DJI Osmo Action 4 vs. GoPro Hero 12 - You Be the Judge!

Comparing the DJI Osmo Action 4 and GoPro Hero 12 down some of my favourite local trails.

0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Floppy Bunny (woodwork and flow)
2:34 - Imonator (all the skinnies)
4:45 - Seventh Secret (black tech trail)
7:13 - DJI Osmo Action 4 vs. GoPro Hero 12

[equi]

DJI has better sound and i like the stock colors a bit better. I think its slightly cooler and less warm. Looks more “natural” to me. Sound is less muffled. Other than that.. very similar. I think the magnetic mount of the DJI is a big selling point. DJI should have a slight advantage in low light due to its slightly larger sensor and i believe that why its stabilization is slightly better in low light.

[JCinema]

I also noticed the bolder colors on the Action 4, and as someone who doesn’t ride, the more vibrant footage is definitely a better experience for people who are smooth brained on bmx and just like to see bike go fast

[sohaibyounus]

Am I the only only too immersed in the trails and not paying much attention to the comparison lol. These trails are sick! I think DJI has more saturation while GoPro seems less saturated but brighter. After color grading they are both doing really good.

[ICE]

Well done Dave! great comparison and video... and as always awesome riding... 🤘🤘🤘

[intotheoutside]

super stoked with my decision to go with the dji recently. plus getting full use of the batteries life and no overheating. dji all day! great video!

[janthomas]

Both look good although I give the edge to the DJI Action 4. You mentioned in the prior video that the Action 4 has a streaming option. I wondered if you used it and if it’s easy and something worth having in mind when buying? Ride on! 🚲

[mangoshake]

Great, super direct comparison. With that being said I'm preferring the DJI overall. The GoPro's Hyperview looks like it was designed to compete with Insta360's fisheye. There's just slightly more distortion on the GoPro than the DJI. I like the flatter colors and the less muffled sound on the DJI as well. Stabilization is about the same, until it gets dark, then the DJI edges out the GoPro once again. Overall, I think GoPro didn’t notice DJI as a fast-growing rival with an extremely competent lens and related software. They were too preoccupied with trying to get Insta360 converts back that DJI got them right under their nose with that 155° FOV and massive light sensor.

[TheKeeperofdeath]

These reviews help a lot. Several weeks ago I jumped onboard with the Action 4. Did a bike run with it and love it. Done some editing I’m proud of myself. Once i get familiarwith the settings and editing I’ll be posting my own videos

[Trailbuilder]

The DJI seems to have clearer sound and more realistic colouring. The go pro seems more colourful but less "fast". DJI have made a great rival 👍

[JordanBoostmasterRaw]

you should've just used auto or 5000K white balance on the hero 12, the native WB is way harder to color correct!

[FlynnStratton]

I personally would go for DJI, mostly bc I am a DJI fan boy and have a load of there stuff but also because the stabilization, sound and actual look of them is better

[WonderRacoon]

A really useful feature of the GoPro 12 is that you do not need to mount it vertically, you can get a vertical video even if the GoPro is horizontal.

The video makes it look like the lack of ease of vertical mount could be a drawback but actually it's the other way round.

That's a really big plus I find, just go into the GoPro settings on your phone to switch horizontal to vertical between 2 runs.

I also like the default video / color on the GoPro better but low light for sure DJI wins. Also the difference in details without post processing is in favor of GoPro significantly I find as most people do not post process their video.

[johntate]

You really have the DJI dialed in quite nicely, so it's hard to find any fault with it. To me (although may be YouTube related), the DJI appears to be the sharper one when the video plays at the FPS you were shooting, but this also may be related to the differences in color balance. Both appear to quite capable of returning very good footage though. Always great to ride along from your perspective and thanks for a great comparison and your observations:)

[DaffraontheMTB]

I have the DJI A4 and from what I see here I guess I made the right choice. Never owned a GoPro but friends tell me my footage is better, more lively just on basic settings.
On your point about the longer mounting part on the DJI I have to point out that when you purchase the adventure combo there's a normal and a shorter mount. The short one is just a tiny bit longer than the GoPro.

[MarioLamRedRebel]

I like both, for me its the bike rides you make and the beauty of your country nature. Greetings from the Netherlands

[Dietahvr]

nice that they are that close now. in low light the dji definitely wins.
i am curious about the app to controll the cam, since the gopro phone app is the biggest piece of trash, making you click through multiple ads for their subscriptions everytime you open the freaking app

[glennlivermore]

DJI is going on my shopping list for sure

[snokefilmmedia]

FYI; You are missing a deadcat placement on the GoPro 12 (the microphone on the side). The GoPro footage has a lot of wind noise as a consequence of this.

[joed]

My god Maan!! These trails are crazy!!

[danielgrafik]

To me, before your own observations: the Osmo looked sharper (maybe less motion blur?), better stabilisation in low light, and less "squished" (maybe lower FOV?) – also sound was better, and maybe more noise in low light too? Colour out-of-the-box was more pleasing from the Osmo.
The GoPro seemed to have a way more squished FOV, in a direct comparison not as pleasing as the Osmo.

But cameras aside, my god you're a skilled rider! Woah! Awesome to watch not matter the setup! :)