DJI OSMO ACTION 4 VS GOPRO HERO 12

Summary

In this action cam showdown, the DJI Action 4 and GoPro Hero 12 are put to the test in various water sports, including wake surfing, skim boarding, and snorkeling. The video compares their performance in terms of color accuracy, exposure, and usability. While the DJI Action 4 excels in color vibrancy and true-to-life representation, thanks to its dedicated temperature sensor, the GoPro Hero 12 shows a slight edge in exposure. Both cameras offer buttery smooth 4K 120fps footage, but the DJI Action 4's quick settings and versatile mounting system give it an edge in usability. The video concludes with a discussion on the cameras' specs, battery life, and additional features, leaving the final decision to the viewer's preferences and needs.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video is a comparison between the DJI Action 4 and the GoPro Hero 12, focusing on their performance in various action sports scenarios.
• 🌞 Camera A (GoPro Hero 12) appears brighter, while Camera B (DJI Action 4) offers more vibrant colors and a more accurate representation of the day's lighting.
• 📹 Both cameras are capable of shooting 4K at 120 frames per second, resulting in smooth slow-motion footage.
• 🏄‍♂️ POV shots are crucial for action cameras, and the DJI Action 4 has a slightly wider field of view, which is beneficial for these types of shots.
• 🎵 Audio quality is tested, with the DJI Action 4 potentially having an edge due to its ability to connect seamlessly with DJI microphones.
• 🌊 The DJI Action 4's dedicated temperature sensor helps in achieving more accurate colors, which is a significant advantage in various lighting conditions.
• 🔋 DJI Action 4 has a superior battery life compared to the standard GoPro battery, but it's on par with GoPro's Enduro battery.
• 📱 The DJI Action 4's touch screen is user-friendly for changing settings, but it can be challenging to use when wet, unlike the GoPro's more reliable controls.
• 💧 The GoPro Hero 12 has a hydrodynamic lens coating that makes it more resistant to water droplets, which is crucial for underwater or wet conditions.
• 💰 The DJI Action 4 is $100 cheaper than the GoPro Hero 12, but it does not come with a case, which is an additional cost to consider.

Q & A

Which action cameras are compared in the video?

The video compares the DJI Action 4 and the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

What activities were the cameras tested in?

The cameras were tested during wake surfing, skim boarding, and snorkeling.

What is the initial observation about Camera A's brightness?

Camera A is noted to be a little bit more bright, allowing more visibility of facial details.

How does Camera B compare to Camera A in terms of color and contrast?

Camera B has more color and a slightly more contrasty feel, appearing closer to the true colors of the day.

What is the verdict on the 4K 120 video quality from both cameras?

Both cameras' 4K 120 video quality is described as buttery smooth, resulting in a tie for this aspect.

Which camera has a wider field of view for POV shots?

One of the cameras has a slightly wider field of view, which is beneficial for POV shots, but the script does not specify which one.

What is the main difference in audio quality between the two cameras?

The main difference is not explicitly stated, but the script mentions testing the audio while the camera is wet, suggesting a focus on how each camera handles wet conditions.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the color vibrancy in the skim session lighting?

The reviewer believes Camera B has more vibrant colors and is less washed out than Camera A in the skim session lighting.

Which camera is revealed to be Camera A, and which is Camera B?

Camera A is the GoPro Hero 12, and Camera B is the DJI Action 4.

What feature does the DJI Action 4 have that contributes to its color accuracy?

The DJI Action 4 has a dedicated temperature sensor that contributes to its color accuracy and vibrancy.

What is the comparison on usability between the DJI Action 4 and the GoPro Hero 12?

The DJI Action 4 is considered easier to use in terms of changing settings and mounting due to its quick capture feature and magnetic mounting system.

What additional point does the GoPro Hero 12 get in the review?

The GoPro Hero 12 gets a point for its playback feature, allowing smooth slow-motion playback on the camera itself.

What is the comparison on battery life between the two cameras?

The DJI Action 4 has better battery life than the standard GoPro battery, but is comparable to GoPro's Enduro battery.

What is the reviewer's final recommendation based on price?

The reviewer recommends the DJI Action 4 as it is $100 cheaper than the GoPro Hero 12, although a case needs to be purchased separately.

Outlines

00:00

📹 Action Cam Showdown: DJI Action 4 vs GoPro Hero 12

The video script introduces a comparison between the DJI Action 4 and the GoPro Hero 12 action cameras. The test scenarios include wake surfing, skim boarding, and snorkeling to evaluate their performance in various conditions. The reviewer notes differences in brightness, color, and contrast between the two cameras, with Camera A (DJI Action 4) appearing brighter and Camera B (GoPro Hero 12) offering more vibrant colors and truer representation. Both cameras are capable of shooting 4K at 120 frames per second, resulting in smooth slow-motion footage. The reviewer also comments on the ease of use for settings and the importance of audio quality, especially when the camera is wet.

05:00

🏄‍♂️ POV and Audio Test: Behind the Scenes

The script continues with a focus on POV shots and audio quality. The reviewer highlights the importance of a wide field of view for POV shots and mentions a slight advantage for Camera B in terms of color representation. The audio test involves a singing segment to evaluate how well the cameras capture sound, especially in wet conditions. The reviewer also discusses the ease of changing camera settings and the quick capture feature, favoring the DJI Action 4 for its instant recording start. Playback quality is addressed, with the GoPro Hero 12 providing smoother slow-motion playback directly on the camera, unlike the DJI Action 4.

10:01

🔋 Usability and Mounting: DJI vs GoPro

The final paragraph delves into the usability and mounting systems of the action cameras. The DJI Action 4 is praised for its quick and easy mounting system, which allows for swift transitions between different shooting angles. The GoPro Hero 12, while also offering quality footage, requires more time to change mounts. The script also touches on the included accessories, with the GoPro Hero 12 coming with a case and the DJI Action 4 not. Battery life is compared, with the DJI Action 4 outperforming the standard GoPro battery but being on par with GoPro's Enduro battery. The DJI's deep freeze technology for cold weather performance is mentioned, and the script concludes with a discussion on the cameras' overall performance, with the DJI Action 4 being $100 cheaper but requiring additional purchases like a case.

Keywords

💡Action Cams

Action cams are small, portable, and durable cameras designed for capturing high-quality video in extreme environments or during physical activities. In the video, the DJI Action 4 and GoPro Hero 12 are compared in various action scenarios such as wake surfing, skim boarding, and snorkeling to determine their performance in real-world conditions.

💡Color Correction

Color correction is the process of adjusting the colors in video footage to achieve a desired look or to correct any inconsistencies. The video script mentions that one of the cameras appears to have colors that are 'already color corrected,' suggesting that it has a more natural and accurate representation of the scene without the need for post-production adjustments.

💡Exposure

Exposure in video and photography refers to the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor. The script discusses how one camera (Camera A) is 'a little bit more bright' and another (Camera B) has 'a little bit more true to what the day was like' in terms of exposure, indicating a difference in how each camera handles lighting conditions.

💡4K 120

4K 120 refers to a video resolution of 4000 pixels horizontally and a frame rate of 120 frames per second. This high resolution and frame rate allow for extremely detailed and smooth slow-motion video. The script mentions that both cameras shoot in 4K 120, indicating their capability to capture high-quality, slow-motion footage.

💡POV Shots

POV stands for 'point of view' and refers to a type of shot that places the viewer in the position of the subject. In the context of the video, POV shots are important for capturing the first-person perspective of the action, such as wake surfing or skim boarding.

💡Field of View

Field of view (FOV) is the extent of the observable environment that a camera can capture at any given moment. The script notes that one camera has a 'slightly wider field of view,' which is beneficial for capturing more of the scene in POV shots, providing a more immersive experience.

💡Audio Quality

Audio quality is crucial for vlogging and capturing clear sound in videos. The script mentions testing the audio while the camera is wet, which is a common scenario for action cams, to see how well they handle audio capture in challenging conditions.

💡Mounting Systems

Mounting systems are used to attach action cams to various surfaces or objects to capture different angles. The video discusses the ease of switching between mounts with the DJI Action 4 due to its magnetic system, which is a significant advantage for quick setup and versatility in shooting.

💡Battery Life

Battery life is a critical factor for action cams, especially during extended outdoor activities. The script compares the battery life of the DJI Action 4 and GoPro Hero 12, with a mention of DJI's 'deep freeze technology' that enhances battery performance in cold conditions.

💡DLOG and 10-bit

DLOG and 10-bit are terms related to video recording profiles that offer greater dynamic range and color depth, respectively. The script indicates that the DJI Action 4's DLOG and 10-bit capabilities provide advantages in post-production, allowing for better color grading and detail recovery.

💡Hydrodynamic Coating

Hydrodynamic coating refers to a lens treatment that helps water droplets to bead up and roll off more easily, reducing the impact of water on image quality. The script praises GoPro's hydrodynamic coating for its effectiveness in keeping the lens clear during water activities.

Highlights

Comparison between DJI Action 4 and GoPro Hero 12 Black in various action scenarios.

Initial observation notes camera A (GoPro) being brighter, while camera B (DJI) offers more color and contrast.

Camera B (DJI) is favored for true color representation despite lower exposure.

Both cameras record 4K 120fps, resulting in smooth footage.

POV shots reveal camera B (DJI) excelling in color, with camera A (GoPro) showing a pinkish tint.

Camera B (DJI) has a slightly wider field of view, beneficial for POV shots.

Audio test during a shake reveals potential differences in audio capture.

Skim session lighting highlights camera B's (DJI) vibrant colors over camera A's (GoPro) washed-out appearance.

Reveal of camera identities: Camera A is GoPro Hero 12, and Camera B is DJI Action 4.

DJI Action 4 praised for true-to-reality colors, thanks to a dedicated temperature sensor.

Usability comparison favors DJI Action 4 for ease of setting changes and quick capture.

GoPro Hero 12 is applauded for its playback capabilities, especially for slow-motion footage.

DJI Action 4's magnetic mounting system is a gamechanger for ease of use.

GoPro Hero 12 wins points for the included case, which DJI Action 4 lacks.

Battery life comparison shows DJI Action 4 outperforming GoPro's standard battery but comparable to GoPro's Enduro battery.

DJI's deep freeze technology is anticipated to extend battery life in cold conditions.

DJI Action 4 is chosen by the tech expert for its dynamic range and ease of use with other DJI products.

GoPro Hero 12 is favored for its hydrodynamic lens coating, which repels water more effectively.

Final decision leans towards DJI Action 4 for its value, performance, and unique features, despite GoPro's strong showing.

Transcripts

all right it's the battle of the action

cams we have the DJI action 4 and the

GoPro hero2 black we're going to see how

these bad boys perform today we're

behind the boat we're going to take them

wake surfing after that we might go do

some skim boarding do some snorkeling

underwater let's see if you guys can

spot a difference on quality and I'm

going to see if I can spot a difference

on performance and we will tell you what

the unanimous decision for the ultimate

winner of the battle of the action cams

after this video so at the end of this

video we're going to reveal which camera

is the DJI action 4 and which camera is

the GoPro Hero 12 but without skipping

forward I want you guys to comment below

which footage you think is the GoPro and

which footage you think is the DJI

action 4 but right right off the bat I

noticed that camera a is a little bit

more bright I could see my face and

details more however cam be had a lot

more color and a little bit more

contrasty feel which almost looked like

it was already color corrected in a way

so I would say camera B looked a little

bit more true to what the day was like

seems to be like a little bit of like a

pinkish red tint on camera a and on

terms of exposure I definitely give it

to camera a but in terms of true color

and what that day looked like I would

say I'd have to give it to camera B and

even though the exposure is a little bit

lower we can always bring that up in

post editing it's going to be a lot more

difficult to change the colors around on

camera a in post editing so both these

cameras shoot 4K 120 and I have to say

they both look buttery smooth I have to

give it a tie on that

one all right you saw it in slow-mo with

the pull now it's time to go POV behind

the boat from my point of view so POV

shots are really important to me on what

camera comes on top because that's when

I get opportunity to really use the

action cam as you can see there's not

too much of an exposure difference on

this shot I think the lighting might

have been better compared to the

previous shots so camera B definitely

isn't struggling with exposure on this

one and in fact I think it might be

excelling on color if you look closely

at my board and the boat you'll kind of

see like a pinkish reddish tint but the

whites and the Grays are coming out much

more true on camera B so keep in mind

these settings are straight out of the

box and set to the exact same settings

especially on field of view so you'll

notice that one camera has a slightly

wider field of view which is exactly

what you want for POV shots um and

they're both set to wide so audio can be

pretty important for people sometimes if

they're vlogging uh especially if the

camera's wet so we wanted to put that to

the

test so while we're here why don't we

test out the audio give her a little

Shake I've been really trying baby

trying to hold back these feelings for

so

long and if you feel like I

do oh come on come

on let's get it

on oh darling sugar Let's Get It On

all right we are at the beach we made it

I'm going to get some skim Clips

POV and see how they compare so we got a

lot better lighting this day with the

skim session and you could tell right

away the colors significantly different

from camera A and B I personally think

that camera B has a lot more vibrant

colors to it uh not as washed out as

camera a uh both look great in this

lighting but I think camera B is still

coming on top all right so let's go back

to the studio reveal which camera is

which footage and there was some things

I liked about both cameras but really

ultimately come to decision which camera

comes on top all right so it's time to

reveal the

footage camera a is the GoPro Hero 12

and Camera B is the DJI action 4 and

clearly on the footage I think out of

box the best most vibrant colors goes to

camera B which is the action 4 because

it has this dedicated temperature sensor

the colors just seem a lot more true to

reality color excelled on the action 4

thanks to that dedicated temperature

sensor I'd say overall quality on both

cameras they're insane I mean the fact

that footage can be this good and we're

having to look at those small fine

details to figure out which camera is

best between the GoPro and the action 4

I mean you're not going to go wrong

getting footage with either one I think

there might be a slight advantage to

GoPro on the exposure side but it's such

a slight difference um I'd much rather

go in and bump up the exposure on the

DJI if I was going to do any post

editing then go in and do a bunch of

color correcting so overall I'd still

much rather have really good true crispy

colors as far as usability goes on these

two cameras at first I was a little

biased towards GoPro because that's what

I was used to using uh but once I got

used to action 4 I realized it was

really easy to go into the settings

change them to what I wanted and ended

up being a little bit easier than the

GoPro and especially the quick capture I

really like that function where as soon

as I push that record button when the

camera was totally off instantly started

recording compared to GoPro had that 3

second delay or so uh another thing too

is I have to give a point to GoPro on

the playback so when we're filming in

slow motion there's nothing better than

getting that sick shot and being able to

play back super buttery slow-mo on the

actual camera and unfortunately on the

DJI it comes through really choppy so

DJI I would love to see a firmware

update where we can actually play back

our 120 4K footage uh in buttery slow-mo

like we can do on the GoPro uh it's

really important to be able to when

you're using ashon cam to be able to

change the mounting systems whether

you're doing POV handheld maybe a pole

right now we have the DJI and the GoPro

on this dual mounting system and maybe

sometimes you want to shoot specifically

for social media and you want to mount

it vertically and with the GoPro we have

your standard kind of classic setup

where you have to unscrew the little

mounting system find your other Mount

and then screw it back on like that but

what I love about the DJI and I think

this is one of the coolest features I

mean they're they both kill it on

quality of footage but to me this is so

important for an action cam to be able

to switch from mount to mount is you

just un

snap and then it just snaps right on

magnetically boom I just changed it in

about three or four seconds so as far as

mounting and usability goes the DJI for

sure gets this one so we are going to

give GoPro a point for the case that it

came with I mean we got the DJI it

didn't come with a case so thankfully

Connor had a extra case that I could put

all of my mounts and batteries and cords

and SD cards and stuff in point to GoPro

for what it comes with when you do

actually purchase the camera okay so

battery life uh compared to the GoPro

standard battery DJI definitely takes

the cake on battery life however when we

compared it to gopro's Enduro battery

the one with a little white ends on it

um I'd say they're pretty much the same

we didn't really go we were so focused

on getting shots we didn't really put

the batteries to like a long lasting

test but I think uh if you have the

Enduro battery for the GoPro then you're

probably just in line with the DJI

action 4 camera as well so apparently

DJI has this deep freeze technology on

their batteries where they last longer

in cold weather I'm really excited to

try it uh right now it's summertime so

we're not going to be snowboarding

anytime soon but maybe we'll do a video

kind of putting that to the test in the

future and like I said I'm not a techy

guy I just want something that I can

take out there conveniently have it

perform in some rad conditions and make

sure that I come out with the best Clips

possible but my camera guy is a total

nerd when it comes to this stuff so I'm

going to let him talk to you about some

of the intricacies of all the specs that

the cameras have to offer all right so

I've been filming with Austin for a

really long time using bunch of

different cameras whether it's my big

camera or these small action cameras uh

so I got really comfortable using a

GoPro but when it comes down to which

camera I think is better I'm giving it

to the DJI it does have the dlog the 10

bit and while GoPro does have a flat

profile and actual log footage something

that's easier to convert to rec 79 I'm

going with DJ on this it had great

dynamic range which means if the Shadows

are a little too dark and the highlights

are a little too bright it's a little

bit easier to recover with the DJI in

post production now the mounting system

while I'm filming him like he said it's

gamechanging I always want to get as

many different angles that I possibly

can sometimes I'll set up mounts on the

boat and then I'll hand it to him for a

mouth Mount and then I also have a pole

so to save that time and just be able to

just click it on and be ready to go

massive point to DJI for that um using

the camera switching between settings he

might go from talking to wanting some

slow-mo Clips uh couple clicks on the

back of this touch screen here and you

know it's locked in and good to go the

GoPro still really good you can still

save custom presets but it's a little

bit clunkier easier to hit the wrong

thing so given the the point there again

to the action 4 and another thing that I

love with the DJI is they make a lot of

great products like these microphones

we're using right now so if you're a

vlogger it's great to be able to use

this microphone and just instantly

connect the moment you hit record it's

recording the audio as well so in terms

of usability and using other things like

microphones DJI has the point there but

I will say with the touchcreen in the

water sometimes you want to switch

settings in the water uh once there were

any water droplets on this camera it was

really hard to change the settings to

unlock the screen to do anything the

GoPro definitely gets a point on in

water being able to change settings uh

yeah it was a lot more reliable while it

was wet the coating on the lenses water

droplets definitely stayed on the DJI a

little bit more uh caught myself having

to either wipe it or try to blow the

water droplets off a lot more now they

that's going to happen with whatever

action camera you have but the uh the

coating that comes with the GoPro lens

is a little bit more water resistant and

kind of beads off just a little bit

easier K in that is a massive deal okay

I mean sometimes you get that shot and

that it's only happens you all day

trying to get a barrel and you finally

get that barrel shot and there's a water

droplet on the r lens it just ruins your

whole video so got to give it to GoPro

on the hydrodynamic coating on the lens

yeah so Austin seems like a really nice

guy but if I miss the shot because

there's a water droplet on that he gets

really mad he starts screaming at me I

don't want it to be my fault I'm just

constantly scared that he's going to get

so mad at me cuz I missed the shot cuz

of one water

droplet so all in all as a tech guy I'm

going with the DJI but GoPro still a

great camera all right thanks Connor uh

actually just for the record I never

yell at

Connor um anyway so get back to which

camera we think is better obviously I

think both cameras have their

advantages uh but the DJI is $100

cheaper keep in mind you're going to

have to buy a case because it didn't

come with one but all that being said

we'll let you decide which camera is

right for you