Gunning For GoPro: DJI Launches Osmo Action Camera

Not too long ago DJI played a major role in forcing GoPro out of the consumer drone market. Admittedly, it didn’t help that GoPro’s Karma drone started falling out of the sky at random, but the timing of the release of the original Mavic Pro was another nail in the coffin for the US action cam manufacturer.

DJI is again going toe to toe with GoPro after today’s product launch: The Osmo Action Camera. The compact, rugged camera is a more sporty and versatile version of the handheld, gimbal-stabilized Osmo Pocket.

The Osmo Action can be seen as a confirmation of DJI’s new direction. Ever since the acquisition of Swedish camera company Hasselblad, the mass market of ground-based photography has been an obvious target. The latest product from DJI’s conveyor belt highlights the Chinese company’s shift toward, particularly when many thought a Phantom 5 might be on the cards.

DJI’s previous non-drone products (the Osmo Pocket and the Ronin series) have been all about telling visual stories with handheld devices. The Osmo Action is designed to be hands-free in demanding environments. It’s for adrenaline junkies as much as for professionals.

“A full suite of products for your creative needs”

“DJI has always pushed the limits of technology, and the content creators who love our products made clear they wanted us to push the limits of their creative potential too. Osmo Action is our cutting-edge answer to what the creative community demands: Exceptional image quality and stabilization in a unique and durable new form factor, with dual color screens and seamless software integration. For all types of creators who push their gear to the limits, Osmo Action sets the new standard,” said Roger Luo, DJI President.

“Whether you are capturing aerial content with Mavic 2, incredibly smooth content with Osmo Pocket, or heart-racing footage with Osmo Action, DJI offers a full suite of products for your creative needs.”

The Osmo Action: Ideal for life’s adventures?

The first aspect of the Osmo Action to focus on is its durability. In the words of DJI, it’s been “constructed to handle extreme conditions with ease.”

That translates to four protective features: It’s dustproof, shockproof (able to withstand drops from up to 5 feet/1.5 meters); waterproof (is capable of operating at a depth of 36 feet/11 meters without additional waterproof housing); and can operate in sub-freezing temperatures 14° Fahrenheit / -10 Celsius).

Design

The Osmo Action has two color screens, on both the front and back. The idea is that the dual screen system offers more convenient scene composition while on the move. The 2.25-inch rear touchscreen has a water- and fingerprint-repelling coating, and the 1.4-inch front screen is designed to make vlogging and selfies simple. Both screens have a brightness of 750 nits to improve ease of use in bright sunlight.

The Osmo Action’s operating system combines a streamlined and functional physical design with flexible operation. Power on, initiate recording, and rotate through the video and photo capture modes in the blink of an eye with three dedicated buttons. SnapShot mode allows the Osmo Action to turn on and begin recording in under two seconds with a single press of the shutter button.

Osmo Action Camera: RockSteady Image quality

The Osmo Action has a 1/2.3-inch sensor that records 12-megapixel photos and 4K video at up to 60fps at 100Mbps.

A three-glass aspherical lens design records low-distortion content and aids in reducing warping effects. The lens cap is finished with two layers of anti-fingerprint coating to keep the shot clean during use, as well as an anti-reflective coating to reduce the unwanted effects of lens glare.

The Osmo Action is the first DJI handheld camera to include RockSteady, DJI’s Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) technology.

DJI says this allows users to record every movement in smooth, stable, high-quality video, even when recording 4K at 60fps.

The Osmo Action is also capable of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video in 4K/30fps, delivering an additional three stops of dynamic range to the scene, natural transitions between light and dark areas, and rich details that are often lost in complex lighting conditions.

In terms of performance, the Osmo Action has a removable battery with a run time of 93 minutes while recording at 4K at 30fps with RockSteady enabled. It can last for 135 minutes if recording at 1080p at 30fps without RockSteady.

Dual microphones let users take advantage of Osmo Action’s Voice Control, and a speaker ensures outstanding playback quality.

Creative features

Osmo Action offers a wide variety of highly creative features that users can access with a few simple taps. While recording, you can select between:

▪️ Slo-mo: 8x slow motion in 1080p 240fps or 4x slow motion in 1080p 120fps creates a visually appealing effect when documenting action-packed scenes.

▪️ Timelapse: To turn minutes into seconds, Timelapse is for capturing unique content with the effect of the world moving faster.

▪️ Custom Exposure settings: Shoot for the stars with manual and semi-automatic settings that allow up to 120 seconds of exposure, perfect for capturing the night sky.

Accessories for the Osmo Action

The Osmo Action can be connected to the DJI Mimo app, which can connect the user’s mobile device with WiFi or Bluetooth for added functionality. These added functions include a showing a live feed of the camera, multiple story templates, in-app quick editing and more.

DJI is also launching an ecosystem of accessories to enhance the possibilities of Osmo Action:

▪️ Camera Frame Kit: Included with Osmo Action, the Camera Frame Kit offers a universal mount for additional accessories and a window for the LED indicator to show camera status in real time while protecting the device.

▪️ Adhesive Mounts: Attach Osmo Action to flat or curved surfaces including skateboards, bikes, helmets, and more to capture fast-paced moments. Both the curved and flat adhesive mounts are included with Osmo Action.

▪️ Waterproof Case: The waterproof case protects the device at depths down to 60 meters while providing a clear image using high-strength glass.

▪️ 3.5mm Adapter: The 3.5mm adapter offers users the ability to connect an external mic for professional sound recording.

▪️ Extension Rod: Capture unique angles using the Extension Rod, which features a rotatable phone holder and a ¼-inch screw adapter.

▪️ Floating Handle: The Floating Handle offers a comfortable grip for Osmo Action and keeps it floating when shooting in water.

▪️ Filters: Osmo Action comes with Neutral Density (ND), Polarizer, and underwater filters. ND filters (ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32) reduce light exposure in various environments, while Polarizer filters reduce reflections and increase color saturation for a more appealing image. Orange Seawater and Purple Freshwater filters restore the natural color of underwater scenes.

▪️ Charging Hub: Charge up to three batteries simultaneously in less than 130 minutes.

Osmo Action: Price and Availability

The Osmo Action retails for $349 USD and will start shipping as of today from the DJI store. It will ship from authorized dealers on May 22.

For an additional $29 USD, DJI Care Refresh offers comprehensive coverage as well as up to two replacement units within one year.