With GoPro, Insta360, and DJI all having similar stabilization, 4k frame rates, and shooting modes, the one thing a brand needs to win the action camera wars, it’s better low-light image quality. The best way to do that is increasing sensor size, and that’s exactly what the new DJI Osmo Action 4 did.
Compared to GoPro HERO 11 Black (1/1.9″ sensor) and Insta360 ONE RS (1/2″ sensor), that’s massive – 46% bigger than HERO 11, and 65% bigger than their Action 3. DJI seems to take full advantage of that by jumping up to 10-bit D-Log M color (same as HERO 11), meaning it should capture all of the color and way more light than anything else on the market as of August 2023.
Other new features include an optional GPS Bluetooth Remote that adds more data (location, speed, elevation) to your video and, obvi, lets you start and stop recording remotely.
It attaches to their excellent magnetic mounts, of which there are plenty of options, but there’s a new Horizontal/Vertical (H/V) Protective Frame that lets you attach the camera vertically, too. Once snapped into place vertically, it’ll natively record vertical video so you can bump your Stories and TikToks to the next level without having to do any post-production cropping. Just pull the video straight from the camera to your phone with their app and watch those likes swarm in.
It keeps their impressive -20° to 45° C (-4° to 113° F) operating range, and they say the battery is protected enough to give you up to 150 minutes of recording at the bottom end of that range. It charges quickly, getting 80% full in just 18 minutes.
Lastly, waterproofness increases to 18m from 16m without any extra case needed.
Other tech features are fairly standard now and include:
- 120fps high frame rate in 1080p, 2.7K 16:9, and 4K 16:9
- 4K60fps with 155º ultra-wide FOV
- Hydrophobic coating on lens and screens
- Up to 2.5 hours recording time
- Auto Color Balance even adjusts for underwater filming
- RockSteady 3.0 image stabilization
- 360º horizon leveling
- Invisible Selfie Stick mode
The standard package ($399) includes the camera, their extreme battery, H/V protective frame, quick release adapter mount, adhesive base, mounting screw, charging/sync cable, lens hood, and anti-slip pad. An Adventure Combo ($499) adds two more batteries, an extension handle, a battery case, and a few other bits. Available now.
