Over the years we've always had a GoPro on hand to capture our water based and action packed adventures. Our most recent was the GoPro Hero 9 Black but after less than 2 years it started turning itself on and off at random. It was disappointing to say the least and as a result we found ourselves looking elsewhere for a replacement.
Released in the second half of 2023, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is the latest action camera offering from Chinese manufacturer DJI. Having been impressed with the performance of our DJI Phantom 4 Pro, we decided to take the plunge and give their action camera a go.
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DJI Osmo Action 4 specifications
Lets start by taking a look at some of the specifications of the DJI Osmo Action 4 in comparison to the GoPro Hero 12 Black. I've chosen things that are of interest to me as a liveaboard sailor and YouTube content creator, such as resolution and the sensor.
Specification | DJI Osmo Action 4 | GoPro Hero 12 |
Waterproof (no case) | 18m | 10m |
Manufacturers price | $299.00 USD | $399.99 USD |
Weight | 145 grams | 154 grams |
Sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS | 1/1.9" CMOS |
Max Resolution (Video) | 4K (16:9) 3840×2160@100/120fps | 5.3K (8:7) 30/25/24 FPS |
Functions | Photo, video, slow motion, hyperlapse, timelapse | Photo, video, timelapse |
Two of the specifications that drew me to the Osmo Action camera were the waterproof depth and sensor, both of which are better than the GoPro Hero 12. I often record in water environments and darker locations like jungles and caves, so want specifications that will help me get the most out of the camera.
Physical design of the DJI Osmo Action 4
Like most action cameras the DJI Osmo Action 4 is compact and rectangular in shape. The orientation of the buttons is fairly standard, with the shutter button on top and the on/off/function button on the side.
I was pleasantly surprised with the accessory attachment. I'm used to the GoPro system where the tabs are fixed to the camera and you have to screw accessories in and out to change them, but DJI have taken a completely different approach.
The entire bottom piece is detachable meaning you can quickly attach and detach sticks and tripods as needed without having to mess around with a screw. There are two clips on the side that need to be pushed in to release it and there's also a magnet that holds it in place.
The camera has front and rear facing screens which are important if you're using it for vlogging. For me, this is almost a non-negotiable as it makes it significantly easier to position the Osmo Action 4 when setting up shots or talking to the camera.
The battery compartment is on the side and is quite easy to lock and unlock using the pad of your finger. The positioning doesn't interfere with any of my accessories which is always welcome; by comparison our Sony ZV-1 needs to be taken off the tripod every time the battery needs changing.
Something I'm wary of with action cameras is scratching the lens as they generally can't be replaced. The Osmo Action 4 employs a similar design to the DJI drones, with a lens that screws on and off so it can be replaced. I will probably still get a lens cap and I will always need to check the lens is tight before submerging it, but I like the concept of easily being able to replace DJI Osmo lens if needed.
DJI Osmo camera setup
To complete the initial setup of the DJI Osmo Action 4 you need to download the DJI Mimi app and use it to activate the camera. You can only skip the activation process 5 times at which point you can't use the camera until it's completed. In my opinion it's unnecessary and likely to turn some consumers off. The DJI Mimo app isn't available on any of the app stores, instead you have to download it directly to your phone from the DJI website.
I decided to download the app on an old phone using local Wi-Fi. Once I did that it was a simple matter of following the prompts and it didn't take long to activate the camera and download the latest software. A noteworthy feature of the app is it can remotely control the camera, which I may use in future. I can see it being useful when we're sailing and I want to remotely turn the camera on and off.
Like all action cameras I know of, the DJI Osmo Action 4 takes a microSD card.
Functionality of the DJI Osmo Action 4
Once I'd activated the camera it was fairly intuitive to use.
When the camera is on, short presses on the power button allow you to scroll through the different functions and you can limit which options are available through the settings menu. I prefer having that option because on the GoPro an accidental hit on the side can result in video being changed to timelapse without the user realising.
Swiping left or right on the rear screen gives you the full set of photo and recording options to choose from, giving a second way to change the function.
Swiping up brings up the resolution, aspect and refresh rate options, while swiping down brings up the setting menu. On the left side on the screen tap the play option to see the playback, on the right side you can tap the battery to see the percentage remaining or the adjustors to see the pro adjustment options.
Holding the recording button down while the camera is off for two seconds activates the instant record function that turns the camera on and starts recording. When you stop the camera recording you have 3 seconds to choose whether to keep it on, otherwise it will automatically turn off again. I love this function as it makes it easier to catch unexpected moments.
DJI Osmo Action 4 recording quality
The best way to get an idea of recording quality is to see the camera in action. This is a video I recently shot at Blue Basin in Trinidad with the camera set to 4K at 50 FPS. Since I was in the jungle there's a mixture of bright and low light, as well as some exposure to water. When the water gets on the microphone it does impact the sound quality.
Shake reduction
As adventure travel vloggers living on a sailboat, shake reduction is important to us. Having recently taken it out on the water, this is somewhere the DJI Osmo shines!
We had our outboard dinghy going 30 knots over bumpy water. The camera would have been moving a few inches up and down with each wave yet the footage is so smooth! The horizon stays level and the motion doesn't look odd to the viewer.
Longevity
The unit seems quite durable so we will continue using it and update this article if and when there are any issues.
Some users have reported issues with the DJI Osmo Action 4 overheating. Ours currently has the most recent software update and so far has not over heated. I record at 4K (50FPS) and have been using it in Trinidad which has a fairly warm tropical climate, although I am generally not recording in direct sun for lengthy periods of time.
DJI action camera accessories
When buying the camera I considered whether or not to get the Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo. These are the main inclusions in that combo compared to the Standard Combo.
Osmo Action 4 Standard Bundle | Osmo Action 4 Adventure Bundle |
Osmo Action 4 Quick-Release Adapter Mount Curved Adhesive Base 1x Osmo Locking Screw 1x Osmo Action Extreme Battery 1x Protective Frame Type-C to Type-C PD Cable | Osmo Action 4 Quick-Release Adapter Mount Quick-Release Adapter Mount (Mini) Curved Adhesive Base 2x Osmo Locking Screw 1x Osmo Action Extreme Battery 1x Multifunctional Battery Case 1x Protective Frame Type-C to Type-C PD Cable 1x Osmo 1.5m Extension Rod |
After weighing up the differences I decided to get the Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo.
To date the only DJI branded accessory we've purchased is the battery case and I'm very impressed with it! It can store and charge three batteries at once, and has a battery level indicator built into the front to quickly show the charge level. I bought two additional Osmo batteries to fill the case and find that if I'm doing a full day of 4K filming I'll usually use two fully charged batteries.
The other accessories we use are ones that transferred from our old GoPro, as they have the same attachment mount.
Selfie stick
JOBY Gorillapod 1K with a camera thread adaptor
Window suction cup mount
Chest mount
For the SD card we use a Sandisk Extreme Pro. We use them in all of our cameras and in 8 years haven't had an issue.
Fast FAQ
Here's a few questions I've seen frequently asked online and some snappy answers.
Q: Is it still worth buying an action camera?
A: This depends on what you're doing. If your activities are largely land based and not overly adventurous then maybe not. It might be that a standard vlogging camera like the Sony ZV-1 Mark 2 or Sony ZV-1F, or a pocket sized camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is better. If you want something versatile or are planning to film action sports or in a water environment, then an action camera likely is the way to go.
Q: Is the DJI Osmo Action 4 camera worth buying?
A: From our experience, we think it is. It performs well, has a number of smart inclusions and is much cheaper than the equivalent GoPro model without sacrificing performance.
Q: Is the Osmo Action 4 waterproof?
A: Yes, it's waterproof to a depth of 18m without a case.
Q: Which is better, GoPro or DJI?
A: We were GoPro users for 10+ years but the poor longevity of our last GoPro drove us to try the DJI Osmo instead. So far, the camera is doing a good job of convincing us that DJI can make a better action camera than GoPro.
Summing it up
So far we've been happy with the performance of the DJI Osmo Action 4 so the only thing now is to see how long it lasts. Given we have DJI drones from 2018 that are still going strong, we have faith in the product so are hoping for a good outcome. If it last longer than two years it'll already be better than our last GoPro.
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