AKASO Brave 8 Lite waterproof action camera for 4K60 video, 20MP photos and dual screens

Quick overview

If you want an action camera that’s ready for proper outdoor use without needing a big learning curve, the AKASO Brave 8 Lite is designed for that middle ground: up to 4K60 ultra HD video, 20MP photos, built-in stabilisation support, plus a dual-screen layout that helps you frame shots in the moment.

On paper it covers a lot of the usual checklist items—underwater use (with a housing), slow motion, HDR video, and a fast way to switch between landscape and portrait-style framing. That breadth is useful if you shoot different sports and scenarios rather than focusing on one single type of content.

What matters most for day-to-day shooting

A waterproof action camera only really earns its keep if you can aim, start recording, and review quickly. Here, the standout is the dual screen setup: a 1.22-inch front display plus a 2-inch touchscreen. That’s the sort of thing you’ll notice when you’re doing selfies before and after recording, or when the camera is mounted somewhere awkward and you can’t easily see the main rear screen.

The camera also leans into stabilisation for movement-heavy situations. It uses EIS 4.0 combined with SuperSmooth stabilisation and a built-in 6-axis gyroscope. In practice, that should help smooth out the “bounce” you get when walking, cycling or filming from a chest/handlebar mount—though it’s worth bearing in mind that no stabilisation feature makes a shaky setup completely “gimbal-like” in all conditions.

Video and photo results: where it performs well, and where it may feel basic

For video, the Brave 8 Lite supports 4K60fps. That’s a sensible spec target if you want crisp footage and the option to slow things down later rather than settling for lower frame rates. It also includes HDR video, aimed at improving detail in high-contrast lighting. If you’ve ever filmed into a bright sky and ended up with blown highlights, HDR is the kind of feature that can make footage look more natural.

For stills, it claims 20MP photos. The key point is that it’s positioned as a versatile adventure camera rather than a dedicated photography tool. So while 20MP gives you room to crop, it’s still an action camera approach—sharpness and colour will depend on your light and how stable your shot is.

Waterproof use and mounting realities

Water resistance is one of the reasons action cameras get bought in the first place. This model is rated IPX8 and is described as waterproof to 10m without a housing for underwater shots. With the waterproof housing, it’s stated to go up to 60m, which broadens what you can do if you’re into deeper water activities like scuba or similar.

However, it’s worth being careful with expectations: if you’re heading underwater, you’ll need to use the housing for the full 60m figure. Don’t assume the higher depth rating applies without it. Also, underwater filming often introduces its own challenges (water clarity, light loss, and movement), so results can vary a lot by conditions.

Creative modes for different styles: slow motion, timelapse and orientation

The Brave 8 Lite includes slow motion up to 8x, which is handy when you’re capturing fast, energetic moments—think splashes, jumps, or bike trails—where “normal speed” can feel too quick to appreciate.

Time-lapse-style “motion timelapse” is also mentioned, letting you create time-lapse videos even without stabilisation. That’s a nice option for scenic rides or clouds and crowds where motion is more about progress than sudden action.

For social sharing, it includes an orientation/trimming-style approach: with a built-in gravity sensor, it can switch between horizontal and vertical video quickly. In other words, it’s geared towards content that fits mobile viewing habits.

There’s also pre-recording support for up to 15 seconds, which can be a lifesaver if you sometimes hit record a fraction too late.

Tech specs at a glance

Tech summary

• Name: AKASO Brave 8 Lite Waterproof Action Camera
• Type: Action camera
• Video: 4K60fps
• Photos: 20MP
• Stabilisation: EIS 4.0 + SuperSmooth, built-in 6-axis gyroscope
• Displays: 1.22-inch front display + 2-inch touchscreen
• Waterproof rating: IPX8, 10m underwater without housing, up to 60m with waterproof housing
• Video features: HDR, 8x slow motion, motion timelapse, pre-recording up to 15 seconds
• Zoom/angle features: 4x zoom and super wide angle are listed

Pros and limitations to consider

On the plus side, it looks like a practical all-rounder for active filming: dual screens help you frame and review, 4K60 gives you flexibility for editing, and the stabilisation features are there specifically to deal with movement.

That said, it may not suit you if you want the most advanced “hands-off” stabilisation look in every scenario, or if you’re primarily buying for pure photography quality. It’s more about capturing adventures reliably than about extracting the absolute maximum from controlled studio-style shooting.

Worth considering if your setup changes often—mounting it for different sports, filming both landscape and portrait-style clips, and needing waterproof capability as a baseline.

Buying verdict

It’s a solid pick if you want an action camera that covers waterproof use (including deeper water with the housing), shoots up to 4K60, and makes framing easier thanks to a front display plus touchscreen.

You may want to skip it if you’re expecting a specialist camera experience where stabilisation and image quality are consistently top-tier across every condition, or if you’re mainly after stills rather than video-first adventure capture.

For most buyers, the best approach is to check what you’ll realistically shoot—on-water and action-heavy filming benefit most from the waterproof design and stabilisation, while HDR and slow motion are extras that can genuinely add creative variety.

Mini FAQ

What’s the waterproof depth without the housing?

It’s described as waterproof to 10m without a housing for underwater shots.

Does it support 4K60 video?

Yes, it’s listed as supporting 4K60fps video.

Are there screens for framing selfies?

Yes, there’s a front 1.22-inch display plus a 2-inch touchscreen, intended to make pre- and post-recording framing easier.

Does it have slow motion?

Yes, it includes 8x slow motion.

Can it record vertical video for social apps?

It mentions switching between horizontal and vertical video orientation quickly using a built-in gravity sensor.