The first thing I noticed about the RunCam 2 was its unique shape. It has a different form factor compared to competitors like Xiaomi’s Yi or the GoPro series, making it a more appealing option for FPV and RC enthusiasts.
For the most part, the device retains the length, width and weight of its predecessor’s. With just two buttons (Power and WiFi) on its body, the device looks awfully sleek. The LED ring around the power button lights up indicating the current mode you are on (Blue: Video, Green: Photo, Red: Charge).
A lens hood surrounds the outer edge of the lens protecting it mainly from sun glare. However, I felt a lens cover would have been a better addition instead. But for about 7k, I thought RunCam did a more than a decent job in making sure the device looked sturdy.
Build
As mentioned before, this device is compact and sleek. Even though it looks pretty solid, it does have a slight plasticky feel to it, but not anywhere close to the plasticky feel of the Xiamoi’s Yi. Though I must say, the device has survived a good amount of falls including a remote control car crash.
The sliding door at the back of the device is a bit hard to open but it’ll make sure your battery and micro SD card don’t go flying out of the device in case of a crash. As you might have guessed, the battery isn’t built into the device but is instead a replaceable 850 mAh. This simple feature goes a long way as it gives you the option of carrying another battery (which isn’t too expensive either!). The battery can be charged using a micro USB cable (included), which means it could be charged using most Android phone chargers.
The holes on the sides of the device help cool it down. It did get quite warm after using it for about 20 minutes.
App
One of the major selling points of the RunCam 2 is its app. The device has built -in WiFi capability allowing you to connect it to a Smart phone or their android (or iOS) app.
After connecting the camera to a smart phone/tab via the app, you can change various settings on the device
I found the interface to be rather simple and easy to navigate. Having said that, it isn’t anything spectacular, as user options are fairly limited.
A few functions you are able to perform on the app include changing between the modes (video/photo/time-lapse), video resolution, play back of photos or videos on SD card, white balance and a few other features. But it does all this without much latency. Again, for the price point, very impressive.
The video size increases with resolution and frame rate
Record Quality
The RunCam 2 shoots at 4MP with digital image stabilization. It records videos at 1440p at 30fps, 1080p at 30 and 60fps, 720p at 120 and 60fps and also VGA 240fps.
Pictures look grainy and washed out under artificial lighting
I’ve mounted the RunCam 2 onto my helmet, onto a remote controlled car and plan to onto a frisbee too later on. I recorded videos at 1080p @ 120fps and was pleasantly surprised with the result. Shooting videos with sufficient lighting give you crisp and smooth videos. I found that especially to be true when I mounted it onto my helmet and rode around Delhi.
The RunCam 2 does a decent job under low lighting. (Note: This picture is a screenshot of a video taken on the device)
For a camera that can record videos rather well, the RunCam 2 takes mediocre pictures. Pictures look grainy and washed out under artificial lighting and are a bit overexposed when taken outdoors. However, there is a firmware update that I found out about just now, which may just improve the recording quality on the camera.
Note that pictures are slightly grainy and are not as vivid as in real life.
It has an expandable memory of up to 64GB and a 120 degree field of view.
Samples
Note: This again is a screen from a video taken on the RunCam 2
In The Box
- 850 mAh battery
- Velcro straps x 2
- 3M Tape x 2
- Tripod adapter
- Camera base
- RCA AV-Out Cable
- Micro USB to AV-out FPV Cable
- USB Charging Cable
- RunCam 2 User Manual
Pros
- Low latency
- Weighs less than 50 grams
- High frame rate (60fps at 1080p and 120fps at 720p)
Cons
- Missing lens cap
- Tends to heat up
- Narrow FOV
Verdict
I honestly quite liked the device. It’s small, sleek and sits perfectly onto my helmet and frisbee without a mount due to its rectangular shape. However, it is a bit of a pain when you have to use it on a chest mount, for which I haven’t found a workaround to yet. But for someone who isn’t a too into this whole action camera thing, or just wants to take causal videos every now without busting a whole lot of money, this quite clearly would be the ideal option.
It definitely is nowhere near the GoPro lineup in terms of recording quality, but considering the size of the hole a GoPro will make in your pocket, it does a pretty damn good job. The camera costs $99 which at this point would translate to about Rs 6800. You can also get additional mounts at a fairly decent price.
There is a firmware update pending on the device I reviewed, so there may be a chance that the picture quality (and perhaps video too) might improve.
For more news and reviews, keep checking back at Gaming Central.
