DJI Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo: Full Review

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is the latest action camera from DJI, a company known for its drones and gimbals. This rugged and compact camera is designed for shooting high-quality photos and videos during adventures and extreme sports.

The Osmo Action 4 builds upon the success of the previous Osmo Action models with improvements in image quality, video capabilities, battery life and design. Key features include a 1/1.3" sensor capable of 12MP stills and up to 4K/120fps video, a front color screen for vlogging, 10-bit color and HDR video modes, and a rugged, waterproof design.

This camera aims to compete with the GoPro Hero series with its competitive specs and performance. Its superb stabilization, sharp detail, and high frame rates make it appealing for everything from mountain biking to underwater diving. The Osmo Action 4 looks to be a versatile action cam that can capture stunning footage wherever the adventure takes you.

Design and Build Quality

The DJI Osmo Action 4 has a compact and durable design perfect for action cameras. It measures 65 x 42 x 35mm and weighs just 145g, making it easy to mount in various ways or hold in your hand during use.

Despite its small size, the Osmo Action 4 feels very solid thanks to its durable polycarbonate and thermoplastic casing. It is waterproof down to 11m without any additional housing, giving you confidence to use it for water sports or in wet conditions. The front screen has Gorilla Glass protection to resist scratches.

Overall, the Osmo Action 4 combines a lightweight and pocketable form factor with robust construction to handle rugged use cases. The compact size doesn't compromise on handling, with a textured finish for a secure grip.

The DJI Action 2 Power Combo takes versatility to the next level with its magnetic design, allowing users to quickly switch between accessories and mounts. It also boasts a 4K camera with a super-wide 155° field of view and enhanced stabilization features that ensure smooth footage in any scenario. The Action 2 is built with tough alloy materials, making it both durable and lightweight. It's perfect for capturing high-action and underwater footage without compromising on quality or portability.

Image Quality

The Osmo Action 4 features a 1/1.3" CMOS sensor with 12MP resolution for photos and 4K video up to 120fps. This allows for crisp, detailed footage with minimal noise.

The larger sensor size compared to other action cameras allows it to capture more light, resulting in better low light performance. You can shoot sharp, clean videos even in dim conditions. The maximum ISO can be pushed to 6400 for photos and 3200 for videos.

Photo quality is excellent with vivid colors and wide dynamic range thanks to the 10-bit video and HDR support. You have the flexibility to shoot in JPEG or RAW formats.

Videos are sharp and stable due to the RockSteady stabilization which counters even fast motion. The maximum 4K 120fps results in smooth slow motion when played back. You can also shoot 1080p up to 240fps for extra slow motion effects.

The D-Log color profile retains maximum details for color grading in post production. The flat profile captures a high dynamic range without blowing out highlights or shadows.

Overall, the image quality lives up to DJI's reputation and exceeds most other action cameras in this price range. The larger sensor, 10-bit video, and RAW support provide professional-level footage.

If you're looking for a reliable action camera, consider the DJI Osmo Action 3 Standard Combo. This package includes essential accessories, ensuring you have everything you need for your adventures. The compact design, combined with robust features, makes it a top pick for enthusiasts and professionals alike. For more details, visit the DJI Osmo Action 3 Standard Combo page.

Video Features

The Osmo Action 4 is capable of recording video at up to 4K resolution at 120fps. This allows for smooth, high quality 4K footage as well as the option to slow footage down in post production.

The camera utilizes RockSteady stabilization technology which helps produce stable, shake-free video without the need for a gimbal. This is achieved through an advanced stabilization algorithm. Footage is impressively smooth even during fast motion activities.

For slow motion, the Osmo Action 4 can record Full HD 1080p video at up to 240fps. This allows you to slow footage down by up to 8 times in post for dramatic slow motion effects. Slow motion can be used creatively to emphasize action or highlight details that would normally be missed.

The combination of high resolution, stabilization and slow motion recording make the Osmo Action 4 a versatile option for shooting high quality, professional-looking video in a wide range of situations from action sports to cinematic narratives.

Battery Life

The DJI Osmo Action 4 comes with a 1770 mAh battery which is a decent capacity for an action camera. In real world usage, you can expect around 70-90 minutes of 4K/30fps recording on a single charge. This will obviously be less if you use the higher frame rate or resolution modes.

The battery life is comparable to other action cameras like the GoPro Hero 10 which also gets around 1-1.5 hours per charge when recording 4K video. I found I could record 2-3 hours of mixed usage before needing to recharge.

Charging is quite quick via the USB-C port, taking around 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery from empty. You can also charge while using the camera which helps extend recording times.

Overall the battery life is fairly average for an action camera. You'll want to stock up on spare batteries for all day shooting. The battery is removable so you can easily swap them out when one dies.

Connectivity and App

The DJI Osmo Action 4 has excellent wireless connectivity options. It has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0, allowing you to connect to your smartphone or tablet to control the camera remotely.

The companion DJI Mimo app, available for iOS and Android, lets you fully control the camera, view a live feed, adjust settings, preview clips, and share media. With the app, you can switch between photo, video, slow motion, timelapse, and other modes easily.

The Wi-Fi range is quite good, allowing you to maintain a connection up to around 130 feet away depending on conditions. This gives you a lot of flexibility when controlling the camera remotely.

Bluetooth is useful for maintaining an always-on low-power connection to your phone. This allows the camera to sync time and location data from your phone's GPS. You can also use Bluetooth for remote control if you don't need the live view preview or full app control.

Overall the wireless connectivity of the Osmo Action 4 is reliable and versatile. The Mimo app compliments the camera nicely with an intuitive interface and responsive control. These wireless features make the Osmo Action 4 very convenient to use for capturing photos and videos in many situations.

Audio Quality

The DJI Osmo Action 4 has built-in microphones for recording audio during video capture. The microphones do a decent job at picking up voices and ambient sounds when close by, though the audio can start to sound hollow and echoey when further away.

For casual use, the built-in mics are sufficient to capture usable audio. However, any serious audio recording would require the use of an external microphone plugged into the USB-C port or 3.5mm mic jack adapter.

The audio recording quality is good but not amazing. The built-in mics record in stereo at a 48kHz sampling rate, which is decent. However, the bitrate is only 96kbps which means the audio is compressed. There is no option to record uncompressed or higher quality audio with the built-ins.

Overall, the built-in microphones are handy for casual video capture when good audio isn't critical. But for professional use or capturing high-quality audio, an external mic is recommended. The Osmo Action 4 has the ports available to plug in external mics, providing flexibility for different audio needs. Just don't expect studio-quality sound directly from the internal mics.

Accessories

The DJI Osmo Action 4 comes with some useful accessories in the box to get you started. It includes the camera itself, a battery, mounting frame, adhesive mounts, mounting screws, quick release base, horizontal and vertical mounting arms, anti-fog inserts, protective lens covers, USB-C cable, and a storage cover. This provides everything you need to start using the camera right away.

Additional accessories can be purchased separately to enhance your experience. Some recommended accessories include:

• Extra batteries - Allows you to shoot longer without having to recharge. The Osmo Action has a battery life of around 160 minutes when recording 4K/60fps video, so extra batteries let you extend that.

• Charging hub - Charges two batteries at once so you can always have backups ready to go.

• ND filters - Reduces light entering the lens. Useful for filming in bright conditions to achieve correct exposure and a cinematic look.

• Waterproof case - Extends waterproofing to 60m for underwater use. The camera itself is waterproof to 11m without a case.

• 3.5mm adapter - Allows you to connect an external microphone for improved audio quality.

• Remote control - Controls camera settings and starts/stops recording remotely. Useful for vlogging, action shots, and more.

• Extended warranty - Provides extra protection in case of damage. Useful for adventurous use cases.

The included accessories cover the basics well, and DJI offers a good range of extras to expand the capabilities of the Osmo Action 4. Key addons to consider are extra batteries, ND filters for video, and a waterproof case for deeper underwater filming.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Shoots 4K video at up to 120fps for smooth slow motion footage
• 1/1.3" sensor captures good quality video and photos even in low light
• 10-bit color and D-Log M profile provide flexibility in post-processing
• Front display makes framing selfie videos easy
• Waterproof and rugged design for outdoor use
• Good built-in stabilization keeps footage steady when handheld
• Intuitive touchscreen interface is easy to navigate
• Comes with useful accessories like extra batteries and mounts

Cons

• Lacks advanced manual controls like shutter speed and ISO
• No headphone jack for monitoring audio while recording
• Battery life could be better when shooting high frame rate 4K
• No live streaming capabilities
• No ND filter option
• App connectivity can be spotty at times

Conclusion

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is an excellent action camera that delivers impressive image quality and video features in a rugged, waterproof design. It shoots crisp 4K video at up to 120fps and has improved low-light performance thanks to the larger 1/1.3" sensor and 10-bit D-Log M color profile. The front display makes framing selfie shots easy, and the responsive touchscreen interface is intuitive to use.

Battery life could be better, but is decent for an action cam. The accessories allow you to expand the Osmo Action's capabilities for different shooting situations. Overall, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is a great choice for anyone looking for a versatile, high-quality action camera that can capture stunning footage on the go.

For adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts, the Osmo Action 4 is easy to recommend. It delivers stellar stabilization, image quality, ruggedness and features at a reasonable price point. Unless you specifically need the max frame rate and resolution of the GoPro Hero 10, the DJI Osmo Action 4 strikes an excellent balance of performance and value. Its useful front display, battery life, and overall usability make it a great pick for capturing adventures big and small.