DJI Osmo Action Camera: Review.

I have received a few private messages asking me my opinion on the DJI Osmo Action compared to the GoPro Hero 8


Firstly, I have never owned a GoPro, so I cannot compare my DJI Osmo Action against the GoPro Hero 8, although I had watched a lot of YouTube reviews on both these action cams, and comparing the two.





The thing that swung it for me was the twin screens, the front screen is great for vlogging, especially useful for when paddling as you can check you are in the frame. Also, it can be controlled by voice commands, again, no need to stop what you are doing (in my case, paddling) to start and stop recording. The voice command feature is a bit glitchy at present, this could be down to the internal microphone picking up background noise, I hoping that will be addressed in a firmware update.

The electronic image stabilization (EIS) which is called “Rocksteady” is fantastic on this camera. The lens is replaceable if scratched or broken, not so with the GoPro Hero 8 which has a built-in lens so if damaged you would have to replace the camera.

The battery is part of the case on the Osmo action, I like this feature as it is quick to remove and replace. 

Both cameras are waterproof, the Osmo Action being waterproof to a depth of 11 metres without an additional outer case although additional waterproof cases are available.

The Osmo Action comes with an outer cage which allows for it to be connected to a multitude of GoPro accessories. It will also allow connection of the external microphone adaptor with the micro SD card slot and C type connector slot door removed, however, you can not attach accessories such as a microphone to the DJI supplied cage.  

Be warned, there are many third-party cases available with cold shoe attachments,  but only the Pgytech Rabbit Cage allows for a secure fit of the external microphone adaptor at the time of writing this review.

External microphone adaptors are available for both these action cameras, the Osmo actions being cheaper and more compact. Once external accessories are attached, these action cameras are no longer waterproof. 


All in all, not a lot between the two, the front screen was the game changer for me and DJI have occasional firmware updates to add and improve features.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Accessories in the photos Hensych for DJI Osmo Action Microphone 3.5mm/USB-C Adapter, Charging Audio Adapter DJI Osmo Action Battery Osmo Action Battery Charger Boya Video Microphone Pgytech Rabbit Cage DJI Osmo Flexi Mic Top Accessory The DJI cage will house the action cam and allow for the connection of the external microphone adaptor, but there is no facility to mount accessories.  The Pgytech Rabbit Cage allows for connection of the microphone adaptor plus two external accessories.  What stands out Dual Screens - Colour screens on both the front and back allow for better scene compositions Shake-free footage - Ensures smooth and stable high-quality footage no matter how rough the shooting conditions 4K HDR Video - Captures rich details that are often lost in complex lighting conditions Image quality - Shoot at up to 4K 60p, 2.7K resolution for up to 60p, and up to 240 frames per second slow motion in 1080p Custom Exposure settings - Take long exposures of up to 120 seconds, which is perfect for shooting timelapses at night Ready for action - Dustproof, shockproof, waterproof and has the ability to operate in sub-freezing temperatures Front and rear colour screens The vibrant 1.4" front screen makes vlogging and selfies easier than ever before, while the 2.25" screen on the back boasts the latest hyper-responsive touch control technology for incredibly intuitive operation. State-of-the-art electronic image stabilisation Bolstered with DJIs advanced electronic Image Stabilisation technology, RockSteady, you can shoot silky smooth, high-quality video - no matter how brutal the action is. More dynamic details with HDR video Record your footage in HDR video and bring out hidden detail that's often lost in complex lighting conditions. It all makes for a more natural-looking shot, preserving every little detail in the brightest brights to the darkest shadows! Crystal-clear The Osmo Action offers high-quality 4K videos at 60 fps at 100 Mbps. This not only ensures pin-sharp videos but also opens up a variety of options in post-production. 8x slow motion Record silky smooth slow-motion footage at a resolution of 1080p and 240 frames per second. Custom exposure settings Capture the night sky like never before with manual and semi-automatic settings that allow up to 120 seconds of exposure. Time-lapse Record long periods of time into a short video Simple to use Osmo Action’s three multifunction buttons and touchscreen display allow you to flick through the modes and record in a matter of moments. There are even five voice commands available to control functions like recording, taking photos and turning the Osmo Action off. Save your favourite camera settings Save up to five customised modes and access your most-used camera settings in just a few seconds, ready for any imaginable situation. Record in less than two seconds Never miss a moment with SnapShot and start recording in under than two seconds. Simply press the shutter button and away you go! Waterproof Record epic footage above and underwater without the need for any additional housing. The Osmo Action features a built-in waterproof seal and a water-repellent coating on the touch screen, allowing you to operate it at depths of 11 meters. Dustproof, shockproof and built to withstand extreme temperatures Its rugged, durable design can be taken anywhere the action takes you. It can withstand drops from up to 1.5 metres and has the ability to operate in sub-freezing temperatures of -10°C. 16% efficient cooling system An effective system for heat dissipation allows recordings over longer periods of time and up to 16% more efficiency. More info Sensor: 1/2.3" CMOS Megapixels: 12 Megapixels Len Field of view: 145° f/2.8 ISO Photo Range: 100-3200 ISO Video Range: 100-3200 Electronic Shutter Speed: 120-1/8000s Max Image Size: 4000×3000 pixels Still Photography Modes: 1. Single 2. Countdown: 1/2/3/5/10s, 3. Timed: 0.5/1/2/3/4/5/8/10/15/20/35/45/65/125s, 4. Burst: 3/5/7s, 5. AEB: 1/3EV×3, 2/3EV×3, 1EV×3, 1/3EV×5, 2/3EV×5, 1EV5 Video: 4K (16:9) – 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24fps, 4K (4:3) – 30, 25, 24fps, 2.7K (4:3) – 30, 25, 24fps, 2.7K (16:9) – 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24fps, 1080p – 240, 200, 120, 100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24fps, 720p – 240, 200fps Slow Motion: 720p 120, 240fps, 1080p 120, 240fps. HDR Video: 4K – 30, 25, 24fps, 2.7K – 30, 25, 24fps, 1080p – 30, 25, 24fps Timelapse: 4K– 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 20, 30s, 2.7K– 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 20, 30s, 1080p– 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 20, 30s Max Video Bitrate: 100 Mbps Supported File Formats: FAT32 (≤32 GB); exFAT (≥64 GB) Photo Formats: JPEG/JPEG+DNG RAW Video Formats: MOV, MP4 (H.264) Supported SD Cards: microSD; Max. 256 GB Front Screen: 1.4 inches, 300 ppi, 750 ±50 cd/m² Back Screen: 2.25 inches, 640×360, 325 ppi, 750 ±50 cd/m² Battery Type: LiPo Battery Capacity: 1300 mAh Operating Temperature: -10 to 40°C (14 to 104°F) Dimensions: 60 x 42 x 35mm Weight: 124g