GoPro Max vs Akaso Brave 8 Lite

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Overview of the GoPro Max

GoPro Max☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Max
GoPro's 2019 360 camera: 5.7K video
The GoPro Max was GoPro's second attempt at a 360 camera and was released in 2019. It is still offers relatively good performance but it's age is showing in comparision with the more recent competition. It's replacement, the GoPro Max 2, is still to be released.
  • Pros
  • Good stabilization
  • Cons
  • Average image quality
  • Ageing model
  • Still excessively expensive

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 GoPro Max vs the Brave 8 Lite

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Video performance

Only the Brave 8 Lite offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Max
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
Feature missing
1440p video at 60fps
Max resolution
4K video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
4k 30fps
2x
Maximum slow motion
8x
Max HyperSmooth
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 GoPro Max and Brave 8 Lite have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
GoPro Max
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
1600mAh
Battery capacity
1550mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min 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 GoPro Max and the Brave 8 Lite support SD cards.
GoPro Max
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 GoPro Max.
GoPro Max
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
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

The Brave 8 Lite is a lot more waterproof.
GoPro Max
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
33ft / 10m
Feature missing
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 GoPro Max and the Brave 8 Lite both feature a similar resolution. The field of view of the Brave 8 Lite is a little better than the GoPro Max's.
GoPro Max
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
18MP
Pixels
20MP
155°
Field of view
166°
78Mbps
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 Max
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
100-3200
ISO range
Feature missing
+/-4
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 Max versus Akaso Brave 8 Lite specifications

NameGoPro MaxAkaso Brave 8 Lite
Year of release20192024
Width2.52in / 64mm1.38in / 35mm
Height2.72in / 69mm2.56in / 65mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.77in / 45mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g4.02oz / 114g
Waterproof16ft / 5m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case-131ft / 40m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C-
Battery capacity1600mAh1550mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
90min for 4k 60fps
Charging time120min-
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSDXC
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingUHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB-
Rear screen size1.69in2in
Front screen size-0.96in
Field of view155°166°
Sensor1/2.3"1/2.3" CMOS
Pixels18MP20MP
ApertureF2.0F2.8
Focal length13-27mm-
ISO range100-3200-
Video zoom-5x
Color Depth8bit8bit
Video bite rate78Mbps-
Exposure Compensation+/-4-
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
4K video-60fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video60fps60fps
Maximum slow motion2x8x
HDR video-4k 30fps
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothEIS 4.0 & SuperSmooth
Horizon lockYes-
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones6-
Stereo audioYes-
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwav-
Audio input-Akaso external mic
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac5G
BluetoothBLE 4.2-
USBType-C USBType-C USB
GPS integratedYes-
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNo-
Remote control-Included