In this review I’ll take a look at:
- EKEN H9 specs
- Body, Buttons & Ports
- Included Accessories
- Functions & Settings
- Remote Control (App)
- Demo Footage
- Issues / Problems
- Conclusion (my 2-cents of the EKEN H9)
EKEN H9 – 4K Action Camera
Eken H9 specs
Image Sensor:
The OmniVision OV4689 is a native 4MP sensor. (picture is upscaled to 12MP)
That’s the same sensor used in the by SJCAM.
The 4 MP sensor is smaller than the ones used in other new cameras like the 12,4 MP Sony sensor in and or the 16 MP Sony sensor used in and .
The OmniVision OV4689 is a native 4MP sensor. (picture is upscaled to 12MP)
That’s the same sensor used in the by SJCAM.
The 4 MP sensor is smaller than the ones used in other new cameras like the 12,4 MP Sony sensor in and or the 16 MP Sony sensor used in and .
Chipset:
The camera uses a Sunplus 6330M chipset, that’s a rather unique one. Most action cams rely either on Novatek 96660 or Ambarella A7.
The camera uses a Sunplus 6330M chipset, that’s a rather unique one. Most action cams rely either on Novatek 96660 or Ambarella A7.
Frame Rates:
- 4K – 10fps – 25 fps (depending on firmware)
- 2,7K – 15fps
- 1080p – 60/30 fps
- 720p – 120/60fps
Be aware that the labelled “4K” is not native 4K, it is interpolated. Easy to tell for this camera as 4K is more than 8 MP and the camera just has a 4 MP sensor. Other cameras such as , , or also offer interpolated 4K.
Here’s my comparison of native 4K action cameras including the new Xiaomi Yi 2:
Here’s my comparison of native 4K action cameras including the new Xiaomi Yi 2:
Video recording:
.mov files; .h264 codec
data rate 35-44 MB/s tested while 1080p 60fps recording.
.mov files; .h264 codec
data rate 35-44 MB/s tested while 1080p 60fps recording.
Lens:
The camera has a 170° lens, like most action cameras.
The camera has a 170° lens, like most action cameras.
Connectivity & Ports:
Wifi is built in to connect with the app (Android & iOS)
It also offers a HDMI as well as an USB port.
Mic in via USB & A/V out via USB are not available!
Wifi is built in to connect with the app (Android & iOS)
It also offers a HDMI as well as an USB port.
Mic in via USB & A/V out via USB are not available!
Recently the was released which features a remote control
Battery:
The Eken H9 features a 1050 mAh battery.
The battery is a little larger than Xiaomi’s (1010 mAh) but the largest capacity still has the GoPro Hero 4 (1160 mAh). The SJCAM lacks behind with only 900 mAh. There are some issues with the battery as it doesn’t last very long despite the printed 1050 mAh!
Extra batteries are available:
The Eken H9 features a 1050 mAh battery.
The battery is a little larger than Xiaomi’s (1010 mAh) but the largest capacity still has the GoPro Hero 4 (1160 mAh). The SJCAM lacks behind with only 900 mAh. There are some issues with the battery as it doesn’t last very long despite the printed 1050 mAh!
Extra batteries are available:
Storage:
microSD of 16 or 32 GB are recommended; 64GB are supported, but not guaranteed; class 10 recommended.
microSD of 16 or 32 GB are recommended; 64GB are supported, but not guaranteed; class 10 recommended.
Display:2” Screen (320×240 resolution)
So that one is larger than the SJ5000+ 1,5″ screen.
So that one is larger than the SJ5000+ 1,5″ screen.
Retailer / Price Comparison:
EKEN H9
- Banggood:
- China Store:
- EU Store:
- US Store:
- Gearbest:
- China Store: (limited time offer)
- EU Store:
- US Store:
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress:
- Amazon:
- DE Store: n/a
- US Store: (prime)
EKEN H9R
- Banggood:
- China Store: n/a
- EU Store: n/a
- Gearbest:
- China Store:
- EU Store: n/a
- US Store: n/a
- Geekbuying: n/a
- Aliexpress:
- Amazon:
- DE Store: n/a
- US Store: n/a
check link for current price and camera comparison chart:
Body, Buttons and Ports
Front- and Backside of the EKEN H9
The body of the EKEN H9 is the same size as the SJ4000, so you can use their accessories as well. On the frontside of the camera there is the power and mode switch button as well as a LED for status and charging.
The camera’s upper side holds the shutter button, which also acts as select button in the camera’s menu, and a large recording LED.
On one side you’ll find 2 buttons to navigate the menu as well as for play back and wifi.
You can remote control the cam with an iOS or Android app. The remote control was introduced later sold in a bundle as . A little towards the front there are some holes where the speaker is located. When playing back a video, you will also hear the recorded audio.
On the other side, there’s a microUSB and micro HDMI port as well as the micro SD card slot. Cards up to 64 GB are supported, class 10 is recommended. Above there are holes for the microphone.
Almost the whole backside of the camera is covered by the large 2″ LCD display, which is larger than most competitors offering 1,5″.
On the bottom there’s the battery door. The EKEN comes with a 1050 mAh battery, that’s larger in capacity than Xiaomi and SJCAM for example. The size and shape of the battery is the same as the batteries for SJCAM or GitUp.
The camera’s upper side holds the shutter button, which also acts as select button in the camera’s menu, and a large recording LED.
On one side you’ll find 2 buttons to navigate the menu as well as for play back and wifi.
You can remote control the cam with an iOS or Android app. The remote control was introduced later sold in a bundle as . A little towards the front there are some holes where the speaker is located. When playing back a video, you will also hear the recorded audio.
On the other side, there’s a microUSB and micro HDMI port as well as the micro SD card slot. Cards up to 64 GB are supported, class 10 is recommended. Above there are holes for the microphone.
Almost the whole backside of the camera is covered by the large 2″ LCD display, which is larger than most competitors offering 1,5″.
On the bottom there’s the battery door. The EKEN comes with a 1050 mAh battery, that’s larger in capacity than Xiaomi and SJCAM for example. The size and shape of the battery is the same as the batteries for SJCAM or GitUp.
The EKEN comes with a 1050 mAh battery
Additional batteries can be purchased: As stated the battery is not the best, alternatively you can get a .
Included Accessories
The Eken H9 comes with a huge pack of accessories:
EKEN H9 included Accessories
As mentioned above the camera has the same size as SJCAM action cameras, so you can use SJCAM accessories.
The bottom of the underwater case features the well known GoPro Mount, so you can use any GoPro Mount with this camera.
The included frame (Clip 1) offers a 1/4″ thread, so you can mount the camera with the standard tripod screw.
The bottom of the underwater case features the well known GoPro Mount, so you can use any GoPro Mount with this camera.
The included frame (Clip 1) offers a 1/4″ thread, so you can mount the camera with the standard tripod screw.
Find an overview and review of accessories .
Functions & Settings
The settings can be changed very comfortably with the large screen.
When you power up the camera with the power button on the front, it will get you to video mode first. A small icon on the left side of the screen will show you that you are in video mode and the current settings. By short-pressing the power button you can cycle through the modes of the camera: photo mode – burst mode, where the camera takes 3 pics within a second – time-lapse mode and settings. To enter the settings you have to press the shutter button which will also act as select button. You can navigate the menu by pressing the up and down buttons on the side of the camera. By pressing the mode/power button you’ll get one step back:
When you power up the camera with the power button on the front, it will get you to video mode first. A small icon on the left side of the screen will show you that you are in video mode and the current settings. By short-pressing the power button you can cycle through the modes of the camera: photo mode – burst mode, where the camera takes 3 pics within a second – time-lapse mode and settings. To enter the settings you have to press the shutter button which will also act as select button. You can navigate the menu by pressing the up and down buttons on the side of the camera. By pressing the mode/power button you’ll get one step back:
There are 5 pages showing your settings
Video Resolution:
You’ve got the following options:
You’ve got the following options:
- 4k – 10fps
- 2,7K – 15fps
- 1080p – 60fps
- 1080p – 30fps
- 720p – 120fps
- 720p – 60fps
There are no options to select PAL mode which will give you 25fps (and a multiple of that) and also no option for 24fps.
Looping Video:
The camera will record 10min. clips and overwrite the earliest clip when the microSD card is full.
The camera will record 10min. clips and overwrite the earliest clip when the microSD card is full.
Time Stamp:
You’ve got the option to show date or date & time in your recordings.
You’ve got the option to show date or date & time in your recordings.
Exposure:
You can select: +-2.0/+-1.7/+-1.3/+-1.0/+-0.7/+-0.3/0 to correct the exposure of your camera manually.
You can select: +-2.0/+-1.7/+-1.3/+-1.0/+-0.7/+-0.3/0 to correct the exposure of your camera manually.
Photo Resolution:
The options are:
The options are:
- 12 MP
- 8MP
- 5MP
- 2MP
Burst Photo:
The camera will shoot 3 pics within a second and that’s the only option you’ve got. Even when selecting a lower resolution
The camera will shoot 3 pics within a second and that’s the only option you’ve got. Even when selecting a lower resolution
Time Lapse:
You can set an interval for the camera when it takes pictures:
2s/3s/5s/10s/20s/30s/60s
This is a photo time-lapse mode, so the EKEN will take individual pictures but not generate a video clip out of it, which you have to do manually.
You can set an interval for the camera when it takes pictures:
2s/3s/5s/10s/20s/30s/60s
This is a photo time-lapse mode, so the EKEN will take individual pictures but not generate a video clip out of it, which you have to do manually.
Continuous Lapse:
You have to switch on this option to take time-lapses.
I actually don’t know why you have to select it, as time-lapse is a separate camera mode.
You have to switch on this option to take time-lapses.
I actually don’t know why you have to select it, as time-lapse is a separate camera mode.
Power Frequency:
You can select 50Hz, 60Hz or Auto.
I guess it controls the shutter to avoid flickering as the frequency in lighting is different in several countries.
You can select 50Hz, 60Hz or Auto.
I guess it controls the shutter to avoid flickering as the frequency in lighting is different in several countries.
Language:
There’s a huge variety of languages you can set your menu:
English, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, French, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Japanese, Korean & Thai.
There’s a huge variety of languages you can set your menu:
English, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, French, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Japanese, Korean & Thai.
Date & Time:Be sure to enter when using the time stamp option.
Sound Indicator:
You have several options to choose when your camera should beep and the volume.
You have several options to choose when your camera should beep and the volume.
Upside Down:
You can flip the image in case you mount your camera upside down. That feature is not possible with many other cameras such as SJ5000X or Git2 – I heard that is due to the Novatek chip used in these cameras.
You can flip the image in case you mount your camera upside down. That feature is not possible with many other cameras such as SJ5000X or Git2 – I heard that is due to the Novatek chip used in these cameras.
Screen Saver:
A nice option which shuts off the display to save battery:
off, 1 min, 3 min or 5 min.
A nice option which shuts off the display to save battery:
off, 1 min, 3 min or 5 min.
Power Saver:
Same for the camera itself. You can select and the cam will turn off automatically when in standby:
off, 1 min, 3 min or 5 min.
Same for the camera itself. You can select and the cam will turn off automatically when in standby:
off, 1 min, 3 min or 5 min.
Format:
To format your SD card.
To format your SD card.
Reset:
To get your camera back to factory settings.
To get your camera back to factory settings.
Version:
Where your camera’s firmware version is displayed
You’ve got some basic features, but I’m missing white balance or auto-record / auto-powerup to use this cam as a dash cam.
But more about that in my conclusion.
Where your camera’s firmware version is displayed
You’ve got some basic features, but I’m missing white balance or auto-record / auto-powerup to use this cam as a dash cam.
But more about that in my conclusion.
Remote Control:
EKEN H9R comes with remote control
Recently a EKEN H9R was released which features a remote control with following specs:
- 3m water resistant
- working distance 15m
- wifi connected
Currently I don’t have confirmation if the remote control also works with the camera sold as EKEN H9 package.
The Remote Control is not sold separately!
The Remote Control is not sold separately!
I’ll collect more information on the remote in my latest article:
Remote Control via App:
You can also remote control the camera with your phone, an iOS and an Android App are available and called Ez iCam App.
Screenshot of the Ez iCam App (iOS version)
On top you can select the resolution and frame rate, but 4K and 2,7K are not available within the app. Next to it you’ll find the battery status of the camera.
Now what’s very interesting is that you can select white balance (AWB) within the app, but not in the camera’s menu!
When clicking the settings next to it, you just can select power frequency and format SD card – that’s it – no other options. I hope that this will be added with a future app update.
Below the live image you’ll find the shutter button and the mode switch button which will let you select photo or video mode. You can’t select burst mode or time-lapse with your phone! On the other side you can find the camera roll.
So you don’t get many options within the app. On the other side, you don’t really need an app to control the camera. You can do everything on the screen and the menu and navigation on the camera works very good. Only reason the connect with your phone might be sharing the photos and videos online and the app works good for that purpose.
Now what’s very interesting is that you can select white balance (AWB) within the app, but not in the camera’s menu!
When clicking the settings next to it, you just can select power frequency and format SD card – that’s it – no other options. I hope that this will be added with a future app update.
Below the live image you’ll find the shutter button and the mode switch button which will let you select photo or video mode. You can’t select burst mode or time-lapse with your phone! On the other side you can find the camera roll.
So you don’t get many options within the app. On the other side, you don’t really need an app to control the camera. You can do everything on the screen and the menu and navigation on the camera works very good. Only reason the connect with your phone might be sharing the photos and videos online and the app works good for that purpose.
How to connect:
Press the “down” button on the side of the camera to turn on wifi. On the screen you’ll see that wifi is now on.
Look for the camera on your phone’s wifi – the standard wifi name is ICAM-Hg, the standard password is1234567890
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