two minute review
It's a return to the future for DJI's action camera lineup, as the new DJI Osmo Action 3 brings back the "Osmo" name and traditional action camera styling, two features that were missing from last year's DJI Action 2. . This means that removable batteries, an SD card slot, and an interchangeable lens are back, making the Action 3 the true successor to the original DJI Osmo Action, at least in terms of design.
We loved the Action 2's compact, modular form factor, but it had its limitations, especially heat management. Thankfully, this time DJI has kicked things up a notch in that department and brought back our favorite Action 2 feature: that great editing system. By adopting a combination of magnets and clamps, you may never have to turn a traditional action camera mounting screw again.
But are superb mounting and better heat management enough to beat the competition from the excellent GoPro Hero 11 Black, with its new 8:7 sensor?
Sensor: 12 MP 1/1,7-inch CMOS sensor
Field of view/focal length: 155º/12,7mm
Maximum photo resolution: 4000 x 3000
Video: up to 4K 120fps (16:9)
Stabilization: RockSteady 3.0
Leveling: +/-45º up to 4K, 360º up to 2,7K
Front screen: 1,4 inches, 320 x 320
Rear screen: 2,25 inches, 360 x 640
The DJI Osmo Action 3 has more than just a convenient mount. Its wide field of view is wider than that of the GoPro Hero 11 Black. Waterproof to 16m, it can dive to 6m deep and is also shallower than the competition. Available in a great Adventure combo for less than the standard Hero 11 Black, it's also a value champ, coming with three extra batteries, multiple mounts, and an extendable handle.
GoPro's Hero 11 Black beats the DJI Osmo Action 3 when it comes to shooting modes and image quality, and while DJI does make some gains, it doesn't beat its more expensive competition with its videos or photos, either.
However, costing less than its main competitor and featuring some clear highlights (our favorite is the quick-swap mounting system), the DJI Osmo Action 3 is still an attractive option. And while we miss the Action 2's modular design, there's no arguing that the Action 3 is a much more practical package.
DJI Osmo Action 3 release date and price
- Available to buy now for €329 / €309 for the basic package
- The adventure combo costs €439 / €399
- Complements the DJI Action 2 that is still on sale
The DJI Osmo Action 3 is available to buy now for €329 / £309 / around AU$530 in its cheapest package. DJI also released the Adventure Combo for $439 / £399 / around AU$680, which combines the camera with a host of mounts, a total of three batteries and a charging cradle for them, plus a handle and a battery case. mountable vertical orientation .
That price makes the DJI Osmo Action 3 a much more affordable alternative to the new GoPro Hero 11 Black, which starts at €499/€499 ($399/€399 with a GoPro subscription). Interestingly, the DJI Osmo Action 3 also outperforms the Action 2, which cost $399 / £349 / AU$609 at launch. In these austere times, this could be a smart move from DJI, creating a more value-focused alternative to expensive action camera competition.
DJI Osmo Action 3: Design
- Bring back the traditional action camera design of Osmo Action
- A brilliant magnetic mounting system
- Water resistant to 16m - outperforming the competition
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(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)
The DJI Osmo Action 3 combines the guts of the Action 2 with the styling of the original Action, but throws in some unique updates of its own for good measure. At first glance, the body is an action camera by numbers. There's a detachable lens on the front, as well as a front touchscreen, around the back is a larger touchscreen, and to the left and right are sliding doors, covering the USB-C port on one side, and the slot for the battery and the SD card. in the other one.
At the base of the Action 3 is a magnetic mount connector for horizontal mounting, and in the box you also get a protective horizontal-vertical frame, which wraps around the camera to allow for high, TikTok-ready mounting in portrait orientation.
Generally speaking, DJI has done a great job of making the Osmo Action 3 sturdy, although the lens frame does protrude slightly from the sides of the camera. It could capture the heat of the moment, making it a potential weak point compared to the GoPro Hero range, whose lenses are flush with the top and sides of the camera.
The protruding lens could also be a high point of impact if the camera is dropped, possibly damaging the glass. DJI includes a rubber element around the lens, which can reduce the risk of damage. It's easy to remove and easy to lose, so it's something to keep in mind. Also, unlike the Action 2, the Action 3's lens is removable, so if it gets damaged, it can be replaced.
(*two*)
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)Not to be missed is DJI's inclusion of a front-facing touch screen on the Action 3. Historically, front-facing screens on action cameras were only used for framing shots, but this time you can control all of the camera's functions with your fingers. digits when you're vlogging without having to flip it over.
While the front touch screen is 1,4 inches, the main screen is much more spacious at 2,25 inches. With both screens having a pixel density of 326 PPI, they are very sharp and also get nice and bright for easy viewing outdoors.
DJI Osmo Action 3: features and performance
- Smooth and stable touch interface
- Less software thrives than the competition
- Improved heat management compared to DJI Action 2
The DJI Osmo Action 3 brings back the same interface we had on the Action 2: it was smooth and stable last year, and now it's smooth and stable. Large, easy-to-use icons make interaction intuitive, and there's a pretty straightforward menu system too.
Where DJI Action 2 dropped the ball was heat management. Its small body and exposed metal design resulted in uncomfortable temperatures even after short periods of recording high resolution content. This time, however, DJI has improved things considerably.
The Action 3 can record longer episodes than the Action 2 without overheating, recording a 4 minute 16 second 30K clip at 60fps before stopping recording. Even when overheated, the camera wasn't too hot to touch. This doesn't beat the new GoPro Hero 11 Black, which records over 10 minutes longer at the same resolution and frame rate; however, it is a huge improvement over the Action 2.
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(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)
The Action 3 doesn't have as many software features as the GoPro Hero11 Black, especially when it comes to photography. There's not even a night mode, so chances are your smartphone's ultra-wide lens captures a better low-light shot than DJI's camera. Given that computational photography has come so far in recent years and GoPro is clearly paying attention to it, the Action 3's weak photo capture, especially in difficult scenes, is a notable drawback.
However, one area where DJI is making progress is with its app, DJI Mimo. Like GoPro Quick, the DJI app offers convenient control of modes on the big screen, as well as a live preview of whatever you're shooting. We found DJI Mimo to be more reliable than GoPro Quick during our time with the camera: it doesn't try to do as much, but in the process it offers a more stable connection with lower latency.
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(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)
DJI makes its interface extremely customizable. For starters, you can save up to five custom profiles so you can quickly switch between custom shooting modes. You can also add these modes to your Quick Switch command, activated with a short press of the power button.
DJI is also opening up a range of Pro features. When capturing photos, you can shoot in JPEG or RAW, switch between wide or standard FOV, control shutter speed and ISO, and adjust white balance. As for white balance, below the lens DJI includes a color sensor to help the camera capture natural-looking tones.
Video Capture Pro allows users to control white balance, ISO and shutter speed just like Photo Pro, but also offers an additional color profile, D-Cinelike, for flatter tones giving users more opportunities to recolor with video editing software.
DJI makes its interface extremely customizable. For starters, you can save up to five custom profiles so you can quickly switch between custom shooting modes. You can also add these modes to your Quick Switch command, activated with a short press of the power button.
DJI is also opening up a range of Pro features. When capturing photos, you can shoot in JPEG or RAW, switch between wide or standard FOV, control shutter speed and ISO, and adjust white balance. As for white balance, under the lens, DJI includes a color sensor to help the camera capture natural-looking tones.
Video Capture Pro allows users to control white balance, ISO and shutter speed just like Photo Pro, but also offers an additional color profile, D-Cinelike, for flatter tones giving users more opportunities to recolor with video editing software.
- Features and performance: 4/5
DJI Osmo Action 3: image and video quality
- Record up to 4K 120fps
- Horizon leveling up to 45º at 4K
- 360º horizon leveling up to 2.7K
If you've used the DJI Action 2, you'll know what to expect from the Osmo Action 3. The cameras share the same specs when it comes to photos and videos. This means the Action 3 isn't the best in its class, lacking in performance compared to this year's GoPro Hero 11 Black and last year's Hero...