The DJI Osmo Action 4 arrived as a direct challenge to GoPro’s dominance in the action camera space — and after extended real-world testing across a range of conditions, it’s earned its place at the top of the category. The headline feature is a 1/1.3-inch sensor, significantly larger than anything in GoPro’s current lineup, and the difference shows immediately in low light and dynamic range.
Pros
- 1/1.3-inch sensor delivers best-in-class low-light for an action camera
- D-Log M support for serious colour grading
- HorizonSteady works up to 360° rotation — genuinely useful
- 4K 120fps for smooth slow motion without a separate slow-mo mode
- 18m waterproof natively — no housing needed
- Magnetic quick-release mount system is faster than GoPro's
- Front and rear touchscreens
- Excellent battery life at standard frame rates
Cons
- D-Log M requires manual activation — not available in auto mode
- 4K 120fps crops into the sensor and disables some stabilisation modes
- Accessory ecosystem is smaller than GoPro's
- Front screen is smaller than GoPro Hero 12's
- Wind noise reduction in audio is aggressive and can muffle speech
Sensor: The Biggest Upgrade in Action Cameras
The 1/1.3-inch sensor is the story of the Osmo Action 4. For context, GoPro’s Hero 12 Black uses a 1/1.9-inch sensor. That size difference translates to roughly one full stop of light-gathering advantage for the Osmo Action 4.
In practice, this means evening shooting, dense forest trails, and indoor environments are all noticeably better — less noise, better colour retention in shadows, and more usable footage without applying aggressive noise reduction in post. For creators who shoot in variable lighting conditions, this sensor difference is enough on its own to justify the Osmo Action 4.
| Spec | DJI Osmo Action 4 | GoPro Hero 12 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Size | 1/1.3-inch | 1/1.9-inch |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K 120fps | 5.3K 60fps |
| Log Profile | D-Log M | No log (flat only) |
| Stabilisation | HorizonSteady (360°) | HyperSmooth 6.0 |
| Waterproof (native) | 18 metres | 10 metres |
| Battery Life (4K 30fps) | ~160 min | ~70 min |
| Front Screen | Yes (1.4-inch) | Yes (1.4-inch) |
| Rear Screen | Yes (2.25-inch touch) | Yes (2.27-inch touch) |
| Weight | 145g | 154g |
HorizonSteady: Better Than Electronic Stabilisation
Most action cameras offer electronic image stabilisation that crops into the frame and smooths out shake. HorizonSteady on the Osmo Action 4 does something different — it keeps the horizon physically level as the camera tilts and rolls, up to a full 360° rotation.
In our testing on a mountain bike, the horizon stayed locked even through aggressive lateral leans. Footage that would normally require complex post-processing to level looks ready-to-edit straight out of the camera. The trade-off is a field-of-view crop (approximately 20% compared to the widest mode), but for most action footage, that’s acceptable.
Standard RockSteady stabilisation is available for situations where you want the wider field of view without full horizon lock. Both modes performed well in our tests — we never felt the need to reach for a gimbal when shooting with this camera.
4K 120fps: Slow Motion That Actually Works
The Osmo Action 4 shoots 4K at up to 120 frames per second — a frame rate that produces smooth 4× slow motion when conformed to 30fps in editing. In practice, 4K 120fps footage looked excellent in good light, with enough resolution to hold up even after a slight crop for reframing.
There is a catch: at 120fps, the camera crops into the sensor and RockSteady/HorizonSteady is limited. For high-action sequences where you’re intentionally shooting for slow motion, this trade-off is worth it. For general shooting, 4K 60fps with full stabilisation is the better default.
D-Log M: Log Colour on an Action Camera
One of the Osmo Action 4’s most underrated features is genuine D-Log M support. GoPro’s current cameras offer flat colour profiles, but not true log encoding with the dynamic range latitude that D-Log M provides.
In our grading tests, D-Log M footage held sky detail and shadow texture that standard colour modes crushed. When paired with a DJI or third-party LUT, the results look genuinely cinematic — a word rarely used to describe action camera footage. This is the feature that sets the Osmo Action 4 apart for creators who care about post-production.
Battery Life: A Genuine Advantage
The Osmo Action 4’s battery performance is class-leading. In our testing at 4K 30fps with HorizonSteady enabled, we recorded for approximately 160 minutes on a single charge — more than double what most GoPro users expect in similar conditions. At 4K 60fps, runtime drops to around 100 minutes, still excellent for an action camera.
For full-day activities, the included battery handle (in the Adventure Combo) extends total capacity further without significantly adding bulk.
Who Should Buy the DJI Osmo Action 4?
The Osmo Action 4 is the best action camera for video-first creators who shoot in varied lighting and care about colour grading. The larger sensor, D-Log M support, and HorizonSteady combine to produce footage that stands out from the typical action camera look.
GoPro remains the better choice if you’re heavily invested in the GoPro mount and accessory ecosystem, shoot primarily in bright conditions, or need maximum resolution (5.3K) for frame grabs.
Final Score: 4.3 / 5
The DJI Osmo Action 4 is the best action camera for serious video creators available today. The sensor size advantage over GoPro is real, D-Log M is a genuine differentiator, and HorizonSteady delivers on its promise. The only meaningful gaps are GoPro’s broader accessory ecosystem and the Hero 12’s higher maximum resolution. For most creators, neither of those outweighs what the Osmo Action 4 brings to the table.