Firefly 6S review

Firefly 6S is a well known action camera with an effective Gyro stabylizer, a small front screen for options, Sony IMX078 image sensor and Novatek 96660 chipset. It can record 4k interpolated videos at 24fps, 2k@30fps, and 1080p@60fps.

It’s used by drone’s enthusiast to mount it in their quadcopters because its gyro works very well, its video qualty is pretty good, and they don’t need a screen. And last but not least, it is cheap! So a very good quality for a low price.

Now there’s also the Firefly 7S, same specs but with a 2″ rear screen where you can see what you are recording, playback photo and videos and change options.

Available @ Gearbest

Firefly 6s reviews

Here you will find some video reviews with a lot of info and video tests:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZS3Kf-jEdM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjNt7Iv6qhs

Available @ Gearbest

Firefly 6s vs Gitup2 vs SJ5000X vs Xiaomi Yi

Firefly has the same Novatek 96660 chip as Gitup2, SJ5000X and Elephone Explorer Pro and Elite.

It also features the same Sony IMX078 sensor as th SJ5000X and the new Elephone Explorer Elite.

So we could expect really similar performances, therefore what can do the difference is the software or firmware. Hawkeye – the firm that produces the firefly 6s and 7s – made a really good job, that’s why I think Firefly has probably the more balanced video results. Probably it’s not the best in every section, but the best overall, with a good performance of the stabilizer, good video and photo quality. The only thing that is missing here is the absence of the back screen, but not every one needs it.

Available @ Gearbest

Firefly 6s specs

Image Sensor:
It features the Sony IMX078 sensor, the same used in the Firefly 6S and in the SJ5000X. It is a very good sensor, as we said in the sj5000x review. It can reach 2k@30fps resolution, 1080p@60fps and an interpolated 4k@24fps.

Chipset:
It uses the same Novatek 96660 chipset, used also for 6s, sj5000X, Git2, Explorer pro.

Lens:
It features a 120-degree wide-angle lens

Video Resolutions:

• 4K – max. 24fps
• 2K – max. 30fps
• 1080p – max. 60fps
• 720p – max. 120fps

Recording Format:
The videos are recorded in .mp4 files, .h264 codec
Data rate is 25-30 MB/s in 1080p with 60fps.

Photo Resolution & Format:
max. 16MP (5312 x 2988) .jpg – seems that the photo is upscaled from the 12MP sensor

Special Features:
Gyro image stabilization – the camera stabilizes videos electronically to avoid shaky videos. Gyro stabilization of Firefly 6s was very effective, quite like Git2 and SJ5000x, so we expect the same from this cam.

Battery:
The Firefly 6S is equipped with a 1600 mAh battery – the capacity is way larger than other action cameras (Hero 4: 1140 mAh, Xiaomi Yi: 1040 mAh)
The battery has the same size as the GoPro Hero 3 batteries (they have 1050 mAh).

Storage:
microSD card, up to 32GB supported, class 10 recommended

Connectivity & Ports:
The camera ofeatures wifi and can be controlled remotely using the App (Firefly App for iOS and Android), a miniUSB port and a microHDMI port for HD video output.
A/V output via USB is available; Mic in via USB is not supported.

Dimension & Weight:
5.90 x 2.10 x 4.10 cm, 70g

Waterproof case:
It comes with a waterproof case up to 30m

Remote Control via App:

The official app is called “FIREFLY” and is available for iOS and Android.

1. You have to turn on wifi on your camera in the menu
2. Look for your camera on your phone (name is: FIREFLY_xxxx)
3. Connect and enter the password (standard password is: 12345678
4. Open the Firefly App and you’ll see the live image

Menu options

Time-lapse Video:
You have following interval options: 0.5 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 10 seconds. A video of your time-lapse is created automatically, photo time-lapse (where several photos are saved) is also available.

Cycle Recording:
If you select this option your video will be cut into 5-minute segments. The earliest files will be rewritten when the microSD card is full. This mode enables you to use the camera as a dash cam, in combination with following option:

USB Power Up Auto Record:
The camera will automatically start recording once it is connected to a power source via USB. Also interesting when operating with a drone or gimbal.

WDR (Wide Dynamic Range):
The manufacturer suggests selecting this option when the Firefly 6S is used in cloudy and dark environment. When used in bright sunlight WDR can cause overexposure.

Photo Resolution:
16 MP / 8 MP / 5 MP are available. I usually keep the highest setting. It’s a bit strange the the max. is 16MP when the sensor is just 12MP.

Burst Photo:
The camera will take 11 photos within a second, the rate can’t be changed.

Continuous Photo: (Photo time-lapse)
You can take photos with an interval of 3 / 5 / 10 or 30 seconds and create an time-lapse out of them. 0,5sec is not available in contrast to video time-lapse.

ISO adjustments:
Great that you can select ISO, not all action cameras offer this option. AUTO / 100 / 400 / 1600 can be selected. In the manual there is a notice that you should hold your camera steady when taking photos. This would more likely refer to shutter than ISO.

Sharpness:
3 options are available: High, Medium and Low where Low is suggested to be selected at night. This is to reduce noise. Medium is the suggested standard setting for video and photo.

Color adjustment:
You can select between standard and vivid. If you want to edit your photos and videos in post-production standard is recommended.

Time Stamping:
This option displays date and time in your photos and videos

TV output mode:
You can select PAL or NTSC, which is rather strange as you can’t select 25fps which would be PAL.

Wifi remote:
You can turn on wifi only in the menu, there is no dedicated button compared to many other action cameras.

USB Auto Power-off:
The Firefly 6S will turn off 30 seconds after the USB power supply is cut, which is convenient for usage as dashboard camera or with drones.

Angle Adjustment:
You can select Large or Medium. A smaller angle will reduce image distortion but will also reduce image quality. I guess that a smaller part of the sensor is used and the picture is upscaled to full resolution.

TF card formatting:
Here you can format your microSD card.

Factory default settings:
to reset all your settings made.

Hertz:
You can choose 50Hz or 60Hz to select light frequency and avoid flickering. 60Hz is used in the US, 50 Hz in Europe.

Reduce Fisheye:
If turned on it will reduce the fisheye effect. As there is an option to adjust the angle I think the image will be distorted with software.

Image Stabilization:
Here you can turn on and off the built in gyro for image stabilization.

System Version:
Your current system version is displayed.

Available @ Gearbest

Body, Buttons and Ports

FRONT:  Power/Mode button where an LED light around the button is indicating record. Similar to the GoPro there is an and an OLED Display where you can check and change settings of the camera. The display shows mode (photo/video) as well as resolution selected, date (in video mode only), a counter while recording in video mode or estimated photos left on card in photo mode, WDR (wide dynamic range) status, field of view level and battery status.

TOP: Record/OK button – where you start recording or confirm settings made in the menu. Same as with the power button, an LED around it is indication video recording or flashing when a photo is taken.

LEFT SIDE: there are two buttons to navigate the menu

RIGHT SIDE: here you’ll find miniUSB and microHDMI port

BOTTOM: there’s the slot for the microSD card

BACK: similar to the GoPro Hero 3, there’s the door for the battery – as mentioned above same size as GoPro Hero 3.

Package Contents:

• 1 x Hawkeye Firefly 7S Action Camera
• 1 x Waterproof Case + Mount + Screw
• 1 x English User Manual
• 1 x 1050mAh Battery
• 1 x Holder
• 1 x J-shaped Mount
• 1 x Tripod Mount + Tripod Mount Adapter
• 1 x Long Connector + Screw
• 2 x Short Connector + Screw
• 1 x Bike Handlebar Seatpost Pole Mount
• 2 x Basic Mount
• 1 x USB Cable
• 1 x Metal Cable Tie
• 4 x Plastic Cable Tie
• 1 x Cleaning Cloth
• 1 x Clip
• 2 x Adhesive
• 2 x Belt
• 1 x Hook and Loop Fastener
• 1 x Pad

Main Features: