DJI OSMO ACTION 4: First Look at Adventure Combo Kit

DJI’s latest OSMO Action 4 camera throws down a serious challenge to GoPro’s Hero 11 Black. In this first look video I was impressed by the larger sensor in the Action 4, colours and battery life. Before you buy your next action camera, you need to watch this and my follow up comparison video.

The Adventure Combo kit comes with three batteries and a streamlined charging case. Battery life is one of the key selling points of the OSMO Action 4 so to have a nicely packaged group of three batteries is outstanding.

That and a bigger sensor with 10-bit colour and you have yourself a great little action camera.

Additional Features 

• SnapShot Button & Quick Switch Button offers immediate recording and instant mode switching.
• Quick Switching Between Five Custom Modes allows users to save their frequently used custom settings and switch between modes on the fly with the Quick Switch button and voice prompts.
• Voice Prompt informs users of current modes without needing to unmount the camera. 
• Voice Control recognises voice commands with a high recognition rate to control the camera when hands are busy.
• Upgraded InvisiStick recognises and digitally hides the selfie stick and eliminates the selfie stick from your shots in a wider range of scenarios.

• Digital Zoom of up to 2x can be adjusted while recording for better image composition.
• DJI Mic Compatibility via the Type-C port, and external mics via 3.5mm to Type-C cable.

Image Quality

The Osmo Action 4 comes with an ungraded 1/1.3″ image sensor, wide f/2.8 aperture, and 2.4μm-equivalent pixel size. You can shoot 4K/120fps at 55° ultra-wide FOV.

The 10-bit D-Log M colour mode provides over one billion colours and a wider dynamic range, giving more flexibility for post-production. An advanced colour temperature sensor ensures true-to-life tones, whether you’re shooting outdoors, indoors, or underwater, resulting in vibrant colours that leap out of the camera.

The low light performance of this camera is actually pretty impressive. Action cameras are traditionally awful when it comes to low light. But I found that the Action 4 can deliver acceptable results.

When it comes to smooth video, the Action 4 has 360° HorizonSteady stabilisation modes, including RockSteady 3.0/3.0+ for FPV footage and HorizonBalancing /HorizonSteady for horizontal shots, Osmo Action 4 ensures stable and high-quality imagery in various sports and non-sporty scenarios.

It has three mics and advanced wind noise reduction software that enables recording with enhanced audio fidelity, even in windy or fast-moving scenarios. With Wi-Fi live streaming capability, you can easily connect with your audience using Wi-Fi or your phone’s hotspot, ensuring a seamless broadcasting experience. Use an external power supply to keep your action camera charged during longer streams to ensure an uninterrupted broadcast. 

Battery Life

I got well over an hour shooting time in 4K/50 with the Action 4 on the roof of my car. I could have gone a lot longer as the indicator was still showing around a third remaining. With its ultra-long battery life, you can film for over 2.5 hours – at lower resolution. When it’s time to recharge, the fast-charging capability ensures you’re ready to shoot quickly, needing just 18 minutes to bring the battery up to 80% charged. Additionally, Osmo Action 4’s battery is built to withstand low temperatures with a freeze-resistant design. With up to 150 minutes of recording time in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F), you can confidently embark on your adventures without worrying about battery performance.

Displays

The dual water-stain-resistant touchscreens eliminate the need to struggle with the action camera when making parameter adjustments during selfies, mode switching, or video playback. Additionally, Osmo Action 4 offers customisable modes and a Quick Switch button for seamless transitions between shooting modes. Features like SnapShot ensure you never miss a memorable moment and you have the ability to save and access frequently used settings. Additionally, Osmo Action 4 is designed to withstand depths of up to 18 metres without a case, allowing you to dive in with confidence and enjoy easy operation even with wet hands.

AI Editing with the LightCut App

The LightCut app seamlessly connects wirelessly to Action 4 via Wi-Fi, allowing for quick previews and auto-editing without the need for transferring footage from the camera.

The app gives you access to a live feed of the camera and offers various story templates and accessible in-app editing tools. LightCut can recognise themes within the footage, recommend an ideal shot sequence and edit content automatically with just one tap, ensuring superb 4K/60fps videos effortlessly. It can intelligently match exclusive templates with various use scenarios, including biking, diving, surfing, skiing/snowboarding, camping, vlogging, travel, and more. 

Price and Availability

Osmo Action 4 is available now from https://store.dji.com/au and authorised retail partners in several configurations. 

The Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo retails for A$629 and includes Osmo Action 4, one Osmo Action Extreme Battery, the Osmo Action Horizontal-Vertical Protective Frame, the Osmo Action Quick-Release Adapter Mount, the Osmo Action Curved Adhesive Base, an Osmo Locking Screw, a Type-C to Type-C PD Cable, an Osmo Action Lens Hood, and an Osmo Action Anti-Slip Pad.

The Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo retails for A$819 and includes Osmo Action 4, three Osmo Action Extreme Batteries, the Osmo Action Horizontal-Vertical Protective Frame, an Osmo Action Quick-Release Adapter Mount, one mini Osmo Action Quick-Release Adapter Mount, one Osmo Action Curved Adhesive Base, two Osmo Locking Screws, a Type-C to Type-C PD Cable, the Osmo Action Multifunctional Battery Case, one Osmo 1.5m Extension Rod, one Osmo Action Lens Hood, and one Osmo Action Anti-Slip Pad. 

All this is shown in the video.