The Akaso V50X is often hailed as the best action cam under $100.
But is this bold claim about the Akaso camera true?
On paper, it sure looks like it can compete with GoPro cameras since the V50 Cameras supports all these key features.
AKASO V50X KEY FEATURES
- Video quality of native 4k at 30fps.
- Image Stabilization
- A Touch Screen and
- Supports External Microphone (mic sold separate)
But let’s dig a little deeper into the v50 Cameras and find out for ourselves.
We’ll review every aspect of this budget action camera’s features, such as the battery life, resolution, and camera specs – as well as what the camera comes with.
I’ll also share my thoughts and experiences with the camera.
And by the time we reach the bottom of the page, we’ll have definitively answered if this is the best budget action cam under $100. Or if shelling out $300 more, for the latest GoPro Hero, is a better investment.
AKASO V50X REVIEW
MY THOUGHTS ON THE V50X
I want to start off by saying that this is my first venture into the world of budget action cams. In the past, I’ve only owned a few different GoPro heroes; action cams I’ve always been more than happy with.
And because of that, I almost didn’t try out the Akaso V50X or the Akaso v50 elite, thinking that there was no way it could compare to Go Pro.
Was I right or wrong?
Yes, I was wrong. After trying the Akaso V50 pro for a few weeks I can’t believe how impressed with it I am. The cam has a lot of features, awesome firmware, slow motion, and native 4k. Plus the waterproof case works well, the touch screen and simple streamlined capture modes are fantastic, and frequent firmware update keeps the features always working well.
One of the first things I noticed is that right out of the box, the Akaso looks and feels similar to other action cams. (maybe even a little lighter than a Gopro Hero).
The Akaso action camera also has a nice rubbery texture which makes it feel more durable. (I always feel like I am going to crush GoPro cameras)
Well, let’s find out how the Akaso V50 camera stacks up, and if it can live up to the title of the best budget action camera for under $100.
FEATURES OF THE AKASO V50X
First, let’s look at some of the key features of the V50X.
Which are actually very impressive and rival the newer Gopro’s which cost 4 times more.
VIDEO MODES & QUALITY
The Akaso V50X features video modes. There is a 4k camera that shoots video at 30fps.
Other modes let you shoot video footage in 2K 60fps and 2.7K 30fps. And takes 12MP photos.
The Native 4k action camera is impressive. But sadly this 4k video camera doesn’t have 4k at a 60 frame rate, but I’m willing to trade that for the price cut. And for the price, you get incredible ultra HD videos.
Slow motion recording is possible with two different resolutions. There is 1080p at 90 frames per second. And 720 at 120 FPS.
After all, this is a budget action camera. But that’s still a ton of video options for under $100.
2 INCH TOUCH SCREEN
The Akaso V50X has a 2-inch touch IPS Display. From my time with the camera, I can say that the touch screen is responsive and simple to use.
One thing that impressed me was, thanks to the streamlined capture modes, how quick it was to jump right into recording or taking photos. It’s as easy as swiping and tapping.
The intuitive touch screen is easy to use and works well.
ADJUSTABLE VIEWS
The V50X gives you the ability to adjust your angle on the go.
Want to shoot at 170°, 110°, or 70°?
The choice is yours! And this feature gives a lot of room to get unique shots.
ELECTRONIC IMAGE STABILIZATION
One of the best features of the Akaso is that it comes equipped with EIS (or Electronic Image Stabilization).
The V50X does this by predicting your movements and correcting the camera shake. This feature helps the action camera stay steady whether you’re running with the bulls, wiping out on a surfboard, or summiting a mountain.
The EIS works great and it’s definitely the best image stabilization of any budget action cam. And rivals, if not surpasses GoPro’s image stabilization and distortion calibration.
Plus, the V50X’s image stabilization works at every resolution – a pretty impressive feat.
TONS OF ACCESSORIES
Tons of Accessories – Akaso’s known in the budget action camera world for having the best array of accessories.
The Akaso V50X alone has over 17 different accessories kits. And as a bonus, most of these accessories fit other action cameras…. even GoPro’s.
BATTERY LIFE
Out of the box, the camera comes with 2 rechargeable batteries (which is nice). These 1350mAh batteries give you up to 3 hours of continuous recording.
Making it perfect for extended filming in outdoor adventures.
WATERPROOF
Like the majority of action cams, the Akaso V50X is waterproof (with its housing ). The housing on the V50X is waterproof up to 40 meters (131 ft.) And while the Hero 8 can go to a depth of 60M, this won’t matter for most of us.
Most casual divers, like myself, aren’t certified to dive deeper than 30 meters.
So unless you are a professional deep diver, have your nitro certification, or are an ambitious free diver, then 40 meters is more than enough.
The waterproof housing keeps the camera safe. And the camera has a diving mode that helps you get better great shots using this underwater camera.
BUILT-IN-WIFI
The V50X works with the Roadcam app. Making it easy to use your smartphone to operate the camera.
You can easily record, review, and share photos with a few clicks of a button.
Getting a wifi action camera for this price is unheard of!
WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
Your phone isn’t the only way to control the Akaso V50X. This action cam comes with a wireless wrist remote that lets you control the camera with the touch of a button. (the remote isn’t waterproof)
AKASO V50X SPECS
- 4K/30fps 2.7K 30fps 2K 60fps (Video)
- 12MP Photos
- 170 Degree Wide Angle Lens
- 6 Axis Gyro
- Built-in Wifi
- iso audio record
- 2.4 EIS
- 2.0″ LCD Touch Screen Display
- Battery: 1100 mAH (80mins)
- Waterproof Case
- Sony IMX458 Image Sensor (Great image quality)
- Hi3559V200 Chipset
- Remote Control
- Warm Tip: Samsung 64GB 100MB
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
- 1x AKASO V50X Action Camera
- 2x 1350mAh Battery
- 1x Battery Charger
- 1x Micro USB
- 1x Waterproof Case
- 1x Remote Control
- 1x Bicycle Stand
- 10x Mount
- 2x Helmet Mount
- 1x Bandages
- 5x Tethers
- 1 x Protective Backdoor
- 1x USB Cable
- 1x Lens Cloth
- 1x Quick Reference Guide
- (No MicroSD card is included.)
WHAT’S NOT IN THE BOX
No micro sd card
No External Mic
No micro HDMI
No Memory Card
Other Akaso Cameras to Check Out
akaso brave 7 le
A lot of bang for your buck. The akaso brave 7 bundle is work checking out!
The Akaso brave 7 le comes with 4k video resolution which means that you can record videos in 4k quality. It also comes with 12MP HD photos which is pretty good for an action camera. It also have a burst mode for taking a lot of photos at once. As well as loop recording.
The Akaso brave 7 le has many other features such as face recognition, image stabilization, and so on.
You can also connect this camera to your smartphone via WiFi or Bluetooth so that you can control it from your phone itself.
ek7000 pro
The Akaso ek7000 pro is an affordable action camera with a lot of features and accessory
Akaso ek7000 pro is a powerful action camera. It comes with a 2-inch screen that allows you to preview your shots and make adjustments on the go. The device supports up to 4K 30fps video recording, so you can record high-quality videos for sharing with friends and family. It’s also compatible with GoPro accessories, including the GoPro mount, so you can use it as a replacement for your GoPro camera.
The camera has a 1080p video resolution and can also take 12 megapixels in photo mode. It comes equipped with WiFi, so you can connect your phone to the camera and control it from there.
The Akaso ek7000 Pro is waterproof up to 50 meters or 165 feet, so you can take it diving, snorkeling, or even swimming in the pool!
The Akaso ek7000 pro has a rugged design that makes it suitable for outdoor use. It’s waterproof up to depths of 100 feet (30 meters), so you can take it with you on scuba diving trips or into waterfalls without worrying about damaging the device. It’s also shockproof and dustproof, making it suitable for extreme sports such as mountain biking or motocross racing. I believe they have a special edition of this affordable action camera as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I am a believer in the akaso v50x underwater camera. The camera brand I will definitely be keeping my eye on them, and I can’t wait to see what they roll out in the future.
I used the V50 pro on my most recent trip to Europe. The 4k video works with 30 fps for most users. However, professionals might what to shell out for a GoPro Hero that offers 4k video at 60 fps. And the video recording works flawlessly. And the V50x can use an h265 video codec making it easy to use in most video editing software.
And I was impressed with everything the camera could do. It has the major features of the Go Pro Hero series but at 1/4 the cost.
My biggest gripe with the camera is that the colors aren’t as vivid as some other action cams. But overall, the camera works great, and for the price it’s unbeatable. The wifi and touch screen makes it easy to get your videos to social media.
It’s easy to see why tech companies like cnet, PCWorld, tomsguide, and ZDNet have all recommended Akaso products.
IS THE AKASO V50X THE BEST ACTION CAMERA UNDER $100?
Is the Akaso V50X the best action camera under $100? So how does it stack up? Yes, without question, I think this is the best action cam under $100. What other budget camera gives you 4k recording (my favorite video resolution) while I wish it was 4k 60fps, I can live with 4k 30fps for the price tag. As well as great photo resolution. And reviewing the specs of its competitors there is no camera that has this amount of features, quality, and accessories. And I can see a lot of vloggers recommending this camera.
And while the GoPro Hero or the DJI Osmo action camera might be better in some areas than the V50X, it’s not enough to warrant spending an extra $300 on a GoPro. My recommendation is to save that $300 and use it to get a plane ticket. The price and quality make the Akaso V50 X one of the best home appliances to add to your collection.