The new camera is more akin to the original DJI OSMO Action because DJI reversed course on the design from the Action 2. The new OSMO action, like the original, competes in the same market as the GoPro due to its similar size and design. Unlike a few years ago, when there were many rivals for the best action cameras, there are now only a handful, and even these were before divided into more specialized design briefs and functions. also, you can check our article on DJI Osmo Action 3 review. The third-generation Osmo 3 action camera from DJI is back. The new camera’s reversion to the previous edition’s physical factor suggests that DJI’s experimental magnetic, modular Action 2 wasn’t as well received as the company had hoped. The Osmo 3 has a slightly more recognizable appearance; it is essentially a GoPro Hero clone with a front touch screen and a quick-detach mounting system. If you value high frame rates above pixel count, it’s an intriguing alternative to the GoPro Hero9 Black for the price.
Design
With the Action 3, DJI abandoned the modular strategy it used with the Action 2 in Favour of a more conventional action came architecture. The Action 3 could be mistaken for a GoPro with a slightly different look at first glance. The lens is covered with a sizable, cirrhotic cover on the front. A nice improvement over a GoPro’s front screen, which is intended to aid frame a photo, is the 1.4-inch front display that responds to touch and can be used to manage the camera. The power button, which also serves as a QuickShot button, is located on the left side of the body. Once the camera is turned on, you can rapidly choose between your preferred shooting modes or the playback menu by pressing. The camera switches off after a brief period of holding. A door covering the USB-C port, which is utilized for charging and data transfer, is located immediately beneath the power button. Another door on the other side of the shell displays the microSD card slot and detachable battery. The camera’s 2.25-inch primary touchscreen display is located on the rear. Both displays are visible in full sunlight and are both crystal clear. Although it doesn’t seem like much, the magnetic attachment system that is located on the bottom of the housing is what gives the Action 3’s design its cleverness. The quick-release adapter mount has two points to latch onto, and a magnet ensures a secure fit and accurate alignment. You can tell the camera is attached to the adaptor when you hear a reassuring click that it won’t move.
DJI Osmo Action 3 review: Interface
The DJI Osmo Action 3 maintains the same interface as the Action 2. It was reliable and smart last year, and it remains stable and smart this year. The controls are intuitive thanks to large icons that fit comfortably in your fingers, and the menu system is very easy to understand.The DJI Action 2 stumbled in terms of thermal management. Even after a short period of shooting high-resolution content, the compact body and exposed metal design generated uncomfortable heat. This time, however, DJI has made a major evolution. The Action 3 can record longer than the Action 2 without overheating and can shoot a 4K movie at 60 frames per second for 16 minutes and 30 seconds before stopping. Even when overheated, the camera did not hold up as well. This is a big improvement over the Action 2, but not better than the new GoPro Hero 11 Black, which records longer than 10 minutes at the same resolution and frame rate. The GoPro Hero11 Black has more software features than the Action 3, especially when it comes to photography. The smartphone’s ultra-wide-angle lens, which doesn’t even have a nighttime option, can certainly take better low-light photos than the DJI camera. The Action 3’s poor photography, especially in challenging situations, is a notable drawback, given how far computational photography has come in recent years and the attention GoPro cameras has clearly paid to it.
Image quality
However, in one critical area—the range of shooting possibilities it offers—the DJI Osmo Action 3 falls short of the GoPro Hero11 Black. Its rival goes one step further by offering video capture at up to 5.3K and 60 frames per second, as well as shooting in 10-bit color and having the same 360-degree horizon levelling, in addition to having full 360-degree horizon levelling and the ability to capture 4K video at up to 120 frames per second. Other than these restrictions, the DJI falls short of the GoPro because it can only take 12MP still shots, whereas the GoPro can capture images with up to 27MP. you can read our article on DJI Osmo Action 3 review. As with most action cameras, you can’t use all of the new headline features at once. For instance, only HD footage up to 2.7K at up to 60 frames per second is compatible with the new 360-degree horizon levelling stabilization option, which keeps your footage level regardless of the direction the camera is rotating. The inferior “HorizonBalanced” option, which balances motions up to 45 degrees left or right, allows you to record in 4K at 60 frames per second. However, even in this mode, you are constrained to a 16:9 aspect ratio as opposed to the complete, unfettered 4:3.
DJI Osmo Action 3 review: Video quality
The Action 3 can shoot stunning, crisp video in up to 4K quality in bright conditions. If you primarily shoot vlog-style material and don’t need a super wide FOV of 155o, you may want to choose a less wide action camera. When exposing a scene, the Action 3 does not prioritize faces, missing out on details captured by rival cameras like the GoPro Hero 10 and 11. with a wider FOV of 155o, the DJI will focus more, but exposing the photo for all elements is more difficult. As you can see in the example above, the Action 3 needs to deal with a significant amount of sky as well as dark foreground and background features in the bottom half of the image when vlogging. The Action 3 falls short for vlogging because to its low dynamic range and the fact that it doesn’t appear to prioritise faces by default. Detail diminishes and the camera continues to underexpose faces when you change the lens to one with a narrower field of view. The GoPro Hero 10 or 11 Black with a Media Mod is consequently a must-have for vloggers if they plan to shoot in the great outdoors in a variety of challenging conditions. The horizon levelling function, which was added in Action 2, is also demonstrated in the video above. By adjusting for tilts up to 45 degrees at 4K resolution and 360 degrees at 2.7K without even the slightest sway visible in your footage, this maintains your footage looking steady.
DJI Osmo Action 3 review: Battery life
The Adventure Combo, which we tried, offers great value. You receive a number of extras, such as three batteries and a triple charger, for £399. Since each 1770mAh battery has almost three times the capacity of the DJI Action 2 from a year ago, all-day shooting should be possible. One battery should last you through a day with sporadic recording of clips lasting around a minute, even if you don’t pick it up. You can acquire a decent few shot before needing to replace out the Action 3 because a 60-minute timelapse depleted it by 25%. Additionally, the batteries charge extremely quickly compared to an action camera, reaching 80% in just 20 minutes and being fully charged in under an hour. Action cameras are generally not designed for extended capture, especially not at their highest quality; nonetheless, if you anticipate shooting more than an hour of video per day, you’ll want to consider investing in a backup battery or power bank. For longer runtimes, you can unscrew the battery door and shoot while plugged in. As the USB-C connector has its own independent door, unlike the GoPro Hero cameras, this doesn’t expose the SD card slot or battery, minimizing the risk of damage or an unintentional battery removal.
Performance
After extended recording, the DJI Action 2’s tiny metal body became uncomfortably warm. Thankfully, the Osmo Action 3 is significantly better at handling heat. Yes, it still stops recording after a while if it becomes too hot; our device needed to take a break after just under 17 minutes of a 4K 60fps movie. However, that is considerably better than what came before. More importantly, the camera itself isn’t alarmingly hot when it does overheat. also, you can learn our article on DJI Osmo Action 3 review. Everything about the interface works as it should. The UI is simple to use, and the crisp touchscreens are snappy. The near 16:9 aspect ratio of the larger screen makes it ideal for video capturing as well. The DJI Mimo app, which also provides a live preview, may manage the camera after pairing it with Android or iOS. We appreciate DJI’s customization possibilities. Like a typical camera, you may create custom profiles to easily switch between settings and modes. Better yet, it supports plug-and-play webcam capabilities and live broadcasting in a resolution of up to 1080p.
Price and availability
A Standard Combo that includes the DJI Osmo Action 3, an Extreme Battery, a Horizontal-Vertical Protective Frame, and several mounting accessories costs $329. Two Extreme Batteries, a battery container for simultaneously charging all of your batteries, a 1.5-meter Extension Rod, and mounting hardware are all included in the $439 Osmo Action 3 Adventure Combo. Additionally, DJI sells combination kits for bicycling, skiing, and diving for $408, $378, and $408, respectively. Each specialty combination kit includes the best-suited item for the activity. A handlebar mount and chest strap are included with the riding package, a 1.5-meter extension rod is included with the skiing combo, and a waterproof case, a floating handle, and anti-fog inserts are included with the diving combo.
Conclusion
If we’re being honest, the modular design’s apparent abandonment is a touch sad, but the Action 3 is more capable and manageable. The increased size and weight are the only drawbacks, but even then, the GoPro still outperforms it. Although the price is lower, the feature set is still not as extensive as that of the GoPro Hero 10. In fact, it performs better than the competition in some aspects, including image sensor size, temperature resistance, and water resistance. The EIS is still good compared to the previous generation, and both HorizonBalancing and RockSteady create fluid video from vigorous action. Typically, 4K is the best resolution for action, especially at up to 120 frames per second.
