Reviewed: DJI Osmo Action

DJI does two things really well and that’s making really good drones and gimbals, but they’ve managed to pull out all the stops with their latest gadget, the Osmo Action. This new kid on the block delivers everything you need and more to document your best action-packed moments, water sports included.

Ok, I know what you’re thinking… Yes, the Osmo Action’s design is undoubtedly very similar to that of the GoPro Hero7 Black, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Because of the similarities, the Osmo Action brings a sense of familiarity making it really easy to use straight out the box. The Osmo Action ships with a single housing (camera case), flat mount and a curved mount so you can mount it to whatever you want straight out the box. If like me you already have a stack of GoPro mounting accessories, you can use these because the mounts are compatible which is pretty handy.

The Osmo Action features a 12MP (f/2.8 aperture) camera combined with an ultra-wide-angle lens offering a 145-degree field-of-view. Video can be captured from 720p up to 4K and at up to 60fps. You can select either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios. DJI’s proprietary electronic image stabilization system, RockSteady, is supported at nearly all resolutions. The Osmo Action also offers 8x slow-motion video, 12MP photo support with manual exposure controls, timelapse video and more. This camera delivers amazing quality video!

On the back of the cam, you’ll find a 2.25-inch touch screen which you’ll use to preview video/stills and to navigate using DJI’s touch interface. The interface is easy to understand and navigating through the menu system is achieved using a series of swipes and taps. On the front, you’ll find a 1.4-inch screen which can be used to display handy info or an image preview – ideal for vlogging or if you need to check your framing when the camera is facing you. To swap between the two you’ll need to double-tap with two fingers on the rear screen. In my opinion, its these dual colour screens and the functionality they allow that sets the Osmo Action apart from is competitors.

The battery life is also pretty impressive with a fully charged battery giving you 90 minutes+ of shoot time. Recharging will take around the same amount of time but the battery can be removed so you can carry spares.

You get all of the features mentioned above its 100% waterproof up to 11m.

Having used the cam for a couple of weeks my biggest gripe has to be the mobile app, I eventually gave up trying to use it and just relied on the dual cameras screens instead.

What I Liked 

• Dual colour screens
• Solid image stabilisation
• Image quality video + stills
• Waterproof

What I Didn’t Like

• DJI Mimo app
• Delayed onscreen preview
• Low light performance

Verdict: I’d buy one…

Considering the Osmo Action is DJI’s first attempt at an action cam, I really think it does a superb job. If you’re looking for a capable action cam that’s cheaper than the competition, is great for vlogging thanks to that full-colour front screen and delivers stunning footage you don’t have to mess with to get great results, then the Osmo Action is the cam for you.

For more information, visit www.dji.com/osmo-action

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I have no affiliation with DJI Global and this is a completely independent review.
The loan unit was returned to DJI after I had reviewed it.