EKEN Alfawise V50 Pro overview
EKEN Alfawise V50 Pro is a new action cam that features the Ambarella A12S75 processor, well known for those who follow the action cam world, as it is the same mounted on all the latest high-performance cams, such as the Firefly 8SE, Xiaomi Mijia 4K, SJcam SJ7, ThiEye T5e, and that guarantees excellent performance up to native 4K resolution. The sensor is the Sony IMX 258 12MP. The lens is a 170-degree wide-angle fish-eye lens. It has a 2 “back screen with which you can see what you are recording, navigate through the menus and review recorded photos and videos.
There is obviously the wifi to use the cam via app, review and edit movies in real time from the phone, and included in the package you can find a 2.4 Ghz remote control. Power is supplied by a 1050 mAh lithium battery. To record it uses micro SD cards, better if U3, up to 32GB.
At the moment it has an excellent price of 51 € / 58$.
Main Features:
● Stunning ultra 4K video and 12MP photos in single, burst and time-lapse modes
● Durable by design, waterproof to 30m with a housing
● Preview and playback your shots, change settings and trim your footage, all on your action camera
● 170-degree wide angle fish-eye lens
● WiFi control design, you can remote control it
● Mini size, easy to carry and use
● 2-inch HD screen, lightweight and convenient
● Power supply: 1050mAh lithium battery
● External memory: 16 – 32GB TF card, UHS-3 or above ( not included )
● A 2.4G remote controller and a USB charging cable are included
https://youtu.be/WQ32p_5BB8o
EKEN Alfawise V50 Pro review
Unboxing
Before starting, it must be said that this camera is produced by EKEN for Alfawise, and is in fact a reworking of the EKEN H7s 4K. It differs for chipset and sensor to the advantage of the V50 Pro.
The EKEN Alfawise V50 Pro is equipped, as well as with the classic accessories, also with a remote wrist remote control with two control buttons for photos and video, and a good Tripod / Monopod. To be added also the frame with screw attachment to mount the cam without a waterproof case.
Good plastic quality and size, as well as the aesthetic appearance I personally liked. The camera is light and small, making its use easy and pleasant. It measures 5.93 × 4.11 × 2.14cm for a weight of 120 grams.
Frontally we have 2 status LEDs and the On/off button, while on the left the micro sd slot, micro USB port and mini HDMI. The keys are easy to press with and without the waterproof case. On the right side just one button, to turn on/off the wifi.
Display and menu
The Eken V50 has a 2″ rear screen. A classic LCD, quite bright and well defined. No Touch Screen.
Navigation in the menu is simple and easy to understand. However, the lack of touchscreen and the keys ▼ and ▲ force us to cycle through the menu every time that the desired option is exceeded by mistake.
Video
On board we find one of the best processors seen on budget cameras: the Ambarella A12S75, already known to fans as it is present on cam such as the Firefly 8SE, the Xiaomi Mijia, the SJcam SJ7, and others. Together with the Sony IMX 258 Sensor, the A12 provides good performance up to 4K, natively supported up to 30 frames per second. The operations, both remotely and by keys, are performed quickly.
The lens is a 170-degree wide-angle fish-eye, which offers a very good field width. The resolution is 12MP. The photos are taken quickly at 12MP in 4:3, while the videos can be recorded up to 4K @ 30fps:
- 4k 30fps UHD Native and therefore free of interpolation
- 2k 30fps More fluid than 4K
- 1080p 60fps ideal for shooting, the most fluid and used
- 720p 60fps
Although the sensor offers a fairly high quality level in this price range, the EKEN Alfawise V50 Pro often fails to handle sunlight well. In the videos there is a sort of glow, of diffuse light that flattens the colors and disturbs the video. The image also does not appear to be defined as on other cameras with the same configuration or lower. For those coming from 1 or 2-year-old solutions, here we are taking a step backwards. It must be said that also the EKEN H7s, and other action cams suffer from it. moreover, the lack of a stabilizer and slow motion is felt.
Here is some test footage:
Photo
Photos are quite good, but not excellent, as we could actually excpect from a budget action camera.
Remote, wifi and app
The camera can be remotely controlled by the supplied remote control and thanks to the wifi network, which guarantees control through the Ez iCam app, for viewing and editing in real time videos from the phone. The application is very poor in terms of settings, does not replicate important parts of the menu. The main problems are, however, with the connection to WiFi, even when you are connected it is not guaranteed that you can use it.
Very practical is the use of the 2.4Ghz remote control that has proved more convenient and instantaneous when taking pictures and start and stop video. Keep in mind, however, that you must be closer than 1 meter and without walls between.
Battery
Power is supplied by a 1050 mAh lithium battery. The same already seen on other EKEN cameras, with 2 corners rolled up. This unfortunately means that the classic perfectly rectangular batteries (of a battery pack for example) do not mount on this V50 Pro.
When I tested the cam, it discharged in less than an hour of use in Full HD and without WiFi. We must take care to save the battery. We miss a second unit.
EKEN Alfawise V50 Pro features
Hardware
This cam uses the Ambarella A12S75 chipset, well known for those who follow the action cam world, as it is the same mounted on all the recent most economical cam, such as Firefly 8SE, Xiaomi Mijia, SJcam SJ7, ThiEye T5e, and that guarantees excellent performance up to native 4K resolution. The quality of the Ambarella A12 chipset, which has been installed for a couple of years on all the best action cams under 100 €, is not in question. The sensor is the Sony IMX 258 with a resolution of 12MP.
Lens and shooting modes
The lens is a 170-degree wide-angle fish-eye lens that allows for a very wide field of view, an essential feature for action cams.
In photo mode you can take a single photo, multiple photos in Burst mode, time lapse or long exposure photos.
Thanks to the time-lapse mode you can make videos like this:
Underwater case
There is obviously an underwater case to use the cam in water or in the rain, up to 30m under water.
Wifi and App
There is wifi that allows you to use the cam via the Ez iCam app, review and edit movies in real time from your phone. You can change settings, control the action cam to take pictures or record videos, review and even edit movies directly from the phone.
Remote control
In addition to the wifi, there is a wrist remote control to be able to control the cam remotely, both in photo and video mode. Also in the package there is a convenient tripod to rest the cam on the ground or on tables or other surfaces.
Battery
Power is supplied by a 1050 mAh lithium battery.
Accessories
The cam is equipped with a good amount of accessories, so you can immediately start recording videos of your sporting activities. There are some adhesive hooks for helmet, joints, adapters, micro usb cable, tripod, bike handlebar hook, plastic frame, safety steel cable, instructions.
At the moment the price is 51€ / 58$.
