Kit Palmer | August 15, 2024
The new DJI Osmo Action 4 is a subtle upgrade over the previous Action 3 model. It is equipped with a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor, capable of shooting 4K video at 120 frames per second, offers 10-megapixel photo resolution, and has a 155° Ultra-Wide Field of View (FOV). It also has, according to DJI, enhanced low-light imaging performance over the previous model, thanks to that larger sensor.
DJI’s latest action camera is the Osmo Action 4. It’s very GoPro-ish and simple to use.
The Action 4 camera includes DJI’s 360° HorizonSteady stabilization to minimize shake from all angles and its RockSteady 3.0 smart stabilization for ultra-smooth overall footage. DJI claims that the body is waterproof up to 59 feet without needing a special case and resistant to deep freeze conditions. Additionally, it features front and back full-color touchscreens and a magnetic quick-release mounting system.
The Osmo Action 4 weighs 5.1 ounces (145 grams) and measures 2.8 inches wide by 1.7 inches tall by 1.3 inches deep (70.5 x 44.2 x 32.8 millimeters), including the lens protrusion.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both available, and the camera connects to DJI’s Mimo smartphone app, which is available for both Android and iOS platforms for remote control, mobile editing, and firmware updates. Live streaming is possible without special software using Wi-Fi or the camera’s USB-C port.
The Osmo Action 4 Camera retails for $299 but is available with several combo (mounting) packages at varying prices. Our camera came with the Motorcycle/Mountain Cycling package, which includes the camera, a chest strap mount, and a handlebar mount for $349. All combos include at least the camera, a battery, a USB-C cable, two sticky mounting pads, a magnetic mounting base, and a metal cage with a side mount for vertical filming.
Lowdown | DJI Osmo Action 4 Camera
List Price: $299 (standard combo) / $349 (as tested, w/ Motorcycle/Mountain Cycling package)
Excellent stabilization
Good image quality
Up to 4K120 slow motion
Ultra-wide lens
Quick-change mounts
Excellent waterproofing
“Only” 10 megapixels for still photos
Compartment access doors are awkward to use
Somewhat difficult to remove from metal housing
The Action 4 camera takes high-quality video in 4K and 10-megapixel still images.
Rider Analysis | DJI Osmo Action 4 Camera
This was my first time using any of DJI’s action cameras. However, I am familiar with their drones, and I’ve always been very impressed with their image quality for both video and still photography. So, I was anxious to give the Osmo a try. I am also fairly familiar with GoPro action cameras (aren’t we all?), so it was very easy to familiarize myself with the Osmo 4—it’s very GoPro-ish. It doesn’t take long to figure out what does what without referring to the instructions, even if you’ve never used a GoPro or an action camera before, for that matter.
I won’t geek out on all the camera’s technical details; instead, I will focus on what’s important to me, and most likely to you, too, regarding action cameras in real-world use, like ease of use and image quality.
Let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed with the quality of either the Action 4’s videos or still images; they both look great. Colors are rich and accurate, and the smallish 10-megapixel (in JPEG or JPEG+RAW) still images look very sharp right out of the camera. The still shots you see on these pages came right out of the camera with no help from post-processing, which is nice when your life revolves around deadlines. Same with videos. If you’re into post-processing, however, there is plenty of information within the photo and video to make them look even prettier. I preferred shooting in ultra-wide lens mode. There is some distortion, but it is acceptable, in my opinion. You can’t add a lens to the Action 4, but I never felt the need to. There is, however, a screw-on lens protector that I never removed. It’s best left in place at all times.
I was most impressed by the camera’s stabilization system. I used the handlebar mount, which took just seconds to clamp into place and position the camera the way I wanted it, on my fat-tire e-bike and rode it over a section of trail that was a sea of rocks. I was blown away by how smooth the video was; it was as if I were riding on freshly laid pavement. You don’t see any jiggling. On a street motorcycle, videos are as smooth as silk. You won’t need a gimble with this camera.
The Motorcycle/Mountain Biking package has a chest/back mount and cycling mount because most motorcyclists do both. The camera’s stabilization system is fantastic.
The camera also delivers super smooth videos on a motocross track via the chest strap mount, which has mounts both front and rear for coming and going shots.
Battery life is good. DJI claims the Action 4 can record up to 160 minutes. The longest I got while shooting 4K in standard stabilization mode nearly continuously was a little over half that, but that was still plenty for whatever I needed (so far). I’m sure battery life would be much longer shooting in 2.7K.
I loved the quick-release mounts. You can move the Action 4 from one mount to another quickly and effortlessly, but don’t lose those little mounts: they’re expensive at around $15 a pop. With the Action 4’s base mount attached to the camera, I could use my drawer full of GoPro mounts, which was nice.
The camera’s internal audio is remarkably clean. The sound quality is better than I expected, and it does a very good job of squelching wind noise. For voice recordings, you can attach DJI’s wireless (via Bluetooth) Mic2, which should improve sound quality even further.
I also found it easy to get the camera to communicate with my smartphone via the Mimo app to control the start/stop recording remotely. The app works with both iOS and Android.
What I didn’t like? The locking doors that protect the camera’s only port, a USB-C port, and the battery/micro-card compartment are a little awkward to operate. I kept getting an “SD card speed slow, recording may stop” message that got a little annoying after a while, but it never did stop. So, I’ll continue to wait until I lose my old card before I upgrade to a faster one.
The bottom line is that the DJI Osmo Action 4 camera is a very impressive, rugged action camera that can go anywhere, shoot anything, and create outstanding video and still images. And its stabilization system is fantastic. The best part, however, is that it does it all right out of the box: just charge it, mount it, press play, and go. It’s that easy. You can fine-tune things later if you want, and you have many options. Plus, it’s priced about right, the same as GoPro’s latest Hero 12 Black, which, however, shoots in 5.3K and delivers higher resolution photos. But if those things are not important to you, DJI’s new Osmo Action 4 camera is absolutely worth looking into.CN
Learn more about the DJI Osmo Action 4 Camera at dji.com
