From Action 2’s lightweight modular design to Action 3’s robust durability, the DJI Action series has always been exploring what kind of action camera can meet the needs of extreme sports enthusiasts while encouraging more users to document their daily lives. What improvements does the DJI Osmo Action 4 bring this time? Is it just a change in the formula or a significant upgrade? Will it become a worthy action camera for everyone to get their hands on?
1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
The previous generation had a 1/1.7-inch sensor, but the DJI Osmo Action 4 has upgraded to a 1/1.3-inch sensor, coming closer to the size specifications of a 1-inch sensor, thus bringing the advantage of improved image quality. The DJI Osmo Action 4 has a single pixel equivalent size of 2.4μm, the same pixel size as a 1-inch sensor, allowing for cleaner image performance in motion and low-light scenarios, and better dynamic range performance in high contrast environments. This means now in high contrast, indoor, and other environments, you can get better detailed and higher quality videos. So why not go directly with a 1-inch sensor? Due to the physical limitations of action camera size and optical depth of field, a 1-inch sensor is not suitable.
Additionally, the DJI Osmo Action 4 has a redesigned optical lens, which is larger in size compared to the previous generation, and has an aperture of F2.8. This means it has a better light intake, resulting in better dynamic range and detail during the day, and improved low-light performance at night.
D-Log M Colour Mode
The D-Log M colour mode has been applied in many of DJI’s drones and is designed for professional photography. With the enhancement of D-Log M colour mode, the DJI Osmo Action 4 can achieve better dynamic range in scenes with high contrast or multiple colours, and offers a broader scope for post-production colour grading. This mode enables a more accurate rendition of the shooting scene’s real viewing experience and colour performance. Simultaneously, the 10-bit colour depth allows for smoother colour transitions, avoiding banding issues during post-production colour grading. Within the DJI Mimo APP, it can automatically recognize if the video is in D-Log M colour mode; if so, stylistic LUTs can be directly applied to achieve a better visual appeal.
18 Meter Waterproofing
The previous model boasted a waterproof capability of 16 meters, making it the first sports camera in the world with such waterproofing ability at the time. Now, the DJI Osmo Action 4 has further upgraded, with a waterproof capability reaching 18 meters, once again becoming the strongest in the waterproofing field among currently available sports cameras. This makes it even more reassuring for diving enthusiasts to explore underwater. Additionally, a new underwater colour restoration feature has been introduced this time. Through the DJI Mimo APP, users can achieve underwater colour restoration, bringing back clear, natural, and true underwater colours, displaying more image details.
The DJI Osmo Action 4 now boasts a more robust and comprehensive accessory ecosystem, catering to a myriad of activities such as cycling, diving, fishing, climbing, motorcycling, land surfing, vlogging, and beyond. Whatever your needs are, you’re likely to find accessories that pair well with the DJI Osmo Action 4.
While many features were already top-notch in the Osmo Action 3, the Osmo Action 4 carries these forward while still maintaining a competitive edge in the industry. This includes attributes like cold resistance, long battery life with rapid charging, magnetic quick release, lossless vertical shooting, 4K 120P slow motion, a 155-degree wide-angle lens, 360-degree horizon stabilization, selfie stick elimination, OTG wired data transfer, and Timecode functionality among others.
All in all, the DJI Osmo Action 4 has seen substantial upgrades across multiple facets such as image quality, colour rendition, stability, and creative filming capabilities. If you’re in the market for an action camera right now, the DJI Action 4 is undoubtedly a choice you can’t bypass.
