GoPro Hero 12 Black vs Akaso Brave 8 Lite

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Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
  • Pros
  • Performance similar to newer model
  • HDR video introduction
  • Cons
  • No integrated GPS

Overview of the Akaso Brave 8 Lite

Akaso Brave 8 Lite☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★Akaso Brave 8 Lite
Akaso's 2024 budget action camera: 4K HDR video
The Akaso Brave 8 Lite offers a very decent action camera experience at less than half the cost of a GoPro. As a budget action camera, there are indeed some limitations like subpar image stabilization and poor low light performance, but it will suit most people's needs at an affordable pricepoint.
  • Pros
  • Great value for money
  • Lightweight
  • HDR video
  • Cons
  • Low light video
  • Fragile build
  • Lacking image stabilization

Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the Brave 8 Lite

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Video performance

The Hero 12 and the Brave 8 Lite both offer HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
5.3K video at 60fps
Max resolution
4K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
HDR video
4k 30fps
8x at 1080p
Maximum slow motion
8x
HyperSmooth 6.0
Stabilization
EIS 4.0 & SuperSmooth
Why it matters: A high resolution will give you crisp footage but also allow you to reframe your video without losing too much quality. A higher framerate (fps) will result in smoother video and is important when filming action scenes or fast moving subjects. Image stabilization is a crucial feature for an action camera, as it removes camera shake, vibrations, rotation and other movements that deteriorate your final footage.

Battery life

The Hero 12 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
1720mAh
Battery capacity
1550mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
150min at 1080p
Battery life
90min for 4k 60fps
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Hero 12 and the Brave 8 Lite support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
microSD
Storage format
microSDXC
1TB
Maximun storage supported
Feature missing
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Weight and size

The Brave 8 Lite is a slightly smaller camera. The Brave 8 Lite weighs a little less than the Hero 12.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
2.83in x 2in x 1.32in / 71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm
Dimensions
1.38in x 2.56in x 1.77in / 35mm x 65mm x 45mm
5.43oz / 154g
Weight
4.02oz / 114g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be difficult or uncomfortable to film with. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Waterproofing and usage conditions

Both the Hero 12 and the Brave 8 Lite are waterproof to 33ft / 10m. The Hero 12 is a lot more waterproof when using a diving case.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
33ft / 10m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
197ft / 60m
Waterproof with diving case
131ft / 40m
14°F / -10°C
Min operating temperature
Feature missing
95°F / 35°C
Max operating temperature
Feature missing
Why it matters: Most action cameras are waterproof for accidental splashing or use above water, but if you plan on Snorkeling or Scuba Diving, we recommend choosing a camera which offers a diving case and always using it for underwater footage. If you plan on filming Snowboarding, Skiing or other wintersports in extremely cold conditions, you should pick a camera that is rated for those temperatures, most cameras are only rated down to 14°F / -10°C. Many action cameras are prone to overheating, even in ordinary conditions, so if you plan on filming in hot environments, you should choose a camera that can function at high temperatures.

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 12 offers a slightly higher resolution. The field of view of the Brave 8 Lite is a little better than the Hero 12's.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
27.6MP
Pixels
20MP
148°
Field of view
166°
120Mbps
Video bite rate
Feature missing
Why it matters: A higher amount of pixels will offer better quality footage and higher resolution photos. A higher field of view means that the camera captures over a wider angle and therefore more action can be seen in the final footage. Some cameras require accessories to enable the maximum FOV. A higher bitrate at a similar resolution will offer higher quality video.

Camera settings

GoPro Hero 12 Black
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
100-6400
ISO range
Feature missing
+/-2
Exposure Compensation
Feature missing
Why these settings matter: The ISO range and exposure compensation settings will mostly allow you to tweak your action camera for low light situations.

GoPro Hero 12 Black versus Akaso Brave 8 Lite specifications

NameGoPro Hero 12 BlackAkaso Brave 8 Lite
Year of release20232024
Width2.83in / 71.8mm1.38in / 35mm
Height2in / 50.8mm2.56in / 65mm
Depth1.32in / 33.6mm1.77in / 45mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g4.02oz / 114g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m131ft / 40m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C-
Battery capacity1720mAh1550mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life150min at 1080p90min for 4k 60fps
Charging time3h (5W)-
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSDXC
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB-
Rear screen size2.27in2in
Front screen size1.4in0.96in
Field of view148°166°
Sensor1/1.9" CMOS1/2.3" CMOS
Pixels27.6MP20MP
ApertureF2.5F2.8
Focal length12-39mm-
ISO range100-6400-
Video zoom2x5x
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate120Mbps-
Exposure Compensation+/-2-
360-degree videoNoNo
5.3K video60fps-
4K video60fps60fps
2.7K video120fps-
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4x-
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p8x
HDR video5.3K 30fps4k 30fps
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0EIS 4.0 & SuperSmooth
Horizon lockYes-
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60-
Webcam mode1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYes-
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Photo burst modeYesYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones3-
Stereo audioYes-
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwav-
Audio inputMedia Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
Akaso external mic
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac5G
BluetoothBLE 4.2-
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNo-
Voice commandsYesYes
Remote control-Included