In contrast to its counterparts in the competition, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is a relatively affordable action camera, but it doesn’t skimp on features. In fact, it’s somewhat comparable to the likes of the GoPro HERO 8 and DJI Osmo Action in a few ways, and the newer AKASO Brave 7 inches even closer in that regard.
The question is, can the AKASO Brave 7 LE be a decent GoPro alternative? We take a closer look at what it has to offer and compare it to other popular options to help you figure out if it’s for you.
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AKASO Brave 7 LE Review Comparison Chart
AKASO Brave 7 LE Quick Review
The AKASO Brave 7 LE is an action camera that’s easy on the budget with a lot to offer.
On paper, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is impressive. It features video capture up to 4K and 30 fps, and its 20-megapixel sensor is excellent for pictures. Moreover, it has a wide 170-degree field of view (FOV), 5x digital zoom, and adequate image stabilization. Boasting IPX7 water resistance, it can survive up to one meter in water for 30 minutes, and it has a capacity of up to 64 GB via a microSD card. Last but not least, it can go up to 90 minutes on a single charge.
The AKASO Brave 7 LE does a good job at recording footage with minimal shakiness, but in high-paced situations, stuttering is painfully obvious. Audio capture leaves a lot to be desired, but there’s enough clarity for dialogues to be understandable. Where it excels is in taking photos with natural contrast and sharpness, and that’s despite not having HDR at all. Features-wise, it’s up to par with any action camera worth its salt, sporting features like time lapse, slow motion, and wind noise reduction.
AKASO also threw in a ton of stuff with it. On that note, AKASO Brave 7 LE accessories include all sorts of mounts, two battery packs and an external charge with two bays, a waterproof case for deep diving, and a remote that can be worn on the wrist, to name a couple.
AKASO Brave 7 LE vs GoPro HERO 8
The GoPro HERO 8 is in a different league from the AKASO Brave 7 LE.
Right off the bat, the GoPro HERO 8 can record more vibrant and sharper videos. Compared to the AKASO Brave 7 LE, its HyperSmooth 2.0 image stabilization technology really stands out, offering noticeably smoother footage. It even has better audio quality and wind reduction to boot.
In the AKASO Brave 7 LE’s defense, it can take sharper photos, thanks to its aforementioned 20-megapixel sensor. However, only the GoPro HERO 8 has HDR, making images clearer and brighter.
Put simply, the GoPro HERO 8 is miles ahead of the AKASO Brave 7 LE, and between the two, the latter can only be considered as a budget alternative to the former with some real sacrifices.
Click here for our GoPro HERO 9 vs HERO 8 comparison.
AKASO Brave 7 LE vs DJI Osmo Action
The DJI Osmo Action blows the AKASO Brave 7 LE out of the water.
The DJI Osmo Action has the upper hand across the board. For starters, it has smoother stabilization, but the crème de la crème is its ability to record 4K HDR videos, which the AKASO Brave 7 LE just can’t beat. In short, it can offer noticeably sharper 4K clips.
But unexpectedly, the AKASO Brave 7 LE wins when it comes to photos. For one thing, it has a wider dynamic range and sharper details, especially when zooming in. In terms of audio, both are more or less on the same level, but the DJI Osmo Action is a bit better at minimizing background noise.
To sum it up, the DJI Osmo Action bests the AKASO Brave 7 LE in almost every way such as features and video quality, except in taking pictures.
AKASO Brave 7 vs V50 Elite
The AKASO Brave 7 may have a front screen, but the V50 Elite has 4K recording at 60 fps.
The AKASO Brave 7 and V50 Elite are two other options if the AKASO Brave 7 LE isn’t your cup of tea.
First off, the AKASO Brave 7 builds on its predecessor with a longer battery life of 110 minutes, voice controls, external mic support, microSD card support of up to 512 GB, and a meaningful improvement on its electronic image stabilization (EIS) technology.
Meanwhile, the AKASO V50 Elite has the same price tag as the AKASO Brave 7 LE, and it shares a lot of similarities. That includes its 170-degree FOV, 20-megapixel sensor, 90-minute battery life, and 64 GB storage. However, it can record in 4K at 60 fps and features 8x digital zoom and voice control. The most obvious difference is, it doesn’t have a front screen.
Now between the AKASO Brave 7 and V50 Elite, the former’s advantages include 512 GB storage, external mic support, better EIS, a front screen, and 110 minutes of battery life. On the other hand, the latter has 4K recording at 60 fps, and a slightly lower price point.
AKASO Brave 7 vs GoPro
The AKASO Brave 7 may be an improvement, but it still can’t compare to the likes of the GoPro HERO 8.
The AKASO Brave 7 is clearly an upgrade over the AKASO Brave 7 LE, and that means it’s a step closer to competing with GoPro.
In particular, the AKASO Brave 7’s stuttering is less pronounced now, and its audio can easily be enhanced by an external microphone. However, when pitted against the GoPro HERO 8 (for consistency’s sake), it’s pretty much the same story as before with the AKASO Brave 7 LE. The GoPro HERO 8 simply has better video quality, from stabilization to vibrancy. But again, the AKASO Brave 7’s image quality is sharper in general.
Verdict
The AKASO Brave 7 LE is a budget alternative to GoPro that’s worth considering.
All in all, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is a decent action camera that doesn’t break the bank. It’s got the staples down pat, including 4K video capture at 30 fps, a wide FOV, EIS, and IPX7 water resistance. On top of that, it comes with a ton of accessories out of the box.
However, it’s not on the same playing field as the GoPro HERO 8 and DJI Osmo Action. Sure, it’s also an action camera that can get the job done, but it can’t exactly hold a candle to more established models in terms of overall quality. But AKASO is on the right track, and the new AKASO Brave 7 is a step forward in that direction. In other words, it’s not a stretch to believe that it could launch something that may just give GoPro and DJI a run for their money in the foreseeable future.
FAQs
Considering its price and specs, the AKASO Brave 7 LE offers plenty of bang for your buck. It can record videos in 4K at 30 fps, and it features 5x digital zoom and a 170-degree field of view, making it perfect as an entry-level action camera for beginners.
The AKASO Brave 7 LE is bundled with multiple mounts, including helmet mounts and a bicycle stand, as well as a wrist-based remote. Notably, it also comes with two battery packs, a separate charger with two bays, and a waterproof case.
No, the AKASO Brave 7 LE isn’t compatible with external microphones.
The AKASO Brave 7 LE has a water resistance rating of IPX7. That means it can go up to one meter in water for 30 minutes.
Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API