When it comes to first-person sports cameras, many people's first thought is no longer GoPro. While it is indeed considered the pioneer in the sports camera industry and had its heyday for a long time, its popularity and sales in China have been surpassed by DJI's Osmo Action series. The reason is quite simple: GoPro's product capabilities are no longer what they used to be.

(Image source: Lei Technology production)

But words alone are not enough. Coincidentally, I have the latest products from both manufacturers: GoPro Black Hero 13 and DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro (hereinafter referred to as GoPro 13 and Action 5 Pro). Let's see if GoPro has indeed been comprehensively surpassed by DJI now.

Configuration Showdown: Both Have Their Wins, Neck and Neck

Let's first look at the basic parameters. GoPro 13 is equipped with a 1/1.9-inch sensor with a maximum pixel count of 27 million, supporting 27MP photo shooting, 5.3K at 60fps, 4K at 120fps, and 2.7K at 240fps video recording. Action 5 Pro, on the other hand, has a 1/1.3-inch sensor that supports up to 40MP static photo shooting, 4K at 120fps, 2.7K at 120fps, and 1080P at 240fps video recording.

From the basic specifications, GoPro 13 seems to have an upper hand. In terms of image quality, GoPro not only supports 5.3K ultra-high resolution but also offers better frame rate support compared to DJI. DJI's only advantage is its larger sensor area and ability to capture higher-resolution photos. However, most users don't use sports cameras primarily for photography, so GoPro has the upper hand in basic parameters.

But in electronics, parameters only indicate theoretical performance. Actual performance requires testing.

Before we dive into the shooting comparison, I noticed a significant difference between GoPro and DJI: their display interfaces.

Let's start with GoPro's UI layout, which I can only describe as disastrous. Not only does it resemble a decade-old design, but the massive cluster of settings buttons at the bottom of the screen takes up almost a third of the screen, making an already small display area even more cramped.

(Image source: Lei Technology production)

I also found an interesting point. When changing GoPro's shooting ratio to 16:9, the main screen fills up, but a large black border appears on the front screen. In contrast, DJI's front screen remains borderless regardless of the 4:3 or 16:9 ratio, showcasing DJI's user-friendliness in operation.

(Image source: Lei Technology production)

On the DJI Action 5 Pro, parameters like recordable time, battery level, playback, mode switching, current image quality options, parameter settings, and zoom levels are neatly arranged in the corners of the screen. Despite the number of elements, the layout remains uncluttered. The difference becomes even more apparent when comparing the two side by side.

(Image source: Lei Technology production)

In other aspects, such as recording buttons, power buttons, sliding battery compartments, and directly powered Type-C ports, both cameras are almost identical. GoPro has indeed set the standard for many sports camera designs.

(Image source: Lei Technology production)

In terms of accessory mounting, Action 5 Pro's magnetic design is a favorite. Whether on a helmet mount, selfie stick, or other accessories, it takes less than a second to secure once you get the hang of it. In contrast, GoPro 13 still uses 1/4-inch threaded holes, requiring several seconds to unscrew after each ride. Although GoPro offers a magnetic adapter, it requires additional purchase.

Image Testing: GoPro Still Has Its Edge, DJI Catching Up

Now let's move on to the most crucial aspects: image quality and stabilization. These are the foundation of sports cameras and what consumers care about most.

To ensure fairness, I set both cameras to the same resolution, frame rate, and focal length (4K/60fps) and recorded a short video in a well-lit area. (Due to GIF compression, image quality and color may be compromised; refer to subsequent video screenshots for accuracy)

(Image source: Lei Technology production - DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology production - GoPro 13)

From the comparison, Action 5 Pro's highlights show more detail, while GoPro 13 retains more shadow detail, indicating different metering priorities.

(Image source: Lei Technology production - AC5 Pro above, GoPro 13 below)

Looking at the distant trees, Action 5 Pro handles exposure better, avoiding overly bright single light sources that could wash out the entire scene. GoPro 13's handling is evident in the image.

For those who often use sports cameras as dash cams, low-light night scenes are common. This tests both cameras' performance in dim light. (Action 5 Pro has a Night Scene mode, while GoPro uses HDR to maximize ISO.)

(Image source: Lei Technology production - DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology production - GoPro 13)

From the video screenshots, Action 5 Pro's image is brighter and cleaner, with fewer noticeable noise artifacts. In contrast, GoPro 13's image appears "noisy," with more noise and lost detail.

(Image source: Lei Technology production - DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology production - GoPro 13)

Some may argue that 4K resolution is unfair to GoPro 13, considering its max resolution is 5.3K. I also recorded a video in 5.3K 60fps. On a computer, GoPro 13's image quality and detail are impressive.

However, for me, 5.3K resolution is impractical. While offering higher resolution, most devices cannot display it fully, leading to increased heat and power consumption. GoPro 13's higher heat output than Action 5 Pro is related to this.

I also compared their slow-motion capabilities, crucial for outdoor enthusiasts, adding interest to ordinary videos.

In slow motion, Action 5 Pro tops out at 1080P 240fps (8x), while GoPro 13 can record up to 2.7K 240fps (8x). The difference in resolution is evident, with higher resolution being key.

(Image source: Lei Technology production - DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology production - GoPro 13)

If both are set to 4K, they can record 120fps (4x) slow motion. Action 5 Pro performs better, with cleaner images and smoother motion tracking.

(Image source: Lei Technology production - DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology production - GoPro 13)

In previous sports camera reviews, I stressed battery life over image quality or stabilization. GoPro 13 has a 1900mAh battery, while Action 5 Pro has a 1950mAh battery. Parameters suggest minimal difference, perhaps 5% at most.

However, testing revealed a shocking result. After recording 45 minutes of 4K 60fps video with stabilization enabled, GoPro 13 had 42% battery left, while Action 5 Pro had 65% - a 23% difference.

(Image source: Lei Technology production)

This difference disappointed me. Unlike hiking, cycling often involves continuous riding for an hour or more without stops. Mid-ride charging or battery swaps are impractical. Short battery life means frequent stops to check battery levels, potentially requiring battery swaps. (While both support external power, it's neither safe nor recommended.)

Interaction PK: DJI is more user-friendly, while GoPro is difficult to evaluate

As a smart connected device, the usability of its APP is also something I care a lot about. If the product itself is great but the APP experience is terrible, it's hard for me to give it a high score. Without further ado, let's get started with the demonstration.

(Image source: Leitech Photography)

After years of iteration, DJI's official DJI Mimo has become more mature in terms of functionality. Albums, camera connection, post-editing, and other options are placed in the most prominent first-level menu at the bottom. Upon entering the video editing interface, the name of each function will be labeled, making it easy for even beginners to learn and use quickly.

(Image source: Leitech Photography)

On the other hand, GoPro's "GoPro Quik" can only be described as difficult to evaluate. It's almost the complete opposite of DJI. Not only beginners but even users who have used GoPro before may find it confusing.

(Image source: Leitech Photography)

What I find most unacceptable is that after making a series of post-production modifications to a video in "GoPro Quik" and preparing to export it, the APP pops up a message saying that certain features require a membership to be applied normally to the video. What's even funnier is that "my region" cannot subscribe to the membership, significantly compromising the post-production experience with the GoPro 13.

Conclusion: GoPro is not weak, but DJI is truly powerful

In summary, the GoPro 13 still excels in image resolution, with its ultra-high resolution and higher slow-motion capabilities making it more professional than the DJI Action 5 Pro. However, considering the overall experience, the GoPro 13 seems less impressive, with its poor UI layout, difficult-to-evaluate battery life, and higher pricing making it less appealing.

On the other hand, the DJI Action 5 Pro, while not the best in every aspect such as image quality and stabilization, can be considered a "hexagonal warrior" in terms of overall performance. Whether you want to capture memorable moments outdoors or simply use it as a first-person volg camera, it is more than capable.

Whether GoPro is unaware or aware but chooses not to act, as long as it continues to rely on the glory of the GoPro Hero in the action camera industry without exploring niche areas within the broader category, it is inevitable that it will be surpassed by DJI's Action series in every way.

Source: Leitech