It’s a really close battle with the GoPro Hero 7 Black, however, the DJI Osmo Activity just borders it to take the title of our new favorite 4K activity camera.
Instead of a big leap ahead from GoPro’s front runner, it improves some areas (usability, manual shooting alternatives) while attracting level with the Hero 7 Black in others (video clip high quality, stabilization).
DJI Osmo Action Review
Advanced shooters will take pleasure in the extra versatility of attributes like a 1/8000s shutter speed, as well as the Osmo Activity is one of the most straightforward action electronic cameras I have actually used. Vloggers will certainly also appreciate its front color display for framing adventure video clips.
For lots of people, however, the Osmo Action isn’t a substantial renovation over the Hero 7 Black in regards to video clip quality or stabilization. In some scenarios, such as hyper-lapse videos, GoPro’s Hypersmooth digital stabilization still has the edge, as well as the Osmo Action likewise lacks some features like live-streaming.
This indicates the Osmo Activity is a lot more like a remarkable variation of the Yi 4K And also (which likely has the exact same sensing unit) than a next-gen GoPro. It lacks some of GoPro’s bonus extras for informal individuals, such as the handy Quik app, but in regards to raw performance as well as adaptability in a hands-on setting, it’s the very best action electronic camera around.
Layout– The Osmo Activity isn’t quite, but its front screen is fantastic for vloggers
The Osmo Action has two big benefits over other action cameras– it’s by far one of the most user-friendly I have actually used and also it has a front color display for travel vlogging if that’s your thing.
There are better vlogging cameras around– the Osmo Activity’s reasonably tiny 1/2.3- inch sensor and aperture mean it’s no suit for an electronic camera like the Canon EOS M50, or even DJI’s Osmo Pocket, in regards to high quality. After that, you can not conveniently take those surfing or place them on a climbing helmet.
It could not initially feel like it, but the Osmo Activity is also as rugged as a GoPro. It’s water-resistant down to 11m without a situation (a cheeky one meter additionally than the Hero 7 Black) as well as survived my sea swim with no problems. DJI also states it can withstand drops from five feet and also temperatures of -10 C if you’re planning a journey to Alaska.
While I have not been able to test the Osmo Action to devastation, I have spent many hrs in its firm, and also located it to be a genuine enjoyment to make use of. Whatever CPU it utilizes (DJI won’t comment on parts), it’s extremely snappy in operation, while the touchscreen is both responsive as well as larger than the Hero 7 Black’s. Comparative, the GoPro all of a sudden feels quite dated.
Other convenient touches consist of screw-on lenses, which makes it simple to include or replace damaged one’s ND filters, and also a QuickSet button on the leading left for scanning settings without making use of the touchscreen.
Like the GoPro Hero 7 Black, there are two microphones (one on the top, an additional on the side), which offer passable sound. You’ll desire to plug in the 3.5 mm adaptor that DJI states are coming for the Osmo Activity if you require accurately great audio high quality though
Due To The Fact That the Osmo Action’s structure makes use of the global two-pronged mount, it works with a lot of third party accessories– consisting of numerous GoPro ones. Nonetheless, there’s no word yet on the rates and also accessibility of its several main devices.
One final layout incentive is its removable battery. The system for this– clicking the two locks either side of it– originally felt like it could be a vulnerable point for the waterproofing, as well as you do have to take care that the latches are flush with the base. But I had no occurrences with this, and also the Osmo Action endured an extensive sea swim without issues.
Like the GoPro Hero 7 Black, you can reenergize the battery on-the-fly making use of an exterior battery pack (this takes around 90 minutes), or just swap in a spare one.
Functions– The Osmo Activity is brimming with shooting settings, however, lacks live streaming
When it pertains to shooting modes, the Osmo Action matches the GoPro Hero 7 Black in most locations, as well as borders it in others.
Both can fire detailed 4K video at 60fps (much more on that listed below) and have superb digital photo stabilization. Impressively, DJI’s RockSteady stabilization greatly matches GoPro’s HyperSmooth, which has been the gold standard for smoothing out activity camera videos given that it landed in September 2018.
The Osmo Action additionally borders its opponent by consisting of an HDR video alternative (although this, unfortunately, does not work with its RockSteady stabilization) as well as a hand-operated mode that’s more flexible than GoPro’s Protune.
This lets you press the shutter speed up to 1/8000s (helpful for cold action in brilliant sunshine) as well as to 120 seconds (beneficial for long direct exposure pictures). By comparison, the GoPro Hero 7 Black maxes out at 1/3840s as well as the 30s respectively.
The Osmo Action additionally uses a comparable variety of method shots to choose from, consisting of a slo-mo setting (240fps in 1080p), voice control, as well as the option of capturing time-lapses and also hyper-lapse.
It does not beat the GoPro Hero 7 Black in all areas though. GoPro’s ‘TimeWarp’ mode is smoother and also sleeker than the Osmo Activity’s hyper lapses (you can see this on our video examples page). GoPro additionally uses a live streaming setting, as well as its Quik app is much more powerful for making quick stories as well as edits.
While DJI has a range of devices coming for the Osmo Activity (consisting of a billing hub as well as tripods), there’s no word yet on when these will be lots of and readily available of the Osmo Pocket’s accessories have been postponed. This means that, right now, the GoPro Hero 7 Black has larger family members of 3rd party accessories.
Connected: DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro Hero 7 Black: which should you purchase?
Video clip and image high quality– Up there with the GoPro Hero 7 Black, yet it’s a close call
Theoretically, the DJI Osmo Activity is a slight step up from GoPro’s flagship, with a higher recording bit-rate of 100Mbps and the choice of an HDR video mode. But in reality, there isn’t much in it, with handling offering each video camera the edge in different modes.
Both video cameras’ 1/2.3- inch CMOS sensors create a detailed 4K video clip at 60fps with good dynamic variety, as well as with excellent digital picture stabilization.
The GoPro Hero 7 Black’s large advantage over various other activity webcams has been its HyperSmooth stabilization, yet DJI basically matches it in most methods, other than in hyper lapses which are smoother on the GoPro. That’s an outstanding accomplishment from DJI, whose background is in making mechanical gimbals for its drones instead of EIS.
The Osmo Activity’s video clip high quality has a less ‘refined’ appearance than the Hero 7 Black, with less saturation and honing baked in. This works in its favor in 1080p, with information looking much clearer, though the Hero 7 Black’s processing takes care of motion better in 4K capture.
Both video cameras also have a similar field of view with unique settings that aid remedy the fisheye of their wide-angle lenses. On the Osmo Action, this is called ‘Dewarp’ as well as has a comparable impact to GoPro’s Linear setting– the photo over on the left is the conventional fisheye sight, while the one on the right is with ‘Dewarp’ switched on. Unlike on GoPro video cameras, this is likewise readily available when shooting in 4K on the Osmo Activity. It’s not the most effective choice for every scene, however, it behaves to have the choice in all modes.
Theoretically, the Osmo Activity’s HDR mode needs to offer it the edge, as well as it does supply a touch extra vibrant range in difficult scenes with combined illumination. Since the HDR mode doesn’t function with RockSteady stabilization, it’s actually only for scenarios where you have the video camera installed securely as well as preferably aren’t speeding over some cobblestones (or, in my case, swimming in the freezing sea).
What’s the audio high quality like for vlogging? Extremely comparable to the GoPro Hero 7 Black, which has perhaps a touch much more quality. This implies it’s fine for run-and-gun video clips, especially ones you’re most likely to add a soundtrack to later on, and also there is software-based wind noise decrease built-in as well.
However as my video clips having real-time music programs, the microphones are very conveniently overwhelmed by loud noise, and for slightly professional audio you’re going to intend to wish to install an outside microphone, like a Rode Videomic Go, and also plug it into DJI’s forthcoming adaptor.
You can see watch great deals extra example videos (consisting of vlogging, low light as well as stabilization tests) on our ‘DJI Osmo Action– Image quality, stabilization as well as microphones evaluate’ web page.
Few people acquire an action video camera for still images and, like all of its rivals, the Osmo Activity disappoints your mobile phone right here. Still, if you desire something to take souvenir snaps of your white water rafting journey, it’ll definitely get the job done– there’s a pinch more vibrant variety than the Hero 7 Black, even if you strangely do not get the ‘Dewarp’ alternative for still pictures.
Connected: Ideal vlogging cams
Should I get the DJI Osmo Activity?
If you’re trying to find a tough, qualified 4K electronic camera to tackle severe adventures, as well as you don’t currently have a recent GoPro, after that the Osmo Activity is well worth snapping up.
Its front color screen makes it particularly appropriate for vlogging and it’s more flexible for sophisticated shooters than the Hero 7 Black, thanks to its remarkable shutter speed options.
Still, if you’re even more of a laid-back individual and currently own a GoPro Hero 7 Black, then it’s most likely unworthy changing to the Osmo Action. The distinction in video clip high quality is marginal, and also although DJI has impressively managed to match GoPro’s Hypersmooth stabilization in many circumstances, its Mimo application does not fairly have the editing and enhancing alternatives of its main rival yet.
