DJI OSMO Action 4 Review

It’s a little under a year since the release of the phenomenal but underrated DJI OSMO Action 3, and now the DJI OSMO Action 4 has arrived.

In the DJI OSMO Action 3, we saw a return to the more familiar GoPro-like shape which DJI had departed from with their innovative OSMO Action 2. While the Action 3 should have hit the ground running, it went head-to-head with the GoPro Hero 11 Black on release. Never a good thing, so the launch was somewhat drowned out by the noise of the more established brand

Sensibly, this time around, DJI has opted to launch the OSMO action well ahead of the competition, and while little at first looks to have changed under the surface, this is a very different camera.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 brings powerful features to compete with the GoPro Hero11 Black, emphasising exceptional video quality, improved battery life, and advanced stabilisation options with RockSteady 3.0 and 3.0+.

The camera’s robust design again ensures durability in extreme conditions. The now familiar touchscreen interface on the back makes the Osmo Action 4 easy to operate. Then there’s the front-facing screen that assists with the usability for selfies and settings adjustments. The vertical mounting is a nice option but requires the cage to do so again. Still, it adds versatility. Key features include a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 155º f/2.8 lens, 4K at 120fps and 1080p at 240fps and 10-bi D-Log recording capabilities.

As the camera takes a step up in quality with that larger sensor, more enthesis is focused on combining the new OSMO Action 4 and the AI-powered LightCut software that enables a far smoother and hassle-free way of editing and preparing video footage.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 maintains the robust build and appearance of its predecessor, the Osmo Action 3, ensuring it remains near bomb-proof. Visually the only real difference is the 4 next to the camera name.

The front-facing touch screen, a feature carried over from the Osmo Action 3, continues to be a highlight for anyone shooting selfies. The front screen’s touch functionality is handy and gives you control options without flipping the camera.

However, one slight issue that persists in the Osmo Action 4 is the requirement for an additional cage for vertical mounting. This limitation in the Osmo Action 3 is again relevant for the update. Although the cage enables vertical orientation, it can be cumbersome, especially when needing to access the battery or switch between orientations frequently. It would have been more convenient if DJI had integrated the clamp mechanism directly into the camera’s body in the way possible with the OSMO Action 2.

Despite this minor flaw, the Osmo Action 4 excels in handling, making it easy to use and carry on various activities. The magnetic clamp mount, a feature shared with its predecessor, remains a standout feature and a great alternative to the common GoPro mount. If you already have GoPro mounts, then don’t worry. There’s a very neat GoPro mount solution. The mount offers quick and secure attachment to various accessories, such as bike mounts or selfie sticks.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 build is again excellent, identical to the Osmo Action 3, with only minor gripes related to the cage design for vertical mounting.

The Osmo Action 4 boasts instantly impressive features, starting with 4K resolution at 120 frames per second (fps) and 1080p resolution at an impressive 240 fps. This ensures stunning, high-quality footage, even in fast-paced action scenes or slow-motion sequences. While the GoPro Hero 11 Black and the Osmo Action 3 already offer 120fps at 4K, the sensor size of the Osmo Action 4 is larger.

The camera’s image stabilisation system, RockSteady 3.0+, is a true standout, providing exceptional stability to video recordings. Building upon the advancements seen in its predecessor, the Osmo Action 3, RockSteady 3.0+ has been enhanced over time, with HorizonBalancing joining the HorizonSteady features. These innovative stabilisation options push the boundaries of electronic image stabilisation, resulting in remarkably smooth and steady footage, particularly during dynamic movements.

Again, as with the Osmo Action 3, the battery life of the Osmo Action 4 is exceptional in normal shooting conditions, with operation times quoted by DJI as being 160 minutes.

Despite these notable strengths, it’s worth mentioning, if you hadn’t already noticed, that the Osmo Action 4 lacks groundbreaking technological advancements when compared to the previous model. While it retains its competitive edge and delivers exceptional video quality, you might have expected more significant leaps in innovation.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 impresses with its cutting-edge video recording capabilities, exceptional stabilisation features, and battery life. However, the absence of major technological breakthroughs and the need for a separate cage for vertical mounting might not seem worthy of being a completely new model, more of an Osmo Action 3+. However, the new sensor behind the scenes makes a major difference when it comes to performance.

Performance:
From the outset, I’ll point out that with the firmware updates to the Osmo Action 3, you essentially have the same camera as the new Osmo Action 4, at least on the surface. Behind that ultra-tough exterior is, however, a completely new sensor, and DJI has done well to contain the new electronics in the same form factor as the previous generation.

The result of the sensor is a significant upgrade. However, on paper, almost everything else remains the same, and any changes between the release version of the Osmo Action 3 and 4 are mostly resolved with a firmware update.

So side-by-side, the battle between the two cameras out on the trail is small, there’s so little difference it’s difficult to tell one from the other. They seem to be as quick as each other when scrolling through the settings, and I actually forgot which was which on several occasions.

The sole difference then comes down to the video quality. The most notable improvement lies in its low-light capabilities, providing cleaner and more detailed footage in challenging lighting conditions. This enhancement ensures you can confidently capture moments in dimly lit environments, such as forest trails, without compromising video quality.

The RockSteady 3.0+ stabilisation system continues to impress, delivering impressive electronic image stabilisation to keep footage smooth and steady even during intense movements. The addition of HorizonBalancing and HorizonSteady further enhances stability, although I do feel you can overdo the stabilisation, especially when you’re wanting to show speed!

Throughout testing, the camera performed flawlessly, meeting my expectations. The App was user-friendly with some nice touches including the AI editing at the end of a ride that offered fast editing and control features ready for upload.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 boasts significant improvements in low-light performance and general video quality with cleaner footage, however, the Osmo Action 3 was already excellent.

Really, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use alternative to GoPro, then the DJI Osmo Action 4 is a superb choice. The people who will absolutely benefit from the Action 4 over the Hero Black 11 are those already invested in the DJI ecosystem. If you own and use a DJI drone, then the matching of colour profiles and the 10-Bit D-log footage is going to help cut down on editing and grading time. But, this is really for the pros.

As an action camera, the DJI Osmo Action 4, does at present have the edge on video quality over the GoPro Hero 11 Black and beats the Insta360 ONE RS on stability and ease of use.

With the DJI Osmo Action 4 action camera, you’ll be well-equipped to capture your adventures in exceptional quality. The camera’s impressive video capabilities, including improved low-light performance and smooth stabilisation, ensure that every moment is recorded in vivid detail. As with the Osmo Action 3, the battery life is exceptional and outlasts the competition.

The Osmo Action 4’s versatility with magnetic mounting enables you to quickly switch between various accessories without needing to undo bolts and clamps. While the separate cage for vertical mounting remains a minor drawback, it doesn’t overshadow the camera’s overall performance and reliability.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 emerges as a strong contender in the action camera market, particularly when facing off against its competitors. With outstanding video quality, extended battery life, and user-friendly features, this camera is an enticing option for capturing all types of action and adventure.

It’s still a tough battle between the top three; GoPro, Insta360 and DJI, but now each definitely has a unique selling proposition (USP). For DJI, that’s anyone already using a DJI drone or looking to integrate a camera into a video workflow. For enthusiasts, the easy-to-use interface and reliability are all appealing. But at present, it’s the small feature of that excellent magnetic mount that makes the Osmo Action 4 the camera I grab when I’m headed out on a ride.