Action cameras let you capture life‘s most exciting moments – whether shredding trails on your mountain bike or ocean kayaking through crashing surf. But when it comes to choosing the right action cam brand for your adventures, two giants stand out from the pack: Akaso and GoPro.
In this comprehensive head-to-head guide, we‘ll compare Akaso and GoPro across the specs and features that matter most:
- Image quality
- Video stabilization
- Durability
- Ease of use
Plus we‘ll examine the key strengths and weaknesses that set them apart as we crown an overall winner. Time to get hands-on!
A Quick History of Akaso
Founded in 2010 in Shenzhen China, Akaso is the scrappy underdog trying to compete with GoPro‘s action camera dominance. But what Akaso lacks in brand recognition, it makes up for in affordability and surprisingly advanced tech packed into its outdoor equipment.
Let‘s look at Akaso‘s three current camera lines:
| Camera Line | Description |
|---|---|
| EK7000 Series | Akaso‘s affordable entry-level action cams like the EK7000 Pro. Shoots decent 4K30 video for under $100. |
| V50 Series | Step-up models like the V50 Pro SE aimed more at vloggers with 5GHz WiFi and touch screens. |
| Brave Series | Flagship cameras designed for hardcore adventurers. Packed with features and shoots crisp 6K video. |
Akaso also sells loads of mounts, selfie sticks, gimbals and other supporting gear to kit out your action shoots.
But it turns out rugged cameras are just one small slice of Akaso‘s business…
They also manufacturer a wide range of outdoor apparel and equipment aimed at climbers, hikers, campers and other thrill-seekers under their Akaso Outdoors brand. Think heated jackets, trekking poles, tents and more. Talk about vertical integration!
Now let‘s see how Akaso‘s hacked-together empire stacks up against the veritable grandfather of action cameras…
The Rise and Rise of GoPro
GoPro‘s origin story starts back in 2002 when surfer dude CEO Nick Woodman couldn‘t find a suitable camera to capture his glorious shredding sessions.
So he did what any determined wave warrior would do – he made his own!
Nick built the first GoPro prototype from a Kodak disposable film camera strapped into a wrist mount. And when his surf buddies saw the amazing action shots and videos Nick captured, they wanted their own!
Sensing major consumer demand for a rugged, portable camera geared for extreme sports, Nick founded GoPro later that year in San Mateo, California.
Fast-forward to today, and GoPro utterly dominates the entire action camera industry with an estimated 38% global market share in 2020. And they show no signs of slowing down…
GoPro‘s flagship Hero camera series has reached the Hero11 Black – shooting buttery-smooth 5.3K video with second-to-none HyperSmooth image stabilization. It‘s the gold standard all other action cams try to match.
But enough backstory – let‘s compare some key camera specs, shall we?
Akaso vs GoPro: Key Specs Breakdown
I‘ve compiled this handy spec comparison table after poring through the fineprint of Akaso and GoPro‘s product lines:
| Spec Comparison | Akaso Brave 8 | GoPro Hero11 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $279.99 | $499.99 |
| Video Resolution | 4K60 | 5.3K60 |
| Photo Resolution | 48MP | 27MP |
| Battery Life | 90 mins | 45 mins |
| Waterproof Rating | 33 ft | 33 ft |
| Weight | 114 g | 153 g |
Analyzing the vitals:
- Video resolution: The Hero11 Black‘s higher 5K resolution gives substantially more detail than 4K when cropped or stabilized
- Battery life: Akaso nearly doubles GoPro‘s measly 45 minutes thanks to dual batteries
- Weight: Akaso shaves off almost 40 grams for lighter mounting
But specs alone don‘t tell the whole performance story…
Real-World Camera Showdown
Alright, no more messing around – time to scrutinize how these action cameras actually perform out in the elements with in-depth testing!
Image Quality 📸
Both Akaso and GoPro tout the same impressive spec sheet metrics like 4K60 or 6K30 video. But finer aspects of visual quality often get overlooked, like:
- Color accuracy
- Dynamic range
- Low light performance
- Lens sharpness
According to digital camera reviewer site Imaging Resource:
Once lighting conditions drop below optimal, GoPro‘s advanced image processing shows its muscle. The Hero11 retains finer detail in shadows, controls noise better and shows more accurate white balance than Akaso footage which looks dull and muddy by comparison.
But they praised Akaso‘s colors as popping nicely in well-lit scenes. So good enough for social media!
For discerning videographers, GoPro wins for overall image excellence. But Akaso holds up fine for casual users.
Video Stabilization 🎥
Rugged action cams get shaken, rattled and exposed to vibration – making stabilization tech crucial for usable footage.
GoPro made their name by almost eliminating jitters with proprietary HyperSmooth software stabilization built right into their cameras. With each new release, HyperSmooth gets even gimbal-like smoother using additional stabilization sensors and advanced live video analysis.
Let‘s examine some independent test results pitting Akaso against GoPro‘s stabilization prowess…
When DC Rainmaker mounted an Akaso Brave 8 Pro to his bike handlebars across cobblestone terrain, video showed noticeable vibrations and bouncing. But GoPro Hero11 footage almost magically stayed study as if floating on air!
So GoPro remains the undisputed stabilization champ. An Akaso can work OK for walking or slower sports. But hardcore action needs a Hero!
Controls & Interface 🎛️
Part of what sets GoPro apart is their user-focused, refined interface design across both hardware buttons and touchscreen menus. Changing modes or tweaking settings usually only takes a few intuitive taps or swipes.
Amateur Photographer gave Akaso cameras high marks for ease of use too thanks to thoughtful control placement and responsiveness. But they slammed the mobile app as feeling clunky and outdated compared to GoPro‘s polished companion software.
For novice action camera users, both brands offer pleasingly shallow learning curves. But GoPro pulls ahead with smarter ergonomics and slicker software.
Durability 💪
Top action cams demand hardcore builds to withstand wet, dusty, freezing and shock-ridden abuse on the daily. Premium materials like polycarbonate plastic and Corning Gorilla Glass lens covers turn them into durable bricks.
By all accounts, current GoPro and premium Akaso models sport similarly rugged constructions that laugh in the face of scratches, dings and dunkings. Both brands receive gushing durability reviews even after extensive crash testing. So we‘ll score this one a tie!
Akaso vs GoPro: The Verdict ⚖️
After going several cage match rounds comparing crucial criteria, here is my final showdown verdict:
For those on a budget, Akaso makes excellent affordable GoPro alternatives. You still get modern features like voice control, image stabilization and 4K video wrapped in tough gem-like bodies ideal for family trips and occassional weekend warriors.
But bleeding-edge video specs, butter-smooth stabilization and refinement seal the win for GoPro as today‘s supreme action camera king. From Live Streaming in silky 1080p to intelligent editing features, Heroes set the bar stratospherically high for creative pros.
In the end, choosing Akaso over GoPro comes down to spending limits more than quality compromises for most buyers. Because functionality already exceeds what weekend daredevils can throw at either brand during their adventures!
I‘m happy to offer personal recommendations too – so drop any questions in the comments section. Time to capture life‘s best moments no matter which action cam you end up choosing. Just make sure you choose one!
