dji action 4 camera review

Quick Answers to Common Questions

How does the DJI Action 4 perform in low light?

The DJI Action 4 truly shines in dim conditions, thanks to its larger sensor, delivering surprisingly clear and vibrant footage. You’ll definitely notice an improvement over many competitors when the light drops.

What about the image stabilization on the DJI Action 4?

Get ready for buttery-smooth footage! The RockSteady 3.0+ stabilization on the DJI Action 4 is incredibly effective, ironing out even the most intense shakes and bumps from your action. Your videos will look super professional.

Is the DJI Action 4 waterproof without an extra case?

Yes, absolutely! The DJI Action 4 is waterproof right out of the box down to an impressive 18 meters (59 feet) without any additional housing. Go ahead and dive in, hassle-free!

How’s the real-world battery life of the DJI Action 4?

You’ll be pleasantly surprised! The DJI Action 4 offers robust battery performance, often recording for over 2.5 hours on a single charge at 1080p/30fps. Plus, its extreme temperature battery performs well even in the cold.

What kind of video quality can I expect from the DJI Action 4?

Prepare for stunning visuals! The DJI Action 4 delivers crisp 4K footage with excellent detail and vibrant colors, especially when utilizing its D-Log M profile for professional color grading. Your action shots will truly pop.

Unleashing Adventure: The Definitive DJI Action 4 Camera Review

The world of action cameras is a battleground of innovation, with brands constantly pushing the boundaries of what these compact powerhouses can achieve. From epic mountain biking trails to breathtaking underwater explorations, adventurers and content creators alike demand a device that can keep up with their wildest pursuits. For years, one brand largely dominated this space, but then DJI, a company synonymous with cutting-edge drone technology, threw its hat into the ring with the Osmo Action series. Each iteration has brought significant advancements, but the latest contender, the DJI Action 4, has arrived with a clear mission: to challenge the status quo and offer a truly compelling alternative.

After spending considerable time putting it through its paces in various demanding scenarios, we’re ready to deliver our comprehensive DJI Action 4 camera review. This isn’t just another spec sheet breakdown; we’ll dive deep into its design, performance, unique features, and ultimately, help you decide if this rugged little camera deserves a spot in your gear bag. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for reliable secondary camera, or a budding adventurer seeking your first high-quality action camera, stick around as we uncover everything the DJI Action 4 has to offer.

Unboxing the Powerhouse: First Impressions & Design of the DJI Action 4

Pulling the DJI Action 4 out of its box, the immediate impression is one of robust simplicity. DJI has clearly focused on practical, user-centric design, refining elements that matter most when you’re in the thick of the action. It feels solid in hand, exuding a confidence that it can withstand the rigors of any adventure you throw its way.

Design & Build Quality: Built for the Elements

The Action 4 maintains a familiar, compact form factor, making it incredibly portable and easy to mount in tight spaces. Its matte black finish is sleek and resistant to smudges, and the overall construction feels incredibly durable. More importantly, the DJI Action 4 boasts an impressive native waterproofing of up to 18 meters (60 feet) without needing an additional case – a significant improvement over many competitors and a testament to its adventure-ready design. This means less worry when you’re diving, snorkeling, or caught in a sudden downpour, allowing you to focus on capturing the moment. The lens cover is also replaceable, offering peace of mind against scratches and impacts.

The Dual Touchscreens: Intuitive Control at Your Fingertips

One of the standout features that DJI pioneered and continues to refine is the dual touchscreen setup. The 2.25-inch front screen is an absolute game-changer for vloggers and selfie enthusiasts, allowing for precise framing and settings adjustments without guesswork. The larger 2.25-inch rear screen is bright, responsive, and makes navigating menus and reviewing footage a breeze. Both screens are incredibly sharp and vivid, even in bright sunlight, ensuring you always have a clear view of your shots. The UI itself is intuitive, with large, easy-to-tap icons, making it simple to switch modes, adjust settings, and get back to the action quickly. This dual-screen design truly elevates the user experience of the DJI Action 4.

Magnetic Quick-Release System: Snap On, Shoot On

The magnetic quick-release system on the DJI Action 4 is nothing short of brilliant. This innovative mounting solution allows for incredibly fast attachment and detachment of accessories, transitioning seamlessly between helmet mounts, chest straps, or tripods in mere seconds. The magnets are surprisingly strong and secure, reinforced by a clever latch mechanism that prevents accidental disconnections, even during intense activities. This system not only saves time but also reduces fumbling with screws and buckles, making the shooting process far more fluid and enjoyable. It’s a small detail that makes a massive difference in usability and efficiency, a key highlight in this DJI Action 4 camera review.

Unrivaled Image Quality: Capturing Every Detail with the DJI Action 4

At the heart of any action camera review lies its ability to capture stunning footage, and this is where the DJI Action 4 truly shines. DJI has made significant strides in sensor technology and image processing, resulting in video and photos that are remarkably detailed, vibrant, and incredibly lifelike.

The Sensor & Processor: A Leap in Low-Light Performance

The biggest story here is the DJI Action 4‘s larger 1/1.3-inch sensor with 2.4μm pixels, a substantial upgrade that directly translates to superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. This larger sensor, combined with a bright f/2.8 aperture, allows the camera to gather significantly more light, dramatically improving low-light performance. Gone are the days of excessively grainy, muddy footage when the sun begins to set or you’re venturing into dimly lit environments. From capturing the soft glow of twilight to the vibrant artificial lights of a city, the Action 4 delivers cleaner, more detailed, and color-accurate results than many of its competitors. This is a game-changer for night-time activities or exploring caves and forests, making the DJI Action 4 camera review a must-read for anyone valuing low-light capabilities.

Video Resolution & Frame Rates: Cinematic Versatility

The DJI Action 4 offers a robust suite of recording options to suit every need. It can capture stunning 4K video at up to 120 frames per second (fps), allowing for breathtaking slow-motion sequences that retain incredible detail. This high frame rate opens up creative possibilities for showing off dynamic action, whether it’s a perfectly executed trick or a dramatic splash. Other resolutions include 2.7K at 120fps and 1080p at up to 240fps for even more extreme slow-motion. The ability to switch between these resolutions and frame rates with ease is a testament to its versatility, ensuring you always have the right tools to tell your story.

Color Science & Dynamic Range: Rich, Natural Hues

DJI has invested heavily in its color science, and it shows. The DJI Action 4 produces footage with incredibly natural and rich colors, avoiding the oversaturated or artificial look sometimes seen in action cameras. Skin tones are accurate, and landscapes burst with authentic vibrancy. For professionals, the inclusion of 10-bit D-Log M color mode is a massive advantage. This flat color profile retains a wealth of information in the highlights and shadows, providing immense flexibility for color grading in post-production. This means you can match the Action 4’s footage seamlessly with other cameras in your workflow, enhancing the overall professional appeal of your content.

Field of View: Wide Angles with Smart Correction

Action cameras are known for their wide-angle perspective, and the DJI Action 4 delivers with multiple FOV options, including an ultra-wide 155° angle. This expansive view is perfect for capturing immersive landscapes, sweeping action shots, or fitting everything into the frame even when close to the subject. Critically, DJI’s excellent distortion correction helps to mitigate the fish-eye effect often associated with wide lenses, providing a more natural and pleasing image without sacrificing the expansive field of view. This intelligent blend of wide-angle capture and smart correction ensures that your footage looks professional and cinematic.

Stability & Smoothness: Conquering the Shakes with the DJI Action 4

In the world of action cameras, stabilization is paramount. Shaky footage can ruin even the most epic shots, which is why DJI has equipped the DJI Action 4 with its most advanced stabilization technologies to date. The result is footage that is remarkably smooth and professional-looking, no matter how intense the action gets.

RockSteady 3.0+: Next-Level Electronic Image Stabilization

Building on its already impressive foundation, the DJI Action 4 features RockSteady 3.0+ electronic image stabilization (EIS). This isn’t just a minor iteration; it’s a significant leap forward in smoothing out bumps, vibrations, and jerky movements. Whether you’re trail running, mountain biking over rough terrain, or even just handheld walking, RockSteady 3.0+ works tirelessly in the background to deliver buttery-smooth footage. The algorithm is incredibly intelligent, distinguishing between intentional camera movements and unwanted shakes, ensuring your viewer’s experience is seamless and immersive. This advanced stabilization makes a huge difference in the usability and professional output of the DJI Action 4.

HorizonSteady & HorizonBalancing: Keeping Things Level

Beyond simply smoothing out motion, the DJI Action 4 offers intelligent horizon leveling capabilities with HorizonSteady and HorizonBalancing. HorizonSteady keeps your footage perfectly level even when the camera rotates a full 360 degrees, making it ideal for fast-paced activities where the camera orientation might shift wildly. Think skateboarding, surfing, or high-octane racing – your horizon will remain stubbornly straight, creating incredibly professional-looking shots. HorizonBalancing offers similar benefits but with less aggressive correction, allowing for up to a 45-degree tilt correction. This suite of stabilization features ensures that your footage isn’t just shake-free, but also perfectly composed, a crucial advantage highlighted in any comprehensive DJI Action 4 camera review.

Battery Life & Practicality: Ready for Anything

An action camera needs to be reliable, and that includes having a battery that can keep up with your adventures. The DJI Action 4 excels in this area, along with offering several practical features that enhance the overall user experience.

Enduring Power: All-Day Adventure

The DJI Action 4 is equipped with a high-capacity 1770mAh battery designed for extended shooting. In our tests, it consistently delivered impressive battery life, often surpassing its competitors. You can expect up to 2.5 hours of continuous recording at 1080p/30fps and a solid 150 minutes at 4K/60fps. What’s even more impressive is its exceptional cold-weather performance. DJI claims it can operate for over 150 minutes at temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F), making it an ideal choice for winter sports enthusiasts or expeditions in frigid climates. This robust battery performance significantly reduces the need to constantly swap batteries, allowing you to stay focused on the action.

Fast Charging: Back in the Game Quickly

When you do need to recharge, the DJI Action 4 supports fast charging, reaching 80% capacity in just 18 minutes. This rapid top-up capability is incredibly convenient, especially during multi-day trips or when you have limited time between activities. The ability to quickly get back to full power means less downtime and more shooting, a practical advantage often overlooked but highly valued in a DJI Action 4 camera review.

Audio Performance: Clear Sound for Your Adventures

While action cameras aren’t typically known for their pristine audio, the DJI Action 4 offers surprisingly good built-in microphone performance. It captures clear and crisp audio, especially in quieter environments, and includes wind noise reduction algorithms to mitigate annoying gusts. For those who require professional-grade audio, the Action 4 is compatible with DJI’s USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, allowing you to connect an external microphone for superior sound quality. This flexibility ensures that your audio matches the high quality of your video.

Advanced Features for the Modern Creator

• Wi-Fi Livestreaming: Share your adventures in real-time directly from the camera.
• Webcam Mode: Utilize the Action 4 as a high-quality webcam for meetings or streaming.
• Voice Control: Hands-free operation when your hands are full.
• Invisible Selfie Stick Functionality: Works seamlessly with DJI’s selfie stick to digitally remove it from ultra-wide shots.
• Accurate GPS Data: Log your routes and speeds with the optional Bluetooth remote controller.

DJI Action 4 vs. The Competition: A Head-to-Head

It’s impossible to provide a comprehensive DJI Action 4 camera review without addressing its position in the fiercely competitive action camera market. The primary rival is, of course, GoPro, particularly the Hero 11 and Hero 12 Black models. While GoPro has its strengths, the DJI Action 4 carves out a significant niche, and in several key areas, it arguably pulls ahead.

• Low-Light Performance: This is arguably the Action 4’s biggest differentiator. Thanks to its larger 1/1.3-inch sensor and larger pixels, it vastly outperforms GoPro in low-light conditions, delivering cleaner, more detailed, and less noisy footage. If much of your shooting happens at dawn, dusk, or indoors, the Action 4 is the clear winner.
• Color Science: DJI’s color science tends to lean towards a more natural, true-to-life look, which many prefer over the sometimes overly vibrant or slightly cooler tones of GoPro. The 10-bit D-Log M also gives it an edge for professional color grading.
• Cold Weather Battery: The Action 4’s ability to maintain excellent battery life in sub-zero temperatures is a significant advantage for winter sports enthusiasts, where GoPro’s batteries can struggle.
• Magnetic Mounting System: While GoPro’s folding fingers are convenient, DJI’s magnetic quick-release system offers unparalleled speed and versatility in attaching and detaching accessories.
• Dual Full-Color Touchscreens: Both cameras offer front screens, but the Action 4’s front screen is a fully functional touchscreen, making settings adjustments and framing much easier for vloggers.

GoPro still holds its own with slightly higher maximum resolutions (5.3K vs. 4K) and some unique software features, but for overall image quality, especially in varied lighting, and practical usability, the DJI Action 4 presents a incredibly strong case for itself.

DJI Action 4 Key Specifications Overview

Feature	DJI Action 4 Specification	Notes
Sensor Size	1/1.3-inch CMOS	Excellent for low-light performance.
Lens Aperture	f/2.8	Bright lens for capturing more light.
Max Video Resolution	4K/120fps	High-quality slow motion.
Max Photo Resolution	10MP	Good for quick stills, video-centric focus.
Field of View (FOV)	155° (Ultra-Wide)	Expansive, immersive shots.
Stabilization	RockSteady 3.0+, HorizonSteady, HorizonBalancing	Industry-leading smoothness and horizon leveling.
Native Waterproofing	18m (60ft)	No case needed for most underwater activities.
Battery Capacity	1770 mAh	Up to 160 minutes at 1080p/30fps.
Cold Resistance	-20°C (-4°F)	Exceptional performance in freezing conditions.
Charging Time (Fast Charge)	80% in 18 minutes	Quick turnaround for continuous shooting.
Screens	Front & Rear Full-Color Touchscreens (2.25-inch)	Intuitive control and easy framing.
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Livestreaming, app control, remote pairing.
Color Profiles	Standard, D-Log M	Versatility for casual and professional users.

Our Verdict: Is the DJI Action 4 Your Next Action Camera?

Having thoroughly put it through its paces for this DJI Action 4 camera review, we can confidently say that DJI has not just iterated, but significantly innovated with the Action 4. It’s a remarkably capable and thoughtfully designed action camera that addresses many pain points of content creators and adventurers.

Pros of the DJI Action 4:

• Exceptional Low-Light Performance: The 1/1.3-inch sensor is a game-changer.
• Superb Stabilization: RockSteady 3.0+ and HorizonSteady deliver incredibly smooth, level footage.
• Outstanding Battery Life & Cold Weather Performance: Long-lasting and reliable in extreme temperatures.
• Innovative Magnetic Quick-Release System: Fast, secure, and incredibly convenient mounting.
• Dual Full-Color Touchscreens: Makes framing and operation intuitive, especially for vlogging.
• Excellent Color Science: Natural, vibrant colors with professional-grade D-Log M option.
• Robust Waterproofing: 18m native waterproofing without a case.
• Fast Charging: Minimizes downtime.

Cons of the DJI Action 4:

• No GPS Built-in (Requires Remote): While many cameras also rely on external accessories, integrated GPS would be a nice touch.
• Photo Quality is Good, Not Exceptional: While video is top-tier, still photos are solid but not the primary focus.
• Limited Max Resolution (4K vs 5.3K): While 4K is sufficient for most, some competitors offer higher resolutions.

So, who is the DJI Action 4 for? It’s an ideal choice for:

• Adventure Enthusiasts: Its ruggedness, waterproofing, and cold-weather performance make it perfect for skiing, diving, hiking, and more.
• Vloggers & Content Creators: The dual touchscreens, excellent image quality, and reliable stabilization make it a formidable tool for daily vlogging and action sequences.
• Anyone Seeking Superior Low-Light Performance: If your adventures extend into dusk or low-light environments, the Action 4 is currently unmatched in its class.
• Users Prioritizing Ease of Use: The magnetic mounting system and intuitive UI streamline the entire shooting process.

In conclusion, the DJI Action 4 is more than just another action camera; it’s a meticulously engineered piece of equipment that truly enhances the content creation experience. Its advancements in image quality, particularly in low light, coupled with its unparalleled battery life and user-friendly design, make it a standout performer. If you’re in the market for an action camera that delivers consistently impressive results, built for the toughest conditions, and streamlines your workflow, the DJI Action 4 should undoubtedly be at the top of your list. It’s not just an alternative to the market leader; in many crucial aspects, it sets a new standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the DJI Action 4 perform in low-light conditions?

The DJI Action 4 features a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor and a wide f/2.8 aperture, which significantly improves its low-light performance compared to previous models. It captures more detail and exhibits less noise, making it a strong contender for twilight or indoor shooting.

Is the stabilization on the DJI Action 4 effective for action sports?

Absolutely, the DJI Action 4 utilizes RockSteady 3.0+ and HorizonSteady, providing incredibly smooth and stable footage even during intense activities. HorizonBalancing and HorizonSteady can also maintain a level horizon, which is crucial for dynamic shots.

What is the typical battery life of the DJI Action 4 camera?

The DJI Action 4 boasts impressive battery life, capable of recording over 2.5 hours of 1080p/24fps footage on a single charge. It also supports fast charging, reaching 80% in just 18 minutes, minimizing downtime during shoots.

How deep can the DJI Action 4 go underwater without additional housing?

The DJI Action 4 is remarkably durable and waterproof right out of the box, capable of descending to depths of 18 meters (59 feet) without any external housing. This makes it ideal for snorkeling, diving, and other aquatic adventures straight away.

What are the main improvements of the DJI Action 4 compared to its predecessor?

The DJI Action 4’s most significant improvements include a larger sensor for enhanced low-light performance and better image quality overall. It also offers advanced color temperature calibration and an expanded waterproof depth without a case.

Is the DJI Action 4 easy to use, especially with its dual touchscreens?

Yes, the DJI Action 4 is very user-friendly thanks to its intuitive interface and dual full-color touchscreens (front and rear). This design allows for easy framing and control whether you’re behind or in front of the camera, simplifying operation in various scenarios.