DJI Osmo Action: Comprehensive Review and User Guide
The DJI Osmo Action is a compact action camera released by DJI in 2019 to compete with GoPro's popular Hero series. It offers a unique front facing display for easy selfie shooting as well as a traditional rear screen.
The Osmo Action stands out with its RockSteady stabilization technology which helps produce incredibly smooth video footage during active shots. It can shoot sharp 4K video at up to 60 fps and is waterproof down to 36 feet without any external case needed.
With its durable, rugged design and wide range of useful shooting modes and features, the Osmo Action is a versatile action cam capable of capturing stunning photos and videos in various conditions. It's a compelling option that gives GoPro some welcomed competition in the action camera market.
Design and Build Quality
The DJI Osmo Action has an attractive, rugged design that looks and feels premium. The body is made of high-quality plastic with rubber seals to protect it from dust and water, allowing it to be immersed in water up to 11 meters deep.
The front is dominated by the 1.4-inch color touchscreen, which is bright, sharp and very responsive. The rear houses the 2.25-inch LCD for framing shots and reviewing footage. The LCD can get difficult to see in bright sunlight though.
The build quality is excellent with a solid, sturdy feel. The buttons have a nice tactile click and the locking slider switch for the battery/memory card compartment is secure. Overall, the Osmo Action feels like it could withstand some abuse while out shooting action videos and photos.
Image and Video Quality
The DJI Osmo Action offers excellent image and video quality for an action camera of its size and price range.
Resolution
The Osmo Action can shoot video at resolutions up to 4K at 60 fps. The maximum resolution for photos is 12MP. While 12MP may seem low compared to some other cameras, it's very good for an action camera. The sensor size is 1/2.3", which is decent for capturing sharp, detailed shots.
Frame Rates
In addition to maxing out at 4K60 for video, the Osmo Action provides a wide range of high frame rate options for slow motion footage. You can shoot 1080p video at up to 240fps and 720p video at up to 240fps. High frame rates like these let you capture super smooth slow motion during fast action moments.
Bitrates
The Osmo Action enables 100Mbps video bitrates when shooting in H.264 and H.265 codecs. Higher bitrates allow the camera to capture more data, resulting in better image quality, especially in detailed or fast moving scenes. While not the highest, 100Mbps is very good for an action cam and enables excellent video quality.
If you are looking for an upgrade or a new addition to your gear, consider the DJI Action 2 Power Combo. Building on the legacy of its predecessor, the DJI Action 2 features modular design enhancements and improved performance metrics. It offers a compact yet robust solution with an innovative magnetic system that allows you to switch between various shooting configurations swiftly. With the DJI Action 2 Power Combo, you get increased battery life and enhanced versatility for all your adventure and action needs. It's the ideal choice for users seeking the utmost flexibility and highest quality in their action footage.
Shooting Modes and Features
The DJI Osmo Action comes with a variety of useful shooting modes and features that make it versatile for capturing different types of footage.
Timelapse
The timelapse mode allows you to capture timelapse videos by setting the time interval between each shot. You can choose intervals ranging from 0.5 seconds to 60 seconds. This is great for condensing longer events like sunsets or traffic into a short, creative video.
Slow Motion
Slow motion can be shot at 4x, 8x, or 16x slower speeds. This produces dramatic smooth slow motion footage perfect for action shots. At 4K resolution, you can capture up to 8x slow motion. The resulting clips can then be played back at normal speed for mesmerizing slow motion.
Hyperlapse
Hyperlapse is an advanced timelapse mode that incorporates motion for stabilized, moving timelapses. As you move with the camera, it captures photos at set intervals and stabilizes the footage. The end result is a complex hyperlapse video that would normally require expensive equipment. But the built-in hyperlapse mode makes it easy.
The variety of modes on the Osmo Action make it extremely versatile for shooting different styles of videos and experimenting with creative effects using features like timelapse, slow motion, and hyperlapse. These modes expand the possibilities of shots you can capture using just the compact action camera.
Stabilization
DJI's RockSteady stabilization technology in the Osmo Action helps produce incredibly smooth footage, even during fast-paced activities with lots of motion like cycling, running, or watersports. The 3-axis mechanical gimbal stabilization works in conjunction with EIS (electronic image stabilization) to counteract camera shake and vibration.
During testing, the stabilization proved extremely effective at removing jitter and smoothing out video. When mountain biking down bumpy trails and running on uneven ground, footage stayed steady and stable with only minimal warping around the edges. RockSteady works well for both 4K and 1080p recording. The stabilization can't totally eliminate all motion, but it does a superb job smoothing out the biggest bumps and jolts.
Compared to a GoPro without stabilization, the difference is night and day. The Osmo Action produces far steadier handheld footage that looks like it was filmed using a gimbal. This allows users to capture incredibly smooth high-action videos without lugging around a separate gimbal stabilizer. Overall, the RockSteady stabilization is a huge asset and a standout feature of the Osmo Action.
If you are looking for the ultimate stabilization performance in the Osmo series, consider the DJI Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo. This new model enhances the RockSteady technology further by incorporating additional sensor data and improved algorithms to handle even more extreme conditions without sacrificing video quality. Whether you are skydiving, rock climbing, or engaging in high-speed motor sports, the Osmo Action 4 ensures your footage remains smooth and detailed. The upgraded stabilization feature set makes it an essential tool for adventure seekers and professional videographers looking to capture seamless, cinematic shots in dynamic environments.
Audio Quality
The Osmo Action has dual microphones for capturing audio while recording video. The microphones do a decent job at picking up voices and ambient sounds when close by, but can struggle in noisy environments.
For audio formats, the camera records stereo audio in AAC format at 256kbps while shooting 4K video at 30fps. You can also enable a wind noise reduction setting, which helps reduce wind interference when recording outdoors.
Overall, the built-in microphones are good enough for casual use, but for professional audio quality an external mic is recommended. The camera has a 3.5mm microphone jack to connect external mics.
App and Connectivity
The DJI Osmo Action connects to smartphones via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for full control and live preview using the DJI Mimo app. The pairing process is quick and intuitive.
The Mimo app provides various shooting modes, settings, and camera control. You can start/stop recording, change settings, review footage, and share media directly from the app. It also shows battery life, storage, and shooting mode info.
Wi-Fi range is decent, allowing remote control from around 30-50 feet away depending on obstacles. The Wi-Fi signal is strong and reliable for live remote viewing.
Bluetooth allows for low-power remote control of basic functions like start/stop recording. It helps conserve battery life versus using Wi-Fi at all times.
The USB-C port on the side allows direct connection to smartphones and computers for charging, data transfer and firmware updates. The port is conveniently protected by a small removable cover.
Overall, the wireless connectivity and DJI Mimo app integration provide excellent remote control and versatility. It's easy to connect and control the camera from your smartphone.
Battery Life
The DJI Osmo Action comes with a 1300 mAh battery which provides excellent battery life. You can expect to get around 60-90 minutes of recording time per full charge when shooting in 4K at 60fps. This is quite impressive compared to other action cameras like the GoPro which may only give you around 50-60 minutes per charge when shooting in 4K.
The great battery life is thanks to the optimized power efficiency of the camera as well as the lower resolution screen compared to a smartphone. You won't be draining the battery quickly when using features like the front display. Overall, the battery life is more than enough for most users' needs, especially for action shooting where you'll likely be recording clips of 5-10 minutes at a time. Just be sure to carry a spare battery or two if you plan on doing all-day shooting. The batteries are quick to charge via USB-C so you can easily top up between shoots.
Accessories
The DJI Osmo Action comes with a basic set of accessories in the box, including a battery, protective case, mounting bracket, and adhesive mounts. However, there are additional accessories available for purchase that can enhance the camera's capabilities.
Extra batteries - Battery life is limited to around 60-90 minutes when recording 4K video, so picking up a spare battery or two is recommended for longer shoots.
Charging hub - The two-battery charging hub allows you to charge two batteries simultaneously, saving time when you need to recharge batteries between shoots.
Filters - Neutral density and polarizing filters help maintain ideal exposure in bright light. Filters screw onto the front of the camera lens.
External microphone - For improved audio quality, an external microphone can be connected via the USB-C port. Useful for interviews, music videos, vlogging and more.
Waterproof case - To protect the camera when using it underwater at depths down to 60 meters, a waterproof case is required.
Extended warranty - Extend the 1-year warranty to 2 years for added peace of mind when using the camera in extreme conditions.
Floating hand grip - Makes the camera buoyant in water and improves grip and stabilization during activities like surfing or swimming.
Mounts - Additional mounts like suction cups, handlebar mounts and tripod mounts expand mounting options.
Pros and Cons
The DJI Osmo Action has a lot of strengths but also some weaknesses compared to competitors.
Pros
- Excellent 4K video quality with good image stabilization
- Front display makes vlogging easy
- Good slow motion capabilities up to 240fps in 1080p
- Useful shooting modes like HDR video
- Very durable and waterproof design
- Responsive touch controls
- Decent built-in microphones
Cons
- Mediocre still photo quality
- Battery life could be better
- No HDMI port for external monitors
- App connectivity can be buggy
- Low light performance not as good as GoPro Hero8
- No live streaming capabilities
Overall, the DJI Osmo Action is a very capable action camera that excels at video but falls a bit short for still photos. The unique front display and shooting modes make it great for vloggers and content creators. While the battery life and connectivity could be improved, it remains a top competitor to GoPro and is an excellent value.