VIOFO A229 Pro 3-CH vs. VIOFO A139 Pro 3-CH 4K

Since the Sony STARVIS 2 was launched, dash cam manufacturers have begun implementing the world’s most advanced sensor in their flagship models.

However, among all the brands, it’s VIOFO that has the most number of dash cams that upgraded their image sensors with this – from the VIOFO A139 Pro, the A119 Mini 2, the new A229 Plus, and the A229 Pro.

The A139 Pro has developed quite the reputation among Dash Cam fans over its almost year-long life-span, as a reliable 3-channel unit that supplies top-tier footage at a budget price. The A229 Pro, on the other hand, is the new kid on the block, and it’s aiming for the top, featuring the classic A129 design, Sony STARVIS 2 front and rear, incredible night vision performance and even the option for a three-channel configuration. Even the A139 Pro isn’t safe with its 3-cameras, so let’s put them both in the ring and find out which deserves to be the VIOFO Flagship.

Comparing the design of the VIOFO A229 Pro and the A139 Pro, the first thing to notice is the front dash cam. The A229 Pro, similar to its A229 predecessor, has a wedge-shaped design and a 2.4-inch screen where you can watch footage and adjust dash cam settings. Its lens is at the bottom of the unit’s rear side.

Meanwhile, the A139 Pro is built without a screen, and the A139 Pro’s front lens can be rotated vertically up to 300° for greater coverage. If you like to record your trips or include travel videos in your vlogs, you can easily switch the front lens to the cabin with this.

On the front side of both cameras, we can see that it comes with standard LED status’s PWR, REC, GPS, Mic and WiFi. The A229 Pro and A139 Pro also come with VIOFO static stickers, add-ons that act as a barrier between the mount’s sticky tape and the glass, so you’re not left with sticky residue or marks when you need to uninstall the dash cam.

Overall, the A229 offers a smaller profile unit, while keeping a physical screen for changing settings and checking in on its status.

The VIOFO A229 Pro and VIOFO A139 Pro carry the same image sensor, the Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678, which records in 4K UHD @ 30 frames per second, with a 140-degree field of view. Looking at their footage, we must say that both these dash cams show great performance in daytime conditions.

Now, the differences start to show, particularly for their secondary cameras. The A139 Pro sports a 2MP Sony STARVIS IMX291 sensor for its rear camera, which records 1080P @ 30 fps. Meanwhile, the more advanced VIOFO A229 Pro is equipped with a 5MP Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 sensor for its rear camera — similar to the VIOFO A119 Mini 2’s sensor. This means that the rear camera of the A229 Pro captures clearer, crisper 2K QHD footage.

For the interior cameras, the A139 Pro also has the same sensor as its rear camera, a 2MP IMX291. Again, the A229 Pro records better footage with its upgraded 2MP Sony STARVIS IMX307, which includes an IR Cut Filter. The IR Cut Filter shifts filters automatically depending on light sensor data, screening out infrared rays in sufficient light to restore true colour and significantly reduce red or purple hue.

Night Vision, however, is where the A229 Pro takes the lead. While both the A229 Pro and A139 Pro have HDR, it’s the A229 Pro that has High Dynamic Range(HDR) for all three of its cameras. Not to mention, an upgraded Super Night Vision 2.0 for all of them too! Due to these features, the A229 Pro is showing better footage for night drives, specifically with better visibility in dimly lit areas, especially with the HDR and Super Night Vision supported 2k rear camera.

Another thing we noticed is that when the A139 Pro operates in 1, and 2-Channel configuration, the front camera records at 4K at 30fps. However, when used in a 3-channel configuration, the front image quality will record 2160p at 24fps, as opposed to the 30fps above. The VIOFO A229 Pro’s frame rates remain the same, even if all cameras are working.

Still, both dash cams are compatible with a CPL Filter that comes standard in both packages. Reducing glares and reflections, they are also compatible with the BlackboxMyCar Aqua Shield for protection from dust, rain and other environmental factors.

The VIOFO A229 Pro and VIOFO A139 Pro have similar parking mode features. In terms of parking mode protection, they emphasize Buffered Parking Mode. This means that when an impact is detected, the dash cam will transition to standard event recording, including the 15 seconds preceding and following the incident.

Aside from Buffered Parking Mode, the VIOFO A229 and A139 Pro’s Parking mode settings include Auto Event Detection, Time Lapse, and Low Bitrate Recording.

If you want to hardwire either camera for parking mode, keep in mind that it requires the VIOFO HK4 ACC hardwiring kit or a dash cam battery pack, which you will need to buy separately.

No real differences here, parking mode features stay the same between both models, with the only differences being power consumption, as the A139 uses up a lot of power while parked, and the A229 Pro is more conservative with it, resulting in slightly longer parking recording windows.

Since the A229 Pro was launched almost a year after the A139 Pro was released, you can expect that the A229 has more innovative features. Now with Voice Controls, the VIOFO A229 Pro is easier to use than ever for hands-free dash cam controls. This allows you to utilize simple voice commands to start/stop recording, snap photographs, and turn on/off WiFi while remaining focused on the road.

While the A139 Pro doesn’t have Voice Controls, it still has Voice Notifications – which is also sported in the A229 Pro. Voice Notifications keep you up to date on storage, features, recording modes, and video protection status. Available languages for this feature are English, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai.

Both the VIOFO A229 Pro and VIOFO A139 Pro are compatible with the VIOFO mobile app where you can stream your footage live, download media, and share on social networks. With a 2.4GHz and 5GHz Dual-Band connection, the VIOFO A229 Pro enables 4 times faster data transfer than 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Note that VIOFO doesn’t offer any desktop viewers, so you will need to use a 3rd party program like the Dash Cam Viewer, which we highly recommend for VIOFO dash cams.

While the A139 has GPS built-in, the A229 Pro has upgraded its new integrated Quad-Mode GPS module that provides more detailed location and speed data. By combining four global satellite positioning systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou), the VIOFO A229 Pro’ Quad-Mode GPS uses the geometric distribution of several satellites to boost 3D positioning precision for a more accurate driving trajectory, whether in urban regions between towering buildings or in mountainous places with difficult terrain.

Beyond connectivity, both the VIOFO A229 Pro and A139 Pro support micro SD cards up to 512GB for maximum storage capacity. They also have Auto Emergency Lock, where in case a sudden impact or collision happens, the dashcam's built-in G-sensor instantly locks the ongoing recording file, preventing it from being overwritten.

The VIOFO A139 Pro is priced at $369.99 for the three-channel segment, while the triple-channel A229 Pro costs $359.99. It’s interesting to know that the A229 Pro is still priced affordably despite its full range of innovative features, fully prepped to fill that same niche of the A139 Pro.

VIOFO dash cams are highly-recommended in terms of video quality, durability, and affordability. They’re not as expensive as BlackVues and Thinkwares, but the dash cams this manufacturer never fails to surprise the community with their features and quality. The A229 Pro and the A139 Pro have proven that.

However, if you would ask us which is the better deal between the two, we would say that the A229 Pro is the winner. Aside from having dual Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, its features are also upgraded, including Quad-mode GPS and Voice Controls.

Moreover, the HDR, Super Night Vision 2.0 and more advanced image sensors for all front, rear, and interior dash cams also elevate their resolution and protection all around the vehicle – perfect for 24/7 and maximum protection for fleets, ride-sharing services, and even personal use.