In the realm of action cameras, there are a few that stand out. Of course, there is the GoPro – the standard for success in this category of camera. However, there are some other competitors that are cheaper. A great example of this is the Akaso EK7000 4K Sports Action Camera which sells for $60 – $70 on Amazon. We will be comparing the Akaso to a couple of other cameras on the market, but the bulk of information here will be about the EK7000.
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of this Akaso camera, take a look at the list of pros and cons to get a simplistic idea of its specs and features:
Pros:
- 4K Resolution
- Comes with 2 rechargeable/replaceable batteries
- Screen
- Unmatched waterproofing (98-100 feet)
- Low price
- 12 megapixels still photo resolution
Cons:
- Low fps
- Lack of exposure control
- Can’t use the 4K feature with optimal clarity
The Nitty-Gritty
Now for the meat and potatoes. This device supposedly takes “4K quality footage”, but Creative Photo Connect reviewed the Akaso camera and found that the image you see isn’t nearly as clear as true 4K for a couple reasons. First off, the EK7000 records at a lower quality (2.7K) and blows it up to 4K artificially with fake pixels. The second reason is that the fps at 4K is only 25 and even when you lower the quality of the video, the fps doesn’t increase much. Fps stands for Frames Per Second and with a high-quality video at a low fps, you will get more blur and lag in your footage.
The video quality is quite good considering the price of this device. This camera can also shoot slow-motion. All you have to do is to use the 120p setting in the 720p size. The Akaso camera is able to shoot 12MP photos which measure about 4608 x 2592 pixels and they are in the 16:9 aspect ratio. The size can be reduced to 4 MP and you receive the files in the standard JPGs.
With this camera, you only receive one field of view (the wide mode). Despite this fact, it is not as wide as the one GoPros provide. However, you need to take into consideration the fact that this camera is less expensive than a GoPro camera.
This device has a burst mode for photos. It can take up to 3 photos in less than 1.5 seconds. You can shoot a series of photos when you choose the time-lapse mode. Unfortunately, there is no time-lapse video option which compiles the video in this camera. Despite this fact, you can do this on the computer.
This product is actually perfect if you want to buy your first action camera. Considering its price, the Akaso camera has some great features. For instance, it has Wi-Fi connectivity. This way, you can share all of your work with your friends and family. Its 2” LCD screen is great for viewing videos. Also, the super wide-angle lens helps you capture the best videos, no matter the weather.
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The Akaso also comes equipped with a bunch of great stuff. When you purchase this camera, you will also receive a protective backdoor, a USB cable, a lens cloth, and a bike stand. For those who like to ride the bike and capture the experience, the Akaso camera also provides a helmet mount and clips to keep the camera steady while you shoot videos.
Its design and controls are other areas where this camera really excels. The camera is compact when compared to other action cameras. You will also receive a 2.4G RF remote control which allows users to record or take still photos on the move. Another great thing about this camera is that it is easy to use, even for beginners. You don’t have to worry about a complicated main menu or special effects because this camera has basic design and commands.
This camera can also be paired with Android and iOS devices because of its Wi-Fi capability. If you want to pair the camera with your smartphone you will need to install the Akaso app. The battery life of this device is about 90 minutes because of the 2 rechargeable 1050mAH batteries. One trick that will help you maximize the battery life is to turn off the wife and to stop using the mobile app.
You also need to take into consideration the fact that lithium batteries don’t respond well to very cold temperature. Most cameras with lithium batteries have this problem. Due to this issue, the battery life might be even lower when shooting photos in the winter cold.
When it comes to connectivity this camera does pretty good. It can be connected to the iSmart DV app which is available for both Android and iOS. The interface of the app is similar to the one of GoPro. Unfortunately, you can experience loss of connection from time to time. Apart from that, the app is easy to use and has no problems. Remember to keep the Wi-Fi on when you want to use the mobile app.
A camera with low fps won’t be able to catch up to the high-quality picture it’s supposed to be capturing. This is the same reason why when you buy a television with 4K resolution, it is recommended that the refresh rate is 120 to 240 Hz – it is a similar concept. Regarding battery life, the Akaso comes with two replaceable and rechargeable batteries similar to the batteries in the GoPro Hero 5 Session, although smaller than what is in the Hero 5 Black.
The best feature of this camera is that it can go 100 feet underwater without any additional casing. GoPro’s can only go 33 feet or 10 meters underwater without requiring a special case. Out of all the reviews, the only real critique is the image and picture quality in comparison to the higher-priced competition. There is really only one way to get a decent quality picture with this camera and that is by decreasing the resolution to 1080p.
To sum up, this is a very cheap action camera option most comparable to the Vivitar Sports Camera. The Vivitar has the same fake 4K feature at a slightly lower price point. If you are looking for a great bang for your buck, this product is for you. While this camera may lack many of the specifications of a GoPro Hero 5 Black, it is over $200 cheaper. This is perfect for your first sports camera!
Image source: Amazon.com