DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
It was not too long ago when DJI announced 2 products made for both casual and prosumer markets. The Osmo Pocket 3 completely changed the way people create content. A simple flick of its rotation screen or a single press of a button, creators can then easily shoot a content with their choice of aspect ratio or format. On the other hand, the DJI Neo, which they just launched 2 weeks ago, opened the doors to more camera angles and views for content creators.
This time, with the launch of the new Osmo Action 5 Pro, creators can enjoy more features to document their adventures and experiences in the waters, up the mountains, or just simply inside convention halls (this is so much fitting for me).
The Osmo Action 5 Pro, while packed with so much features, have familiar specs that can still be found in its predecessor? But, what changed; and are these changes warrant the slight increase in its price? You can find our full thoughts in this review.
Build and Design
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is the first in the series to have a “Pro” monicker. Why? DJI believes that it represents a significant leap forward in action camera design and features. With its robust construction, the camera feels solid and well-built, inspiring confidence for adventurous users. While it’s slightly heavier than its predecessor, it still manages to be lighter than some competitors like GoPro, striking a balance between durability and portability.
One of its best features is its impressive waterproofing capabilities. The Action 5 Pro can dive to depths of 20 meters (65 feet) without a case, a notable improvement over the previous model. For more extreme underwater adventures, it can go down to 60 meters with the waterproof case. This enhanced waterproofing is backed by the EN13319 certification, meeting internationally recognized standards for diving accessories.
The camera’s design also incorporates a magnetic quick-release system, allowing for easy mounting and swift position changes. This feature, combined with its native vertical shooting capability, offers versatility for various shooting scenarios.
Display
The Osmo Action 5 Pro boasts dual OLED touchscreens, similar to its predecessor. The front screen now supports 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage, providing richer and more vibrant colors. It also supports HLG high-brightness display, enhancing visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
The rear screen has seen a nominal increase in size, now measuring 2.5 inches. While this might seem like a small change, it’s a welcome improvement that makes framing and reviewing shots easier. The screen-to-body ratio has increased by 16%, thanks to narrower bezels, making it the smallest form factor with the largest screen among mainstream action cameras.
Both screens feature a high pixel density of 326 PPI, surpassing competitors and ensuring crisp, clear image display. The dual touchscreen functionality is particularly useful for vloggers and solo content creators, allowing easy framing from both sides of the camera.
Available Camera Features
The Osmo Action 5 Pro is packed with impressive camera features that cater to both amateur enthusiasts and professional content creators. At its core is a next-generation 1/1.3-inch sensor that delivers up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range, rivaling the performance of professional cameras.
The camera supports 4K video recording at 60fps with high dynamic range, significantly enhancing low-light performance. It can also shoot 4K at 120fps in a 4:3 aspect ratio, offering more compositional space and flexibility in post-production.
One of the standout features is the SuperNight Mode, which excels in low-light conditions, outperforming many competitors like GoPro Hero12. The camera also offers a variety of color modes, including 10-bit, D-Log M, and HLG, providing greater flexibility in color grading and achieving cinematic visuals.
The Action 5 Pro boasts an ultra-wide 155° field of view, the widest in its class, while maintaining superior distortion control. This allows for capturing more of the scene without compromising image quality.
Stabilization is another area where the Action 5 Pro shines. Its RockSteady technology, particularly the 360° HorizonSteady feature, provides robust stabilization, ensuring smooth footage even in the most dynamic shooting scenarios.
The camera now offers a maximum photo resolution of 40MP, making its Photo mode more versatile and useful for capturing high-quality stills.
Compatibility with DJI Mic 2 (Dual Microphone)
The Osmo Action 5 Pro takes audio recording to the next level with its OsmoAudio connectivity ecosystem. It supports dual DJI Mic 2 direct connections, allowing for professional-grade audio recording that far surpasses typical Bluetooth microphones.
This feature is particularly beneficial for vloggers and interviewers, as it enables the simultaneous capture of two separate audio sources. The camera can record high-quality audio from two DJI microphones while also capturing ambient sound through its built-in microphones, adding depth and authenticity to the footage. (We cannot wait to use this as one of our equipment when covering events like CES, MWC, and Computex.)
The audio sampling rate when using the DJI Mic 2 with the Action 5 Pro is 48 kHz, which is on par with film and professional digital audio standards. This is a significant improvement over other action cameras that typically offer 16 kHz sampling rates with external microphones. It also has a built-in audio recorder, that can work in tandem with DJI Mic 2’s input features and backup recording feature.
Ease of Use of Updated DJI Mimo App
The DJI Mimo app has received several updates to enhance user experience and streamline the content creation process. One of the most notable new features is the Mimo Live Photo & 4K Video Frame Capture. This allows users to extract high-resolution stills from their footage, with the ability to capture up to 4K resolution photos that accurately reflect the original video quality. We found this similar feature from GoPro, and having this on the DJI Mimo is highly appreciated.
Another significant improvement is the background download feature. Users can now continue using their smartphones for other tasks while the app transfers files in the background, greatly improving workflow efficiency.
The app also supports D-Log M color reproduction, enabling users to achieve more stylized adjustments without the need for a computer. This feature offers both convenience and speed for on-the-go editing. The availability of HLG color mode is particularly useful when shooting HDR content. This is not available in the previous model.
Battery Performance
Battery life is one of the standout features of the Osmo Action 5 Pro. While most action cameras in the market offer around 2 hours of recording time, the Action 5 Pro pushes this to an impressive 4 hours on a single charge. This 50% increase over the previous generation is achieved through the use of a high-performance 4 nm chip and optimized power management algorithms.
For users who need even more recording time, the Adventure Package includes two extra batteries and a charging hub. This extended battery life is particularly beneficial for long shoots or all-day adventures, reducing the need for frequent battery changes or external power sources.
To further conserve battery, the Action 5 Pro features an Always On Display mode. This reduces screen brightness and shows only essential information like recording specifications and duration, allowing users to check status without significantly impacting battery life.
Verdict
The combination of advanced imaging capabilities, robust build quality, and innovative features of the Osmo Action 5 Pro make it a compelling choice for both amateur enthusiasts and professional content creators.
The camera’s improved sensor and processing power deliver exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The SuperNight Mode is especially impressive, outperforming many competitors in low-light scenarios. The addition of 10-bit color, D-Log M, and HLG options provides greater flexibility for post-production color grading.
The dual OLED touchscreens, with their improved size and quality, enhance the user experience significantly. The waterproofing capabilities and built-in pressure gauge add value for underwater enthusiasts and divers.
Audio capabilities have been significantly upgraded, with the dual DJI Mic 2 compatibility offering professional-grade sound recording. This feature, combined with the improved Mimo app functionality, creates a comprehensive ecosystem for content creation.
The extended battery life is a game-changer, allowing for longer shooting sessions without interruption. The inclusion of built-in storage (47GB) is a welcome addition, providing a buffer for those moments when you run out of space on your memory card.
While the Osmo Action 5 Pro excels in many areas, it’s worth noting that some competitors offer features like a 1:1 aspect ratio (found on GoPro Hero13), which can provide more flexibility in post-cropping. Additionally, while the Action 5 Pro is versatile, it may lack some of the modularity found in cameras like the Insta360 Go3.
In terms of pricing, the basic combo offers good value for the features provided. However, the Adventure Combo, while comprehensive, comes at a premium price point that may give some potential buyers pause.
Overall, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro stands out as a top-tier action camera, particularly excelling in image quality, low-light performance, stabilization, and battery life. It’s a worthy contender in the action camera market, especially for those who prioritize image quality and professional-grade features. With this release, DJI continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation in the action camera space.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
