DJI OSMO ACTION 5 PRO REVIEW – Elevate Your Adventures: The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro in Focus
DJI has recently introduced a game-changing addition to its drone lineup with the launch of the DJI Neo, which we have already reviewed. Now, another innovation has arrived in the DJI Osmo Action series with the release of its PRO version. Presenting the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, let’s explore what makes this model truly deserving of the ‘PRO’ designation in this review.
Before we begin the review, it’s important to note that the product we tested is a pre-launch version. As a result, the firmware may differ once the product is officially released.
Table of Contents
What’s inside the box
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro comes with two bundles which are the Adventure Combo and Standard Combo. We have the Adventure Combo bundle which is much expensive but comes with the Extension Rod, 3x Battery and Battery Case. Here are the items included in the box: 2x Locking Screws, a Protective Frame, a Curved Adhesive Base, 2x Adapter Mounts, a Type-C PD Cable, and the Osmo Action 5 Pro.
For the Standard Combo it comes only with the unit itself, 1x battery, 1x quick release, 1x locking screw, adhesive base, and the protective frame.
The Design
The design of the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro still remains the same but it received a huge upgrade starting with its screens as the front and back now are both OLED with high-brightness even if we record videos under the sun, both screens are still visible. Also, both screens are touch-enabled, and since they use OLED technology, they support an always-on display. This feature offers various display styles that show only essential information, like recording specifications and duration, which helps save battery life. It also reduces unnecessary screen data and light interference, allowing you to focus more on your activities without distraction.
The buttons and ports still remain the same with the top part is where the record button is placed. On the sides are the power and USB Type-C port that is covered for waterproofing. The other side is where the battery compartment is placed which has a microSD card slot.
Underneath, you’ll find the quick-release mount. If you want to record in portrait mode, you can use the protective frame, which allows you to attach the quick-release mount to the side. It’s worth noting that the power button requires a firmer press compared to its competitors.
The hinge doors on both sides are still removable, allowing easy access to the USB Type-C port or the battery compartment, but removing them compromises the water resistance. Additionally, there is still no built-in tripod mount hole on the device or the included protective frame. If you need one, you’ll have to purchase a third-party frame that includes it.
With the Pro version of the Osmo Action, DJI has packed in cold temperature resistance, allowing it to operate reliably in extreme conditions ranging from -20°C to 45°C without freezing or interrupting recording. They’ve also pushed the limits of no-case waterproofing, enabling the device to reach depths of up to 20 meters, all while meeting the international EN13319 certification, a recognized diving accessory standard.
The Features
The first feature I want to highlight is the 47GB built-in storage, which is a truly pro-level addition. In the past, I’ve personally experienced forgetting to bring a microSD card for my action camera or encountering issues where the card wasn’t being read by the device. With the Osmo Action 5 Pro, you no longer need to worry as much about forgetting your microSD card or dealing with potential issues—it’s a great solution for added convenience and reliability.
The next feature I like is its quick boot-up. After the initial boot, it powers on under a second. This is a significant advantage, as it allows for near-instant recording. Not missing any moments that need to be captured is crucial when using an action camera.
When the action camera is open, you have tons of settings that you can tweak around and play with. Given its field of view, the effectiveness of its stabilization, and the range of color adjustments available, this action camera offers a lot of flexibility in fine-tuning your video recordings.
One notable feature is the range of color options available. You can choose between 8-bit color, 10-bit color for a wider color range, HLG 10-bit, and D-Log M 10-bit for greater flexibility in post-production color grading. Also, the camera offers a pre-record function, which allows it to capture footage from 5 seconds up to 1 minute before you press the record button, ensuring that you don’t miss any important moments.
There are also camera modes for this DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro which are Photo, Video, SuperNight, Subject Tracking (which it will make the subject in the frame for your 9:16 aspect ratio video or 16:9 aspect ratio video but only up to 2.7K video resolution), Slow motion that can shoot up to 960 frames with frame interpolation and timelapse.
As it has better waterproofing, they have a professional pressure gauge built into it. The camera records and displays water depth, altitude, and more data in real-time during recording. You can also add such kinds of data in post production via the Mimo app.
Other useful features include voice control, which allows you to start or stop recording without pressing a button (just ensure the camera is powered on and voice control is activated). You can also connect two DJI microphones directly for dual-person vlogs or interviews. Additionally, with the built-in mic audio backup enabled, the Osmo Action 5 Pro simultaneously records ambient sounds, adding a richer layer of authenticity to your videos. For clearer audio, it also includes wind noise reduction.
They improved its transfer speed as they introduced a Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.0 to the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro making you get your footage faster.
The Camera
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro has received an upgrade to its sensor, which remains at 1/1.3” but now boasts up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range. Video recording resolution can reach up to 4K at 120fps with a 4:3 aspect ratio, offering a larger resolution of 3840×2880 compared to the 16:9 aspect ratio, which has a resolution of 3840×2160. For higher frame rates, the camera supports 1080p at 240fps.
The most significant improvement in video quality is its ability to capture decent footage even in low-light conditions, thanks to the SuperNight mode and the new camera sensor. In well-lit environments, the video quality is excellent, with great detail and a decent color range.
Another great feature of its camera is the Rocksteady technology, which provides excellent video stabilization even during extreme activities.
It is not only capable of video recording, but it can also capture stunning photos with a resolution of up to 40 megapixels.
The Battery
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro battery is now a 1950 mAh, an improvement from 1770 mAh of the the previous generation. They claim that recording time can be up to 240 minutes. However, in our tests, we recorded 1 hour, 54 minutes, and 26 seconds at 4K 60fps. When lowering the resolution to 1080p 60fps and turning off the front screen, the recording time extended to 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 53 seconds.
Charging the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro from 0% to 100% took us over an hour which is normal. You can continue using the action camera while it’s charging, which is a convenient feature. The Adventure Bundle is a great deal as it includes two extra batteries and a battery case that allows you to charge the batteries simultaneously.
The App
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro can be paired with the phone by using the DJI Mimo app.The Mimo app lets you have live footage of your action camera, enabling you to start or stop recording, take pictures and such. Aside from that you can livestream your feed to Facebook, YouTube or RTMP.
The DJI Mimo app offers some useful features, including the ability to download photos and videos in the background. This is particularly convenient as you can switch to other apps while your footage downloads. Additionally, the app includes D-Log M color reproduction, which simplifies achieving more stylized adjustments directly on the app, offering convenience and speed for video editing without the need for a computer.
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Verdict
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro offers a truly great new experience for an action camera, packed with tons of innovations. It features a new sensor that enables excellent low-light video recording, OLED screens, improved waterproofing that allows you to dive deeper—up to 20 meters—and an increase in battery capacity. There are numerous improvements made to the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro this year that really solidify the “Pro” in its model name. It is a no-brainer option to consider if you are in the market for an action camera.
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro comes in two sets: the Adventure Combo, which costs Php 27,990, and the Standard Combo, priced at Php 22,190.
