DJI Osmo Action may have just killed the GoPro 7.

May 15, 2019 Action, Action Cameras, DJI, GoPro, News 11

DJI Osmo Action may have just killed the GoPro 7

I’m a huge fan of a small high quality action camera, and honestly I rarely use these kind of cameras for action. I use them for daily video, vlogs and the fact that they fit in my pocket and can be taken anywhere. I had high hopes for the Sony RXoII but that camera has issues that were never fixed such as the awful menus that you need a magnifying glass to read. The Sony is not user-friendly and does not have very good stabilization yet it is the most expensive action type of camera around. For me, the best small video camera that is truly a take anywhere, and I mean take anywhere (water, sand, dry air, heat, cold, etc) has been the GoPro 7. I have filmed so many videos with it and it’s been a life saver for me at times.

I have shot the GoPro 7 Black since the day it was released and love it. It’s small, it is of high quality, it’s waterproof without the need for a case, it shoots in 4K, has slow motion and has amazing stabilization that bests most gimbals I have shot with. In fact the GoPro 7 for me has eliminated the need for a gimbal when using a camera such as this. I love my GoPro 7 Black and much preferred it to the the DJI Osmo Pocket, which I feel had several issues and was not even close to my GP7 for IQ or usability, build, user experience or ease of use.

But today I feel the GoPro 7 may have finally been bested, at least on paper and from what I have seen so far. 

Yes indeed, I just ordered the new DJI Osmo Action at $349 (same price as the GoPro 7), and THIS is what I have been waiting for from DJI. THIS is what the pocket should have been as it is smaller, weather proof, a better form factor, and can truly fit in a pocket.

The OSMO ACTION looks a lot like the GoPro 7 in design. In fact, you can smell the inspiration when looking at the Osmo Action just in photos on the DJI Website. Even down to the touch menus, and the features. But the Osmo action has one thing the GoPro 7 does not and that is TWO screens. One in the rear and a front facing screen so you can see what you are filming if you are a vlogger. In fact, just by reading the Osmo Action page it appears this new Osmo will be the worlds best Vlogging camera. Take look at the official page over at DJI and read the features on this camera. It LOOKS amazing! 

Here are some of the features…

  • 1/2.3″ CMOS Sensor, Wide f/2.8 Lens
  • Up to 4K60 Video, 12MP Still Photos
  • Up to 3200 ISO, HDR Support
  • Wide Dynamic Range in 4K30
  • RockSteady Digital Video Stabilization
  • Time-Lapse, Hyperlapse, Slow-Motion Mode
  • Waterproof to 36′ without a Housing
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Support
  • Touchscreen Displays on Front and Back
  • Records to microSD/SDXC/SDHC Cards
Compact action camera with 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor and wide 145 degree f/2.8 lens that records up to 4K60p HDR video and 12MP photos. 
Capture up to 12MP raw and JPEG photos; record up to 4K60p or 1080p240 H.264 MOV or MP4 video at up to 100 Mb/s; supports slow-motion, hyperlapse, and time-lapse modes.
Crisp 2.25″ touchscreen display on back with 640 x 360 resolution; additional 320 x 320 resolution display on front.
DJI’s RockSteady Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) technology stabilizes footage in standard record modes with 18-22% crop factor. RockSteady is enabled in all video modes except in slow-motion, hyperlapse, or time-lapse mode.
Slow-motion mode records up to 240 fps; maximum ISO is 3200.
Supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) video recording in 4K30p.
Lock screen function to prevent accidental touchscreen presses.
Five voice commands make essential functions like filming, capturing photos, and powering down the device effortless.
Dual microphones with noise reduction technology and dual speakers; can input audio with an external microphone using the USB Type-C input.
Durable enough to withstand drops from 5′ and can be submerged down to 36′ in water without a case for up to 30 minutes.
The Quick Switch button ensures modes and settings are easily and quickly accessible. It has multiple capabilities including options that let you flip between the front and back screen, change modes, and select custom settings.
With SnapShot you’ll never miss a moment of the action. Press the shutter button to power on and begin recording in under two seconds. Pressing the shutter button once when the camera is in sleep mode or powered off engages preset shooting modes.
145° angle of view; narrow and dewarp field-of-view options.
Charge to 70% in 30 minutes with a separately available fast-charging adapter.
Records to microSD/SDXC/SDHC cards, UHS-I compatible cards with 30 MB/s write speed or higher recommended.
Connect with the Mimo app on iOS or Android smartphones using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Includes a mounting frame, a USB Type-C cable, a quick release base, a flat adhesive mount, a curved adhesive mount, and a connector screw.

The features in bold above are the ones that sold me on this camera. Sure, my GoPro 7 does most of the already but if the Osmo Action can best the IQ of the GP7 and be as rock solid as DJI claims it will kill virtually every other action camera made today.

Mine ships this week, so as soon as I get it I will be doing a side by side with the GoPro 7. I Have HIGH hopes for the Osmo Action and if it lives up to the hype it will be my new “go everywhere with me” camera for my daily video shooting that I do for YouTube content.

If it falls flat, has glitches or has shoddy IQ it will go back. Either way I love what DJI has done here, and it’s a great day for action camera fans.

I do not get free or review units from DJI. I buy what I review these days for 90% of what I review. So you will get a fully honest review from me. If this ends up having issues or is not as good as the hype, I will let you know ; ) I am here to talk truth.

Order the DJI Osmo Action HERE at B&H Photo

Related Articles

11 Comments

  1. looking at the early reviews, I much prefer the image from the GoPro has much more pleasing OOC colours and autoexposure than this new upstart. Probably the Osmo will motivate GoPro to put a front screen on the GoPro 8 – but really the lens is so wide, I vlog with GoPro all the time and never have a problem with framing.

  2. One YouTuber pointed out that the image stabilization does not work in 4K, in 240fps and in HDR. However he noted that the stabilization is indeed a little better than Hero 7 or Sony 3000. Image quality is apparently better than Hero 7 but worse than Sony 3000, especially in low light. OSMO however deals with bright sunlight exposure better than the other two. Another YouTube review pointed out that OSMO has many frame rate options that match DJI drone cameras. I hope this helps someone.

    • I have both here and the image stabilization is MUCH better than the 7 Black when you have rocksteady on. It’s truly 100% gimbal like. The Osmo action is better than my beloved 7 in many ways, from ease of use, being able to bring up any mode instantly (that you set up for each) like slow motion, video, photo, time lapse, etc. With Dewarp it works much like Linear on the GP. The Osmo feels nicer, looks cooler, the front screen is brilliant, batter is better longer life, and the screen on the back is larger. Controls are quicker and the IQ is sharper but with different color (Osmo is more contrasty for sure). I much prefer the Osmo and this is the very first Osmo camera I am head over heals for. I now have one Osmo and one Gopro but may sell my GP 7 to buy another Action so I only need one battery type. The big deal for me is the quick button on the side where I can just push for slow motion or photo use. No menu diving..and also, the front screen. Also the built in audio on the Osmo is crisper than the GP which is a tad muffled in comparison. The Osmo bests the GP7 though, without question and I am a HUGE fan of the GP7, use it 3-4 times per week.

    • Apparently my info was wrong. Osmo’s fantastic stabilization works in 4K mode.

  3. Hi Steve. Is that a speaker grill on the front? What happens when its in sand or dirt – does it clog up and do you have to wash it out? Something to show on your review if that gets in the way.

    • I believe it is for heat, and this is waterproof and built for action use. I do not think it will be an issue. Mine gets here Tuesday ; )

  4. my dealbreaker is always low light quality and image stability since i use this kid of cameras mostly (or only) underwater. i’ll wait for more detailed reviews to form an opinion 😉

  5. Would you consider the RX0 II for photography only on outdoor travel journeys/holidays. Small, waterproof, sturdy, simple and good photoquality is what I miss.

  6. Hi Steve,
    simple question: can this camera (or GoPro7) be used as a “no sport/action” but regular travel camera? What I mean is use as a family holiday camera for architecture, trekking, beach, architecture objects inside, etc – just to replace a need to use “standard” camera (in my case either Pen-f or Leica CL) – or distortion (for architecture) is too high and can be annoying?
    best, Wojtek

    • Yes of course, I use it for normal video ALL the time! I have used it for videos that have received hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. When you use a GoPro 7 (latest version) it is like using a normal video camera and is smoother than a gimbal camera, has fantastic image quality and has good audio built in. Fits in a pocket and when you set the video to LINEAR you will not get that old ultra wide fisheye effect but rather a nice wide angle non distorted image. It does 4K, slow motion, and photos if you like but I do not use it for images, just video. I love my GP 7 and it truly slaughtered the DJI Osmo Pocket in every way. This new OSMO talks the talk, hope it can walk the walk. Mine arrives Monday. But I 100% recommend the GoPro. This video starting at 9:15 through 11:4 is all GoPro 7, (but only shot in HD here and then downsampled to YT) even the beach stuff (which shows the IQ), using the built in mics and no gimbal. Just the camera.

Comments are closed.