inches, resolution 320*240. The only thing I don’t understand is why they have the inscription Action camera taken out near the screen and why is it even needed on the case. You probably drive one in your car, use it as a video recorder, and then your gaze falls on this inscription and you realize that you need to use it more actively.
WITH bottom side there is a battery compartment. The included battery is 1050mah. I understood the design and dimensions to be the same as in the entire industry, because the battery from my Blackview fit in there without any problems. The operating time is stated to be one and a half hours at 1080/30 and an hour at 1080/60. My time at 1080/30 was 1 hour and 15 minutes. In 60-frame mode it takes about an hour to shoot.
And for comparison, a couple of photos from Blackview Hero2.
Now I suggest going to the settings and firmware menu of this camera. I want to warn you right away: the Russian language is translated crookedly, it is best to use English. Everything is clear in English, but the Russian in the review did so to assess the situation. On video from English language most I'm telling you. When you turn on the camera, you enter video mode. The upper part of the screen displays the shooting duration and how much can be recorded on the card with certain settings. In photo modes, shows the number of photos. The current mode is displayed in the upper left corner, let me remind you of them in camera 4. And under the mode are shooting parameters. In the lower left corner is the battery charge level.
Let's see what we have. The first point is the video resolution, it was translated very strangely. The camera shoots 4K 10fps video. Just imagine this! The video will be below, but I think few people will be able to appreciate it because technical features. But when shooting on the screen, frame slowdown was already visible. It shoots 15 frames in 2.7K, 1080*60, and it’s pleasing. There are also 1080*30, 720*60 and 720*120. As standard, you can turn the date display on and off, and there are exposure settings.
In Russian translation, Resolution is the resolution of the photo. The following settings are available: 4000*3000, 3264*2448, 2592*1944, 2304*1728. Triple shot is Burst mode. In it, the camera takes 3 photos in one and a half seconds. Continuous is the Timelapse settings: 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60 sec.
The next menu item was translated by Confucius: power frequency) You can choose 50, 60Hz or let it select automatically. Out of the box the sound of the buttons is not disabled, it is disabled in this menu. And you can turn off the shutter sound when you turn it on.
And the last thing we have is reset and software version.
Separately, I’ll add that you can set a timer to turn off the screen and separately to turn off the camera. Having the screen go dark while shooting saves battery power.
Now let's look at the photos from this camera. It’s clear that you shouldn’t expect anything supernatural, because action cameras are mostly bought for video. The photos come out fine, but noise appears in the evening.
Now I suggest you familiarize yourself with how the camera shoots video. Let's start by reducing the resolution. Links to sources will be in the description of each video. In 4K, our camera shoots 10 frames per second. This is very little.
4K 10 frames
2.7K only pulls out 15 frames.
Comparison with Blackview Hero2 firmware Syberia Mod
1080*30. Recording from a concert in the dark, turn down the volume.
The camera has Wi-Fi, reliably communicates at a distance of 15 meters, and the manufacturer even claims up to 20 meters. There is an application for iOS and Android to work with this camera. In the application you can set settings and view the footage. Everything is intuitive and easy.
Video review:
What can I say in conclusion about this camera? The hardware of the camera is good. Of course, a big minus for such a translation. I have already written to the manufacturer and they said they will look into it. Subjectively, I think 2 video modes are unnecessary here. The first one you know which one. But why am I not satisfied with 2.7K? Yes, because there are only 15 frames. My Blackview Hero2 in this mode takes a normal 30 frames, but it costs far less than $58. Now let's move on to the positive aspects. First of all, I liked the presence of a full 1080*60 mode. There are 120 frames in 720, but I honestly don’t need them. But perhaps for some it is significant. A large set of fastenings is a definite plus. For Xiaomi Yi, the aquabox alone will cost $15, not to mention the purchase of other mounts, but there is more support among users. Well, the presence of a screen outweighs it to the side.
I like the screen better: it is more realistic. Blackview's screen is blue. As for heating the chamber. When recording video for a long time, the H9's screen becomes warm. I didn’t see the screen getting really hot, even though I recorded FHD for half an hour. And of course I like the flexible screen timer settings.
A good action camera with a balance between price and quality. I'll tell you the difference between EKEN H9 and H9R. Now the camera costs about 3100 rubles.
I bought the camera with my own money and without coupons. This is my first review so don’t judge strictly, but rather write what’s wrong. I will fix it.
And so, not so long ago, I needed a camera for little money and with FullHD 30 FPS at least. Since I had been ordering goods from China for a long time, I decided to study Aliexpress and came across the EKEN H9, yes, this is now an outdated camera since the updated EKEN H9R was released. But the difference between them is not great and I will tell you what the difference is. The phone application does not want to work with Android 4.4. I installed RemixOS (Android for PC) on my laptop, the application was installed, but the video card drivers did not want to work with RemixOS, so this is what happened. There are no additional settings in the application, and it is needed to enable recording remotely.
Photo of netbook screen
Externally slightly different from SJ or GoPRO. It may seem to some that there are few informative lights on it. For example, GoPRO 4 has LEDs on all sides and in this camera there is only 1, but in my opinion it is enough since there is a screen on the side. On the top, bottom, left and right, the material is similar to softach, but in my opinion it is not, since these sides do not collect fingerprints like the front side and the screen. The texture covering the camera is non-slip and does not mark. The menu has been translated into almost 5 and there are not many menu lines themselves.
Her appearance
In front, the sensor itself is 4 megapixels, as I understand from Google translation. Button to turn on and change shooting modes. Blue LED indicating completion of charging by its NOT glowing =) 
At the top you can see the shutter key and a red LED that lights up when turned on and blinks when recording. 
On the left there are 2 keys and a speaker of terrible quality, but why does the camera need a speaker? It's not a music speaker. The keys are used to navigate through the menu and in shooting mode, the top one starts the viewing mode of the footage and the bottom one turns on WiFi. 
On the right is a micro HDMI port, micro USB and a memory card slot. 
At the bottom there is a cover hiding the 900 mAh battery from us. 
Hidden at the back is a 2-inch = 5 cm screen of fairly acceptable quality. 
The equipment is quite decent, but some sellers include a remote control in the package.
Set
Remote controller. Take a closer look at the camera package.
Since I didn't have a headband (which looks like a thong). I sewed this outfit.
I took a strap from ski pants and a plastic size adjuster. I sewed one side of the strap onto the regulator, and threaded the second part over the regulator and sewed it into a loop. Now we take 2 rag harnesses with a clip from the camera kit, a flat holder with M3 tape and snap the leg from the camera into it. We pass the harness through 1 eye and then thread it through the elastic loop and then back into the ear. At the end of the 1st harness we clamp the 2nd harness and thread its end into the elastic loop under the regulator and clamp it onto the 1st harness. The video at the very bottom is the last footage I shot with this device. The camera holds better than standard mounts. 
EKEN H9 Camera Specifications
Language - German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,
Traditional, Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Russian language
Video 4K (3840x2160) 10 fps
2.7 (2688x1520) 15 fps
1080P (1920x1080) 30\60FPS
720P (1280x720) 60\120fps
Video in MOV format
H.264 compression format
Photo 16 m 14 m 12 m 8 m 5 m
Micro SD memory up to 64 GB
Picture mode single Timer 2S 5S 10S continuous shooting
Light source Frequency 50 Hz 60 Hz
USB USB2.0
Power 5V 0.5A
Battery 900 mAh
Video time 1080P 50 min.
Charging time about 3 hours
Size 59.27X41.13X29.28
Wi-Fi support Differences between EKEN H9 EKEN H9R cameras
4K 25FPS
2.7K 30FPS
Operating time 1-2 hours
Minuses.
- battery life is only 50 minutes
- gets very hot, although while charging, I recorded for 2 hours 50 minutes and didn’t burn out
- the body has a little play, although the camera itself will not hold together if you squeeze it well.
- if I knew, I took H9R from H9 obscene 4K and 2K
- there is no stabilization, although for such a price one could not expect it.
- I was once charging the camera in my pocket using a power bank. And somehow I broke the wire from the kit.
pros
+ price
+ equipment (for many cameras it is much poorer)
+ video quality
+ time laps
+ 720p 120fps
In general, I am satisfied with the purchase and took a short test, where I tried to show all the main shooting modes. YouTobe cut the quality so sorry, I don’t understand how to stop him from doing this.
