Akaso has changed the cheap action camera game with the Brave 7 LE. This is a cheap action camera with most of the features of a top-end model. Creating a good first impression is one thing, but Akaso has put more effort into other areas too. The Akaso Brave LE 7’s audio quality is better than any other non-GoPro tested here when used in a quiet environment. The quality of the mic is good. As it uses a single mic it’s highly susceptible to wind noise, but there is a basic wind noise reduction mode that helps a bit. Still, there’s only so much you can do with a single mic array. It uses a Sony sensor with the Hisilcon Hi3559 chipset. It can record 4K 30fps and 20MP photos using a 170° super wide-angle 7G lens with an opening of F1.8. It uses an advanced gyro stabilization function (EIS) that supports 4K gyro anti-shake. This isn’t the best overall option you can buy at this price, but it's not without its merits. For example, the Akaso V50 X works perfectly well as a webcam. Just plug it in and select 'PC Camera' (it works fine on Macs too). The quality is good and also taking into account that we have the possibility to change the ISO and the exposure time with some other settings, with patience we can work interesting images.

The V50 Pro's 4K video benefits from basic electronic image stabilization (EIS) tech that does work better as you drop down to 2.7K/30fps and 1080p/60fp, but 4K video is always watchable. There are tons of modes, from slo-mo and fast-mo to time-lapse file length limits (to one, three or five minutes). The Apeman can also have multiple ways of control to enjoying a hands-free control of your camera via simple voice commands. Or conveniently control it remotely. Moreover, you can edit and share your special-effect pics with ThiEYE Cam App on your Android or iOS devices instantly. The Campark X30 Xtreme V is a mid-priced budget camera. It costs more than the ultra-cheap models, but dips below the Apeman A100 – and for some people, it may be the sweet spot. For example, the reassuringly solid X30 Xtreme V feels has a built-in tripod thread. You can mount it without any accessories at all, although the exposed ports mean that’s probably a bad idea, unless you’re shooting indoors or on a sunny day. The definition, focus, and detail is good quality. It comes with a multitude of accessories so you can use it to get better footage.

This also doesn’t appear to be a true 4K camera in most modes, as footage recorded using the '4K/30p' and '4K/60p' modes is 3200 x 1800 resolution, not 3840 x 2160. The 4K/60p mode, which would otherwise be standard-setting, also uses a restrictive crop that further reduces captured detail. It looks more like 1080p.

The negative thing is, it doesn’t have a touch screen which is becoming more popular every day with an action camera and it doesn’t do well in low-light. The camera can also go underwater very deep up to 30m (100ft) with the waterproof case.Its 1080p footage also looks surprisingly good. This is key because, just like the Dragon Touch Vision 4 Lite, the 4K mode’s motion is super-jerky. Akaso says the EK7000 records 4K at 25fps, but judging by what we see it may be dropping frames or doubling up on them in the final file. Very low-priced 4K action cameras are best approached with caution, but here’s a mould-breaker. Capable of 20MP photos and 4K/30fps video, the Akaso V50 Pro covers the bare bones basic features and nothing more.

It’s capable to record up to 4K full HD to 30 frames per second, and it’s able to record for 180 minutes. The videos captured with this action camera are stored in.MP4 format under the H.264 codec We take each one through a range of real-world tests including cycling, swimming and, if possible, an experience like an adventure course. These not only give us a good idea of each model's ability to withstand the elements, but how easy they are to operate in difficult conditions. It's a shame because the camera has a responsive, fairly pretty UI with more gloss than another models at the price. Stabilization is also among the best in its class, able to make walking speed motion look very smooth. We did wonder if electronic image stabilization caused image quality degradation, but turning it off had no effect on clarity. Akaso’s user interface is great. It’s touchscreen-led and has the touch of gloss you don’t see in most other GoPro clones. Dare we say it: for the basics it’s faster and more intuitive than GoPro’s own.However, we encountered more basic problems here than with the other cheap action cameras. Try to change the field of view, or switch electronic image stabilization (EIS) on and off, and the Campark often just won’t play ball. Make these tweaks and the preview image, and resulting video, just stay as they were before. Read on and you’ll find out about the wildly varying quality of the audio of some of these action cams. Image quality bears almost no correlation with sound quality. Anyone semi-serious about creating videos should look to record sound externally, and that’s much simpler if you can attach a mic via USB or a 2.5mm input. The Apeman A77 also comes with some video features to get better footage, for example, single shooting, to photo burst, to time-lapse, to self-timer, to slow motion, to aqua mode, to long exposure, to distortion correction. Almost all cheaper action cameras have no water resistance without a case. The good news: all in this test bar the GoPro Hero 7 White come with one as standard. The bad news: these cases ruin audio capture and also spoil image quality to an extent. They put a layer of plastic between the subject and the camera lens, which is far less crystal clear than it looks. The ideal is still an action cabers with baked-in water resistance. Don’t use the waterproof housing unless you need to. What is a good cheap GoPro? This is one of the best medium-budget action cameras, with great quality on its pictures and videos. It can record up to real 4K and 30fps which is amazing for a medium-budget camera along with many other great features.