DJI is best-known for drones, but it also makes plain-Jane action cameras as well. It’s just announced its latest flagship camera, the Osmo 4.
Just looking at it, you might miss the Wild West era of action cameras about a decade ago, where multiple manufacturers were building different body shapes to achieve different capabilities. Now, at the high end of the spectrum, these flagship cameras certainly have many differences from a professional’s viewpoint… but to a schmuck like you or me who’s using them for moto-videos, they all look the same and offer roughly the same image. So why buy this as opposed to a GoPro or Insta360?
From the marketeering, it seems like DJI is claiming longer battery life (more than 2.5 hours) than competing GoPro flagship cameras, and the quick-recharge function sees the battery go to 80 percent capacity in only 18 minutes (less time than most riders spend on a coffee break). It has three microphones for supposedly improved wind noise reduction; it comes with a magnetic quick-release mount that’s supposed to make it easily adjustable. As for image quality, the press release says:
A powerful 1/1.3-inch image sensor, f/2.8 aperture, and 2.4μm equivalent pixel size can shoot 4K/120fps video. [1]155° ultra-wide-angle FOV [2]realized. Even in low-light environments, you can shoot clear images in detail. The 360° HorizonSteady image stabilization function includes functions such as RockSteady 3.0/3.0+, which are perfect for POV shooting, and HorizonBalancing and HorizonSteady, which are suitable for horizontal images. to shoot.Also 10-bit D-Log M color mode [3], recording 1 billion color information and wide dynamic range for greater flexibility in the post-production process. The advanced color temperature sensor reproduces colors exactly as you see them, both indoors and outdoors, and underwater, giving you the feeling of being there.
Improved low-light performance over existing options on the market would be welcome, if DJI does indeed deliver. And the advanced image stabilization might also be welcome for off-road riders… although maybe some riders want that shaky look in their footage?
Other than that, much of the camera layout is stuff we’ve seen before, including a front-facing screen for selfie mode, waterproofing that allows submersion without a case, and a wide range of factory accessories.
Pricing is $399, considerably lower than the flagship offerings from GoPro and Insta360 right now. That alone should grab riders’ interest, as pricing for top-shelf action cams is getting higher and higher, so a sensible MSRP is welcome.
For full deets, check out DJI’s websitehere. If you buy one, please let us know how it works out for you. These are a very common gadget for ADVers these days, and we’re always interested to know how your purchases are working for you, so we can make recommendations to other riders when we’re asked.
