Since the invention of smartphones and the media landscape’s desire for video, never has it been easier to capture seminal moments in your life. No longer are your moments of brilliance debunked by sceptical friends who previously had to just take your over-excited word for it.
Some have led the way in that process and there is little doubt that in terms of wearable cameras it is GoPro that has set the bar.
But they now have genuine competitors in the market: Merlin Digital. And for consumers in the UAE, the added advantage is that Merlin is a company deeply-rooted in the country since being established in 1998 as a Dubai-based organisation.
It means that they have been able to create technology specifically designed for the UAE environment, making the new ProCam feel even more like a personalised product.
Alongside new sonic headphones and Actifit wrist monitor, it is part of the company’s lean towards tapping further into the UAE’s sports market.
“While doing sport activities, any additional hindrance affects the performance of the activity. To combat this, we have come up with the ProCam as well as the sonic headphones,” said Rohit Hiro Bachani, co-founder and director, Merlin Digital.
It is certainly a smart bit of kit and its ability to shoot Ultra-High Definition 4K videos at 24 frames per second is some feat for something that fits in the palm of your hand or on the top of your head.
Side view: Merlin Digital ProCam.
Not only that, the ProCam comes with a durable waterproof case, a helmet mount, bike handlebar mount, as well as GoPro adapters that make it a highly versatile product and one that welcomes the use of other brands, rather than hinders the new user for previously flirting with other products.
What you get in return is a sharp, crisp piece of kit backed up by a Sony BSI CMOS sensor gyro that reduces shake around Al Qudra Cycle Track or dune bashing in the desert to leave you with highly focused videos. Add in two 1,600mAh batteries capable of 90 minutes of 4K recording and that 128GB microSD card you buy will be filled to the brim in no time.
We rate it: 9 out of 10 – A great bit of kit with superb functionality, an affordable price and the resulting video is of the highest quality. Superb value for money.
Where to Buy: At dedicated Merlin outlets across Dubai and Sharjah as well as Emax, Sharaf DG, Plugins and Dubai Duty Free stores
