Watch Out, GoPro! Introducing DJI's Osmo Action Camera
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
DJI Technology has just dropped what many are calling their version of a GoPro, using their stellar camera technology to break into the action camera world. With their brand new Osmo Action, DJI's action camera debut is packed with features. Boasting 4K HDR Video, 8x Slow Motion, and UHD Image Quality, Osmo Action also has dual screens so you can “record your world from behind a lens or be the star of the show”. Read on to find out more about the camera's many features and why people are comparing DJI to GoPro.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
Built with durability in mind, DJI claims that their new action camera will allow you to spend less time worrying about your equipment so you can focus on the action. It has a watertight seal and a hydrophobic coating on the back touchscreen, making it waterproof at depths of up to 11 meters. With protection like that, you can get those killer underwater shots!
Environmental safeguards are vital in any action camera, and the Osmo Action's design seems to have taken that into account. The Osmo Action was also built to withstand the elements. The camera features what they call RockSteady stabilization, a combination of electronic image stabilization (EIS) and “complex algorithms” designed to keep camera footage stable. Its lens features 3 aspherical layers for the purpose of reducing glare and distortion, a safeguard against direct sunlight. The Lens Filter Cap has a protective, anti-fingerprint coating on it that "repels oil, water, dirt, and other small particles”.
In addition to being resistant to water damage and dirt on the lens, Its constructed to be resistant to have batteries resistant to extreme cold with batteries able to withstand temperatures as low as -10℃”. It also features a 16% increase in cooling efficiency thanks to its heat-transfer system. This prevents the camera from overheating.
SOFTWARE FEATURES
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
In terms of what it's capable of, Osmo Action's HDR camera can handle recording in environments with “complex lighting” and can naturally transition between light and dark. Designed with even night shots in mind, Osmo Action has “manual and semi-automatic settings that allow up to 120 seconds of exposure, perfect for capturing the night sky.”
This camera is capable of 8x Slow Motion with 1080p resolution and 240fps and can record 4K/60fps at 100Mbps. With these frame rates you could spice up your timeline with slowmo and time lapse videos. Extend your footage to show off every detail or condense your footage to capture extended movement and time, and plan the perfect shot with timed photos.
Additionally, DJI claims that Osmo Action's operating system, Action OS, is “extremely fast”. They have streamlined the user interface, so that it only has 3 buttons, powering on, recording, and setting modes. Speaking of modes, you can use them to customize your action camera. Through custom mode, you can create a list of your most frequently used shooting modes.
ACCESSORIES
This is all well and good, but what about the peripherals? A camera's accessories are also important. Osmo Action already has some accessories available on the DJI store website. They include backup batteries, a charging kit, an adhesive mount kit, and more. The Osmo Action store page advertises a waterproof case that you can take to depths of up to 60 meters, a floating handle to aid shooting in water, a 3 port charging hub, and a quick-release base.
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co.
COMPARISON TO GOPRO
Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. and GoPro, Inc.
Many people are comparing this camera to other action cameras most notably the GoPro. Osmo Action has primarily been compared to the GoPro HERO7 Black released late last year. Some are even saying that DJI's foray into action cameras is a direct response to GoPro's release of their Karma drone in 2016.
The GoPro HERO7 Black is also waterproof (at depths up to 10 meters) and has "gimbal-like" stabilization. It also advertises voice control (16 voice commands compared to Osmo's 5) and live streaming features. Originally, it sold for $399.99, but it's currently on sale for $349.99, the same price as the Osmo Action.
As a result of these and more similarities, there are already several articles and videos comparing the two cameras. However, opinions are divided. Some people believe the Osmo Action to be a sufficient substitute, some just think of it as a worthy contender to the HERO7, and others believe that the Osmo Action doesn't compare to GoPro at all.
So, what do you think? Is the Osmo Action competition for the HERO7? If DJI is making great action cameras, will GoPro make comparable drones. Are DJI and GoPro really rival brands? Feel free to share what you think.
I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron
