This camera weighs 54 grams and it splits in two. I made a short video on it (above), and this is the written version for anyone who would rather read. The camera is the SJCAM C400 Pro, and the reason I wanted to look at it is simple: it tries to be a POV camera and a small vlog camera at the same time.
What it is
The C400 Pro comes in two pieces. The camera itself is a thumb-sized module. The other piece is a handheld controller with a 2.29 inch screen. Put them together and you have a small handheld vlog camera. Pull the camera off and it works on its own as a POV cam that clips or magnets to your shirt.
The screen is also the power switch. Flip it and the camera turns on, so you are not hunting for a button when something is happening in front of you.
What I liked
The two-in-one design. This is the whole point of the camera. One small camera covers both the chest-mounted POV shot and the handheld talking shot. That is one fewer thing to carry and charge.
A bigger sensor than the original C400. SJCAM moved to a 1/1.8 inch sensor, paired with a brighter f/1.9 lens and a 160 degree field of view. Stabilization is handled by SJCAM’s SteadyMotion 2.0, which is what you see in the mountain bike clips in the video.
The video modes cover the basics. It shoots 4K at 30 fps, and 1080p at 120 fps if you want slow motion.
Battery life on paper. With the controller attached, SJCAM rates it at up to five hours of 4K recording, and it can record while charging. On its own, SJCAM lists the camera at up to 120 minutes of 4K.
What to know before you buy
Only the camera goes underwater. In the included case, SJCAM rates the camera as waterproof to 30 meters. The controller isn’t waterproof, so leave it on the boat.
The battery and waterproof numbers are SJCAM’s ratings. I am passing those along as SJCAM states them, so plan your shoots around them as rated figures rather than guarantees.
4K tops out at 30 fps. If you want slow motion, you are shooting it in 1080p at 120 fps.
Who it’s for
This camera makes the most sense if you want one tiny camera for both POV and vlogging. Think of someone who wants a camera clipped to their shirt on a walk or a ride, and then wants to hold the same camera up and talk to it later in the day. If you would only ever use one of those two setups, the detachable design matters less to you.
Verdict
The C400 Pro is small, light at 54 grams for the camera, and the split design actually changes how you can use it. A bigger 1/1.8 inch sensor, the f/1.9 lens, 4K at 30 fps, and SteadyMotion 2.0 stabilization round it out. Just remember the controller has to stay dry. If you want one tiny camera for POV and vlogging, it’s worth a look.
You can see the full specs and current pricing on the SJCAM C400 Pro product page.
Published in partnership with SJCAM.