Something very small is currently making big waves on Indiegogo. As the latest entry into the POV camera market, the Mokacam is taking aim at the big boys of the industry, boldly throwing around the term ‘GoPro killer’ in their marketing material. Whether you agree or not, the Mokacam certainly boasts some impressive specs and clever innovations.
The camera’s body is tiny (the Southern California based creators claim it’s the world’s smallest 4K camera), the resolution is huge and it offers a multitude of features without getting overly complicated. There’s an external screen available, and the Mokacam’s built-in magnet can fix the camera directly to metal surfaces or accommodate additional magnetic snap-on battery packs.
With 10 days left of their Indiegogo campaign the Mokacam is definitely generating a huge amount of interest, as it has already raised over seven times their funding goal of $50,000. Click past the break for all the details, including the Mokacam’s surprisingly low price tag…
The Mokacam’s impact and water resistant polycarbonate body measures 45mm x 45mm, with a depth of 35mm. Designed for simple operation, it uses two buttons- one acts as the power switch and start/stop button, and the other scrolls through the Mokacam’s settings and features. The tiny camera weighs in at just 79g.
As for hardware, a 16mp sensor sees the world through a seven layer glass lens to provide optimal clarity, color and detail. The Mokacam also has an integrated high-definition microphone, but there is no 3.5mm jack for external mics.
Using an integrated magnet on its backside, the Mokacam can be attached to metal surfaces with no mounts required. The company says the super strong magnet will reliably secure the camera to a car driving down a rough road, and requires some effort to remove from metal surfaces. The camera also works with its own series of magnetic mounts, includes an adapter for GoPro style mounts, and has a standard ¼” threaded mount for tripods.
An add-on screen is available for self-filming or framing up shots. The accessory screen rotates 270°, uses four top-mounted control buttons and contains its own internal battery so it won’t drain the camera’s internal unit. There’s also a waterproof case for the Mokacam which is rated for 60m depth, and can work with or without an external battery in place.
The camera uses an internal 1000mAh battery, and larger 1100mAh magnetic battery packs can be snapped on to the back for some extra juice- even while the camera is still filming. The internal battery should last between 1:00 to 1:20 hrs depending on settings, and it takes about two hours to fully charge (same for the add-on screen and external batteries). Battery life can be monitored through the accessory screen or Mokacam’s smartphone app, but is curiously not indicated on the camera itself.
The Mokacam is capable of filming in 4K@15fps, 2K@15fps, or 1080p@60fps, 720px120fps and VGA@240fps, plus shoots still images (as seen above). The camera uses a 152° wide angle lens, but features a normal angle mode that digitally eliminates barrel distortion to produce a flat image. There’s also looped recording capability, plus a motion activated mode that automatically starts and stops recording when it senses action in its frame.
The Mokacam is WiFi capable as well, enabling you to control live streaming, zoom and time lapse functions through the smartphone app. Time lapse settings include 3/5/10/30 second, plus one and three minute intervals. The iOS and Android compatible app also allows instant wireless video uploading to your smartphone. Alternatively the device can also be controlled with Mokacam’s own wireless remote control which is mentioned, but not shown on their campaign page.
A Micro SD card handles file storage, and the camera can accommodate up to 64gb cards (card not included). A micro USB cable to charge the battery is included. Despite its impressive dimensions and features, the Mokacam is surprisingly affordable- It can currently be pre-ordered for $99 USD with a waterproof case and your choice of color (eventual retail will be $169).
The Mokacam carries a one year warranty and is available in Black, Gold, Blue, Pink or Silver. The first units are expected to ship out in February 2016. For all the details, check out the Mokacam’s Indiegogo campaign here.
