IS IT OVER? DJI Osmo Action 4 vs GoPro Hero 12 Ultimate Comparison

The massive fail on the DJI no one talks about it is: if you want good audio and use external mics then the camera is entirely unusable. Remember, this is an action camera first and foremost and the USB mic connection simply isn't nearly stable enough like an 1/8 audio jack is. Try putting the DJI wireless mic receiver in the side and then biking down a mountain and see if it's still there at the bottom - it won't be. So as good as the action 4 is, if you want to use an external mic connected to it, then it's utterly unfit for purpose. Obvs you can just record separately and then sync later but this is a massive fail by DJI.

So in the loop setting for 5 or 20 minutes. It will keep recording over & over the same 5 or 20 minute segment without filling the card?

seeing so many moving to dji

As a long time Hero 7 user, I was feeling the need to finally upgrade to something newer before taking a few summer road trips. My experience with the Hero 7 was never perfect. I actually purchased 2 cameras so that I could film in different scenarios without having to switch mounts. I almost exclusively use the quick record feature, and at times it would just simply not work for me at all. So I would miss some critical shots. Given my experience with these cameras, I decided to purchase an Action 3.

My order actually took a few weeks to process/ship, and DJI announced the Action 4 while I was waiting, so I cancelled the OA3 and bought the OA4 instead, which arrived in a few days. So far I love it. The mounting system is superior, I only need one camera and can switch from a selfie stick to a magnetic mount or to a tri-pod within seconds. The quick record feature is super fast and works every time. The quick switch button is great, and the fact that I don't need any extra hardware for my external mic to work is just icing on the cake. DJI just simply offers a better user experience. If they can catch up to GoPro for image resolution, it's over. (though I have no issues with the image quality of the OA4 and have no need for 5.3K)

Looking at the 12 and dji, it looks like the dji has better colors from their log than gopro. Also, any experience using those magnetic mounts externally on a car? Curious how fast they can stand.

Does the action 4 do loops recordings same way go pro does? Where I can set it up for 20 minute loops so it records over the same 20 minutes continuously unless I hit stop. Then it will save that recording & start a new 20min loop? I want a camera for filming my kayak fishing catches & pics. I'm be in low light situations about 1/3rd of time.

Nice video. Have questions... Is there a way to configure the DJI to stop recording and turn off after 30sec,1min,5min...(as the GoPro) Also, when you plug a usb-c to 3.5 mic adapter, do you still ear the sound out of the camera speaker when you turn off ? And finally is the record button still hard to press as the version 3 ?

Thank you for your excellent comparison ;-)

On mtb in the forest while going fast gopro eats dji for breakfast. Presenting action camera without action is pointless . Like using f1 car at the caprark and giving review based on it .... what's the point

Can you charge the Action 4 while also using an external mic?

I have likes and dislikes about both. I need fingers magnets will not hold up in my sport. Im a Gp subscriber so its a no-brainer. Bought both cameras though. Soon after my hero 7 took on water. I sent it back and receive new GP12. For everyday use DJI seems to be the one i grab off the shelf.

Liked the video, it was more than just specs. Real world use cases and allowed me to determine that the Action 4 would be a better camera for me. Thanks

Thanks for sharing. With the Ulanzi magnetic adapter on GoPro, do you think GoPro can keep up with DJI Action 4 when talking about switching between different use cases?

Love how GoPro continue to under deliver and over charge.

I just acquired a DJI Action 4. Before I had the DJI 2. And I was using a lot timelapse and in the previous one, it was possible to save the individual file and this option is not more possible in the DJI4... I hope it will be an update coming with this possibility

Does the DJI have a removable lens?
What are the DJI Action 4 shutter, ISO & EV options?

hi which gopro or DJI Osmo Action 4 has the best battery life

One thing that might be worth a mention is that if you were moving your GoPro from a chest harness to a helmet mount to a handlebar mount (and even back to a hand grip, like the Jaws or 3-Way 2.0), you wouldn't actually use the GoPro thumbscrew and fingers. The chest harness, helmet mount, and handlebar mounts all incorporate the GoPro quick release buckle system. It would likely be more useful to compare the DJI Action's quick release magnetic mount to this GoPro quick release buckle mount, NOT to the fixed fingers and thumbscrew mount.

Certainly, moving the GoPro from mount to mount by unscrewing the thumb screw and screwing it back in is a lot slower and more fiddly than the Action's magnetic quick release. But, as I said, you wouldn't be using the thumb screw in those situations anyway. You'd be using the GoPro's quick release system.

I suspect that the Action's magnetic quick release would still be faster than using the GoPro's quick release. However, my sense is that the GoPro's buckle system is considerably more reliable and stable. It also has the advantage of holding the GoPro lower, which might be an advantage for things like a helmet mount. The Action's magnetic mount raises the camera quite a bit higher, and that would place the camera much farther away from the helmet - sticking it out to the side. The GoPro's system keeps the camera much more flush with the helmet's surface. Also, the Action's magnetic quick release can only be attached in one direction. The camera can only face one way. The GoPro's quick release option allows the camera to be attached facing in either direction. It makes no difference which way you insert it.

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both quick release systems. One or the other might be preferable depending on how you use your cameras. But it should be noted that the GoPro's quick release system exists and it comes included with every GoPro camera. It's built into the GoPro accessory ecosystem.

For me Go Pro 12 and their attachment system which is very safe in all kinds of conditions. The automatic transfer without manipulation to the cloud is very practical when traveling. My use of this type of camera is outdoors which does a very good job

field of view in gopro is much better than DJI..Look closer in ultraview on DJI, for me it looks funny specially when theres an object or person in the middle of the frame..and when you select wide on both cameras yes DJI shows more FOV But when you combine it with rocksteady+ its not that wide, while in Gopro you can select superview (less distortion than (ultraview or hyperview) if i have these both cam i would never use HYPERVIEW OR ULTRAVIEW.. you can see why, its not very pleasant to the eye

POV shots like fishing, riding, cycling, gopro wins and thats all i need in ACTION CAMERA.. SUPERVIEW with autoboost/hyperboost is the sweetest spot!dont forget about HDR mode in GoPro, perfect for riding and fishing..
and for low light? they both sucks..

if you are fat buy the osmo4.. im telling you. You will look 50 pound less on ultraview.. and luffy arms while riding a bike.. 😂

What about overheating? Who overhat first? I mean the last thing we want is the camera overheat when we want to still take the moment right

gopro is a banana world as always.

compare the sdk between gopro and dji... gopro has superb programmatic support

i was interested with hero 12 ! but i think to buy the action 4 with no doubt... the hero 12 is not reliable...

I’m done with action cams

There’s only ONE difference, gopro crashes, dji doesn’t. Done.

Both these cameras seem to be full featured and take great video. Great comparison, you really covered almost everything in this video. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. The big con with the Hero 12 is you have to buy a pricey media mod to get great audio with it. And the Action 4 accepts high quality Mic's through its USB-C port. Thanks for sharing.

hero12 for filming

Im very not happy with my Dji Action 4, bad quality, highlights, colors and shadows is terrible, don't like this product 🤬

I have (had) a go pro 12, I just bought the action 4 it’s the best decision I ever made I’ll never buy another go pro until they sort out that trash.

Can you connect gopro 12 blue tooth to a sena head set and if it does the sound would be amazing.

@FlytPath you can go through the (saved) video/photo settings if you press mode+power buttons at the same time. then just navigate with mode button and ok with the power button. its still not as good as a front-touchscreen but you can do „something“ so you dont need to remount your gopro all the time, like you told us in the video.

Just subscribed your channel. Thanks for the very detailed comparison of both camera!

I tried one of your Cameras and I had to Return it because the front screen didn’t work at all and a few other parts so Basically the camera was no good to me or anyone if they do a Refurbished it and I did want the Camera for its Price oh well back to the drawing board as they say in the movies

I feel like the only way someone could say the DJI Action4 has more functionality than the GoPro 12 is if they were also a DJI influencer who gets all of their drones early to test them out ….oh wait

Doesn't the DJI fall off its magnetic mount? Is it totally secure?

Honestly people really need to stop supporting Gopro. Every version of their camera that I've owned has had major problems even after multiple firmware updates. Constant freezing issues, dreadful battery life and cameras that simply die while using them.

Even with my old hero 10, which when I had it, I thought was amazing. Simply felt half finished product when I replaced it with the previous gen DJI camera. Everything just worked as it should out of the box. Even the touch screens work flawlessly with no issues.

I think Gopro need to take a long, hard look at themselves and what they are delivering as "finished product" to the consumer. Otherwise they will continue to lose more and more supporters.

if you used a better wireless mic with the gopro would the quality of sound be improved just the like the osmo action?

I have always owned GoPros but this year I switched to the DJI Action 4. It’s a great action camera! Thanks for your great comparison of these cameras!

5.3k is worth having, along with GoPro Labs capability outshines DJI by a lot. 27MP photos lets me ditch my smart phone and use the GoPro as an all in one video and camera device. Get the Hero 11: very stable, has GPS which tags files with location data.

Seems like Go Pro has been hanging on to its brand name and (subjective) better colors while DJI is actually improving the product through engineering. Just waiting for an device like an improved Action 2/Go Pro mini light enough to fly on my Avata that has a large sensor and improved color.

DJI Osmo Action 4 is awesome!

Definitely going for the Hero 12! Thanks for the info!

Thank you. Grate comparison

Thank you for a great video! After watching this, I decided to go with the DJI Action 4 ! You now have a new subscriber. Please keep up the great work.

Hello, I've owned GoPros for years now. People over the years gave me what i have now but I bought the GP 9 2 years ago and its terrible. Main con is Freezing and I did not notice you mention about any freezing up during your test. Its been a problem with all my Gopros. I made a video on my channel about my decision to stop using Gopro action cameras. Thanks.

I just want something that won't overheat!

Great analysis as usual! Thanks so much!

Incredible comparison video! I have the gopro 11 and osmo action 4. I'm really liking the dji more so far.

Does GoPro maintain backward compatibility with crashing and losing your footage?

Family photos holiday, Colin's a stroke difficult DJI 3 perfect but press hard button photo burd photo image ? DJI 1 perfect button. Please bring back Burst mode please