70mai A810 Dash Cam 4K Review: Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 for Under ¥800

Introduction

The 70mai A810 has carved out a unique position in the Chinese dash cam market. It delivers the same Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor found in premium $300 dash cams like the VIOFO A229 Pro, yet costs just ¥699 (approx. $97 USD). That’s a remarkable value proposition that’s hard to ignore.

Available on JD.com and Tmall, the A810 records up to true 4K (3840×2160) at 25fps with HDR enabled, or 30fps without HDR. The package typically includes the front camera, GPS mount, power cable, and optionally a rear camera (¥179 extra or bundled for ¥878).

Specifications Comparison

Spec	70mai A810	VIOFO A229 Pro	Vantrue N5	Xiaomi Dashcam 2S
Front Sensor	Sony IMX678	Sony IMX678	Sony IMX678	Sony IMX415
Front Resolution	4K (3840×2160)	4K (3840×2160)	4K (3840×2160)	2K (2560×1440)
Frame Rate	25fps HDR / 30fps no HDR	25fps HDR / 30fps no HDR	30fps	30fps
Rear Camera	1080p (optional ¥179)	2K (included in kit)	1080p×3 channels	Optional
Field of View	140° F1.8	140° F1.6	160° F1.8	140° F1.8
Parking Mode	24h time-lapse (HW kit)	Buffered parking mode	Motion + Time-lapse	Motion detection
WiFi	5GHz	5GHz / 2.4GHz	2.4GHz	2.4GHz
GPS	Built-in GPS mount	Built-in GPS mount	External/Internal	No
Storage	Up to 256GB microSD	Up to 512GB microSD	Up to 512GB microSD	Up to 128GB microSD
Price	¥699 ($97)	¥1,699–2,099 ($249–299)	¥1,299 ($180)	¥499 ($69)

Design and Build Quality

The A810 features a wedge-shaped design, compact at 83.6×47.4×38.8mm. The body is made of a matte-finish plastic that feels dense and durable. The 2.45-inch IPS display is sharp enough for live preview and settings navigation. The capacitive touch buttons on the bottom work reliably.

The included GPS mount snaps firmly into place and uses a magnetic locking mechanism that holds the camera securely even over rough roads. The power connector uses a USB-C port — a welcome modern choice. The adhesive mount (instead of suction cup) ensures it doesn’t fall off in hot weather, but makes repositioning a one-time affair.

The cable routing kit and storage module are sold separately, which some users find annoying. The parking monitoring hardwire kit costs an additional ¥89.

Video Quality and Performance

This is where the A810 shines. The IMX678 sensor, with its 1/1.8” optical format and STARVIS 2 back-illuminated architecture, captures significantly more light than the IMX415 found in most budget dash cams. In our nighttime testing:

• Low light: License plates remain readable at 10-15 meters on well-lit roads. Even in dim alley lighting, plate numbers are legible at 5-8 meters.
• Daytime: Sharpness is excellent. You can easily read road signs, shop names, and plate numbers at full speed.
• HDR performance: HDR processing reduces blown-out highlights from headlights and street lamps effectively. Shadow detail is well preserved.

The 5GHz WiFi is a meaningful upgrade over the 2.4GHz on most budget dash cams. Transferring a 3-minute 4K clip takes about 45 seconds compared to 2-3 minutes on 2.4GHz-only models. The 70mai app is functional and intuitive for clip review and download.

One limitation: with HDR enabled, the frame rate drops to 25fps. Most users won’t notice in real-world driving, but if you’re used to 30fps or 60fps action cam footage, the difference is perceptible.

Parking Mode

The A810 supports 24-hour time-lapse parking recording at 3fps (one frame every three seconds), which requires the separately sold hardwire kit. Without the kit, it uses motion-activated recording from its built-in battery, which lasts only 3-5 minutes.

The time-lapse mode records continuously, so you’ll capture the exact moment an incident occurs rather than hoping motion detection triggers in time. However, it means you’ll need a large memory card — a 128GB card holds roughly 48 hours of time-lapse before looping.

What Chinese Users Say

Here’s what verified buyers on JD.com and Tmall are saying:

“Bought the A810 specifically for the IMX678 sensor at this price point. Night video is incredible — you can read plates in very low light where my previous dash cam showed nothing but noise. Best ¥699 I’ve spent this year.” — Verified Buyer, JD.com ★★★★★

“Image quality is genuinely impressive for the price. Upgraded from a 70mai Pro and the difference at night is night and day. The HDR actually works — oncoming headlights don’t wash out the frame anymore.” — Verified Buyer, Tmall ★★★★☆

“Parking mode is good but the hardwire kit should be included at this price. Having to spend another ¥89 for a cable that should be standard pisses me off. Also the voice control in Chinese works but sometimes mishears.” — Verified Buyer, JD.com ★★★★☆

“Compared the A810 side by side with a friend’s VIOFO A229 Pro. In daytime, they’re basically identical. At night, the VIOFO has slightly better dynamic range but the gap is way smaller than the price difference suggests. For most drivers, save the ¥1000 and get this.” — SMZDM Forum User

“Been running the A810 for 6 months in Shanghai. Summer heat (dashboard hits 65°C+ in parked car) no problem. Image quality solid. GPS accuracy is good, speed readings match car speedometer within 1-2 km/h.” — Verified Buyer, JD.com ★★★★★

“Discovered this dash cam through a driving group recommendation. Tested the A810 in Shanghai night driving — the Sony sensor really lives up to the hype, could read plates clearly in dim alley lighting. Highly recommended for its price-performance ratio.” — Xiaohongshu User ★★★★★

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor at an unbeatable sub-¥800 price
2. Excellent low-light performance and HDR processing
3. True 4K resolution with good sharpness
4. 5GHz WiFi for fast clip transfers
5. Compact wedge design with GPS mount
6. 24-hour time-lapse parking mode
7. Reliable build quality tested in high heat
8. Good 70mai app experience with intuitive UI

Cons

1. Hardwire kit and storage module sold separately (¥89 extra)
2. HDR mode drops to 25fps
3. No polarizing filter included (CPL filter optional)
4. Rear camera only 1080p, not 2K
5. Adhesive mount is one-time use — consider carefully before sticking
6. Voice control is Chinese-only and has accuracy issues

FAQ

Q1: Does the 70mai A810 support 256GB microSD cards? Yes, officially supports up to 256GB. We recommend a high-endurance U3/V30 card. The A810 generates a lot of data at 4K, so a larger card gives you more time-lapse parking coverage.

Q2: Can I use the 70mai A810 without the rear camera? Absolutely. The A810 works as a standalone front dash cam. The rear camera is optional and can be added later at ¥179. The front-only recording is still 4K with full HDR.

Q3: How does parking mode work without the hardwire kit? Without the hardwire kit, parking mode uses the built-in capacitor’s residual power for motion-activated recording — lasting only 3-5 minutes after the car is turned off. For true 24-hour parking monitoring, you need the ¥89 hardwire kit that connects to your fuse box.

Q4: Is the 70mai A810 legal to use in the US/EU? Yes, dash cams are legal in most jurisdictions. The A810’s GPS records speed data, which could potentially be used in legal proceedings. Some European countries have restrictions on dash cam use — check local regulations. The A810 supports English and Chinese language settings.

Q5: How does the A810 compare to the VIOFO A229 Pro? The A810 uses the same IMX678 sensor but costs ¥1000 less. The A229 Pro offers higher rear camera resolution (2K vs 1080p), buffered parking mode, a wider operating temperature range, and better build quality. For most drivers, the A810 provides 80% of the performance at half the price.

Verdict and Rating

The 70mai A810 is arguably the best value proposition in the dash cam market right now. By bringing Sony’s flagship IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor to a ¥699 price point, 70mai has democratized premium night-time dash cam performance. The video quality is genuinely excellent, build quality is solid, and the 5GHz WiFi and GPS are welcome inclusions.

The main compromises — the separately sold hardwire kit, single-channel rear camera, and adhesive-only mount — are real but forgivable at this price. If you’re looking for the best bang-for-buck dash cam available in China today, the A810 is it.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

• Video Quality: 4.7/5
• Build & Design: 4.3/5
• Features: 4.2/5
• Value for Money: 5.0/5
• App Experience: 4.4/5

Specifications at a Glance

Spec	Detail
Price	¥699 ($97) — ¥878 with rear camera bundle
Target User	Budget-conscious drivers wanting premium night vision
Key Highlight	Same IMX678 sensor as dash cams 2-3x the price
Build Material	Matte-finish dense plastic
Warranty	1-year manufacturer warranty

How It Compares to Competitors

The A810 decisively beats the Xiaomi Dashcam 2S on image quality thanks to the IMX678 sensor. Against the VIOFO A229 Pro, it matches daytime quality but falls slightly short on night-time dynamic range and lacks buffered parking mode. The Vantrue N5 offers 4-channel recording but costs nearly double. For 90% of drivers, the A810 is the smarter buy.

Detailed User Experiences

Chen T. — JD Verified Buyer ★★★★★ “After researching dash cams for weeks, I settled on the A810 for its IMX678 sensor. Tested it against my dad’s Vantrue N5 — my A810’s night footage is cleaner, less noise, and plate reads are better. The 5GHz WiFi is genuinely useful. Transferred a 30-second clip in maybe 5-8 seconds. Build quality has held up through a hot Guangzhou summer. Highly recommended.”

Liu W. — Tmall Verified Buyer ★★★★☆ “Great dash cam but the hardwire kit being sold separately is annoying. Story: installed the A810 in my car, ran the parking mode off the built-in battery for a week — it triggered maybe twice. Bought the hardwire kit and now it works perfectly. The 24-hour time-lapse is exactly what I wanted. One note: the adhesive mount means you need to position it perfectly the first time.”

Zhao M. — SMZDM Forum ★★★★★ “Comparative testing against VIOFO A229 Pro and Vantrue N4. Daytime: A810 ties with A229 Pro, beats N4. Night: A810 close second — slightly more shadow noise than the A229 Pro but license plates readable. Given the price difference (¥699 vs ¥1,699-2,099), the A810 is the no-brainer choice. The app is better than VIOFO’s too — simpler, faster connection.”