SJCAM C300 4K Action Camera Review

The SJCAM C300 is an affordable 4K action camera that packs some impressive specs and features a unique design that allows you to convert it into a small wearable camera or a larger dual-screen handheld camera.

With the ability to shoot crisp 4K video at 30 fps and 20MP still images, it provides excellent quality for the price.

Specifications

• Video Resolution: 4K 30FPS, 2K 60/30FPS, 1080P 120/60/30FPS, 720P 120/60/30FPS
• Picture Resolution: 20MP, 16MP, 14MP, 12MP, 10MP, 8MP, 5MP, 3MP, 2M
• Video Modes: Slow motion, Motion detection, Video lapse, Car mode
• Photo Modes: Burst mode, Timed shooting, Quick shooting, Photo lapse
• Digital Zoom: 8x
• Screen: 1.3″ HD touchscreen
• Secondary Screen: 1.3″ HD display
• Camera Angle: 154 degrees
• Microphone: Integrated
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz / 5GHz Wi-Fi, USB-C
• Stabilization: 6-axis gyroscope
• Encoding Format: H.264 (MP4)
• Live Streaming: Yes
• Remote Control: Yes
• Battery: 1000mAh (swappable)
• Extended Battery: 2800mAh (provides up to 6 hours)
• Storage: Micro SD up to 128GB
• Size: 130 x 32 x 22.2 mm
• Weight: 55g

Design & Build

The stand-over feature of this camera is the unique modular design. The main part is the camera which also has a small 1.3″ HD touchscreen below it. You then have a small battery module, which is ideal for mounting with one of the accessories. You then have a larger 2800mAh battery, which includes a second screen, and this mode is convenient for handheld use.

For the smaller battery, the clips onto the back of the camera, and you charge the camera using the USB-C port on the base of the camera.

The larger battery slots onto the back of the camera and has a USB-C male port, which goes into the port of the camera. You then charge this via the USB-C on the battery. This would then mean you can charge the larger battery while using the camera, but not the other way around.

The larger battery also has a 1/4 threaded screw for easy mounting to accessories such as a tripod.

The camera with the smaller battery is extremely compact, weighing just 55 grams and measuring 130 x 32 x 22.2mm, making it easy to mount or hold during use. The outer casing, constructed from plastic, feels sturdy and durable.

The 1.3” touchscreen display on the back is bright and responsive. You can easily navigate through menus and preview shots. A secondary 1.3″ display sits on the front for framing selfie shots.

Buttons for power, shutter, WiFi, and mode switching sit on the top and side for quick access. The bottom houses the battery and micro SD card slot.

For audio, an integrated microphone captures decent sound. The USB-C and HDMI ports sit under a protective flap on the side.

Overall, the thoughtful design makes the C300 a highly portable and user-friendly action cam. The compact body is easy to mount while still providing a bright touchscreen and physical buttons for control.

Accessories

The C300 comes bundled with a surprising number of useful accessories. Inside the box you get:

• Waterproof case (waterproof to 30m)
• Mounting buckles
• Mounting base
• Curved and flat adhesive mounts
• USB cable
• Lens cloth
• Extra Battery

It’s great that SJCAM includes a waterproof housing instead of selling it separately like some brands. You can start using the camera underwater right away.

The mounts, buckles, and bases provide solid mounting options. Stick the adhesive mounts to helmets, vehicles, gear, etc. Then snap the camera into the mounting buckles for a secure hold.

Having an extra swappable battery is extremely convenient for longer shoots. Pop it in when your initial battery runs low.

App & Setup

Connecting your phone to the C300’s WiFi network is mostly quick and simple using the SJCAM Zone app (available for iOS and Android).

You need to swipe down on the display and then enable WiFi. You will then have to connect your phone to the SSID of the camera. The app also warned me that I had to disable mobile data.

The live view from the camera streams smoothly with minimal lag. You can change settings, start/stop recording, shoot photos, playback media, and more.

Diving into the onscreen menu reveals plentiful options for tweaking photo, video, and system settings. It’s easy to navigate using the responsive touch display. Helpful tooltips provide guidance for certain functions.

One handy feature is the ability to update the camera’s firmware directly within the app. This ensures you get any improvements and fixes SJCAM releases in the future.

Image Quality & Video Performance

The C300 has multiple modes, including taking stills or shooting in 4K, slow-mo, car mode, fishing mode, starry sky delay and diving shell mode. You can also do live broadcasts either to YouTube or via RTSP.

Given its affordable price point, the C300 delivers impressively good image quality and video performance.

The camera has a 20MP sensor. SJCAM doesn’t state any specifics of the camera but bhphotovideo.com list it as having a 1/2.8″-Type CMOS sensor. That is smaller than the GoPro Hero10 Black with a 23MP – 1/2.3 CMOS Sensor and the 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor on the DJI Action 2 but larger than the 1/3-inch sensor on the budget Akaso Brave 7.

You then get a 6-axis gyro electrical image stabilisation to ensure smooth video.

The footage is sharp and colourful with accurate exposure. The wide 154° field of view creates an immersive perspective. It’s worth noting that its low-light performance can be somewhat grainy and struggles a little with white balance. This is often the issue with budget cameras that have smaller sensors.

4K 30fps video shows excellent detail and clarity. You can capture fast motion smoothly thanks to the high frame rate, which is impressive for the price. Slow motion options (1080p 120fps or 720p 240fps) let you creatively play with speed.

The built-in 6-axis stabilisation produces surprisingly steady and shake-free footage – even during fast movements like running or biking. This results in professional looking video that belies the camera’s budget price tag.

I tested the camera on a brisk walk down the promenade on a windy day and compared it to footage shot on my Pixel 8 Pro. I’d say the C300 handled motion better when shooting in 4K, but if you dial down the resolution on the Pixel, you can use a higher level of image stabilisation, and the Pixel was perhaps slightly better in this scenario.

Underwater footage looks vibrant, with the included waterproof housing allowing diving down to 30 meters. The C300 also handles low-light environments nicely by boosting ISO sensitivity instead of overly amplifying noise.

Battery Life

The included 1000mAh battery provides around 70 minutes of record time. For longer shoots, the bundled 2800mAh extended can provide up to 6 hours of life. Being able to hot-swap batteries on the go is tremendously convenient.

Charging both batteries fully takes about 2-3 hours via USB-C. Quick charge support juices up to 80% capacity in around 40 minutes.

Price & Alternative Options

The SJCAM C300 4K Action Camera is sold on Amazon with two options.

The model I reviewed with the small battery and the large battery is listed at £130, but at the time of writing, it had a £15 off voucher.

Then there is the C300-Pocket model, which swaps out the larger battery for a second, smaller one. This is listed at £107 and also has a £15 off voucher.

If you want a more traditional shaped action camera, SJCAM has the SJ6Pro priced at just £87 on Amazon which has a 24MP camera and can shoot at 4K/60FPS.

You can’t write an action camera review without mentioning the market leader, GoPro.

The GoPro Hero10 is available for £250 and can record at 5.3K60 + 4K120, then the Hero11 is £300 and the latest Hero12. The Hero11 and Hero12 have very similar specifications. These are all obviously better cameras than the C300, but they cost more than double, so it is expected.

Osmo has either the Action 4 priced at £379 or the DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo priced at £271, which is perhaps a bit closer to the SJCAM design with a dual display.

The AKASO Brave 7 Action Camera priced at £160 (£140 after voucher) or Brave 7 LE priced at £112 appear to be the most popular budget action cameras on Amazon. They both can do 4K30fps with a 20MP sensor and EIS 2.0. The has a more durable design with IPX8 whereas the LE requires a case to make it IPX7.

Conclusion

For budget-minded consumers wanting great features without a premium price, the SJCAM C300 is a superb choice. It punches far above its class with an impressive 4K video, stabilisation, waterproofing, and an extensive accessory bundle.