AKASO V50 Elite: Full Review

AKASO is a consumer electronics brand that specializes in action cameras and dash cams. Founded in 2014, AKASO is a relative newcomer to the action camera market but has quickly gained popularity for offering feature-packed cameras at affordable prices.

The V50X is one of AKASO's higher-end action cameras, designed to compete with pricier models from GoPro and other leading brands. It boasts impressive specs like 4K video recording, electronic image stabilization (EIS), and 131 feet of waterproofing without a separate housing required.

This review will take a comprehensive look at the AKASO V50X's design, image quality, video features, battery life, accessories, and more. We'll highlight the pros and cons of this action cam to help you determine if it's the right choice for your needs and budget.

Design

The AKASO V50X has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to take with you anywhere. It measures 2.36 x 1.57 x 1.18 inches and weighs only 2.65 ounces without the battery inserted. The body is made of durable plastic that can withstand bumps and drops.

Despite its small size, the camera still has a 2" touch screen on the back for controlling settings and previewing footage. The buttons are also conveniently located on the top and sides for quick access. There is a sliding cover that protects the ports like the micro HDMI, micro USB, and microSD card slot.

The V50X comes with a waterproof housing that allows you to submerge down to 131 feet underwater. It has a flat lens for reduced distortion. Overall, the design is well-suited for action cameras that need to be compact, lightweight and rugged.

Another impressive option from the same manufacturer is the AKASO EK7000. This model offers 4K video recording at 25fps and 12MP photos, ensuring high-quality imagery. It is also equipped with a durable waterproof case allowing you to dive up to 98 feet. The EK7000 has built-in Wi-Fi and HDMI, making it easy to edit and share your adventures on the go.

Image Quality

The Akaso V50X features a 20MP CMOS sensor capable of capturing photos up to 4608 x 3456 pixels. This allows you to take high resolution photos with plenty of detail for printing or sharing online.

The camera incorporates electronic image stabilization (EIS) technology to help reduce blur caused by camera shake when shooting handheld. EIS works by using algorithms to analyze the video footage and adjust for shake and vibration. This results in smoother, steadier videos and photos, especially in motion. The EIS on the V50X performs well and noticeably reduces jitter and wobble during action shots.

Still photos can look sharp with good color accuracy when lighting conditions are optimal. The camera excels at outdoor daytime photography. However, low light performance is just average. Photos get progressively noisier and lose detail as ISO levels rise. The lack of RAW shooting also limits the ability to recover shadows and highlights in high contrast scenes. Overall the image quality is very good for an action camera in this price range.

Another product worth considering is the AKASO Brave 4 Pro. This action camera offers a variety of features that appeal to both casual and professional users. The Brave 4 Pro boasts a 4K recording capability at 30fps and supports an adjustable viewing angle. It also includes built-in EIS technology, improving stability in videos and reducing image shake. The camera is equipped with a 20MP sensor for sharp still images and supports underwater photography with its durable waterproof casing, making it an excellent choice for capturing adventures.

Video Quality

The AKASO V50X can shoot video up to 4K at 30 fps, delivering ultra high definition footage. It also offers lower resolutions like 2.7K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps for capturing fast action scenes smoothly.

One of the most useful video features is the built-in Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). This uses digital processing to reduce camera shake and stabilize your videos, even when handheld or during motion. The EIS works very well to smooth out bumps and vibration for cleaner, steadier videos.

Slow motion capabilities are also available, letting you shoot 1080p video at 120fps or 720p at 240fps. When played back, this slows down fast motion by 4-8x to emphasize dramatic moments. Overall the video quality is sharp and vivid, with accurate colors and good dynamic range. The options for high resolution and stabilization make the V50X great for shooting cinematic travel videos, action sports, or any fast moving subject.

Features

The AKASO V50X action camera comes packed with useful features for capturing adventures.

• Waterproofing - The camera has an impressive 131 feet of waterproofing without any additional housing required. This makes it great for water sports like swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. You don't have to worry about getting the camera wet up to 131 feet.

• External Microphone - It has a port for an external microphone, allowing you to capture high quality audio in windy environments or when you need crisp, clear sound. The external mic gives you more flexibility when recording videos.

• 4X Zoom - There is a 4x digital zoom to get closer to the action without losing video quality. The zoom lets you hone in on details during filming.

• Remote Control - A remote control is included that allows you to control the camera from a short distance away. This is useful for selfies, group shots, and capturing unique perspectives. You don't have to run back and forth to start and stop recording.

Connectivity

The AKASO V50X offers robust connectivity options to make it easy to control the camera and view or share content. It has built-in WiFi that allows you to connect the camera to the AKASO GO app on your smartphone or tablet. The app provides full remote control over the camera, letting you view a live feed, start and stop recording, adjust settings, and more. This wireless control makes it very convenient to frame shots and monitor recording when the camera is mounted in hard-to-reach spots.

The AKASO V50X also supports live streaming, allowing you to broadcast video in real time to social media platforms when connected to WiFi. This lets your followers view your adventures as they happen through the AKASO GO app. The live streaming has pretty low latency, so viewers see the footage with minimal delay.

Overall, the wireless connectivity provides a lot of flexibility in how you can use the AKASO V50X. Whether controlling the camera remotely or sharing an immersive first-person view, the WiFi integration and app elevate the capabilities of this action camera.

Battery Life

The AKASO V50X comes with a rechargeable 1350mAh lithium-ion battery. The battery capacity is decent for an action camera of this size.

You can expect to get around 60-90 minutes of usage when recording 4K video at 30fps. Dropping the resolution down to 1080p will extend the usage time closer to 2 hours. Using the camera just for photos, you may get 2.5-3 hours before needing to recharge.

The battery life is similar to other action cameras in this price range. It's not outstanding but enough for casual users. Heavy users may want to invest in spare batteries.

The camera charges via USB-C which is convenient. A full charge takes 2-3 hours. The battery is removable so you can charge spares using an external charger.

Overall the AKASO V50X battery life is average but workable for most action camera uses. Just be prepared to recharge frequently when recording high resolutions or using processor-intensive features.

Accessories

The AKASO V50X comes with a wide range of useful accessories and attachments to enhance your filming experience.

Included Accessories

• Waterproof case - The included waterproof case allows you to take the V50X up to 131 feet underwater to capture amazing underwater footage. The case is made of durable, high-quality materials.

• Bicycle stand - The V50X comes with a bicycle stand that allows you to securely mount the camera onto bike handlebars to capture exciting point-of-view footage while cycling. The quick release buckle makes it easy to attach and detach.

• Helmet accessories - To capture first-person perspective videos, the V50X includes a helmet front and side mount. You can easily attach the camera to your helmet for hands-free filming during activities like biking, skiing, skating etc.

• Adhesive mounts - The kit includes flat and curved adhesive mounts that stick securely to flat and curved surfaces like helmets, cars, surfboards etc. The quick release base allows you to detach the camera when needed.

• Mounting accessories - Additional mounting accessories like the bandage and tethers help you securely attach the V50X to yourself, your gear, or equipment for stable video capture during motion and activity.

The wide range of mounting options and accessories included with the V50X make it highly versatile for shooting video during different sports and activities. You can capture immersive first-person perspectives hands-free.

Pros and Cons

The AKASO V50X action camera has several pros that make it a great choice:

• Excellent 4K video quality - Records sharp, detailed 4K/30fps video with Electronic Image Stabilization.

• Waterproof to 131 feet - The included waterproof case allows you to take it swimming, snorkeling, surfing.

• Touch screen interface - The 2” responsive touch screen makes changing settings and previewing shots easy.

• External mic support - You can plug in an external mic for improved audio quality.

• Included accessories - Comes with a remote control, various mounts, helmet accessories, and more.

• Good battery life - The 1350mAh battery provides up to 90 minutes of 4K recording.

Some downsides to consider:

• No zoom when shooting video - The 4X digital zoom only works for photos.

• WiFi range could be better - The WiFi range is limited to around 30 feet or less.

• No built-in image stabilization - It relies on electronic image stabilization which can cause some warping.

• App connectivity can be spotty - The connection with the app isn't always reliable.

Overall, the AKASO V50X provides great value for the price. The video and image quality punch above its weight class, and it includes useful accessories. Just be aware of the limitations with zoom, WiFi, and stabilization.

Conclusion

After reviewing the AKASO V50X action camera, I would recommend this camera for anyone looking for a budget-friendly 4K action cam.

The V50X punches above its weight class, offering impressive specs like 4K/30fps video, electronic image stabilization, and 131ft of waterproofing without a case. Image and video quality are quite good for the price point. The touch screen interface is intuitive and makes changing settings a breeze.

For under $150, you get a surprising amount of functionality from the V50X. It can meet the needs of most casual users and even some professionals on a budget. The accessories included in the box like the remote control and mounting kit add even more value.

There are some drawbacks like lackluster low light performance and battery life. But overall, the V50X delivers outstanding bang for your buck. If you want crisp 4K footage and don't want to spend GoPro money, the AKASO V50X is easy to recommend.