DJI Osmo Action 4: the new best action camera?

The DJI Osmo Action 4 looks almost exactly like the Action 3, but one change is likely to make all the difference: its new, larger sensor. What effect does this have on image quality? What else is new? Is this the action camera for you? All the answers in this article.

DJI Osmo Action 4: design and accessories

Dimensions (L x W x H)	70.5 x 44.2 x 32.8 mm
Weight	145 g
Touchscreens	Front screen: 1.4 inch Rear screen: 2.25 inch

Virtually unchanged design

As mentioned in the introduction, those familiar with the Osmo Action 3 will be in no doubt. The DJI Osmo Action 4 has the same design as its big sister, but with a few minor aesthetic details, including a slightly darker grey hue.

To begin with, dimensions (70.5 x 44.2 x 32.8 mm) and weight (145g) remain unchanged. There are two color touchscreens, a large one at the rear and a small one at the front.

On one side, a large sliding door continues to house the battery and SD card slot. On the other side, a smaller sliding door still hides the USB-C port. If the power button / Quick Switch just above is still there too, good news is that it’s less hard when pressed and therefore easier to use than on the previous version.

On the top, the photo/video recording button remains unchanged. Its color has changed slightly, from orange to red, as has the “4” in the “ACTION 4” lettering on the front of the device. The microphone at its side has also evolved slightly in terms of aesthetics.

Finally, on the underside, while the DJI logo and non-slip surface are replaced by a smoother appearance, the same magnetic fastening system with its two connectors on the sides remains as practical and efficient as ever.

The biggest difference is not obvious. It concerns the front lens: the Osmo Action 3’s 1/1.7-inch sensor is replaced by a new, larger 1/1.3-inch sensor. We’ll come back to this in detail later, in the section dedicated to images.

As on the Action 3, this sensor is protected by a removable protective lens that can be replaced if necessary, i.e. in the event of a slightly too violent impact that leaves unwanted scratches. ND filters can also be attached and simply fitted over the top.

Accessories

DJI offers the Osmo Action 4 in a number of different bundles. There’s the standard Bundle, with the basic accessories supplied by default, but also a whole list of Bundles associated with a particular sport or type of activity, such as the Diving Bundle, the Motorcycle/Mountain Bike Bundle, or the Road Cycling Bundle. Each Bundle contains the accessories needed to shoot the activity in question.

Standard Bundle accessories (found in all packs) include :

• the quick-fit installation bracket: this attaches to the magnetic mounting system on the underside of the camera, and consists of a flat metal base with a GoPro-style double-rod mounting system that allows it to be installed just about anywhere you like, such as on a tripod or selfie pole, among others.
• the protective frame: this provides additional protection for the camera, which is slid inside. The installation bracket can then be attached to the underside, or to the side, for vertical filming in 9:16 format.

Numerous other accessories are available in the various packs offered and/or separately, such as a harness that secures the camera to the chest and back (70€), a 1.5-meter-long selfie pole (39€), a multi-functional battery case that stores and charges 3 batteries (59€), and a variety of different attachments for all kinds of uses.

The new accessory that particularly caught our eye was the Bluetooth GPS radio control. Available for €79, it comes with two Velcro straps for attaching to the wrist or handlebars. It controls remote recording and incorporates a small monochrome screen that gives access to the camera’s various settings and displays useful information. The icing on the cake is a built-in GPS that records telemetry data (speed, route, altitude, total distance, etc.). These can then be added to your videos via the DJI Mimo application.

DJI Osmo Action 4: performance

Batteries	LiPo 1S 1770mAh
Autonomy	160 minutes
Operating temperature	-20 to 45°C (-4° to 113°F)
Waterproofing	18 meters

The interface

As we saw in the section on design, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is, like its predecessor the Action 3, equipped with two color touch screens, a large one on the rear and a small one on the front. The interface is as fluid and responsive as ever, and the menus are well thought-out and ergonomic, with large, easy-to-handle icons.

All settings are accessible on the front screen, which is very convenient to use. You’re going to say, “It’s a gadget, just turn the camera around”. Except that it’s really handy in certain situations, and you get used to it very quickly, to the point where you miss it when you switch back to a camera that doesn’t have it. Let’s hear it for GoPro.

Another useful navigation function is the Quick Switch button on the side, which lets you toggle between different shooting modes (including custom modes). Very practical in action.

Last but not least, the DJI Mimo smartphone app lets you control the Osmo Action 4 remotely and edit footage. Compared to GoPro’s Quik application, the connection with the camera is very fast and stable. It also offers a live preview of the image captured by the camera.

Improved sealing

It’s a small improvement, but one worth mentioning all the same: the DJI Osmo Action 4 is now waterproof to a depth of 18 meters, compared with 16 meters for its predecessor.

Compared to the 10 meters of the GoPro HERO 11 or Insta360 X3, it goes without saying that the Osmo Action 4 is the champion of all action cameras on this criterion.

Cold and heat resistance

Another advantage inherited from its predecessor, the Action 3, is that the DJI Osmo Action 4 can be used in extreme temperatures ranging from -20 to 45°C (-4° to 113°F). What’s more, at both very low and very high temperatures, autonomy is virtually unaffected, and operating times remain more than satisfactory.

On the other hand, like all action cameras, it tends to heat up quickly, and recording will cut itself off after a while. But this is an action camera first and foremost, and it’s designed for outdoor use in ventilated spaces, so you know where you stand if you want to shoot a vlog at home with the camera resting on a table.

Autonomy

Autonomy was greatly improved with the Action 3, and the Action 4 maintains this very good point. Its removable battery retains the same capacity: 1770mAh. Autonomy remains the same: 160 minutes maximum, depending on the shooting mode you use. More than satisfactory uptime, and what’s more, superior to that offered by direct competitors.

DJI Osmo Action 4: the image

Sensor	1/1.3-inch CMOS
Lens	FOV: 155° Aperture: f/2.8 Focusing range: 0.4 m to infinity
Max. photo resolution	10 MP
Video resolution	4K up to 120 fps 2.7K up to 120 fps 1080p up to 240 fps
ISO range	Photo: 100 to 12800 Video: 100 to 12800
Photo formats	JPEG RAW
Video formats	MP4 (H.264/HEVC)
Idle time	4K: 4x (120 fps) 2.7K: 4x (120 fps) 1080p: 8x (240 fps), 4x (120 fps)
Digital Zoom	Photo: 4x Video: 2x max.
Stabilization	RockSteady 3.0 RockSteady 3.0+ HorizonBalancing HorizonSteady
Max. bit rate	130 Mb/s
Storage	microSD card (up to 512 GB)

A new sensor

This is THE big change in this new DJI Osmo Action 4 compared to version 3: its new sensor. The Action 4 features a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor, compared with 1/1.7-inch for the previous model.

For drone enthusiasts, this is the same sensor size as on models like the DJI Mini 3 Pro, or the new DJI Air 3.

Photo and video features

For the most part, we find the same photo and video functions already present on the Action 3. These include the usual Timelapse and Hyperlapse modes, and slow-motion shots available at 120 fps in 4K and 2.7K, and even up to 240 fps in 1080p resolution.

On the color profile side, there’s the standard profile, of course. On the other hand, the D-cinelike profile has disappeared, which is rather good news because it has been replaced by a 10-bit D-Log M profile. Its wider dynamic range gives you greater flexibility in post-production.

Finally, the InvisiStick selfie-pole masking function has been improved on this model. On the Action 3, we had the impression that this mode was still in development, and DJI recommended using it only when skiing. It can now be used in any situation. If it works, it’s still far from perfect, and there are occasional blurred and/or shiny areas around the boom, and the illusion isn’t as impressive as with Insta360’s competitors.

Stabilization

Stabilization still works just as well on the Action 4. The latter even offers 4 stabilization modes, one more than on the previous model.

The following modes are available:

• RockSteady 3.0, the basic stabilization mode.
• RockSteady 3.0+, the new kid on the block, adds an extra level of stability. It will crop the image slightly more in return.
• HorizonBalancing stabilizes the horizon up to an angle of 45°.
• Horizonsteady pushes horizon stabilization to the max: the horizon won’t move even if you rotate the camera 360° on itself.

Note that it is also possible to disable image stabilization altogether, and perform it in post-production using dedicated software.

Image quality

Larger sensors normally mean better image quality. So, what’s the verdict? What image quality does the new DJI Osmo Action 4 offer?

We’re not going to beat around the bush: Action 4 really surprised us. Image quality is clearly improved over the previous generation. Images are sharper, dynamic range is higher, and you get better contrast and a higher level of detail in both shadows and highlights.

Note that the “O” in the “ACTION 4” label on the front of the camera hides a brightness sensor. The latter optimizes white balance, resulting in more realistic colors.

For example, images taken underwater. The luminosity sensor will detect that the camera is underwater and adapt the white balance accordingly. As a result, underwater images offer truly beautiful and realistic colors. At least as good (if not better) than a GoPro HERO 11.

The same is true for photos and video. We’d like to say: finally, a picture quality worthy of the name on an Osmo Action! And even image quality on a par with a GoPro camera, or even better in certain situations, as we’ve seen.

Finally, the night images. The larger sensor is a real asset in this type of situation. Capable of capturing more light, it offers great improvements in low-light conditions. Where noise appears on GoPro images, Action 4 images are much cleaner. It’s still an action camera, but the night images are really beautiful for a camera of this type.

See for yourself in this Youtube video, which compiles several sequences filmed at night:

DJI Osmo Action 4: price

Osmo Action 4 Standard bundle	299€	See on Amazon
Bundle Osmo Action 4 Adventure	399€
Osmo Action 4 Road Cycling Bundle	378€
Osmo Action 4 Motorcycle/Mountain Bike Bundle	369€
Osmo Action 4 Fishing Bundle	335€
Osmo Action 4 Diving Bundle	368€
Osmo Action 4 Ski bundle	338€
Osmo Action 4 Surf Bundle	318€
Osmo Action 4 Hiking Bundle	386€
Bundle Osmo Action 4 Vlog	498€

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is available from the official DJI store , starting at €299. For this price, you will get the standard Bundle pack, including, in addition to the camera of course, the following accessories:

• an extreme battery
• protection for the lens
• a protective framework
• a quick-release installation bracket
• curved adhesive base with fixing screw
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• a set of anti-slip pads
• DJI logo sticker

As you can see from the table above, DJI offers a whole range of different packages, depending on the activity you want to practice (and film 🎥 ). Each pack includes the accessories you need, such as a handlebar mount for your bike in the Road Cycling pack, or a 60-meter waterproof housing in the Diving pack.

The Adventure Pack includes more general accessories that will be useful in all situations not related to the practice of a particular sport or activity, and which will ensure that you are armed for many situations. These include a 1.5-meter selfie pole, 3 batteries and an intelligent charging station. Ideal for keeping up with your battery needs.

DJI Osmo Action 4 conclusion: should you buy it?

In short, the DJI Osmo Action 4 brings two real improvements over the Action 3: slightly greater water resistance (18 meters instead of 16), and above all, a new, larger sensor. But the latter makes all the difference, offering far superior image quality.

At last, a really top DJI action camera, with all the advantages already offered by the Action 3 (dual touchscreen, autonomy, attachment system, DJI Mimo application and cold resistance), and image quality worthy of the name.

Perhaps its only flaw is that its maximum resolution stops at 4K, whereas the GoPro 11 offers 5.3K resolution. But despite this, its image quality has nothing to envy its competitor – quite the contrary.

So, should you buy it? The DJI Osmo Action 4 clearly stands out as one of the best action cameras available today… while waiting for the upcoming release of the GoPro 12! 😋

See also..:
➡️ Our full review of the DJI Osmo Action 3
➡️ Our full review of the GoPro HERO 11 Black

📷 Curious about what the next generation has to offer? Read our DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review, or check out our DJI vs GoPro comparison to see how the Action 5 Pro stacks up against its biggest rival!