Is This the 'Perfect' Action Camera?

As one of the few motorcycle enthusiasts in our company, I've spent quite a bit on motorcycle accessories. Among them, the costliest are the various action cameras, ostensibly for "recording riding experiences," but in reality, just to give that professional vibe when mounted on the helmet.

In January this year, I purchased a DJI Action 4. Besides using it to record my rides, I also often film daily vlogs with it. In June, it accompanied me on a 4,000+ km motorcycle trip. Its reliability, image stability, and comprehensive after-sales service make it the best action camera in my opinion.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

As I was just getting the hang of the Action 4 and preparing to 'upgrade,' DJI unveiled its latest masterpiece, the first DJI Osmo Action with a 'Pro' suffix: the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. (Hereinafter referred to as Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Leitech photography)

Leveraging my motorcycle enthusiast status, I successfully obtained this product in advance. Today, I'll share my brief experience with you all.

Familiar Design, Different 'Ingredients'

Compared to the Action 4, the Action 5 Pro retains the familiar design and magnetic mount combination, with most accessories being compatible with both models. If there's a difference, it's that the 'ACTION 4' logo on the front has been replaced with 'ACTION 5 Pro,' and there are subtle changes to the top microphone area.

However, this doesn't mean the Action 5 Pro hasn't been upgraded. After a few days of testing, I believe DJI's upgrades primarily focus on algorithms and hardware. Examples include the built-in 47GB of usable storage, a larger battery capacity, a bigger screen, 240fps recording, night scene algorithms, richer colors, and more.

The most exciting upgrade for me is undoubtedly the built-in 47GB of usable storage. While 47GB isn't enormous, allowing only about two hours of 1080P 60fps recording, it's a lifesaver for forgetful people like me who often forget to reinsert their memory cards after transferring footage.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

Note that upon power-on, the Action 5 Pro defaults to using its internal storage. You'll need to switch to your own memory card in the settings to store more videos.

In terms of the camera, the Action 5 Pro sports a 1/1.3-inch sensor, supporting a 155° ultra-wide angle and F2.8 aperture. I initially expected an upgrade to the 1-inch sensor found in the Pocket 3, but DJI likely considered the size and heat dissipation of action cameras, opting instead for this reliable and high-quality 'old friend.'

(Image source: Leitech photography)

However, an old sensor doesn't mean no improvements in imaging. We'll delve into that later.

A dedicated record button sits atop the camera, allowing one-click recording. It also supports one-click recording while powered off, which is a definite plus.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

The power button is located on the side. Compared to the Action 4, the Action 5 Pro powers on with a gentle press, allowing for quicker shooting but potentially increasing the risk of accidental activation.

The screen's operation logic remains largely unchanged, making it easy to familiarize yourself even if you've never used an action camera before. Notably, DJI has 'upgraded' the focal length adjustment option from a three-level to a two-level menu, streamlining operations.

By the way, I received the Ultimate Bundle, which includes the Action 5 Pro body, a telescopic selfie stick, quick-release adapters (x2), locking bolts, vertical and horizontal frame protectors, a flat adhesive mount, a CtoC PD charger, and three cold-resistant, long-lasting batteries with a charging dock. (Battery capacity increased from 1770mAh to 1950mAh)

(Image source: Leitech photography)

I highly recommend the Ultimate Bundle to those with the budget. It covers most shooting scenarios and meets long-duration recording needs. (Additional purchases are always an option.)

Visually, the Action 5 Pro looks nearly identical to the Action 4. However, this is currently the optimal design for action cameras. If I had to nitpick, I'd wish for an SD card slot sooner rather than later, as Micro SD cards' read/write speeds leave much to be desired.

Is It Truly 'Pro' Enough to Deserve the Name?

As mentioned, the Action 5 Pro features a replaceable 1950mAh battery. I briefly tested its battery life in common scenarios: 1080p 60fps, 2.7K 60fps, and 4K 60fps. (Tested at 24°C, with RS+ stabilization enabled and stationary recording)

Starting with 4K 60fps, I expected no more than 60 minutes of battery life. Surprisingly, after 77 minutes of continuous recording, the Action 5 Pro still had 10% battery left, shutting down completely after 85 minutes. Extrapolating, its 4K 60fps battery life stands at approximately 94 minutes when stationary. (Under constant movement, battery life likely decreases by 30-40%.)

(Image source: Leitech photography)

For 2.7K 60fps and 1080P 60fps, the camera recorded continuously from 80% battery until depletion, lasting 107 and 143 minutes respectively, without overheating or pausing tasks. Charging from 1% to 40% took 10 minutes, and a full charge required 36 minutes.

Regarding overheating, I tested 4K 60fps recording from full battery to depletion without encountering an overheat warning. However, recording tasks restart every 30 minutes as a precaution.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

Battery life is a significant upgrade in the Action 5 Pro. Personally, I prioritize stabilization and battery life over image quality when riding motorcycles, which often involves hours-long stretches without breaks for charging or battery swaps. Thus, long battery life gives me confidence to ride longer before swapping batteries. (While external power is an option, it's neither safe nor recommended.)

Video recording on the Action 5 Pro supports up to 1080P 240fps, 2.7K 120fps, and 4K 120fps, with multiple stabilization and distortion correction modes. It also offers 8bit, 10bit, HLG 10bit, and D-Log M 10bit color modes, providing ample room for post-production color grading.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

Settings like video sharpness, noise reduction, and video texture can be manually adjusted in the second-level menu and tweaked in post-production if forgotten.

Some may wonder why the Action 5 Pro doesn't follow GoPro's lead in pushing video resolution further. Having used the GoPro 11, I understand the trade-offs.

GoPro's 5.3K mode offers higher resolution but often exceeds the display capabilities of phones, tablets, and computers. It also generates more heat and consumes more power, contributing to overheating issues.

Note: All GIFs are compressed to some extent and do not represent the true image quality experience.

With that said, let's test the Action 5 Pro's daily image quality performance.

The previous Action 4 already impressed me in various scenarios, especially under ample lighting with a polarizing filter, enhancing overall image quality.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

So, how does the Action 5 Pro fare?

We'll focus on a few representative scenarios. (All tested at 4K 60fps with RS+ stabilization enabled)

First up is riding, where I use the camera most. Under bright daylight, the Action 5 Pro delivers sharp images with pleasing blue skies and cloud details, far surpassing handheld phone recordings.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

For a sense of speed, you can slow down the shutter speed and use an ND filter.

Remarkably, the Action 5 Pro's focus switching speed exceeded my expectations. As seen below, when panning up, the camera maintains focus seamlessly, quickly transitioning between subjects.

In low-light conditions at night, switch to the Action 5 Pro's new Night Scene mode for significantly brighter images with effective noise suppression and impressive detail retention.

Upon closer inspection, there's some softening, but the results are still impressive.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

Of course, night scenes can't be 'optimized' to resemble daylight. In extremely dark environments, even the Action 5 Pro struggles, and even more professional mirrorless cameras face challenges in such conditions.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

I also tried the Action 5 Pro's built-in Time-Lapse feature, which supports up to 5 hours of recording with customizable timing and easier parameter adjustments than mirrorless cameras. Most importantly, the results are impressive.

(Image source: Leitech photography)

While the Action 5 Pro uses a fixed single-lens module, settings allow choosing between Ultra-Wide, Wide, and Standard modes, each with different stabilization options as stabilization relies primarily on cropping the image.

In terms of image stabilization, in addition to the conventional SuperSteady, the Action 5 Pro also supports the 360° HorizonSteady mode. In sufficient light conditions, you barely notice any jitter in the footage, even when riding over speed bumps without experiencing any shaking or tearing in the image.

(Image source: Leitech production)

However, overly stable footage can sometimes create an unnatural effect. Therefore, it is recommended to choose different image stabilization modes according to different scenarios, rather than sticking to one mode indefinitely.

But if you choose the appropriate image stabilization mode, you can achieve remarkable results in intense activities such as white-water rafting. It's worth noting that these results are achieved while holding the camera by hand. If mounted on a helmet mount or similar fixed position, the performance would be even better.

(Image source: Leitech production)

By the way, HorizonSteady and Horizon Leveling modes are unavailable when shooting in 4K+120fps. Switching to 60fps only enables Horizon Leveling and RS, RS+ image stabilization modes. Therefore, if you prioritize both image quality and image stabilization, I recommend setting the resolution and frame rate to 2.7K+60fps, which supports all four image stabilization modes.

Here, I'll demonstrate the differences between the four image stabilization modes of the Action 5 Pro.

Starting with the basics, RS (RockSteady) and RS+ (RockSteady+) offer decent image stabilization with minimal cropping. These modes are suitable for first-person sports scenarios like hiking, walking, or vlogging.

(Image source: Leitech production)

The Horizon Leveling mode is more suitable for high-quality shooting scenarios. It effectively eliminates shakes up to ±45º, ideal for situations with significant lateral movements.

(Image source: Leitech production)

For example, during cycling, even over speed bumps or deep potholes, the footage remains stable with negligible shaking.

For extremely dynamic scenes like running or jumping, I recommend enabling HorizonSteady mode. In this mode, regardless of how much you shake or rotate the camera, the footage remains relatively stable. However, its drawback is more significant cropping compared to the first three modes.

(Image source: Leitech production)

Choosing the right image stabilization mode requires time and understanding, unlike adjusting other parameters.

In terms of image quality and image stabilization, which are crucial for action cameras, the Action 5 Pro is undoubtedly at the top of its class. This raises curiosity about what future models like Action 6 and Action 7 might offer, given the limited room for hardware improvements in action cameras.

One man, one team

As a motorcyclist, my primary need for an action camera isn't image quality, image stabilization, or battery life. Rather, it's the ability to operate everything by myself.

(Image source: Leitech production)

As mentioned earlier, the DJI Action 5 Pro supports the latest D-Log M color mode. When enabled, the overall image tone becomes slightly grayer, but highlights and shadows are better represented with finer details. You can think of it as the RAW mode for cameras.

(Image source: Leitech production)

After shooting, you can use the D-Log M color restoration feature in DJI Mimo. If you're not satisfied with the colors, you can apply different Lut styles. Compared to manual color adjustments in professional software, this process with the Action 5 Pro is simpler and more practical.

(Image source: Leitech production)

When connected to the Action 5 Pro, DJI Mimo allows remote monitoring and adjustments via a smartphone, ideal for time-lapse photography.

(Image source: Leitech production)

What particularly attracts me to DJI is their extensive range of accessories, the most among action camera brands. These include wrist straps, GPS Bluetooth remotes, seatpost mounts, surfboard stickers, road bike accessories, mini handlebar clamps, mini extension poles, curved adhesive mounts, mouth mounts, neck straps, and ND filters. DJI has thought of everything you might need.

(Image source: Leitech production)

For example, if you want first-person footage, you can use DJI's chest strap for a secure fit, in addition to the conventional helmet mount. The extension pole from the Combo Kit is also great for vlogging.

(Image source: Leitech production)

Conclusion: A no-brainer purchase

Here's my review of the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro based on the Leitech template:

Pros:

1. Comprehensive accessory lineup to meet various shooting needs.

2. Significant algorithm optimizations, addressing night shooting issues.

3. Substantial improvement in battery life.

Cons:

1. Minor bugs require fixing.

2. Lack of 48MP mode is a pity.

In my opinion, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is the ultimate action camera. Previous concerns about poor image quality and ineffective image stabilization have been addressed through systematic hardware and algorithm upgrades, enhancing both image quality and shooting experience. As mentioned, aside from a larger sensor, it's hard to imagine further improvements.

Pricing-wise, the standard Action 5 Pro retails for 2598 yuan, while the Combo Kit version costs 3298 yuan, offering excellent value for money. If you enjoy outdoor activities like cycling, rafting, or hiking, the Action 5 Pro, with its outstanding image quality and impressive battery life, should be your top choice.

Regarding its competitor, GoPro, I recommend overlooking it given its current market performance.

Source: Leitech