The action camera market has been dominated by a few key players over the years, and DJI, known for its high-quality drones and imaging technology, has made a significant impact with their Osmo Action series.
Their newest addition, the DJI Osmo Action 4, continues to raise the bar for action cameras and solidifies itself as a major player in the increasingly crowded market. The astonishing low-light performance and the easy-to-assemble and secure magnetic mount system make this an easy-to-transport unit with plenty of accessories and add-ons to be able to capture every moment from every angle.
Built for the Moment
The Osmo Action 4 maintains the familiar compact and sleek design we have come to expect from the Action products. With an integrated touchscreen on the rear, it’s easy to navigate through settings and preview footage, even in challenging environments.
My experience with this camera was primarily city-based. Riding a scooter around the city streets of Melbourne’s CBD allowed for the action cam to capture all the footage I needed while still feeling securely held together through the magnetic base and body of the camera itself. The removable battery allows for spare batteries to be carried around and used in periods of prolonged use, with a multi-battery charging unit that is also sleek and easy to carry around.
The most significant upgrade in the Osmo Action 4 is the ability to shoot stunning 4K video at a smooth 120 frames per second. This resolution still provides incredibly sharp and detailed footage, ideal for both professional videography and casual action shots.
As I brave the streets on my electric scooter, my b-roll looks absolutely spectacular in the leafy and bustling Melbourne CBD. It’s also helped by DJI’s RockSteady 3.0 stabilisation technology, which offers buttery-smooth video capture, eliminating the need for external gimbals. The many potholes in the city roads and navigating around tram tracks churned out something smoother than I had initially anticipated.
The Action 4 has also increased its image sensor by 25%, allowing for a much sharper image quality. This becomes really noticeable when taking footage first thing in the morning during lower light conditions. The camera really comes to life in night usage on the other hand, particularly when driving. With the headlights on, getting some good footage in these conditions was incredibly easy, especially compared to previous Action cams and competitors in the market. The camera has front and rear colour displays, which makes it a lot easier to get the perfect shot in the frame.
Lights, Camera, Action!
The Osmo Action 4 is waterproof up to 18 meters without the need for separate housing. This level of waterproofing ensures that short of deep-sea diving, you can capture amazing underwater footage without any major concerns. I couldn’t test this at those maximum depths, but the footage I got was gorgeous.
The addition of voice control commands makes it super convenient to operate the camera hands-free. Commands like “start recording” or “take a photo” are recognised accurately, even in noisy environments, ensuring the action is never interrupted.
Battery life is decent, but with extra batteries easily obtainable, it’s not an overwhelming concern for me. The removable single battery allows for spare batteries to be swapped, during periods of long use or if travelling. The camera’s ability to withstand rough conditions and its improved waterproofing without a case and added protection up to 60m with the waterproof case is an added feature of this action cam. It can withstand freezing temperatures up to -20 degrees Celsius, adding to both its reliability and usability.
Final Thoughts
The DJI Osmo Action 4 is a remarkable action camera that takes the already high standards set by its predecessors and raises them to a new level. With its 4K video resolution, enhanced low-light performance, improved stabilisation, and additional features like dual displays and voice control, it’s a perfect choice for casual users and professional content creators alike.
While it comes with a premium price tag, its video quality, durability, and usability value make it an otherwise excellent investment. The DJI Osmo Action 4 is simply up to any task and sets a new standard in the increasingly crowded landscape of action cameras.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Fantastic resolution; RockSteady 3.0 stabilisation technology
Lowlights: Not a huge step up for Osmo Action 3 users
Manufacturer: DJI
Price: A$629
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by DJI.
