After three generations of iterative upgrades, DJI’s action camera line sees a more significant evolution with the new OSMO Action 4. DJI keeps the overall design nearly identical but packs in upgrades like 360-degree horizon stabilization, improved low light capabilities, and better waterproofing that fine-tune the camera for hardcore action videography.
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At first glance, you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish the OSMO Action 4 from its predecessor. The signature front facing display still dominates the front face of the camera. DJI sticks with the tried and true 155-degree field of view lens paired with a fast f/2.8 aperture. And they still use the threaded lens design that allows you to twist on filters and modifiers. But now the threads recess into the body for a flush look when you don’t have a lens add-on attached.
On the bottom, the quick release mount remains to ensure your camera doesn’t go careening down a mountainside after a wipeout. The deep black color scheme also returns. You still get the top record button and side QS button to quickly jump between modes. Basically, DJI focused the upgrades on under the hood elements rather than reinventing the wheel on the overall design.
The most meaningful update comes in the form of the new sensor. The OSMO Action 4 sports a 1/1.3″ sensor, a slight upgrade from the 1/1.7” sensor in the older model. And you can see improvements in dynamic range and low light performance because of it. Shooting a dimly lit room, the Action 4 retains details in shadows and controls highlights for a more balanced exposure.
In daylight, shooting in the default mode, exposures remain a bit more muted than other action cameras on the market. This leaves room for adjusting things like contrast and saturation in post. And having that 155-degree perspective provides an immersive look. Fortunately, DJI bakes in distortion correction right in camera, so your footage remains natural despite the wide view.
Beyond the standard shooting mode, the OSMO Action 4 introduces a 10-bit D-Log option, giving advanced users more dynamic range for color grading during editing. Footage takes on a more desaturated look straight out of camera, but you have tons of flexibility to dial things in later thanks to the expanded capture range. And if you use other DJI gear that has D-Log, staying within the same system makes matching things easier in post.
But the most exciting upgrade comes in the form of the new horizon stabilization, which builds on the impressive Steadycam-like gimbal performance of the past OSMO action cameras. DJI claims improved performance in darker shooting environments. And with ample light, footage remains silky smooth. Attach this thing to your helmet, bike, or surfboard and viewers will think you have an entire camera crew following you around.
Slow motion capture gets a boost too with support for up to 8x slow motion in 4K resolution. And timecode sync allows easy alignment of footage from multiple cameras during editing.
Mic performance sees an upgrade with dual mics and improved wind noise reduction. So your narration remains clear even in windy outdoor conditions.
For action camera enthusiasts, the OSMO Action 4 brings welcome performance improvements in key areas like stabilization and low light shooting. If you’re invested in the DJI ecosystem, the OSMO Action 4 is a compelling upgrade with features that rival top action cameras from other brands. DJI may not reinvent the wheel here, but they nail the refinements that matter most.
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