DJI - Osmo Action 4

I'm the dad (my kids were born '91, '96, '01) that used a camcorder (multiple sizes) and the phone, and ... Whatever else was out there. I current have a GoPro 11 and a DJI Action 4. Just took one on an outing with my wife and while it was fun, I would not have used it for general recording of stuff with my kids. You are too far away most of the time and the zoom is not great (and digital). Just my opinion, YMMV.

I agree, some of the footage I've seen in the reviews looks absolutely horrible. Like something out of a 2010 mobile phone camera. That being said I have osmo 4 and nothing bad to say about the quality. I also wanted to mentione some things that noone is talking about comparing dji action and gopro. Osmo is like 50x more reliable. I've had multiple gopros and crashes are pretty much a common thing with them, it sucks. Never had a crash in osmo actin camera. Also the touch screen reaction time and ui responsiveness is just so much better than gopro, it's not even funny . The user experience is just so much better in osmo action cam that I'm willing to tolerate a little bit worse picture quality

I would choose action 5, but I'm heavily biased. I used to be a big-time gopro fanboy (used all the versions from 6 to 12), but they didn't make it very easy. Switched over to Osmo Action like a year ago and haven't looked back since. Gopro has always had a lot of overheating issues, corrupt files, crashing issues, super unresponsive UI, and horrible battery life. Sure, gopro does produce a little bit better quality video, but this is also arguable. action 5 has a bigger sensor and therefore a better lowlight performance, prolly also better dynamic range, but I haven't really checked that dynamic range data specifically. Gopro does a little bit larger bitrate, so yeah, gopro wins in resolution and technical quality, but osmo action has significantly better battery life, better low light performance, and OMG it's just sooo much more reliable. After using action 4 for 1 year, I've had 0 crashes and 0 overheating issues. Constantly got those issues with gopro. Stabilization is arguably better in gopro, but there isn't much difference to be honest Also action 5 quick release system is superior to gopro in every single way. Gopro has dji beat only in two things - maybe like 5% better picture quality, and brand recognition.

let me just say i do not regret buying the 4 instead of waiting, especially after seeing footage from the 5

I got pocket 3 and action 4 just in case if the weather change. Happy for both :)

Action 4 owner here. There must be something wrong in your unit, cause I have crystal clear videos with mine and I don't think DJI's releasing a worse version and call it "Pro". One thing I have learned with DJI cameras, is that you always have to tweak the settings and create different profiles. And for that, you have to test, test and test until you find the sweet spot for each situation. The options you should be looking for are "Sharpness" and "Noise reduction" (or similar, not sure if these are the names in english, as I use another language, sorry for that) and make sure they are not at +2 or -2, put them at 0. Check those values and try again. The "blurriness" should dissappear with those right values. If you already checked this, then go back to DJI and check if there's a hardware issue or something.

I just had to make the decision between the go 3s and other kind of "standard" action cams just a few weeks ago. The portability is great, it‘s super lightweight without the action-pod and the magnetic back can give you quite unique shots. But it does lack in battery life (without the action pod) and image quality. Also it‘s quite expensive. I ultimately did go with the DJI Action 4 with the neck mount combo for about 100 bucks less and way better battery life and image quality. But the other action cam from insta360 would be also quite a good alternative (it‘s called ace pro iirc). I was really impressed by the possibilities of the go 3s w/o action pod but it doesnt support 4k @ 60fps and the battery at the highest quality (I think it was 4k@30fps or smth like that) will give up within less than 30mins. Also you don‘t have an sd card to insert but internal memory of max 128GB which you have to choose at the time of buying.

I use the Dango designs 'gripper mount' with my DJI action 4 on my Bell MX9 ADV helmet and it works great. I tried to use some stick on chin mounts, but the camera was always limited to a downward angle. The dji camera has been great for me. You can check my videos to see the quality, audio and video from this setup: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIYAFRrAJxc&t=954s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIYAFRrAJxc&t=954s)

So firstly, I’m new to the action camera in general but lots of footage shot using iPhone in past and have a generally “Ok” knowledge of film and camera internals. BUT…I’m not a pro and think I need help. [D Log 4K60FPS no LUT AWB](https://reddit.com/link/1lhlql4/video/2l00ql7uxg8f1/player) After LOTS of research (literally months of review watching) I went for an action camera 4 because I couldn’t warrant the osomo 3 as my first “toe dip”. So I film vlogs and music vids and general life stuff as I’m a musician. I have started filming in D log (applying LUT after) and after lots and lots of searching for the “best settings” (serious minefield, I know) I film in 4k 60 fps (tried 120fps but generally I reduce to 60/30fps anyway) auto white balance and 16:9. (I think that’s everything. But the footage comes out super low quality footage around edges and general sharpness even with a pro light (nanlite - daylight) Did a recent shoot and had to use the Go Pro 12 black and it completely wiped the floor with the action camera 4. From what I’ve read, it must be something I’m missing? Any help is appreciated before I get rid of this cam and get a go pro.

Osmo 4 or 5. Easily the best choice and best for the high contrast low light in forest shots.

I got the [THIS](https://amzn.to/45HdMQO) DJI Osmo and have been really happy with it. For the price it's hard to beat. I have had go pros in the past and would say it is very comparable.

I have been using DJI 4 for the past year, and it’s great. Probably the 5 is slightly better but I’m not sure about the new specifications. Get a housing tho! Also you can you a small tray and add some lights on it

DJI Osmo Action 4. Caseless, never had an issue. Got shot a few times as well, great and cheaper than gopro without the overheating issues.

I got it brand new. Watched many youtube video reviews, honest opinions, tutorials etc before buying. The camera sure has its strengths - fast charging, long autonomy, waterproof, it is light and easy to mount. It is good for SlowMo at bright sunny days, or for timelapse/hyperlapse videos. It records decent sound. I have a few big issues with it. 1. Extremely wide angle. If I go with Dewarp the corners are rediculously stratched. If I go with wide, no straight lines in shot. Using Narrow seriously degrades image quality, not to mention Digital Zoom... 2. I cannot get consistent image quality. Sometimes, in very rare occassions, I get a good footage. Not enough to use it for serious production, especially in lowlight situations. I tried voice announcing the settings in the beginning of the shots, to compare them later, but wasn't consistant and persistant enough. I watched a lot of "how to get the maximum out of your Action4" videos which didn't help. Comparing my footage to those on YT makes me suspicious that we do not have the same camera model at all. Like, preproduction ones were better than those we bought after brilliant reviews? Wouldn't be the first time, I remember the Kingston affair... I forgot to mention that I shoot and edit video professionaly, at work - for 10 years or more. My general impression is that 4k is usable only if you export in 1080. 1080 res is hardly usable as is, and that is another big disappointment. 1080 straight out of camera looks like the footage I had 5-6 years ago, on a cheap low-tier Android phone. Sorry for this, I thought some of you might be interested in my opinion. Also, if anyone has some experiences with Action4 that would like to share or discuss, I'd be glad to hear from you. What made your videos with Action4 better? Have you any hack or advice? Thanks for reading.

Go try a DJI Action 4. Great camera. Pretty small. If you want the best battery life with that size, go try the action 5.

I have DJI action 5, some offers around but probably more on the action 4 which is still a great camera

That's the case with most action cameras. The image will never be as good as say an iPhone, the OSMO Pocket 3, a DSLR/Mirrorless etc. because they generally have smaller sensors and enormous fields of view. I got the Action 4 and was pretty disappointed in the image quality because I was expecting an image like the Pocket 3, but the biggest issue I had was that the Action 4 only shoots in true 4K if all the stabilization stuff is off, otherwise it crops in and upscales to get to 4K which looks pretty bad.

Unless you need to film in very dark conditions I think the Action 4 remains a total steal of a deal at its price and will do a great job. Either way I recommend the adventure combo to start, the battery case and 3 batteries is perfect and you get extra mounts and a selfie stick.

Either GoPro or DJI are great options, not so sure on Insta360. I currently have an Osmo Action 4 Adventure package and I'm really satisfied with how it performs. I chose the DJI because of its battery life and how resistant it is to overheating, I tested recording in 4k/30 (or 4k/60 i don't remember) and sure enough it recorded for a bit over 2 hrs until its battery died. When it comes to the quality of footage both are great but i do think GoPro has the slight advantage.

I have the Osmo Action 4 and I recommend it for its resistance to overheating and long battery life. If you have extra money get the Adventure pack for the extra batteries and battery case. In my experience you can record for up to 2 hrs straight without it overheating and it blows my mind how fast it charges. But if you're focused on content creation the Insta360 might be better since you can reframe it either way, I'm personally just not a fan of how 360 distorts things. If we're talking about video quality they're all pretty much the same.

Hi bud I have the perfect option for you, https://www.costco.com/dji-osmo-action-4-action-camera-bundle.product.4000319967.html 199$ for the camera that won’t overheat , has a memory card. And includes a tripod. If you want to take things a step further you can order the DJI mic2. It pairs via Bluetooth to the action 4 camera completely wireless. I own a GoPro 13 black and a DJI. For the situation you described I feel like this is the best. Your total would be 300$ with the action 4 camera and the mic 2, for wireless interviews etc. [dji action 4 with mic2 on motorcycle](https://youtu.be/bHYYYZFwfQI?feature=shared) I moto vlog with it. For your application you’d set the camera up on the tripod then interview people with the mic2 as input. The action 4 will last about 130 minutes in 4k 30. [dji mic 2](https://a.co/d/dnGdDfw) Again , action 4 combo 199$ Mic2 99$ All accessories included even tripod stand .

Hi, I’d be happy to help. I have the entire action range and GoPro 13 etc. Couple tweaks for the action 4 is always film in 4:3, not 16:9, also set your white balance manually, if sunny use 5600k. I’ll post some videos of my action 4 and can totally help with any setting suggestions if you like my footage. Additionally I have the action 5 and GoPro 13 if you either return exchange I can still help. [DJI action 4 manual settings video test](https://youtu.be/b5FI-nYrAvQ?feature=shared) [same roads, DJI action 5 test](https://youtu.be/WH3UN2RFo7s?feature=shared) [GoPro 13 black in 5.3k](https://youtu.be/v5zUyY4Efeg?feature=shared)

My 2 cents - I own the DJI action 4/5and GoPro 13 Black. Here’s a link to every camera video. I’m a unsponsored photographer these are just links for your visual comparisons. Make sure to enable 4k on YouTube ⚙️👍 GoPro 13b is best during the day. [GoPro 13 black motorcycle day then night at end](https://youtu.be/qHXBAJjpo4U?feature=shared) Action 5 is best at night. [action 5 night motorcycle](https://youtu.be/y7ENSoDiaUg?feature=shared) [action 5 day motorcycle](https://youtu.be/WH3UN2RFo7s?feature=shared) [action 5 day cloudy motorcycle](https://youtu.be/O9y8XCendOo?feature=shared) Action 4 is best value. (199$) combo [action 4 motorcycle](https://youtu.be/NdpoOb0Vr1Y?feature=shared) Thanks for watching, if any specific questions I can post any video you’d like related to the 4, 5 or 13 black. To answer your question, I’ve always had just GoPros and Nikons. Now I have GoPro, DJI, & Nikon. So while I wouldn’t say GoPro slipped, I just need some of the innovative features on the DJI. (Mic2 compatibility, night mode, fast charging) for instance, if my action 5 batteries is low, I can literally be at 80% recharge off my motorcycles usb in the time it takes to refuel and stretch my legs a bit. (80% fast charge in 18 minutes. My GoPro will fast charge in about an hour, full charge advertised at 2-3 hours 😭) This subreddit actually makes fun of the charging issue officially, on the page look at the top, it will list the number of Reddit users on the subreddit as like.. .. “28 users are charging their batteries”

I've just switched to the DJI sphere after dealing with GoPro customer service and having had constant issues with cameras. The Action 4 so far has been really great. https://youtu.be/2aJmrDnhgZI?si=pf9mUNduu0QK_mN4

Never go gopro. Small sensor. Overheats. Dji action 4 is tried and true. 5 pro just came out. Insta 360 is a unique use case, but depends on your needs. Dji more cinematic results. Insta 360 more content.

Both options are very decent. Osmo has epic colors, x4 is super convenient (but requires spending time post production). For point & shoot just use your smartphone, these days they are totally on par with anything that hasn’t expensive optics.

DJI ACTION 4 With a good flashlight is a beast

I choose the dji action 4 (5 wasn't out yet) for the sole reason you can charge and record at the same time. GoPro you have to open the battery door. this is helpful because I carry backup battery with me for emergencies and a long cable that can reach from my backpack to my chest so I can ride and record uninterrupted without needing to switch batteries. it also allows me to record myself on a tripod charging while learning how to jump and etc. but for to pro, you have to take off the protective cover, open the battery door and charge it. at that point you can't mount it or the battery might fly out. oh and GoPro overheats for longer recordings. not sure if they fixed it on the newer recordings. my experience was with go pro hero 10.

I use an osmo action 4 for mtb and it handles it well. The stabilization is great and mtb is a lot rougher than karting so I’d go with that or the action 5 pro as it’s newer

Maybe turn towards Dji? I’ve got the osmo action 4, and it’s been great.

GoPro is so much better for image quality. I tried the Action 4 at first, but the image quality was bad. I then tried a GoPro and wow, I could see details that were not even in the Action 4 footage... It's very easy, take any video on Youtube that compares both cameras and hit pause at any point and compare the images, you will see that GoPro has way better details! It's as if the Action 4 was blurry like old Nintendo 64 textures... I don't think it is due to low bitrate on the 5 because the 4 was bad with better bitrate...

Did a bunch of digging around. Was debating between a hero 11, insta 360 ace, and Osmo action 4. Going with the latter.

Im just so happy with this purchase! My very first Action Camera! Didn’t disappoint me. I was very hesitant at first when reading reviews about this action camera but went to buy it anyway, Im so much happy with this! I saved up the whole year for this! Didn’t disappoint, not even a bit! I truly love it! 10/10! I just want to share and express my happiness (tho I know some of you don’t care). Im just very happy. I love everything about it, its features, the amazing shots, everything! I wish I had saved up more to buy accessories haha I’ll just work harder for it. I’m using my basic 64gb SD Card I bought back 2017 (fortunately still working.) haha planning on upgrading soon! Im just very happy! I’ll share here some pictures I’ll take when I had the time. No Buyer’s Remorse. - Truly Grateful. “If it’s for you, it’s for you.”

I got both the DJI Action 4 and GoPro 12. and honestly here is what people dosen't seems to talk about GoPro 13. They Charge Stupid amount of money for rubbish quality accesories. case and point i need to buy Media Mod to get decent audio on GP12.... the quality is rubbish while DJI Action 4 just flawlessly connect to DJI Mic without the need to buy another pieces of accesories My note here is GoPro selling you extra pieces like lens, new battery, etc will add up alot. While DJI Action 4 here is everything you need and done. Image Quality wise from an action camera standard has "plateued" and nobody can recognize one is better than the other by that much, its from an action cam and nobody care from which brand it is from.

Another vote for DJI Action 4 (or 5 if is better). Large sensor, and can have auto colour balance or fixed 10bit etc if want steady colour correction abilities post-processing. I upgraded from Yi 4K+ which someone else mentioned (and has been discontinued for some time) and it's leaps and bounds above that.

Remember - DJI Action 4 is available at significant discount in many places, and as I understand it there's not much between them quality wise.

Just got the dji osmo action 4 and really happy with it. That with an underwater housing and a selfie stick or a hand mount and you’re good to go.

I had the same quandry. The go3s would destroy the market if they added external mic support. So I just use an Osmo action 4. No where near as discrete and it's a bit of a pain to have hanging off your body, but it's the only decent option.

Go pro is probably not the first choice anymore. DJI Osmo action 4 and 5 are better imo. Insta 360 also have the ace series which are not 360 cameras despite the name. 360 cameras like the insta 360 X3 and X4 can shoot normal video too. All the do is record 2 feeds and mege then, front back back cameras with super wide angle lenses. I have an Osmo action 3 and 4 and an insta 360 X3. If you aren't interested in 360 video, the action 4 or 5 is a great choice. Much more rugged than the insta 360 and more shooting options in regard to frame rate and resolution. Another thing to consider is audio. If you want speaking in the videos, you'll need external mics. The Osmo action 4 and 5 can connect a DJI mic2 via Bluetooth. The insta 360 don't natively support external mics, but I've heard of a hack connecting the mic as a Bluetooth earphone in the menu and it working, but I haven't tried it.

I can only speak about the Osmo 4 since I own it. During this summer, I've used it a lot underwater and it's simply spectacular. The color meter hidden in the "O" truly makes a difference in capturing the right colors underwater. I shoot always at 4K 120fps so I can get a 4x slow-mo in post, and the quality is astounding. I didn't use much LOG, but from the app, you can apply the default LUT automatically, but the colors on the normal profile are really good for me. The Osmo 5 will of course be better in a lot of things, and the bitrate issue will be addressed, but the 4, especially underwater, is close to perfection.

DJI is better than Gopro. I would get the Osmo 4 if I were you.

DJI action 4 and buying th adventure kit else accessories is quite expensive especially spare batteries

Well, I chose the DJI Action 4 because it was on sale, it does everything I want nicely.

I ditched my GoPro in favour of the Action 4. The Missenden Flyer on YouTube has a video explaining the benefits of this and they're worth it. The quick release mount alone was great for quickly removing the camera for battery swaps or switching to a different mounting point on the bike or a tripod. Guess it will come down to if you're wanting a full 360 view or just a chin mounted action camera.

I'd suggest you to get the Action 4. Better vfm. Can get the action 5 spare batteries for better battery life (if needed). Insta 360 is doing different ball game. It's an awesome secondary camera but not a good primary one.

Swapped from GoPro and never looking back, this thing wipes the floor with GP

Dji all the way don’t buy go pros the colour suck they over heat sd cards go bad. More over dji gives better stability and video quality!

DJI all the way

Not the models you are talking about. But i have a Gorpro 10 black and honestly wish i got a Action 4. The extra addons you need for the gopros are annoying, the quality isnt... what i expected. Seeing side by side shots of the two the action 4 is way better. plus i just love DJI as a brand

i really like my dji osmo action 4, in my experience it's like a better gopro that's also cheaper. there's also the action 5 which is even cooler

The GoPro 12 without a battery is only 120g, less that the hero 11 mini at 133g. You can also turn a fullsize into a naked down the line.   The best quality right now is between the GoPro 12 and the DJI action 4, both have their own strengths and weaknesses.   If weight is a concern, the DJI action 2 is the best quality camera I've found <60g stock.

Instead of the gopro I'd personally recommend the DJI Action 4. It has better white balancing underwater and works really well imo.

I have the Pocket 3 and the Action 4 (which, if you can find a used Action 4 I say go for that. In many ways its actually superior image quality to the 5 Pro). They have different use cases for me. I use the pocket 3 for more professional usage for my YouTube channel (b roll) and sometimes take it out to film my kids. But I love having the action 4 to hand over to the kids and let them run around and film their own adventures. Plus normal action cam stuff, taking it to the beach and other areas where I can't take the Pocket 3. The Pocket 3 is great, but there's no way it's worth $1,000. You could pick up a legit camera/lens combo and gimbal for that price. Obviously a much larger package, but still....

Just picked up a DJI Action 4 and a chin mount. Going to see how that goes

DJI Action 4 is great. I use it. Below is a review video of it from an FPV perspective. It takes crashes well. My front screen is shattered from a 70 kph tree impact, but the camera still works fine. The single-battery version is on sale for $299 Canadian dollars right now in stores and online, which is €190. Watch multiple reviews on it by searching on YouTube. https://youtu.be/b7QQAjil0hE?si=Wo9K2P-FS0KmcSYf

I use the DJI Action 4 and it’s amazing. I flew after sunset in the mountains and the low-light quality is great. It’s around 10 grams lighter than the GoPro, but with the magnetic mount, the weight difference is negligible. People claim that one camera is 100% better than the other and a no-brainer, but truth is that they are better at different things. Image quality in the dark, DJI is slightly better. Amount of settings and creative features, probably GoPro. Watch a few [reviews from real FPV pilots](https://youtu.be/Ujw7aXxlxdI?si=E8kApj3CoELxyqJV) and not only the lifestyle or tech influencers who are clearly biased or value sponsorship over truth, and go with the company that has the most of what you want. Tldr: I went with the DJI Action 4 because I prefer the performance in darker scenes, and the colour of the image more than GoPro. Pick your favourite features from real reviews and go with the camera that does it best for you. Here’s a great comparison review from an FPV pilot: https://youtu.be/Ujw7aXxlxdI?si=E8kApj3CoELxyqJV

I film and make hiking videos and have a ton of cameras. I do not like iPhone footage. Looks too sharpened and saturated to me. I used a GoPro for years. My current one is a GoPro Hero 11 Black and I absolutely love it. The 9 & 10 were buggy. The 8 was solid but the 11 is so much better. The 12 and 13 don’t have enough upgrades to justify. For better footage, set the field of view to linear. Gets rid of the fisheye look. Set sharpness and saturation each to -2. Set color profile to natural. Get smooth, steady shots and don’t swing it around like crazy. It’s a great starting point. Once you get the settings dialed in, you just need to press record for 99% of shots. So it’s easy to use. It’s durable and waterproof and small also. I don’t mount it to anything (unless I’m climbing or rappelling). I got a cheap tripod/extension handle off Amazon and just carry it. You won’t want all your footage to just be a straight ahead shot anyway. I just bought an action 4 but the verdict’s still out on that. If I were to recommend one camera it would be the DJI osmo pocket 3. I absolutely love it. But it’s pricey and if you’re starting out the GoPro will do good enough.

Bias ako sa DJI, and [Action 4](https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.qwtIW) parin ang may pinaka-ok na value. Wait mo lang magsale, bumababa sa 12k yan pag nagsale like last week.

Imho the Action 4 is already better than the Hero 12/13 unless you really have use for the marginally higher 5.3 res. Considering the current bit rate issues I’d just try to get an Action 4 for cheaper if I were you. I absolutely love using mine.

I know some usual suspects will call me a bot again but I’m much more happy with my DJI Action 4 than my GoPro hero 12.

I’d certainly recommend a DJI Action 4 over a GoPro Hero 12. Better in almost all areas.

Love my Osmo action 4, the color is more accurate at depth, the GoPro kind of has a green tone on it when reviewing footage side by side I’ve used GoPros in the past and battery sucks. The DJI is pretty amazing and holds up use after use on a single battery.

There are a lot of comparison videos online, but honestly most new premium action cams are great. I only owned the GPH7Black before I bought my OA4. I just love it, it really works for me, and I think it will take a generation or 2, maybe 3 in tech developement before i would feel the need to upgrade. Image quality is/was great on both camera's, especially on the bike, and you can expect the same from the other premium action camera's you mentioned. Same goes for the image stabilisation. What made me sell my GLH7Black: -Poor battery life, randomly delaying action when pressing buttons or just ignoring input. I dont know if GP stepped up their game, but I have lost a bit of faith. What made me choose the OA4: -Honestly, the reviews mentioning the good battery life and image quality -Reasonaly affordable (new) What makes me keep the OA4: -The good battery life, and quick charging -This camera just works. I dont use and need any fancy modes. I just shoot and edit, mainly in 4k60 10bit Log. If I press record it does that, if I press stop, it stops. No more frustration when riding and missed input (also, I recently bought the remote for this, but thats not as flawless as I have hoped) -Connectivity with the DJI mic 2. Just connect it wirelessly with the camera and place the mic in a backpack or your helmet. Its a bit chuncky, but I have some space in front of a chin cushion. I glued the proprietary magnet in the chin area so it sticks to that. What could make me change camera's? -I dont like to stand out, I like the pov of chin mounted action cams, but I dont like people thinking I am a vlogger, even though I like creating media -I think a 360 cam on my steering bar would be used more often, but dont deliver the type and quality of video's i prefer (Dynamic range, log footage, ND filters and point of view). Maybe that will be a nice addition to my video kit in the future, especially for the rides where I want to ride camless on the chin. I cant provide you my user experiece for the other camera's you mentioned, but I can highly recommend you the Osmo Action 4. You cant go wrong with that.

It maybe depends on where these videos are going to end up, and what conditions you’re filming under. I’ve only used the Action 4, but I did a ton of YouTube “research” - finding someone doing back to back/side by side comparisons of the ones you’re interested in - and in similar conditions. For me, that was Ali Clarkson - he was riding similar stuff to what I ride, often dark, riding in the woods. If you are filming for, say, Instagram and YouTube, consider the available aspect ratios. The 360s can often crop the same raw footage for either landscape or portrait, which can be handy. Having said that, if the resolution is high enough, you can crop reasonable landscape from portrait, and vice versa, but it might not work for high quality YouTube clips, if that’s going to be your bag.

I had a Pocket 2, it was fine. I think the Pockets make better vlogging cameras, but they are much less robust than action cams and lack durability features like waterproofing. So your intended use will be a big factor in deciding what's best. I think one of the best bang-for-buck cameras used right now is probably the DJI Action 4. The 5 has some new features, but the 4 is pretty highly regarded. The benefits of an action cam over something like the Pocket series, is that the batteries are replaceable and it's easy to find generic replacements for cheap.

Of the options in your budget I’d go with the DJI. The GoPro Hero 4K is a budget camera. While GoPro makes good cameras every budget camera they have tried to make has just had tons of issues. The One RS is old in insta360 lineup. Good audio wasn’t possible without using a separate audio recorder. The modular design was neat but insta360 has gone away from the modular platform so spares will become harder to replace.

As a scuba diver, but any hobby taking you underwater, I think DJI is taking lead On land however eg cycling, fast-action sports, GoPro dominants I have a Hero9, love it, no complaints, when tine to upgrade I could be looking at the DJI 4, otherwise, go with what I know and get 11/12

DJI action and it’s not even close. Far better than GoPro. I tested it on my recent diving trip.

I have both the Pocket 3 and bought the Action 4 because it was so cheap. Love the Pocket 3. If you can afford it, get it. The Action 4 takes a pretty nice shot with an ND filter on it for the price.

I just got mine a few days ago! LOVING IT, currently doing bouldering videos, and planning to do surfing soon

It might still be a little early for any underwater comparisons since the 5 just came out. I switched to the 4 after owning the GoPro 11 for a year. I think DJI has said they’re going to release an update to increase the bitrate. Edit - just read your reply about upcoming travel.

Personally you can’t go wrong with either. The A5 isn’t a huge boost in specs and doesn’t really separate itself from the 4 in the spec department. I have the 4 and record at 4k/60 and the battery is a beast. 3 batteries that can fast charge, I never worry about running low. The two features I personally like with the 5 and would lean towards that is the built in dept meter and ability to sync with your watch/phone for speed, gps, metrics. If you’re riding your bike and want to include a speed gauge overlay you could easily do that. (YouTube the action 4 if you’re curious.) If I want to do that with my Action 4 I have to buy a $70 Bluetooth gps adapter. Also the built-in memory is a nice addition. So if there’s a deal/bundle on the Action 4 go for it!

That’s a tough one man…. I had a GoPro 11 for a year and it was dreadful. Bought the Action 4 three months ago and it’s been a huge improvement over the GoPro ecosystem. I took the action 4 out to Yosemite camping for 4 days and the video quality is ok…. :/ I’m an amateur so take my comment with a grain of salt. Quality isn’t worse than my GoPro 11. The reliability and software is far better than GoPro. But I do think if I had the Pocket 3 the videos would’ve been much better. However it would’ve broke on a hr in Yosemite.

I agree with the first person, as I don’t regret buying my Action 4 three months ago. However I just watched a video on the Action 5 and I’m kind of impressed. The battery is getting a lot of hype but my Action 4 batteries are a beast already and fast charge. The onboard storage is pretty huge imo, allows instant recording upon powering on. But the thing I wasn’t aware of is you can connect the Action 5 with your GPS enabled watch and get the metric overlays. If you want that capability with the 4 you need to buy the wristband. (Someone correct me if I’m wrong.) The 5 also gives you depth and altitude metrics on screen and I believe in-video overlays. Obviously those things aren’t important to everyone but for an action camera, it’s definitely a nice to have. I purchased the Action 4 Adventure Budle from Amazon for $339

Diver here currently on vacation with the Action 4. Hands down end of discussion Action 5!!! I’ve had the Action 4 for 6 months and as soon as I get home Im immediately selling it to get the 5. The quality is great, equality important, but less discussed is the software and reliability. I could go on for paragraphs, but I won’t…. GO DJI, close post.

I got a go pro mini and a DJI action 4 and like the action 4 picture better. One thing that Louis Rossman on YouTube brought up about DJI is they sell you a limited licence to use the camera. Unless you accept their terms you are limited to using the camera for only a few times.

Started with a wolfang 420, cheap Chinese action cam - which all said and done is actually a really great beginner action cam. Easy to use, reasonable footage, reliable and doesnt overheat. Under 100$ on Amazon during sales. Alot of people use it as a b cam/2nd camera. However, it really doesn't hold a candle to the last two gens of big name action cams. I just ordered a dji action cam 4 on sale for 200$ (300au). Gopro footage looks a bit better but I keep reading about overheating issues and glitches that gopro have done jack squat about over the last two gens. The dji cams seem to have better batteries, better low light and overall reliability. I'll take that over some extra pixels.

I am making the switch from GoPro to DJI because after my 3rd GoPro, I have decided they’re not reliable enough. I have been trying to decide between buying the action 5 pro or 4. I only shoot water stuff (Scuba, snorkeling, and surfing) After watching quite a few comparison videos, I like the image quality on the 4 better. I feel the 5 is too oversaturated/fake looking, plus less detail with the lower bit rate. Although I think the 5 is superior in low light. However, there aren’t any reviews, that I could find, that compare the two cameras underwater. Even though I like the 4 better image quality wise, I feel like the 5 could be better underwater since it’s better in lower light? I don’t care about the depth sensor or longer battery life in the 5. (I have a dive computer and dives are normally limited to an hour anyways) So, anyone have experience comparing the 2 cameras from a strictly underwater perspective? Thanks

A4 is a really great action cam yeah but you need to print a TPU case for it. Don’t buy a normal case the plastic is too rigid and will not absorb chocs if (when) you crssh

I had the second GoPro they released - and then every 2 years I upgraded to the latest model I finished up with a GoPro 8 and 11 sold them both and went to the DJI Action 4 - and then picked up the Action 5 Pro (I like to have 2) I find them better in many ways - but startup time - processing power - battery LIFE are all great upgrades

GoPro created the market and were awesome I have had every other version since the original 1080p version ( the very first model was 720p) I usually had 2 at a time Like the 5 and 8 at the same time Then the 8 and 12 For me the biggest issue was battery life and overheating They just couldn’t seem to fix it And I had the Enduro batteries Finally picked up a DJI Action 4 and wow Great quality video No overheating and the battery life is insane Sold both GoPros and picked up the Action 5 Pro when it was released - the low light quality is great on DJI and it was always known as an issue with GoPro They work great I use all my old GoPro accessories but the addition of the magnetic clip on the DJI is next level convenience

Watched a comparison between action 4 and 5 pro and me, my girlfriend and the youtuber all agreed we prefer the videos from action 4. From the review the 5 pro videos looked overly saturated or processed compared to previous generation. I'm hoping DJI push some update to 5 pro cameras to combat this.

I"ve had 6 GoPros and have now switched to DJI osmo action 4 and 5, those cameras are leagues better than GoPro. I'm surprised GoPro is still in business, the only reason I suspect is because many consumers aren't too smart and don't realize there's far better options than GoPro for the same price.

i tend to agree. the action 4 is a bit of a miss and i switched to gopro for that generation. as you said, the 4k didn’t look that good and i really disliked the colors compared to the gopro. that said, i picked up the action 5 and i’m very happy with the image quality. it’s the first action cam that doesn’t look cheap and digital imo.

Sadly OA5 is better in lowlight, because it always use temporal noise reduction too. OA4 doesn't. Almost 2 ISO advance

I have a couple of GoPros and an Osmo Action 4 and I am not getting an Action 5 until they resolve the bitrate issue. Even then, I might skip it. Personally the OA4 is almost perfect for my use case due to the DJI Mic 2 integration, but I also don't see any good reasons to get a GoPro newer than the 11.

It's because they have been releasing the exact same thing for years now and they keep increasing the price for no reason at all. It also has issues they never adress with the newer ones and the GoPro's abilities has been surprassed by DJI. Even the Osmo Action 3 is better than most GoPro cameras and the Osmo Action 4 surpassed all of them with every feature (they don't overheat as easily, they can record at night when it's completely dark, ect.)

I'd get the Action 4 any day. The GoPro might be better in some areas, but the Action is super reliable, which makes using the camera on a day to day basis a pleasure..

My vote for the Osmo Action, and if you get the 4 at a discounted price I'd go for it instead of the 5.

I have an osmo action 4 and an android (galaxy s22) and have not experienced any issues with the app. The app works pretty seamlessly imo. I did like the color better underwater vs the gopro which is why I went with the osmo. Now since the action 5 is out you could probably find a used action 3 (maybe even a 4) in your budget.

for insurance reasons? insta360 on a stick for visual quality? dji action 4 in dlog-m 10 bit with the mic 2 wireless straight into camera with 32bit float mode I hear there's an Action 5 out, but can't find anything it has over the 4? 4's probably cheaper now too. \[edit\] I use ultra wide in rocksteady mode with an ND64 filter and shoot 30fps @ 1/30th for the motion blur. Can't read a numberplate but trees go zooooom by! [https://youtu.be/tvhnkRljgOk?t=316](https://youtu.be/tvhnkRljgOk?t=316) [https://youtu.be/\_H9pTMwosHk?t=1300](https://youtu.be/_H9pTMwosHk?t=1300)

DJI 100%

Beware if you're an android user, the Action 4 will not let you use the camera unless you download it's app to activate it first. However, their app isn't supported by Google Play, so you have to go directly to their website. For me, this was enough of a red flag that I returned the action 4 and a got a gopro instead.

The 5 had minimal updates/improvements over the 4. The improvements were good but nothing worth upgrading 4 to 5. I suspect that will be the same for 5 to 6. In other words if you buy the 5 today and the 6 comes out next month there’s a good chance you won’t regret the purchase. Unless you’re a pro the bump in specs won’t be noticeable to the average person. If you can wait go for it and wait for the 6. But we’ve all been in your shoes when money is burning your pocket and you’re itching to get that new toy. Again you won’t regret getting the 5.

I’ve used the dji osmo action 4 and it’s works fine for me. The app that comes with it converts the video to bring back the colour if you want. Fast and easy import to your phone. Can set the specific time frame you want to import also. Only downside I could find is that you need an account to use the app. I hate tedious and repetitive tasks and if I read your post you’re not much different regarding that. I would recommend the DJI to you and skip on the insta360 with lots of post editing work. No experience with GoPro but what I’ve read they’re not super in low light situations like underwater. Also much more expensive for little upgrades each year. GoPro 10 is a good choice budget wise in that regard.

The op has no idea what he's doing. I have the action 4, 5 and pocket 3 and my videos are way better and I shoot everything in dlog. It helps when you actually know what you're doing and how to use the equipment

2 different cameras geared towards different things. I have both plus the action 2 and 4. The action cams are used when I go riding or swimming. Pocket for travel and family events etc. Pocket has better image quality because of the 1 inch sensor

DJI Osmo Action 4, WAY out of GoPros league, and way better prices, never had a single issue ever with it. On the other hand my GoPro had many issues like overheating and glitching.

Just get the Action 4

If you’re going to be using it outside then action 4. No need to spend extra. Few years ago i had purchased a used go pro hero 5 from fb marketplace to use on my helmet when im riding my bike. It was perfect for what i needed. Action 4 is way better than the gopro hero5. Osmo pocket 3 is very fragile. So action 4 and some nd filters will do you justice

I do too ! I have a 4 and was trying to see if I needed to upgrade and for now , im not going too

I used to use a GoPro 7. Bought a DJI Action 4 about a month ago (right before the 5 came out), together with the UW housing. I have been more than happy with the new actioncam. It has a bigger sensor, does excellent UW white balance, the battery easily last two hours (good for two dives) and I can easily sync new pictures and photos taken with my phone between dives, without opening the UW housing, which is super convenient. The only complaint would be, DJI does not yet make a macro lens adaptor for its actioncams, while GoPro does, and there are after-market ones. But if I were into shooting macros then I wouldn't use an actioncam.

I have an ancient GoPro Hero 7, which I never took underwater. When I wanted a point-and-shoot for scuba (taking underwater selfies, group photos and videos) my choices were the GoPro Hero 13 and the DJI Action 4. Watched a bunch of Youtube videos comparing the two, then went for a DJI Action 4, about a week before the DJI Action 5 Pro became available. Some of the strengths of the Action 4 over the GoPro Hero 13:- * Bigger sensor - much better low light performance * Better underwater auto white balance Things I have noticed about my Action 4:- * There is no need for a red filter. The AWB feature works rather well. No filter means more light reaches the sensor. I am very happy with the IQ. * Excellent battery life. I would charge the battery to full overnight, put camera into underwater casing, and the battery could easily last me 3 dives. No need to take camera out until the dives are finished. * Excellent BT/wifi connectivity so I download all my photos and videos to my mobile phone between dives. With camera in underwater casing. The battery life of the Action 5 Pro is supposed to be 2X better (but apparently at reduced video bitrate). Due to their fixed-focus lenses, these action cameras are pretty useless for macro photography. Backscatter makes a Flip filter kit with a macro close-up lens for the GoPro HERO, but that's not available on the DJI Actions. Mind you, I don't know how a user could trigger underwater flashes with an action camera, so *maybe* that macro filter is of little use. I don't know. I don't regret not waiting a bit longer to get the Action 5 Pro at all, for my Action 4 is perfectly adequate for my use. In summary: I am very happy with my Action 4.

You won't get 20h recordings at 4K30 with a 512 card. Maybe 10-15h. Note, it will split the footage up into 25gb chunks. The battery will last about 2 hours, but if you want to go all day you will need a powerbank - maybe a cable to one in a backpack? Yes, you can take a battery out and it keeps recording, but only if its plugged into USB power at the same time. If mounting on a helmet you will need a mic (like dji mic mini), otherwise the wind noise will be bad. The rocksteady stabilisation is one of the best, and vibrations wont be a problem in daylight. The camera is made for this, and wont be damaged (unless you fall and smash it hard). The best footage is shot at high framerates, with manual exposures in DLOG-M, colour graded, and edited. Note: The action 4 quality is just as good (and a lot of people think its better). Action 5 just has a longer battery life, better low light, and brighter screens really. Hope that helps a little!

I would say the dji osmo 4 is one of the best action cams you can get. It's one of the best in low light because of its large sensor, and djis battery life is better too compared to gopro

What did you end up getting? I’ve had the insta360 for a couple years, the eis is amazing but night video is crappy. Just got the osmo action 4, and night shooting is far better, but eis is just awful. I shoot biking on lots of cobblestone streets in France.

I have an Action 4 and Pocket 3. I have recently acquired both of them to replace an original Action and original Pocket. The Pocket 3 has better image quality than the Action. You will get a bit of background blur with the Pocket and none with the Action because the Pocket has a larger sensor. The larger sensor also means the Pocket is better in low light. The Action 5 is probably the best action camera you can buy in low light but the Pocket is still quite a bit better. The Action is more rugged and more compact. The Pocket is steadier because of the gimbal but the electronic stabilization on the Action is quite good. The Action is weather sealed, the Pocket is not. So if you’re outside shooting and it starts raining, you better put the Pocket away whereas you can keep shooting with the Action. Both are fantastic cameras and I can wholeheartedly recommend both. It just depends on what you’re going to be using it for. If you don’t need the ruggedness of the Action then I would go with the Pocket.

I would avoid GoPro Hero 10 or beyond. Those are the only Hero cameras I have experience with and they're a huge PITA especially for motorcycling. It either doesn't turn on, doesn't record, or records with no audio ALL THE TIME. If you happen to notice it's not turning on, then you get to pull over, take your helmet off, unmount the camera, and fiddle with it until you figure out what's not working. Usually requiring you to remove and reinsert the battery. It's the most frustrating thing ever on a bike and I'd argue dangerous since you're preoccupied with the camera instead of your ride. I tried working with a Hero 10 and 11 for over 2 years before I swore them off forever. I recently switched to Insta360 and couldn't be happier. The Insta has literally not one time malfunctioned or not recorded when I pressed the button. I also have an old DJI Osmo Action that never had reliability issues. I would say any Osmo Action gen or the previous gen Insta360 (R One or something like that I cant' remember the name) would do the job well. If part of its job is dashcam you might also consider a 360 camera. You'll have way butter luck catching incidents with it than a regular action cam. I also have a GoPro 360 MAX camera. Unlike the Hero cameras, it's been great. It's still glitchy at times but nowhere near the regularity of the Hero cameras. It's kind long in the tooth now too so you may be able to find them on a good deal somewhere.

We use GoPros at work for in car spiels, and we have found the latest ones annoyingly buggy. Sometimes (not often) shutting down randomly and sometimes not saving a video and throwing up an error. It also tends to overheat when mounted on the windshield since we live in a hot country (happens often). Image quality is great, to be fair, but we shifted to osmo actions because of the more reliable software, more reliable heat dissipation and longer battery life. Transfer by files is also easier on the DJI with a better iPhone app. Overall, go pro has really good video quality, but the few times it failed, they were mission critical shots, and we just can’t afford to have that gap in our workflow.

Go pro or the osmo would be the way to go. Camera quality is great and you can chin mount them. I think it should be a must for all bikers because you never know who might hit you and then claim it was the other way around. It’s already happened to me.

As of Feb 22, 2025, Insta360 Ace Pro, Ace Pro 2, GoPro 12 and DJI Osmo Action are the three best action cams for motorcycle riding. If you do low light riding (night or overcast weather), go with Ace Pros. It has much better dynamic range and much higher image quality in low light. You'll find many comparison reviews in YouTube, I'd advise checking out a few of them for yourself. I own an Ace Pro and I never looked back.

I recently purchased the DJI Osmo. Primary use for me is scuba diving and it has a much larger sensor than GoPro, which makes a big difference in terms of color underwater.

If you're looking for something affordable buy used. Action cams are designed to be durable so the risk of a used one breaking are fairly minimal. Most people use GoPro cameras but I for one would take the DJI Osmo action over it.

Osmo has been the best I have seen. I am planning on ordering one within the upcoming weeks for some spirited mountain riding with my buddy.