SJCAM SJ4000 vs M10 Cube - Comparison

When I first saw that SJCAM launched brand new action camera in Polaroid cube style, as an early adopter, I was quite excited to get it. However, to my disappointment, SJCAM M10 Cube camera did not bring much innovation compared to the SJ4000.

Though many online reviewers tell that both are the same, this actually is not quite true. There are some minor features that one or another have that might influence your buying decision.

SJ4000 WiFi cam on the right, and never model M10 left — SJ4000 WiFi cam on the left, and never model M10 on the right

In this article, I will compare side by side SJ4000 WiFi and M10 (Non WiFi) version and try to point out differences between these two similar action cameras.

Shape and dimensions

The most obvious difference between the two is obviously the shape. SJ 4000 has a rectangular shape, where as the M10 appears to look like a cube, but in reality its not exactly a cube. M10 dimensions are 59.27 x 41.13 x 29.28 mm. As I already pointed out, its not exactly the real cube.

On the other hand rectangular SJ4000 dimensions are 48.1 x 43.3 x 43.4 mm. One together are set side by side, M10 is bulkier and taller, where as the other one is larger. If you want to see a video comparison check this portion of my M10 review video.

SJ4000 WiFi vs M10 Cube Action Camera difference height

Weight

Both of these cameras are extremely lightweight and you wont have any problem holding them in hand recording or attaching them to rc quadcopter. The weight of SJ4000 is approximately 60 grams with battery. M10 weights around 67 grams with battery inside. Obviously the construction of M10 is slightly heavier.

User Interface and navigation

User interface is the only thing that makes M10 look like a newer model. M10 has an M (menu) button on left side of the camera which enables quicker access to settings. With its predecessor accessing menu was a bit annoying since you had to press Turn ON/OFF button few times to navigate through different options.

SJ4000 vs M10 Button and navigation differences — The M button on the side of yellow M10 enables quick access to the menu.

Firmware updates

While SJ4000 had bunch of firmware updates in past (its hard to count them), with M10 there has not been many updates. One of the reason might be that previous camera had more flows which all have been ironed out in the meanwhile with each update. It seams that young SJCAM company is advancing well when it comes to user interface and that they learned on their software mistakes in past.

Video Time Lapse Option

With latest firmware on both of these cameras, options are quite similar. However until this day, manufacturer still has not released an update version for M10 which would include Video Time Lapse mode. So the M10 does not have video time-lapse yet.

For me this was a crucial thing. I really enjoy making short sequence videos in a single click. This does not mean time lapse is impossible with M10. You have an option to chose photo intervals and then use a video editing software to create a time lapse. With SJ4000 lates firmware, time-lapse video is fascinatingly easy. In my SJ4000 Review you can read more about this particular feature.

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Capture Mode

Capture mode is related with a time-lapse since it enables your camera to take photos at particular interval. Bascally it functions like a timer. Both cameras have option to set timer, but the intervals are different.

SJ4000 Capture mode intervals Single/3s/5s/10s
M10 Capture mode intervals Single/5s/10s/20s

It is really hard to say which one has better intervals, since it depends on your own needs and your preference on intervals length.

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Battery

As far as battery is concerned both of these action cams use exactly the same battery. Both M10 and SJ4000 use 900mAh Li-ion Battery. Both of the cams can be charged via USB, AV or car adapter.

I know battery life is important component for most of us, but based on my testing, I haven’t noticed that any of these cameras has shorter or longer life.

Battery cover

One important advantage of the later M10 model, is battery cover. While the back door for the SJ4000 is made pretty flimsy and it looks like battery can open every second, M10 door looks more firm and compact. I never had issues with battery falling out of SJ4000 just to be clear, but I hated how it looked.

Fakes on the market

While SJCAM failed to patent SJ4000 at a proper time manner, market was flooded with copies of this particular model. That is why these days it is easier to buy fake camera then the real one. As far as M10 is concerned, so far I haven’t heard that fakes of this model exist. That is why you have to do less research when getting M10. Make sure to read this guide to avoid buying fake SJ4000.

Table comparison of SJ4000 vs M10

I hope this article helped you understand tiny differences between the two SJCAM models. I have made a table to help you easier understand the differences. Tables are a summary of everything mentioned in the text above, plus some similarities.

[go_pricing id=”sj4000vsm10″]

Summary

To summarize everything in a single paragraph, main differences are :

size
weight (sj4000 is less heavier)
design (this is matter of personal taste and preference, I like M10 design a bit more)
battery back door (M10 wins)
time lapse video option (enormous win for SJ4000)
video sorting (M10 sorts videos in folders when exported to PC in more folders based on sequences)

If you ask me before the latest SJ4000 firmware update which one is better, I would say M10. On the other hand with ability to do time lapse videos which I really love, I must say my choice would be SJ4000. This is again, based on personal preference.

In reality, both cameras have same lens, battery, memory card storage. Most importantly both produce great videos. In terms of video and photography there is no difference between these two fellas. Whichever you chose, I am sure it will work pretty well. For more in-depth information on each of these action cameras check their full reviews I wrote.

SJ4000 or M10 which one do you use or plan to buy?

Now, let me ask you a question. Which of these cameras do you have or intend to buy? What is the main reason you decided to get that one and not the other?

If you still haven’t bought a camera, check out coupons and deals page which contains all the discounts for action cameras I found online.

Let me know in the comments bellow, I would like to hear your two cents.