DJI entered the motion digital camera market earlier this yr with the Osmo Action, an innovate try to tackle GoPro’s Hero7 Black. It was a powerful first-generation product, nevertheless it wasn’t lengthy earlier than GoPro got here again with the Hero8 Black — which rapidly discovered its option to the highest of our greatest motion cameras record along with incomes a 9/10 rating in our overview. While the Hero8 Black is an distinctive motion digital camera, the Osmo Action nonetheless stands out in a number of methods — not the least of which is its cheaper worth — and should have some options that make it the higher alternative for you. Here’s how the 2 stack up.
Design
This is the place the DJI Osmo Action actually tries to distinguish itself with a entrance LCD monitor. This helps body up these walk-and-talk vlogging photographs or preview your shot when mounting the digital camera in such a manner that the rear display is blocked. Additionally, the principle LCD on the again of the digital camera is a large, 16:9 display measuring 2.25 inches at a decision of 640 x 360. That’s bigger and sharper than GoPro’s 2-inch, 480 x 320 display.
The Hero8’s most important trick is that it accommodates a built-in mount so you may ditch the mounting body that’s wanted with the Osmo Action (in addition to older GoPro cameras). Despite this additional built-in {hardware}, the Hero8 Black is the lighter of the cameras by a slender margin, at 4.13 ounces in comparison with 4.37, and noticeably smaller in comparison with an Osmo Action in a case. Both cameras are waterproof to about 33 toes.
While the Hero8 doesn’t have a front-facing monitor, it’s appropriate with a brand new system of equipment referred to as Mods. The GoPro Display Mod ($80) provides a 2-inch, flip-up selfie display, however you’ll additionally want the Media Mod ($80) earlier than you may join it. These equipment, together with the $50 Light Mod, remodel the Hero8 Black into a robust manufacturing software, nevertheless it comes at a value.
Stabilization
Good digital picture stabilization (EIS) could make shaky novice video look clean {and professional}, and each the DJI Osmo Action and GoPro Hero8 Black have top-notch EIS programs. DJI’s RockSteady stabilization is a powerful feat for a first-generation digital camera, competing neck-and-neck with GoPro’s HyperSmooth stabilization within the Hero7 Black. But when GoPro launched the Hero8, it additionally launched HyperSmooth 2.0, which made one other leap in stabilization efficiency. The Hero8 Black has one of the best digital stabilization we’ve seen, however each cameras do properly.
Video
Both the Osmo Action and Hero8 Black use 12-megapixel sensors and shoot 4K video at as much as 60 frames per second, or as much as 240 fps at 1080p decision for 8X gradual movement. Both additionally file at as much as 100 megabits per second which ensures your footage isn’t marred by an excessive amount of compression.
The two cameras aren’t equivalent, nonetheless, and every make use of some software program tips to realize distinctive seems. The Osmo Action has a excessive dynamic vary (HDR) video mode that holds extra element within the highlights and shadows of a high-contrast scene. This is nice for sunny outside actions like a day on the seaside. GoPro doesn’t have HDR in video (it does in nonetheless images and time-lapses), nevertheless it gives a novel ultra-wide perspective in its patented SuperView mode. SuperView makes use of the total 4:3 space of the imaging sensor, however intelligently stretches it into 16:9 widescreen with out distorting objects close to the middle of the body. The result’s a wider vertical area of view in a video that also matches the usual body dimension and appears nice.
Time-lapse and hyperlapse
While each cameras can shoot time-lapse movies, solely the Hero8 gives a hyperlapse mode (which GoPro calls TimeWarp). A hyperlapse is a time-lapse video by which the digital camera can also be transferring. New to the Hero8, TimeWarp can now set the hyperlapse pace primarily based on the detected motion of the digital camera, so that you all the time get an excellent consequence (or you may set the pace manually when you choose). You may decelerate the hyperlapse to actual time at any level with the press of a button, which is nice for drawing consideration to folks, objects, or different factors of curiosity as you method them.

Still images
Action cameras can’t exchange one of the best DSLRs or mirrorless cameras for nonetheless images, however they proceed to get higher at it. The Osmo Action and Hero8 Black each shoot 12MP stills in JPEG or RAW. We’re huge followers of GoPro’s SuperPhoto mode that robotically applies HDR processing, native tone mapping, or multi-frame noise discount relying on the scene. It’s a fool-proof option to get an excellent picture in-camera with out having to fret about enhancing a picture later.
The Osmo Action has one specific benefit on the subject of excessive low-light taking pictures: An extra-long publicity time. While the Hero8 can attain a decent shutter pace of 30 seconds, the Osmo can hit 120 seconds. That’s nice for taking pictures one thing just like the evening sky and capturing star trails. It’s not a function everybody will make the most of, and requires a tripod or different secure mounting floor, nevertheless it’s a neat function to see in an motion digital camera.
Interface and management
One factor that GoPro continues to do properly is its consumer interface, and the Hero8 Black isn’t any exception. It’s a refinement of the identical contact interface that’s been round for the reason that Hero5 Black, and it’s nonetheless one of the best. With the Osmo Action, DJI constructed what appears like a really GoPro-inspired contact interface, and it really works very properly. It additionally advantages from the Osmo Action’s wider display, which supplies your fingers a bit extra room, however we nonetheless lean barely towards GoPro right here. Regardless, each cameras are straightforward to make use of and easy to arrange.
Mobile app
In 2019, an motion digital camera isn’t only a digital camera. Built for fast-paced athletes and adventurers who don’t have hours to spend at a pc, the Osmo Action and Hero8 Black join wirelessly to a wise gadget for on-the-go modifying. Both firms provide decently highly effective apps that allow you to put collectively a refined video utilizing nothing aside from your cellphone.
GoPro has a giant head begin on DJI right here, and its app is certainly the higher of the 2. From altering digital camera settings to importing and modifying footage, it’s clearer, simpler, and sooner. We additionally like GoPro’s QuikStory function, which edits collectively clips robotically and might even match the cuts to music for a brief, shareable video that’s prepared for social media. DJI’s My Story mode is comparable, however wasn’t as intuitive in our expertise.
Value
Overall, GoPro gives the extra mature ecosystem if you take a look at the digital camera, equipment, and cellular app expertise collectively. The Hero8 Black has some clear benefits over the DJI Osmo Action, in addition to some enjoyable options like TimeWarp that we actually loved. But the Osmo isn’t any slouch; we adore it’s massive rear display, screw-on filters, and handy front-facing monitor. It’s additionally $70 cheaper than the Hero8.
If cash isn’t any object, the Hero8 Black is one of the best motion digital camera you should buy proper now. But when you’re in search of top quality on a finances, the Osmo Action is a wonderful alternative that even gives a number of issues the Hero8 doesn’t, just like the front-facing monitor.

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