HomeMacityDrones and UAVsEven if these days the prospects for a summer of exploration around Europe are at least on stand-by, we didn't miss the opportunity to try this AKASO Brave 8, a sportcam with avant-garde features.
A few shots and discussions with friends and colleagues gave us a sufficient picture to give you our opinion, and we can anticipate that it is an excellent product while not lacking room for improvement.
Full optional
The AKASO Brave 8 box immediately shows what is the main piece, the sportcam, in the transparent part, so that it can be seen well even in the shop. In the lower part of the box there are all the (innumerable) accessories, starting from the hooks to the straps, the two batteries, the battery charger (USB-C) up to the portable remote control, while the protective plastic case is already mounted on the sportcam and ready to go. 'use.
What you notice when opening the box is the lack of a case, or a handbag, that can collect the objects when not in use, since there are so many and then the design: the lines are soft, there are no smudges in the construction. and the design is classic but at the same time marked by denouncing the sportiness of the product.
The packaging, which lets the camera shine through in plain sight, while covering the plethora of accessoriesThe AKASO Brave 8 is also watched by those who are not in the trade but at the same time is considering the intrinsic limits of their smartphone, especially in situations that, overcoming those of everyday life, are thinking of an action camera
The robustness was personally ascertained. The small size and somewhat clumsy hands led the camera to hit the floor without cover, but the structure was not affected at all. The certification that devices like this are designed to survive even without coverage in ill-treatment and precarious situations.
An independent sportcam
The first step is to follow the on-screen instructions for essential commands. 5 minutes are enough to learn them all and understand that the camera works completely independently from the smartphone, with touch controls on the display and quick adjustments designed to be used in busy situations.
Once you have inserted the battery (in the package there are two), the MicroSD and turned on the cam, you select the type of media (the camera allows movies, photos and slow motion even with delay) and activate the recording with the appropriate button .
Through touch controls you can adjust the most important parameters such as resolution, color, brightness, frame rate and exposure.
Thanks to the included accessories, the AKASO Brave 8 can be connected to just about anythingIn the main display it is also possible to preview the guides for the rule of thirds, you can scroll through the media recorded in the SD (which in any case is better to format the first time) and there is a block to avoid inadvertent commands.
There is also a mode for voice commands: we tried it and in fact it can be useful but we put this function as a secondary one, because it is not 100% reliable (even for external reasons, it is often used in environments where the noise it is elevated; think of those who parachute, those who dive among the waterfalls, the wind on high ground) where instead of a command there must be certainty that it is carried out.
The AKASO Brave 8 is equipped with two displays, one large rear and one small front, convenient for those who take selfies, and you can use both in all ways by clicking on the side button for the switch.
Also from iPhone
Once the proprietary wi-fi network has been activated from the AKASO Brave 8, the iPhone can connect and through the appropriate App perform a series of operations, in some fundamental cases.
The connection allows you to define the shooting mode, manage the archive in the MicroSD card, modify some parameters, view the real-time preview of the camera, start and stop shooting but above all download the videos directly into the smartphone memory.
This operation also allows you to apply a software stabilization: a function that AKASO calls SuperSmooth and which in practice processes a post-production of the files, in the export phase to the smartphone, presenting stabilized videos even if cut by about 5% at the outer edges ( as we see in the example we created for us, thanks to two trusted collaborators).
Although obviously it is possible to change the MicroSD card on the fly, and often it is perhaps the simplest solution, the use of the App seems fundamental to us to analyze the result live, optimize the space and also of course use the SuperSmooth function where needed.
The App itself looks pretty good but with an interface that is often too basic and with some text strings not translated into Italian; we hope in time to see significant improvements.
The App, here on the iPhone, is convenient, but some mechanism should be revised
Accessories
When it comes to accessories, the AKASO Brave 8 is not stingy: there are straps and hooks to attach it to practically everything, from the helmet to the bicycle, and it is a virtue that everything is within reach inside the box, even if as we have seen you immediately feel the lack of a “container”.
All hooks attach to the transparent plastic case (included) which is just a screw for attachment.
How does it work
With a maximum resolution of 4K at 60 fps it proves to have one of the best sensors on the market, differences that for many are nuances (because they stop at still high values) but which for some could make a difference.
In the photos a resolution of 48MP is the best there is on the market today for this kind of devices: above all, although there are smartphones with similar capabilities, they are obviously not manageable like this sportcam.
Other important features are the ability to do Time Lapse up to 8K, the dual display for selfies and the SuperSmooth function, which even if it takes time is still an important function.
The camera is also water resistant to 10 meters (33 feet), but this is a basic feature for an action camera.
We like the quality of the footage, with some posterization only in the highlights, but the detail is good and the Supersmooth function becomes indispensable after a while.
Some functions such as voice control are accessories that we would define as “nice” but not fundamental, but it is true that once assimilated here and there they can become comfortable.
Considerations
The name AKASO in Italy is young, in a market that is certainly a niche but which has been expanding significantly in recent years, where it is clear that it offers itself as an alternative where smartphones cannot reach due to construction characteristics.
The AKASO Brave 8 model offers a very interesting concentrate of technology, with an excellent sensor and excellent features, in a product that needs to improve, but not much, only from the software point of view.
The price / performance ratio is very good, especially if we consider the competition. The technical specifications guarantee excellent longevity in particular because we will not see better sensors so soon.
Pro:
• Excellent sensor • Dual display • Automatic post correction • Excellent design
Cons:
• On the software side, more attention is needed • The bag for accessories is missing
Price:
• 279.99 $
AKASO Brave 8 is available from the parent company's website. For the moment, the AKASO Brave 7 model is available at an affordable price.
