You’ll probably use an action cam on the move, so image stabilization is an important feature to look for. This should smooth out camera shake (from hands or handlebars) for more watchable footage. The quality of image stabilization can vary significantly, so it’s worth thinking about how smooth your video needs to be (or whether you can live with a few wobbles). A higher resolution sensor can help: digital image stabilization will often crop the frame to eliminate movement. Footage cropped from 4K will look better than video that’s been reduced down from 1080p. The Akaso has a claimed maximum field of view of 170°, which sounds good but in practice it’s tighter than the GoPro’s. In fact, I’m not sure how it’s measured, but the 170° field of view is slightly tighter than the GoPro’s 133.6° 16:9 wide setting, let alone its ‘Super View’ setting.

AKASO Brave 8 4K60fps 48MP SuperSmooth Action Camera | 8K

You need perfect stabilization: Electronic stabilization is OK, but you'll get better performance by spending more. Record Video – NTSC: 4K30 4:3, 4K60 16:9, 2.7K90 4:3, 2.7K120 16:9, 1440P180, 1080P200 – PAL: 4K25 4:3, 4K50 16:9, 2.7K75 4:3, 2.7K100 16:9, 1440P150, 1080P200 The battery and micro-SD / USB-C port covers latch down in a similar style to GoPros, but I have found them increasingly hard to open with use, which appears to be down to surface corrosion. As a rider, what matters to me is that it can survive the rain, and in my testing – with it exposed on the front of the bike – it showed no immediate signs of water ingress, but the removable lens cover only seems to be sealed on the inside, leaving the possibility of water creeping past the outside. I’m not sure if this is where it got through, but the camera started glitching, then shut down completely before I found water in the battery case the day after I had it on the front of the bike and had also left it for 30 minutes in the sink under 10cm of water. To be honest, these days pretty much every action camera on the market offers a battery lifespan that caters for most uses. However, the battery on the Akaso Brave 8 is a bit on the average side.

We are planning to use ours film DJ sets and crowd reaction next month in Goa at the legendary and still awesome trace parties. Vloggers also love the Akaso 8 as it allows them to talk clearly whilst strolling around.

The best action camera for 2023: top cameras for adventures

My GoPro Hero 7 is far from perfect, the battery sometimes being completely dead just a day after charging it (it seems to not properly shut down sometimes), and the odd glitch here and there. Close inspection of the footage can sometimes show over-processing in the camera, but there’s a reason that professionals use these; even the BBC World Service videographers use them as second cameras at times. The level of control and the general reliability and sturdiness help justify the higher price. You do get what you pay for. It can easily be fitted using the in box accessories and attached to bicycle handle bars before you go for a ride or wedged not your helmet before you go our skateboarding.You need a big screen: The 1.3-inch display on the One R 1-inch edition is too small and square for easy composition. Controlling the camera via the app is pretty straightforward, and as it gives a live view of the camera, it makes framing shots relatively easy. To connect to your phone you have to create an account, but once done it takes you through steps and it’s easy to use. The app community has a credits system that makes it look a bit like BangGood, but overall it works and isn’t too laggy. If you are after a high spec, versatile, low profile camera for multiple uses then boom!!! The Akaso Brave 8 offers a very high (almost pro) level of video imaging. Akaso has launched the latest version of its action camera range, the Akaso Brave 8. It is being marketed as a cheaper alternative to the Go Pro 10 and, in this review, we are going to look at the pro and cons of the camera and whether it really is a suitable alternative to more premium brands or whether you are better off saving for a little bit longer to get the market leading product. Akaso Brave 8 Specifications On paper, at least, the Akaso Brave 8 looks as though it would compare relatively well with a more premium action camera such as the GoPro Hero 10, but in reality, it comes second in almost every department.

AKASO Brave 8 4K60FPS Action Camera, 48MP Photo Touch Screen AKASO Brave 8 4K60FPS Action Camera, 48MP Photo Touch Screen

The Insta360 One R changed the way I shoot action on a motorcycle, but it’s expensive and the lenses are vulnerable. If you’re serious about getting great angles with the minimum of fuss, and you can afford it, this – or the Insta360 One X2 – is my recommendation. For the price (there’s that phrase again), the video quality from the Akaso Brave 7 is pretty good. You don’t get the same level of control as you do from a GoPro, but few riders want to faff about with ProTune, LUTs and time-consuming post-processing. Slap the Akaso on your bike then hit record and unless you’re used to high-end kit, you’ll not be disappointed. If you are skint, then don’t buy this camera. Whilst it’s cheaper than a GoPro and is fairly priced for its spec, it is just not a bargain-budget option. The Akaso Brave 7 LE offers an incredible range of features for its price. If a front-facing screen and weather-sealing are more important to you than outright video quality, then it should certainly be high on your shortlist. In our tests, this model's audio quality was better than any other non-GoPro we've reviewed (in quieter environments, anyway) and it has a fantastically intuitive touchscreen interface.

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Well, the Brave 8 can capture high quality video as well as very good photos. In most lights, the videos would pass for a professional standard (professional does not necessarily mean Hollywood) and the stills are at least on a par with my iPhone 8 camera. Clips are smooth, they are clear and the colours look authentic; you may have noticed that the pixel tech used to reproduce colours in some cameras can make certain ones look a bit synthetic – no sign of that here with the Akaso Brave 8 though. The remote (annoyingly) takes an older microUSB cable, while the camera and battery charger take the current USB-C, a hint that the remote is something of a hangover from an older model. The mounts are very similar to GoPro items, although the system isn’t quite as robust, allowing the camera to be twisted out with relatively little force, and a good fit needs two small sets of lugs to engage – something that could be easily overlooked in more extreme use.