DJI looks to take the Action series to new heights with a larger sensor
Two-minute review
We love the DJI Osmo Action 3, and its successor, the DJI Osmo Action 4 has arrived one year later, embodying the same design ethos, with the same tiny but rugged build, best-in-class waterproofing, a convenient magnetic mounting, a removable battery, and a handy front touchscreen.
So what’s new? DJI has sought to address the Action 3’s main weakness – photo and video quality – and it’s done this by introducing an all-new, larger 1/1.3-inch sensor.
If that sensor size doesn’t mean much to you, it’s the same size as the one found in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is one of the best cameraphones, and its dimensions are around 25% bigger than the 1/1.7-inch sensor found in the Osmo Action 3.
Photo resolution is actually lower this time around, down from 12MP to 10MP, while video resolution remains at 4K up to 120fps, plus a 8x slow-motion mode in Full HD. The bigger sensor and similar resolution combined means pixels are bigger than before, and more able to gather light and in turn improve image quality, especially in low-light; the achilles heel of even the best action cameras, including the GoPro Hero 11 Black.
We now also get DJI’s D-Log color profile with 10-bit color, which when paired with that bigger sensor increases image quality dramatically, especially in terms of color depth and dynamic range. Detail in highlights like bright clouds and evening lights is maintained to a level not possible with the Action 3, while shadows look cleaner. D-Log isn’t available in all video modes, but it’s the profile to pick if the frame rates available are okay for what you’re filming.
An adverse impact of the larger sensor in a camera with identical dimensions and 155-degree field-of-view lens is that the minimum focus distance is increased from 0.3m to 0.4m. That might not sound like a big deal, but in real-world use, and with that ultra-wide lens, you’re consigned to all-encompassing views and not the details.
Otherwise, we get Rocksteady 3.0+ stabilization, which is incredibly effective. I’ve been able to sprint, at my admittedly dwindling top speeds, alongside a youthful canine in full flow, and the resulting video footage is smooth as silk. Downhill bikers will have no problems either – you won’t need a gimbal with the Action 4.
Its class-leading waterproofing is even better, too, by an additional 2m down to maximum depths of 18m.
Elsewhere, specs and features mostly remain the same as in the Action 3, which is no bad thing. There’s the excellent magnetic mounting system, which beats GoPro’s efforts, the rear and front touchscreens, and a dumbed-down layout and menu that’s quick and easy to navigate.
If you’re trigger-happy you’ll quickly burn through battery life, and we’d definitely opt for the Adventure Combo over the Standard Combo to gain two additional batteries and the charging hub that holds up to three batteries – you’ll be using it every day on your trips to keep your camera powered up.
The 1.5m Extension Rod that comes with the Adventure Combo is a great accessory, too. Fully extended, and coupled with the camera’s ultra-wide field of view, you can shoot drone-like perspectives, and it truly expands your shot-list repertoire.
I’d like to see a record button on the extension rod, but there is the moderately reliable voice activation for taking snaps when your hands can’t reach the camera itself.
I use many cameras both professionally and for pleasure, and on vacation I think an action camera like the Osmo Action 4 might just trump my mirrorless camera as a second camera to my cameraphone – it can do adventurous things that I just can’t do with my cameraphone, whereas I can get away with my cameraphone instead of my mirrorless camera in many scenarios. It’s been a blast creating with the Action 4, and it’s an easy action camera to recommend.DJI Osmo Action 4: release date and price
Standard Combo available to buy now for $399 / £379 / AU$629
Adventure Combo costs $499 / £469 / AU$819
Plethora of optional accessories
The Osmo Action 4 is available now, with the lowest-cost Standard Combo package costing $399 / £379 / AU$629. That’s a notable 25% mark-up from the Action 3, and similar to the GoPro Hero 11 Black’s launch price, meaning this camera is no longer a ‘cheaper’ alternative.
Stump up an extra 25% and you can get the Adventure Combo, which includes the 1.5m Extension Rod (also sold separately for $49 / £35 / AU$75), two extra batteries, and a battery case that can hold and charge up to three batteries. Unless you already have additional batteries, this is the package we’d go for.
The Osmo Action 4 is compatible with a wide array of optional accessories for capturing all manner of pursuits, including a wrist strap ($39 / £35 / AU$55), bike mount ($16 / £15 / AU$35), handlebar mount $39 / £35 / AU$69), 3.5mm audio adaptor ($45 / £45 / AU$79), Bluetooth remote controller ($79 / £69 / AU$135), lens cover ($19 / £19 / AU$39), and road cycling accessory kit ($79 / £69 / AU$125).
Price score: 4/5DJI Osmo Action 4: design
Largely the same design as the Osmo Action 3
A brilliant magnetic mounting system
Best-in-class waterproofing to 18m
Design-wise, there’s little to add that hasn’t already been said in our DJI Osmo Action 3 review. Here we have the same rugged 145g body, removable 1,770mAh battery with a claimed 160-minute life (which in reality I think is a bit optimistic on DJI’s part), microSD card slot and dual touchscreens.
The lens is the same 12.7mm f/2.8 optic with a 155-degree field of view; it’s a sensible choice for vlogging and action videos, especially as you’ll want to employ the excellent Rocksteady 3.0+ image stabilization, which incurs a small crop of the image area.
You’ll want to keep the lens protector screwed on at all times to keep dust and dirt away from the lens, and to ensure that the class-leading 18m waterproofing is obtained.
