XTU S7 Pro Action Camera Review: Dual-Screen, Wi-Fi Action Camera That Punches Way Above Its Class

XTU manufactures a range of cameras, including a trail camera, smart doorbell camera, dashcam, and its new flagship action camera, the XTU S7 Pro, which offers some impressive specifications, especially for an action camera priced in the middle of the market. The action camera category has grown significantly in recent years, with models ranging from under $100 to more than $700. Any newcomer will inevitably be compared with higher-end options from GoPro, DJI, and Insta360, many of which cost two to three times as much as the S7 Pro. So, how does this more affordable action camera stack up?

The first thing that I noticed about the S7 Pro after opening its very elegantly printed box is how few items are included. You get the camera itself, a single battery, a USB cable, and the magnetic mount. In comparison, the last action camera that I reviewed came with literally multiple bags of mounts, cases, including a waterproof case, multiple batteries, and a dedicated charger.

In the Box

• S7 Pro Action Camera
• (1×) 1800mAh Battery
• USB Cable
• Magnetic Quick-release Mount
• User Manual

The specs as supplied by XTU are impressive, as I said before. You get 4K 50FPS recording, SuperSmooth 5.0 stabilization, 360° horizon lock, a Sony IMX586 48MP sensor, Wi-Fi 6 fast transfer, the magnetic quick release, a dual-screen design, AI ISP (Image Signal Processor) night imaging, PD fast charging, and construction built for outdoor adventures.

We’ll go through all of these features a bit later, but it would seem as though XTU made a conscious decision to focus on image quality and the ability to shoot in multiple modes and offer those other elements as separately purchased accessories. This is completely understandable, but the camera has to live up to the quality claim.

Design and Build Quality

Holding the XTU S7 Pro in your hands feels solid and pleasantly weighty. The shell seems to be made of both metal and plastic, both covered with a texture that both increases grip and eliminates fingerprints.

The front of the camera features a 1.4” color screen, the lens, labelled as F2.8 4K ½” and the protrusion underneath which houses the microphone. The entire back of the S7 Pro is taken up by the main color touchscreen. Measuring 2.29”, this screen has a resolution of 800×400 and 426 PPI and has a charging/working indicator light in the bottom left corner.

This indicator stays solid blue in normal use, solid red when charging with the power off, and a one-second purple flash followed by solid blue when charging with the power on. The light also flashes blue once per shot when in timelapse mode.

The top of the camera features the power and shutter button. These buttons perform different actions depending on how they are used. For example, a long press (three seconds) toggles the camera’s power on and off, while a short press brings up a shooting mode menu. Similarly, a long press of the record button switches between the front and rear screens while a short press starts and stops recording.

The bottom of the unit features the magnetic quick-release interface. The left side of the camera has a speaker above the USB Type-C port, which is covered with a rubber flap. This flap is held in place even when exposing the port by a thin rubber tab. It is very easy to rip the tab out of the body of the camera when exposing the port for charging or moving files. In fact, using it for the second time, it flew off, and I have yet to find it.

The right side of the camera features the compartment that contains the battery and the TF card slot. This compartment is covered by a sliding door on a spring-loaded hinge. The door itself is made of plastic and feels okay, but operators would do well to be extra careful while retrieving batteries and memory cards so as to not damage the mechanism.

Performance

When reviewing a product, it is tempting and often necessary to compare it to other similar products on the market. This is most useful when the comparison is between products designed with the same intent. In this case, for example, comparing the S7 Pro to modern smartphones is not fruitful. Even within the range of action cameras, there is too large a price difference to compare any one camera to another.

In fact, in the user manual for the S7 Pro, XTU writes under the page title “Warm Reminders”,

• Action cameras and mobile phones are designed for different purposes. Even with the same megapixels, different algorithms lead to different results. Do not compare the two; the action camera’s strengths lie in portability, video stabilization, and wide-angle capture, making it ideal for recording during activities.
• The camera’s performance is limited in low-light conditions. It works best in well-lit outdoor environments, so indoor performance should not be used as a standard for evaluating its quality.

Let’s instead call this a mid-level action camera with the goal of providing high-quality video and photo capabilities at a price less than $200. The S7 Pro currently sells for $159.99, putting it in the company of many budget cameras with much less to offer.

The XTU S7 Pro uses a 1/2-inch 48MP Sony CMOS sensor, smaller than the 1 or 1/1.3-inch sensors found in cameras in the more expansive part of the market segment, but the S7 Pro sensor is paired with an AI ISP image engine.

The XTU S7 Pro employs a 152° Ultra-Wide Angle, F2.8 large aperture, and 7-glass wide-angle lens.

Stabilization

As this is an action camera, it is safe to assume that its primary use will be shooting video of sports and similar activities that by their nature involve significant motion. The S7 Pro is equipped with a number of stabilization options depending on the situation. These include Super Stabilization, Enhanced Super Stabilization, Gyro Flow, Tilt Correction, Horizon Stabilization and a 360° Horizon Lock.

Most cameras at this price point barely include standard image stabilization, so the option to choose between Super Stabilization and Enhanced Super Stabilization is a plus. Gyro Flow enables users to make stabilization corrections in post. This is a big plus for riders, cyclists, and on- and off-road racers.

Video Resolutions

The XTU S7 Pro offers a number of different video resolutions to allow users to best match the activity and desired format of the final video. These include: 4K (2840×2160) 50/30 FPS, 2.7K (2704×1520) 50/30 FPS, 1440P (1920×1440) 60/30 FPS, 1080P (1920×1080) 120/60/30 FPS and 720P (1280×720) 240/120/60/30 FPS. The camera allows users to switch between NTSC, the standard used in North America, and PAL, the preferred format in Europe.

Shooting at the top 4K resolution, PAL users can choose between the standard 25 and 50 frames per second. Unfortunately, NTSC users are offered 30 FPS but not 60. The camera is capable of slow motion, but only in 1080P at 120 FPS and 720P at 240 and 120 FPS.

Video Modes

The XTU S7 Pro includes the standard set of video modes: Normal, Timelapse, and Slow Motion, but also adds Car Looping, Quick Stories, Underwater, and Night. Car Looping mode turns the S7 Pro into a dashcam that records segments continuously until it needs space and overwrites older files. Underwater mode includes “specialized parameters tuned for underwater shooting to correct color and exposure”, while Night mode includes “specialized parameters tuned for shooting for low-light/night shooting”.

Photo Modes

Despite their primary use being for filming sports and action-oriented subject matter, action cameras need to perform other functions as well, such as various forms of still photos. The XTU S7 Pro includes the photo modes Normal, Timer, Timelapse, Burst, Long Exposure and RAW. The camera can take photos in resolutions including 8MP, 12MP, 20MP and 48MP.

The camera can be adjusted in various ways, including changing the zoom settings, which range from 1.0 to 4.0 in .5 intervals, where 1.0 gives the familiar fisheye view in full 152 degrees, and 4.0 focuses on the center of the image, visually eliminating the fisheye distortion. The S7 Pro also features Lens Distortion Correction as an option at any zoom setting.

Sound

As with many action cameras, the sound is sufficient but not stellar right out of the box. Operators can be heard both when the camera is facing them and when facing away. Users who wish to improve the sound can opt for the available wireless microphone. The S7 Pro includes AI noise reduction when used with the optional wireless microphone.

Battery

Battery life in my tests has proven to be good with no undue or unexplained drains. The S7 Pro supports PD Fast Charging and charges to 80% in 46 Minutes

Using the XTU S7 Pro

If you have used other action cameras, the S7 Pro is fairly intuitive. Most functions are represented as icons on the main screen, and others, including settings, are found by pulling down on the rear touchscreen. Using the two buttons is similarly intuitive. The S7 Pro also features voice control, which works without issue.

The camera has two other great features: available auto landscape-to-portrait switching and up to 50 seconds of prerecording in 4K, and 60 seconds in 1080P. Prerecording is a useful feature if you are shooting sporting events and may have missed the start of the action.

Downloading files is easily accomplished by connecting via Bluetooth, over the supported 5Ghz Wi-Fi 6, through the companion app, or the included USB Type-C cable. XTU claims a transfer speed of 30MB/s via the 5Ghz Wi-Fi 6, a 300% download speed boost.

The S7 Pro body is not waterproof and requires the purchase of the optional Waterproof Case and Underwater Housing ($19.99) for that use. The S7 Pro also only comes with a single battery and no dedicated charger. A Dual Battery Charger with two additional batteries is available as another separately purchased accessory ($35.99). Other available accessories include the Protective Frame Cage ($9.99) and the Magnetic Neck Mount ($29.99).

XTU GO App

Sample Photos and Videos

The XTU S7 Pro is a mid-tier dual-screen, Wi-Fi action camera with some interesting added features including image stabilization and AI Image Signal Processing. As with most action cameras, it does not do very well in low light conditions, but overall, the image quality is good. Used under typical conditions, the camera captures still and video content at a level above its mid-tier pricing.

During the writing of this review, XTU has dropped the price to $109.99. This changes everything, as the cameras in that price range that I have tested in the past were not worth using. If you are looking for a dual-screen, Wi-Fi action camera on a budget, the S7 Pro might just be for you.

The XTU S7 Pro sells for $159.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon, where it is currently on sale for $109.99.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Price; Good image quality; Solid build quality; Effective Stabilization; Multiple shooting modes

What Needs Improvement: USB port cover; Low light capability