AKASO Brave 7 LE: Full Review

The Akaso Brave 7 LE is an affordable 4K action camera aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and casual users looking for a budget-friendly option. As an upgraded version of the popular Akaso Brave 7, the LE model brings impressive specs like 4K/30fps video, 20MP photos, and electronic image stabilization to capture your adventures.

With a compact, waterproof design and intuitive touch screen interface, the Brave 7 LE makes it easy to record video and photos in a wide range of situations. Key features like built-in zoom, slow motion capabilities, and external mic support provide versatility for different shooting scenarios. Dual 1350mAh batteries deliver improved battery life to keep you shooting longer.

Overall, the Brave 7 LE punches above its weight class in terms of features and performance. While image quality may not match more expensive rivals, the Brave 7 LE is a compelling option that balances price and capabilities. For budget-minded adventurers, this lightweight 4K action cam can capture fun times without breaking the bank.

Design and Build Quality

The AKASO Brave 7 LE has a rugged, durable design perfect for action cameras. It has a compact rectangular shape that measures 2.36 x 1.57 x 1.18 inches and weighs only 2.88 ounces. Despite its small size, the Brave 7 LE feels very solid and substantial when holding it.

The outer casing is made of high quality plastic that seems capable of withstanding drops and bumps. There are rubber inserts on the corners and sides to absorb shocks. The camera has an IP68 waterproof rating, meaning it can be submerged up to 131 feet underwater without needing a separate housing.

Overall, the Brave 7 LE is built like a tank. It's compact and lightweight enough to mount anywhere, yet rugged enough to handle hardcore activities like mountain biking, surfing, or snowboarding. The thoughtful design ensures it can capture crisp footage even in the most extreme environments.

The AKASO V50 Elite is another stellar action camera from AKASO. It offers a lightweight, yet durable design similar to the Brave 7 LE but adds more advanced features. The V50 Elite can capture stunning 4K video at 60fps and includes advanced image stabilization technology to ensure smooth footage in any scenario. It also features voice control, making it easy to operate hands-free during intense activities. With its sleek design and robust construction, the V50 Elite is an excellent choice for action enthusiasts looking for top-tier performance in a compact package.

Video and Photo Quality

The Brave 7 LE can shoot video up to 4K at 30 fps, delivering crisp details and smooth motion. With the Ambarella H22SQ73 chipset providing advanced image processing, video footage looks sharp and vibrant. You can also shoot at lower resolutions like 2.7K and 1080p at higher frame rates up to 60fps for slow motion effects.

For photos, the 20MP sensor captures excellent quality still images with vivid colors and plenty of detail. Photos are well-exposed with accurate white balance and have low noise, even in low light conditions. The wide angle lens offers a 170° field of view, letting you fit more of the scene into each shot.

Overall, the video and photo quality is very impressive for an action camera at this price point. The 4K 30fps footage provides a noticeable bump in clarity over 1080p, while the 20MP sensor takes sharp, print-worthy photos. So whether you want to capture fast-moving activities or scenic vistas, the Brave 7 LE delivers excellent image quality.

In addition to the Brave 7 LE, the AKASO Brave 7 is another fantastic option for those seeking high-quality video and photo capabilities. The Brave 7 offers similar 4K video recording and 20MP photo resolution, making it a strong competitor. It includes additional features such as a front-facing screen, making it perfect for vloggers and selfie enthusiasts. Both models are built to withstand the elements, so you can confidently take them on your outdoor adventures.

Features and Specs

The Brave 7 LE comes packed with a great set of features for an action camera in this price range. Some highlights include:

• Touchscreen - The 2-inch touchscreen on the back allows for easy control and playback of videos and photos. It's bright and responsive.

• Electronic Image Stabilization 2.0 - EIS 2.0 provides improved stabilization to reduce shakiness in videos. This results in smoother footage when you're on the move.

• 4x Zoom - You get 4x digital zoom to get closer to the action. The quality stays decent up to 2x zoom but starts to degrade at higher magnifications. Still, it's a nice option to have.

• External Mic Support - The camera has a mic input so you can connect an external microphone for improved audio quality in your videos. This is great for vlogging or interviews.

Some other specs include 4K30 video, 20MP photos, timelapse mode, and built-in WiFi for wireless control via the app. The Brave 7 LE packs great features into a compact body.

Battery Life

The AKASO Brave 7 LE comes with two 1350mAh batteries which provide impressive battery life for an action camera of this size. Each 1350mAh battery provides around 90 minutes of continuous 4K/30fps video recording or around 120 minutes of 1080p recording. This gives you approximately 3 hours of total recording time before needing to swap out the batteries.

The batteries charge via USB-C and take around 2 hours for a full charge. It's helpful that the camera comes with two batteries so you can charge one while using the other. Overall, the battery life is quite good for an action camera at this price point. The ability to swap batteries on the go means you can essentially record indefinitely as long as you have spare charged batteries with you.

Underwater Capabilities

The Brave 7 LE has impressive underwater capabilities thanks to its waterproof rating of 131 feet (40 meters). This allows you to take the action camera well below the surface to capture stunning underwater photos and videos without the need for an additional waterproof case.

Footage and images shot underwater have excellent quality. The camera's advanced image stabilization helps offset wave motion blur, resulting in smooth and steady videos even in choppy conditions. Colors remain vivid and accurate when shooting underwater instead of having a blue-green color cast that often occurs with subpar waterproof cameras.

The 7 LE performs well even in low light underwater environments. It captures crisp, detailed footage without excessive noise or graininess. This makes it a great choice for scuba diving, snorkeling, and other underwater adventures where lighting conditions are not ideal.

Overall, the waterproof rating paired with the camera's ability to shoot high-quality underwater content make the Brave 7 LE a compelling option for aquatic activities and adventures. You can confidently take this action camera into the pool, lake, or ocean without worry.

Connectivity and App

The AKASO Brave 7 LE offers a range of connectivity options to make capturing and sharing your footage seamless. It has built-in WiFi which allows you to connect the camera to your smartphone via the AKASO GO app.

The app gives you full control over the camera's settings and features. You can start and stop recordings, switch between photo and video modes, adjust resolution and frame rates, and more. One of the handiest features is the ability to remotely control the camera from your phone. This lets you easily frame shots and start/stop recordings from a distance.

For reviewing and sharing your content, the app has playback and download capabilities. You can download photos and videos directly to your phone or share them on social media. The app also has basic editing tools to trim clips, apply filters, add music and more before exporting.

Overall, the wireless connectivity and companion app add a lot of value and convenience. You get remote control functionality and can wirelessly manage, edit and share your footage on the go.

Accessories

The AKASO Brave 7 LE comes with a decent selection of included accessories to get you started. In the box, you'll find:

• Protective case
• 2 rechargeable 1350mAh batteries
• Battery charger
• Bicycle stand
• Helmet mounts
• Bandages
• Tethers
• USB cable
• Lens cloth

This covers all the basics like batteries, mounts, and ways to protect the camera when not in use. The included batteries provide up to 180 minutes of recording time.

Some recommended additional accessories to enhance your experience include:

• A high speed memory card - A microSD card rated UHS-3 or V30 will allow you to record video at the highest quality settings without any dropped frames. A 64GB or 128GB size gives you plenty of space.

• External microphone - The camera has a mic input so you can improve audio quality by using an external mic like the Sony ECMCS3 Clip-On Microphone. This captures better stereo sound compared to the internal mics.

• Dive housing case - For recording underwater at depths greater than 131 feet, you'll need a dedicated dive case. The AKASO DV hard housing allows underwater filming down to 196 feet.

• Additional batteries - It's always smart to have spare charged batteries ready to go so you don't miss capturing important moments. Wasabi Power makes affordable high capacity batteries compatible with this camera.

• Selfie stick - Useful for getting a wider view when vlogging or including more of the background in your shots. Look for an extendable pole that has a grip and can be paired with the included bicycle mount.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Shoots video up to 4K30 resolution for crisp, high-quality footage
• Comes with two rechargeable 1350mAh batteries for extended shooting time
• Features electronic image stabilization (EIS) to minimize shaky footage
• Built-in WiFi allows wireless control via the app
• Easy to use touch screen interface
• Waterproof down to 131 feet without a separate case
• Includes useful accessories like external mic support and remote control

Cons

• Still image quality is decent but could be better in low light
• App connectivity can be spotty at times
• Battery life is relatively short when shooting high resolutions or wifi streaming
• Lacks more advanced features like RAW photo capture or LOG video
• No built-in viewfinder, must use smartphone or accessory monitor

Conclusion

The AKASO Brave 7 LE is an excellent budget-friendly action camera that provides impressive video quality and features at a fraction of the cost of high-end models. Its compact and durable design makes it easy to use for a wide range of activities both in and out of the water.

The 4K30FPS video is sharp and stabilized, delivering smooth footage even during fast movements. The 20MP photos are crisp and vivid, capturing great detail. While image quality isn't quite as good as pricier competitors, it's very good for the price.

Key features like the touch screen, electronic image stabilization, zoom capability, and external mic support add a lot of value and versatility. The camera comes with a remote control for convenient hands-free use. Underwater performance is also solid down to 131 feet.

Battery life is a bit limited at around 70 minutes per charge. But the inclusion of two removable 1350mAh batteries helps maximize shooting time. The WiFi connectivity and companion app work well for remote control and sharing.

Overall, the Brave 7 LE punches above its weight class and outperforms other action cameras in its price range. For budget-conscious buyers or those new to action cameras, it's easy to recommend as a great entry-level model with impressive capabilities and performance.