Less than a year after launching its Osmo Action 3, DJI is back with a new and even-more-improved version of its GoPro-challenging Osmo action cam. And while GoPro continues to sit pretty with its HERO11 Black (c’mon, GoPro, no new version in a calendar year?), DJI is really pushing its Osmo line to the brink of its capabilities.
With a new, larger sensor, improved low light performance and added D-Log M recording for better dynamic range, DJI has done just about everything it can to overtake GoPro as leader in the action cam game.
But, with the Action 4 still only providing 4K video and — oddly — lower resolution photos than its previous model, is this new DJI Osmo doing enough to actually become the leader of the action cam pack?
Let’s take a look at the DJI Osmo Action 4 to see what it’s bringing to the table and why you might (or might not) want to consider it for your rough-and-tumble video content needs.
Introducing the DJI Osmo Action 4
With less than a year of R&D time, it is a bit odd that DJI would rush out a newer version of its Osmo Action so quickly. But, in this camera market we’ve certainly seen quicker updates and releases, so it’s not absolutely unheard of — still outside of a few key specs, its essentially the same camera as before in terms of shooting features.
The biggest improvement is the larger 1/1.3-inch sensor which is the same one DJI uses in many of their drones (like the Air 3, the Mini 3 Pro and even the Mavic 3 Pro). This 1/1.3-inch sensor is a decent improvement on its previous 1/1.7-inch sensor. With this sensor we still only get 4K video, but at 120p and 10-bit HDR it should be quite cinematic, especially when combined with the D-Log M and its improved dynamic range.
The DJI Osmo Action 4 continues its focus on rough-and-tumble video and photo use with its RockSteady and HorizonSteady stabilization systems, a fully waterproof camera body, a quick release mount and pretty much all of the dual screen and USB-C charging cable/ports as before.
Comparing the DJI Osmo Action 4 and the GoPro HERO11
So, the big question for this new DJI Osmo Action 4 (and perhaps forever for any new action cam in this debate) is how it compares against the latest action cam versions from GoPro. As we covered before in our comparison between the GoPro HERO11 Black and the HERO11 Mini, GoPro has done all it can to stay at the forefront of the action cam game.
Yet, despite their best efforts to stay ahead of DJI and others, the latest GoPro versions have still left enough to be desired for content creators to shop around — which is good for all of us consumers at the very least.
The GoPro options continue to stay well ahead of this latest DJI Osmo Action 4 with 5.3K video (although only up to 60p with the HERO11 Black). Which might not be the case forever as — also oddly — the new DJI Action 4 now has a bigger sensor than the GoPro HERO11 with its 1/1.3-inch sensor over GoPro’s 1/1.9-inch sensor.
Specs and Pricing
The specs for the new DJI Action 4
Credit: DJI
The biggest calling cards for this new DJI Action 4 are its high-definition video capabilities and its wide dynamic range. With this improved d-range (a contraction I just invented), color should be that much more clear and vivid with better temperature calibration and some highly intelligent auto-exposure and white balance features.
The Action 4 should also shine in low light situations, which are indeed needed for many travel and run-and-gun content creators looking to test the “action” aspects of these action cams. But we’ll let the specs speak for themselves if you'd like to check them out below.
- 1/1.3" CMOS Sensor, Wide 155° FOV
- Front & Back Color Touchscreen Displays
- Up to UHD 4K120, 2.7K120, 1080p240
- Fast Charge Technology, Voice Control
- RockSteady 3.0 Image Stabilization
- HorizonBalance & HorizonSteady Leveling
- Camera is Waterproof to 59'
- Built-In Mics for Stereo Audio Recording
Price: $399.00
We’ll have to wait and see a bit how the early hands-on reviews rate this new DJI Osmo Action 4 though compared to the GoPro, but with a similar price point for each, they’re undoubtedly going to be contrasted with each other for some time — and may ultimately come down to your brand affiliations and loyalties.
