DJI Osmo Action 4: The New King of 4K Action Cameras?
DJI Osmo Action 4 is here; this time, the camera looks better than ever. The last generation DJI Osmo Action 3 was more like a mediocre device, but things are looking bright this time. All the issues are resolved, and we have new features and options that add value to the camera. But as always, specs on paper do not define the performance. So, here is a thorough inspection with all the negatives and positives about the solid action camera
Let’s Inspect
Summary
Pros
- Supreme build quality
- Well-capable hardware
- Excellent battery endurance
- Super stable firmware
- Ample options to fine-tune your videos.
- Handy smartphone app for quick video editing
Cons
- Slow data transfer due to USB 2.0 standard
- Increased price
DJI Osmo Action 4 – Price
Osmo Action 4 is more expensive than its predecessor. It starts at 399$, which used to be GoPro’s territory. The price increase was kind of expected, considering the economic conditions. DJI also offers many combos like Adventure, Cycling, Diving, Surfing, Hiking, Vlog and more. They all have the essential accessories and cost more than the standalone action camera price.
I ordered the Adventure combo that comes with a battery case, two extra batteries, and a 1.5m extension rod.
DJI Osmo Action 4 – Unboxing
DJI has followed the trend of taking things out sideways for the box. The package is nice and has proper branding with highlighting features. Opening the box from the side will reveal two boxes.
One has the action camera and protective cage while the second holds the battery case and batteries. Underneath both boxes, we have the telescopic extension rod.
Overall, I like the unboxing experience and the fact that DJI has followed the trend and designed a different box for DJI Osmo Action 4.
Appearance and Build Quality
Osmo Action 4 is very similar to its predecessor. You can even fit the newer camera in the cage of DJI Osmo Action 3. But there are some differences. The speaker on top is now circular instead of a squarish design, the shutter button is red instead of orange, and there is no rubberized base. Apart from them, everything is identical.
The camera’s plastic body feels super strong; it is waterproof up to 18 meters and can withstand many bumps and falls. One thing that I really like in DJI action cameras is the mounting bracket. It is very convenient and easy to use.
DJI has been very proactive in bringing simple and efficient mounting solutions that are strong yet straightforward. DJI has been quite successful considering the magnetic mounting on DJI Osmo Mobile and the clip-on type of mounting bracket on DJI Action Cameras.
Technical Specifications
- Image Sensor: 1/1.3-inch CMOS Image Sensor
- Optics: FOV 155°, Aperture f/2.8
- Resolution: up to 4K 120FPS and 1080p 240FPS
- Battery: 1770mAh
- SD Card: Support up to 512GB
- Display: Front: 1.4-inch 320×320 touch screen, Rear: 2.25-inch 360×640 touch screen
- Smartphone App: DJI MIMO
- Weight: 145 grams
User Interface
If you have ever used a DJI Action Camera, it will take seconds to get familiar with the interface. It’s simple, functional and stable. The firmware and menus are very stable; there is no stuttering or glitch, and everything works smoothly. In the menu, you will find both basic and advanced functions. You can set the resolution and aspect ratio going as high as 4K 16:9 120 FPS and 1080p 240FPS. Then, you will find rocksteady, horizon balancing, and other similar functions.
In advanced controls, you can manually adjust everything, even the field of view. It has wide, very wide, and standard or dewrap option that gives a narrower field of view. DJI has also added D-Log settings for better action shots.
DJI Osmo Action 4 – Performance
DJI has left a lot of grey areas in Osmo Action 4, like there is no information regarding the chipset and image sensor. But one thing we can analyze from the performance is they are perfectly capable of delivering excellent performance. The optics this time are also bigger to provide brighter and sharper pictures.
In terms of performance, DJI Osmo Action 4 is better than ever. It has excellent dynamic range, the white balance is significantly improved, and we see natural colors. The colors have also got better with D-log settings. If you are shooting in Pro mode with custom settings, I would also recommend spending some time in post-processing. The extra time will be worth the money, significantly enhancing the video quality.
At night, Action 4 is delivering remarkable results. The large image sensor is doing the job perfectly. In our YouTube video you will see side by side comparison Osmo Action 4 is not as good as GoPro Hero 11 but still looks great.
The stabilization of the action camera is on par. Rocksteady 3.0+ and HorizonSteady keep the footage super smooth and aligned even if the camera is tilted to 45°
DJI MIMO App
The smartphone app is also a part of the software ecosystem. It is used on all the consumer-grade products from DJI i.e., mobile phone gimbals, Action Cameras, and Pocket series. MIMO has all the options you will find in the camera along with presets to shoot different videos. Moreover, it also acts as a good viewfinder if the camera screen is too small for you. Moreover, the app is also good for minor post-processing to quickly make it social media-ready.
The app works perfectly well on iPhone, but you will have to download it from DJI’s website for Android because it is not available on the Play Store.
Drawbacks
- Slow data transfer because of USB 2.0
- Increased Price
Conclusion
DJI Osmo Action 4 is a great device. It is one of the rare devices in which the manufacturer has addressed all the issues raised by the community in the previous generation. It is more capable and has the hardware to deliver supreme-quality videos. Moreover, with reliable support and periodic updates, we can expect it to get even better with time.
Learn more about the action camera in our YouTube video.
