Test: As of today (December 12.12.2016, 90), Aldi Süd has the Action Cam Maginon AC-800W on offer for just under €100. At a price of less than €60, the camera offers, among other things, Full HD recordings at 2 fps and a XNUMX-inch color display. You can find out in our test whether the purchase is worthwhile or whether you prefer to use GoPro and Co.
Maginon AC-800W (Aldi Action Cam): Specifications
On paper, the current Action Cam from Aldi Süd does a lot right. Videos are recorded with a maximum of 1080p and 60fps. You can't hold a candle to the current models of the market leaders, which all offer 4K resolution, but they also cost a multiple of the AC-800W. The full HD resolution provided is more than sufficient for most applications – provided the image quality is appropriate. The photo resolution is a bit thin: A maximum of 4 megapixels is possible here – so the Aldi Action Cam will probably not be able to do more than snapshots.
A real unique selling point in the price range under €100 is the 2.0″ TFT color display on the back of the camera. This not only makes operation much easier, but you can also check the correct image section directly without having to go through the smartphone app. In addition, the recordings made can also be viewed directly on the camera. Also noteworthy is the built-in WLAN module, which can be used to connect the camera to the smartphone via an app - this allows data to be exchanged and, of course, "remote control" via cell phone is also possible. Speaking of the remote control, a wristwatch-like remote allows you to easily control the camera from your wrist. Thanks to large buttons, this should also be possible in the rush of sporting activities.
The replaceable battery has 1000mAh and is therefore slightly below what GoPro, Sony or Garmin donate to their cams in terms of capacity. Nevertheless, the Maginon Cam should last up to 90 minutes.
Maginon AC-800W (Aldi Action Cam): Accessories
When it comes to action cams, you could almost say: a camera is only as good as its accessories. Because what use are the best features if you can't attach and align the small cam as desired. The packaging of the Maginon Cam hides a real wealth of accessories. In addition to the obligatory charger and micro-USB cable, this mainly consists of a wide variety of holders. As with older revisions from the market leader GoPro, the brackets cannot be attached directly to the camera, but either to a plastic frame surrounding the camera or to the underwater protective housing. Incidentally, the latter should make the Aldi Cam suitable for diving to a depth of 30m.
We also find two helmet mounts in the box - these are attached to the desired location on the helmet using the adhesive pads that are also included. Furthermore, there is a belt holder with two (quite short) belts, a 90° adapter and two additional locking bolts.
Incidentally, the attachment mechanism is compatible with GoPro accessories, which significantly increases the range of possible mounts and gimmicks.
Maginon AC-800W (Aldi Action Cam): Operation
Operating action cams is often a science in itself. This is mostly due to the compact, reduced design and the lack of a display in older or cheaper models. The Aldi Cam can definitely score here. In our first hands-on, we deliberately avoided looking at the manual and still found our way around the few menus of the Maginon quite quickly. Navigation is via the three buttons on the housing, which are easy to reach and press even when the camera is in the underwater housing.
We then have to take a quick look at the instructions for pairing with the supplied bracelet: However, the connection works straight away and the camera can be controlled remotely from the wrist quickly and easily. The remote control has three buttons – one for video recording, one for photos and one to switch off. However, there are two downsides: Firstly, the cam cannot be switched on by remote control and secondly, it is not waterproof. Especially the use in the rain on the bike is excluded - too bad! In and of itself, the operating concept on the wrist is a really good idea: If you have attached the camera to your helmet, for example, you don't have to blindly look for the right button on the camera or start the recording with the app, but simply press the button on your wrist .
Of course, there is also an app for the Aldi Cam, but it cannot keep up with the more expensive competition in terms of functionality. However, it brings the most important thing with it: a live image including all setting options and the recording can also be started and stopped in the same way. In addition, you can pull the videos and photos you have made onto your mobile phone memory.
Maginon AC-800W (Aldi Action Cam): image quality, battery life and practical impressions
But now we come to the decisive criterion for every camera: the image quality. The Aldi Action Cam does better here than we honestly expected. We made our recordings in Full HD with 60 fps and they can definitely stand up to more expensive competition - although of course you shouldn't expect that the Maginon can hold a candle to the new GoPro 5 or Sony's X3000.
Video sample (unedited, 1080p 60fps)
The image sharpness is good in quiet conditions, it gets a bit more shaky, unfortunately some artefacts form here and there - if dim light is added, the image becomes visibly noisy. Nevertheless: Here we have already seen cameras for 50-100€ more that have fared significantly worse. The colors are mostly lifelike, the image only has a slight yellow tint and here and there the colors could do with a little more radiance. The only thing that we sorely missed is an image stabilizer: Even with minor bumps, the image section shakes clearly, which quickly makes looking tiring when used on a crosser or mountain bike, for example. We therefore strongly recommend mounting it on the helmet or on the body - the image is constantly blurred directly on the handlebars.
The battery life was 112 minutes in our test with the highest possible settings and even exceeded the manufacturer's specifications. However, we definitely recommend purchasing a second or even a third battery, because the charging time from 0-100% is a whopping five hours.
Speaking of installation: the brackets supplied, as well as the remote control for the wrist, are really successful and we quickly got used to the remote control in particular.
Unpacking, hands-on and test video
Rollei 410 Action Cam on Amazon
A note from us at the end: It seems that the Maginon AC-800W is structurally identical to the Rollei 410 Action Cam. At least the technical data are the same and also visually and with the accessories we can't see any differences, at least according to information on the net. So if you want to save yourself the Aldi shopping stress or don't live in the catchment area of Aldi Süd, you can currently at Order the Rollei 410 from Amazon for just under €90.
