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AKASO Brave 7 LE Camera Review

Tested using Methodology v0.12.1
Reviewed Jul 21, 2021 at 09:30 am
Latest change: Writing modified Jan 29, 2024 at 09:10 am
AKASO Brave 7 LE Picture
5.2
Travel Photography
4.5
Landscape Photography
4.0
Sport & Wildlife Photography
0
Raw Photo Performance
6.4
Vlogging
5.0
Studio Video
6.9
Action Video

The AKASO Brave 7 LE is a compact action camera that represents an alternative to models in the GoPro lineup. Like most action cams, its compact body is incredibly portable, and you can mount it on many action camera mounts, rigs, or helmets. It has dual screens, so you can monitor yourself on the front-facing screen when self-recording. It can shoot at up to 120 fps in FHD to capture fast action or generate slow-motion footage, although it can't record at 24 fps for those who prefer to shoot more cinematic-looking video. Unfortunately, it can also only shoot at 30 fps in 4k. It has decent image stabilization, but it's not available when shooting at 120 fps. Finally, its overall video quality is poor, with video that looks noisy and lacks sharpness.

Our Verdict

5.2 Travel Photography

The AKASO Brave 7 LE is a poor choice for travel photography if image quality is a priority. While it's very portable to take with you wherever you travel, it's not intended for handheld use. It can take photos, but the perceived image quality may appear inferior compared to a dedicated stills camera, and the wide-angle lens creates a fisheye effect that can be distracting. It lacks an autofocus feature, but the fixed aperture lens has a really deep depth of field, so everything stays in focus. However, it gives you less flexibility to compose different shots. On the upside, it has great battery life and feels well-built, with a protective case that gives it added ruggedness and even greater waterproofing. That said, we don't currently test ruggedness or waterproofing.

Pros
  • Incredibly portable.
  • Feels well-built.
  • Good battery life.
Cons
  • No autofocus.
  • Fisheye effect.
  • Perceived image quality is lacking.
  • Can't control shutter speed or aperture.
4.5 Landscape Photography

The AKASO Brave 7 LE isn't really intended for photography, though it can capture landscape images in a pinch while you're adventuring, like on a hike or rock climb. That said, images won't have the dynamic range or general image quality of a dedicated still camera.

4.0 Sport & Wildlife Photography

The AKASO Brave 7 LE isn't intended for photography, though it can be convenient if you want to capture quick snapshots from within the action. Still, its image quality is significantly lacking, especially compared to dedicated stills cameras.

0 Raw Photo Performance

The AKASO Brave 7 LE doesn't shoot in RAW format.

6.4 Vlogging

The AKASO Brave 7 LE is okay for vlogging. It has a front-facing screen that lets you monitor the image as you record when shooting in a selfie position. It also has decent overall video stabilization, especially when shooting in 4k and moving at a moderate pace. That said, it's limited to 30 fps when shooting in 4k. Video quality overall is poor, resulting in grainy video. However, it's incredibly portable, and you can mount it on a helmet or other rig for easy recording on the go.

Pros
  • Front-facing screen helps you monitor yourself.
  • Incredibly portable.
Cons
  • Poor video quality.
  • No autofocus.
5.0 Studio Video

The AKASO Brave 7 LE isn't good for studio video. It has poor video quality overall, and it's especially bad in more well-lit environments. The fixed narrow aperture lens ensures everything stays in focus, but there's no autofocus tracking, and it limits what kind of video you can produce. The wide-angle field of view also creates a fisheye effect that distorts the image. Finally, it lacks a microphone and headphone jack.

Pros
  • Menu is easy to navigate with touchscreen or app.
Cons
  • Poor video quality.
  • No autofocus.
  • Fisheye effect.
  • No headphone or mic jacks.
6.9 Action Video

The AKASO Brave 7 LE is adequate for action video. It's incredibly portable and comes with many mounting accessories in the box. It also comes with a built-in tripod mount. It's rated to be waterproof up to 1 m without its protective case and up to 131 ft with the case equipped, although we don't currently test this. Its frame rates are a bit limited, as it can't shoot at 24 fps or 240 fps in FHD, and it can only shoot at 30 fps in 4k. Video quality overall is poor, especially in more well-lit conditions. That said, it has a decent image stabilization feature that does a good job of reducing camera shake, but it, unfortunately, incurs a severe 1.6x crop.

Pros
  • Waterproof.
  • Comes with rugged protective case and other accessories.
  • Front-facing screen helps you monitor yourself.
  • Decent image stabilization.
Cons
  • Frame rates are limited.
  • Poor video quality.
  • Image stabilization feature incurs a severe crop.
  • 5.2 Travel Photography
  • 4.5 Landscape Photography
  • 4.0 Sport & Wildlife Photography
  • 0 Raw Photo Performance
  • 6.4 Vlogging
  • 5.0 Studio Video
  • 6.9 Action Video
  1. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Added text to the 'Raw Photo Performance' verdict box and updated the 'Landscape Photography' and 'Sport & Wildlife Photography' boxes to more accurately reflect the camera's inadequacy for these uses.
  2. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.1.
  3. Updated Dec 21, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.
  4. Updated Dec 20, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.11.
  5. Updated Oct 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.10.
  6. Updated Sep 02, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.9.
  7. Updated May 16, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
  8. Updated Nov 19, 2021: Retested camera's audio with protective case.
  9. Updated Oct 14, 2021: Added additional information to 'Screen' section about the second front-facing screen.
  10. Updated Oct 06, 2021: Corrected input error in 'Manual Focus Assistance' field.
  11. Updated Jul 30, 2021: Added 'Image Quality' data and updated score.
  12. Updated Jul 21, 2021: Review published.
  13. Updated Jul 15, 2021: Early access published.
  14. Updated Jun 21, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  15. Updated Jun 14, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  16. Updated Jun 02, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The AKASO Brave 7 LE only comes in one color variant: 'Black'. You can see our unit's label here

If you come across another variant or your AKASO Brave 7 LE doesn't correspond to our review, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update the review.

Compared To Other Cameras

DJI Osmo Action

The DJI Osmo Action is better overall than the AKASO Brave 7 LE, though both are highly portable and feature front-facing screens that are helpful for vlogging. Still, the DJI feels better built and offers more frame rate options, including 4k up to 60 fps and 1080p up to 240 fps, compared to 4k / 30 fps and 1080p up to 120 fps on the AKASO. The DJI also has a better stabilization feature and delivers better overall video quality.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
9.7
Design
Portability
Height
1.7" (4.4 cm)
Width
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Depth
1.3" (3.2 cm)
Volume
5.7 in³ (92.9 cm³)
Weight
0.29 lbs (0.13 kg)

Note: With the protective case equipped, the camera is slightly less portable, measuring:

  • Height: (7.7 cm)
  • Width: (8.3 cm)
  • Depth: (4.1 cm)
  • Volume: (261 cm3)
  • Weight: (0.19 kg)
  • Weight With Lens: (0.19 kg)

8.0
Design
Build Quality

  • Materials feel robust, with a rubber finish around the sides for grip
  • Inputs and outputs are covered by sturdy hinged doors, although some of them can be hard to open
  • Buttons feel stiff
  • Tripod mount is built-in, so you don't need an extra accessory
  • Plastic cover on lens feels somewhat flimsy and may scratch easily

Design
Body
Body Type
Action Cam
Water Resistance
Waterproof
Mirrorless
Yes
Rugged
Yes, with included case
Hot Shoe
No
Customizable Button
No
Command Dial
0
Tripod Mount
Yes
Lens Mount
No Lens Mount
Built-In Flash
No
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/7,845 s

Note: The camera itself is advertised to have an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it's waterproof up to 1m for 30 minutes. AKASO also advertises it to be waterproof up to 131 feet with the protective case on. That said, we don't currently test this.

Design
In The Box

  • AKASO Brave 7 LE action camera
  • Protective case
  • 2x PG 1350 battery
  • Battery charger
  • Micro USB cable
  • Remote control
  • 2x Velcro strap
  • 2x strap
  • 2x helmet mount
  • 6x mount
  • 4x zip tie
  • 1x tether
  • 2x sticker for helmet mounts
  • Bicycle stand
  • Lens cloth
  • Quick Start guide

6.0
Design
Ergonomics & Comfort
Hand Grip: Small Hand
No Hand Grip
Hand Grip: Medium Hand
No Hand Grip
Hand Grip: Large Hand
No Hand Grip
Hand Grip: Extra-Large Hand
No Hand Grip

  • It's intended to be mounted and used as an action camera, but it can also be used handheld to take photos/videos if desired
  • Menu is easy to navigate and settings can be changed using either the touchscreen or companion app
  • ISO can be adjusted but the aperture is fixed and shutter speed adjusts automatically
  • Shutter can also be activated using the included remote control
  • Buttons are hard to press
  • Output and battery door are hard to open

Design
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
No Viewfinder
Advertised Coverage
N/A
Advertised Resolution
N/A
Advertised Magnification
N/A
5.9
Design
Screen
Screen Articulation Type
Dual Screen
Screen Max Brightness
424 cd/m²
Advertised Resolution
N/A
Size
2.0" (5.0 cm)
Touchscreen
Yes

Update 10/14/2021: Added additional information about the camera's second front-facing screen.

This camera has an additional screen on the front that can be used for Live View while recording and also displays information like shooting mode and remaining battery life.

8.5
Design
Menu System
Guide Mode
No
App Name
AKASO GO

  • Menu is simple and easy to navigate using the touchscreen or companion app
  • Can swipe up on the screen while shooting to access shortcut menu
  • Holding down shutter button allows you to change the drive mode
  • Menu can be a bit sluggish
  • No guide mode to provide additional information about settings

7.0
Design
Built-In Lens
Maximum Aperture
N/A
Max Aperture (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Minimum Focal Length
N/A
Maximum Focal Length
N/A
Max Focal Length (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Optical Image Stabilization
No
Luminance
83.8%
Light Falloff
51.9%
Design
Sensor
Sensor Type
Unspecified
Advertised Effective Pixels
20 MP
Sensor Size
Unspecified
Processor
Unspecified
Extended ISO Minimum
N/A
Native ISO Minimum (Base ISO)
100
Native ISO Maximum
3,200
Tested Firmware
1.0
8.4
Design
Battery
Battery Type
PG 1350
USB Charging
Yes
Power Delivery While Recording
Yes
Advertised Battery Life In Photo
N/A
Tested Battery Life In Video
105 min

Note: When recording for long periods, the camera records video files in sequential clips of 35 minutes each.

Photo General
3.3
Photo General
Photo Shooting Speed
Low Speed Continuous
1 fps
High Speed Continuous
1 fps
Silent Shooting Continuous
1 fps
Raw Buffer Size
N/A
JPEG Buffer Size
30 Photos
Buffer Empty Time
1 s

Note: This camera only has a single burst mode that can be set to take bursts of 3, 7, 15, or 30 images, but it consistently shoots at a speed of 1 fps.

not tested
Photo General
Photo AF-C Tracking
Autofocus Tracking Shots N/A
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
N/A
Usable Focus Hit Rate
N/A
not tested
Photo General
Photo AF-C Center Point
Autofocus Center Point Shots N/A
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
N/A
Usable Focus Hit Rate
N/A
not tested
Photo General
Photo Image Stabilization
Minimum Shutter Speed Achieved
N/A
In-Body Image Stabilization
No
Photo Image Quality
not tested
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Dynamic Range
Dynamic Range At Base ISO
N/A
Dynamic Range At 1/500s Exposure Time
N/A
Dynamic Range At 1/2000s Exposure Time
N/A
Dynamic Range At 1/4000s Exposure Time
N/A
not tested
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Sharpness
Vertical Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
N/A
Horizontal Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
N/A
0
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Noise
SNR 18% At 1/8 Exposure Time (125 ms)
N/A
SNR 18% At 1/30 Exposure Time (33 ms)
N/A
SNR 18% At 1/125 Exposure Time (8 ms)
N/A
SNR 18% At 1/500 Exposure Time (2 ms)
N/A

Note: This camera doesn't shoot in RAW format.

Pictures Sample Gallery
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Skate Park Picture
JPEG Skate Park Picture Download
RAW Skate Park Picture N/A
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Polish Church Picture
JPEG Polish Church Picture Download
RAW Polish Church Picture N/A
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Studio Picture
JPEG Studio Picture Download
RAW Studio Picture N/A
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Stairway Picture
JPEG Stairway Picture Download
RAW Stairway Picture N/A
Video General
Video General
Video Features
Full HD Video
Yes
4k Video
Yes
6k Video
No
Clean HDMI Output
Yes
Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI
Not Advertised
Advertised Max Bit Depth Over HDMI
N/A
Log Picture Profile
No
Recording Light
No
Video General
Audio
Audio Test Sample
Audio Recording
Stereo
Microphone Level Display
No

Note: According to AKASO, the camera doesn't record sound when in its protective case. However, we tested the audio with the protective case on, and it can still record sound, though the audio is significantly muffled. You can hear the sample here.

Video General
Video File Format And Compression
MP4 H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
MP4 H.265 / HEVC
No
MOV H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
Yes
MOV H.265 / HEVC
No
AVCHD H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
All-I Compression
No
4k Video
4.5
4k Video
4k Video Frame Rate
240 fps In 4k
No
120 fps In 4k
No
60 fps In 4k
No
30 fps In 4k
Yes
24 fps In 4k
No
4k Crop At Max Available fps
1 x
7.7
4k Video
4k Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In 4k
44 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In 4k
44 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In 4k
4:2:0
Bit Depth In 4k
8 Bit
Record Time Limit In 4k
N/A
Overheat Recording Interruptions in 4k
0
0
4k Video
4k Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In 4k
N/A
Face Tracking In 4k
N/A
Face Detection In 4k
No
Eye Detection In 4k
No
4.0
4k Video
4k Video Quality
Low Light Capability In 4k
4.0
Test Scene Extract In 4k
4.0
7.5
4k Video
4k Video Rolling Shutter Effect
4k Rolling Shutter
3.0°
Full HD Video
6.5
Full HD Video
FHD Video Frame Rate
240 fps In FHD
No
120 fps In FHD
Yes
60 fps In FHD
Yes
30 fps In FHD
Yes
24 fps In FHD
No
FHD Crop At Max Available fps
1 x
8.1
Full HD Video
FHD Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In FHD
40 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In FHD
13 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In FHD
4:2:0
Bit Depth In FHD
8 Bit
Record Time Limit in FHD
N/A

Note: This camera doesn't have adjustable bit rate settings.

0
Full HD Video
FHD Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In FHD
N/A
Face Tracking In FHD
N/A
Face Detection In FHD
No
Eye Detection In FHD
No
4.0
Full HD Video
FHD Video Quality
Low Light Capability In FHD
4.0
Test Scene Extract In FHD
4.0
7.5
Full HD Video
FHD Video Rolling Shutter Effect
FHD Rolling Shutter
3.0°
Storage And Connectivity
Storage And Connectivity
Storage
Card 1 Slot
microSD Card UHS-I
Card 2 Slot
No 2nd Card Slot
4.8
Storage And Connectivity
Inputs / Outputs
USB
Micro USB
HDMI
Micro (Type D)
Headphones
No
Microphone
No Microphone input
Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
No