DJI Osmo Action 3 Blurry Focus | Did New Firmware Fix it?

[@JeffBourke]

Message From DJI: Sorry we totally screwed up the physical design so here is some in camera sharpening and i hope you don't notice the problem anymore.

[@DJISupportGlobal]

Hello, there. Sorry for your inconvenience. If you are still unsatisfied with Osmo Action3, we will recommend you send it back for repair. Our engineers will take a complete diagnosis of your camera unit. Would you please let us know your case number if you have submitted a case? We will forward your case to our related department. Thank you.

[@TheTobiasSonne]

Dji support why Dont you make a official recall?

[@DJISupportGlobal]

@@TheTobiasSonne Thank you for your feedback. After testing and analysis, our engineers determined that certain internal parameters of the Osmo Action 3 camera were too large. Please rest assured that the issue has been resolved through firmware updates. So feel free to purchase the product.

[@esivgin]

Came here to decide buying this. Supplier/manufacturer says "we will solve it by firmware,keep buying".. If a problem was there, why didnt you fix before?

[@jermia93]

At least the user won’t need to screw unscrew and restart the camera after few minute cause of overheat, also if u want better visual just go to real camera not action camera

[@Thegrbikramfitness]

Dji supporter i aslo unsatisfied with focus mode .Dji action 3 is best action camera if you slove focus mode. I hard to decide which to buy dji action 3 or go pro hero 11. I love to buy dji action 3 but ,im afraid about focus mode . can u explain about focus mode🙄🙄

[@nomad0714]

@Rush Media, Good findings. It reminds me when I got the Insta360 R 1”, it had same problem. I also used a diopter +10 for macros and it fixed the close out out of focus. Blows me away that none of the bigger YT’ers who got the A3 for free had glowing reviews and none mentioned this, nor corrected their videos. What happened to ethics and reputation here or lack of? After this comment, you have a sub Sir!

[@Rush-Media]

Great to have you here! Honestly, I didn't notice myself at first. So perhaps they just didn't see it. But once I saw it I can't unsee it.

[@rottonjon]

It's hard to really see a big difference in the Hero 11 and the DJI 3 while watching on a mobile device, probably due to all of the YT compression and low res on a phone, however adding the diopter lens really shows the difference in the focus. Great video...I'm subbed!👍

[@christiansimmons630]

I love your videos dude! They’re so comprehensive and detailed without being boring, plus I like that you add that your test may indicate a problem with just your camera rather than a blanket statement 👌🏻 proper tech reviews! 😃

[@DocTaRED]

They should make a new outer diopter lens to restore the focus.

[@rockel83]

I'm expecting mine tomorrow, but I'm thinking of just returning it as it is already. Update: I've recieved it, did some tests and even my $60 SJcam from 2016 shows more sharpness/ detail at some recordings. It's going back!

[@thatchapinaflatcap]

I was expecting it to still be out of focus and I think your tests do make it conclusive that no firmware updates can fix an out of focus lens issues. My Action 3 has been sent back for repair because out of focus for me means it's faulty, but they will more than likely put the new firmware on it and send it back trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

[@Rush-Media]

It's a sad state of affairs, nothing is ever perfect is it. Fingers crossed they can fix it

[@thatchapinaflatcap]

@@Rush-Media I hope so.

[@albertnicholasjr9412]

I really want to like the action 3 as I have not heard of any issues besides focus and image artifact on filming a person. No heat issues that shut off your camera, no split screen image if the length of scene is too long. No weird clipping of audio.

[@TechInspected]

Nice comparison especially with the diopter. I think DJI needs to recall the Action 3. I've already seen several small youtubers with the same out of focus problems.

[@Tallguysrc]

found this online appears that Amazon has pulled the DJI Action 3's off their site, DJI emailed some who purchased it that their delivery of the Action 3 will be pushed back a month (until late November). it was NOT a firmware issue like many had said, it was hardware related.

[@Rush-Media]

It's still for sale on amazon uk, maybe they ran out of stock?

[@Tallguysrc]

@@rockel83 looks like they stopped orders for like 4 days 😕 or they told dealers to just sale inventory and deal with it later

[@danielk7111]

Thanks for the update. I was about to go pick between the tell for a last minute event. I’d heard of one video about the out-of-focus claim but yours is confirmation along with a commenter here. Thanks guys. I’ll spend the $ on the 11…and have to get the media mod now too to use my DJI Mic. 🤦‍♂️ I’m being sucked into the GoPro slippery slope. 😆 I WAS liking the idea of the quick change Magnetic mount. 😢Also, one review has the built in Mic of the A3 have noticeably less wind noise. I saw another vid, the focus is set at the factory by glue on the threads.

[@shutter_steve]

Great video and well done for carrying out extensive tests. Looks like hardware

[@henningkraggerud9124]

couldnt DJI actually make a little lens cover replacement with diopter to sort of fix it? what level of diopter did you use?

[@thatchapinaflatcap]

I was thinking about a lens cover replacement with diopter but would it cause any other optical issues?

[@Rush-Media]

I just tried the close up + 4.0 diopter because it was to hand. I'm sure a third party manufacturer will release one soon enough

[@mariomladenov4505]

Best focus video.

[@kksch2176]

What is this diopter thing, what does it do, can you fix it to the camera, where can you buy it???? So many questions were left unanswered. You offer a solution, can you elaborate on this?

[@goldkat94]

When the diopter is fixing the problem is it maybe possible to create a diopter which can be plugged on the lens?

[@s2k442]

Can you add the diopter to the lens and just fix the problem?

[@ArcticExploring]

It is sad that they f-up with OA3 this time since I really like the camera

[@SileDevil]

more than focus what it bothers me is the highlights clipping bad dynamic range compared to gopro

[@stefpix]

great comparison. I wish you would have added a static outdoor shot with some buildings. I wonder if the DJI is this soft even at 10, 100, 300 meters. In the moving images the softness could be due to motion blur, if the DJI picks a slower shutter speed than the GoPro. Glad I canceled the order, got a Hero 11 instead. Although DJI ticks some boxes, like faster sleep to shooting, battery life, presets button, water resistance to 16m

[@Rush-Media]

If I do another action 3 video I promise to do this test!

[@stefpix]

@@Rush-Media thanks. You could shoot raw still photos so video compression, motion and digital sharpening are not a factor. The firmware update for the DJI increases the already high digital sharpening of their cameras. The cure is just a placebo with a bad side effect. Poor quality control, execution, and customer service. DJI should recall the cameras and recalibrate the lens/sensor distance. I want the infinity to be sharp. An add on close up lens for selfie videos would be easy to produce.

[@AbellTo]

Subscribed mate. You describe things so well and make a great video. Thanks

[@aaronscrewface]

I don't believe it is a firmware issue at all. I have had several action cameras in the past that i have done c-mount lens mods to and when you are threading the aftermarket lens into the camera you have to thread it in to a VERY specific point to get it properly in focus. You don't have any choice over this, it just has to be threaded in to a certain point to be in focus. What I suspect is that the lenses are not properly set into the camera it's self and DJI is taking the less expensive route and attempt to fix it through firmware updates rather than issuing a recall and properly seating the lenses into the camera. I have no proof this is the case, just a theory based on past experiences dealing with the lenses in these things.....

[@splotbang8296]

I agree. What I don't understand is why DJI, as soon as they realized the position of the lens needed to be corrected, they didn't do it. Or maybe they have adjusted their production line and the issue is now resolved. If they have and their cameras are now in focus, would the new firmware create a new problem?

[@williemaykit7940]

Interesting. I thought your face had a softened look, but the jacket stitching looked fine. For the field shot, I kind of thought the DJI looked better than the GoPro. I'm not a pro, and my eyesight isn't what it used to be, so I will probably wait and see if DJI fixes it before I buy. I think the drone cameras are quite nice. I wonder what happened here.

[@robdido]

I can see a slight out of focus. now that its in my head im noticing it all the time. I noticed it does micro pulses in focus...

[@marcom4310]

Thank You for this iwas looking for long time for this kind of review issue some says it fix and others dont im fully convinced that i will not buy the action 3 for now im going to look for alternatives great review

[@dougmorato]

So it's clear a hardware issue and with the update they just made nasty increasing the sharpening. Is there an sharpen option like on GoPro? If not that really sucks. Nasty footage...

[@Rush-Media]

No option to change sharpening in camera at the moment.

[@bneil4059]

I returned mine. It feels like it was rushed to match gopro hero 11 release.

[@Rush-Media]

Will you be getting the gopro 11 instead?

[@bneil4059]

@@Rush-Media possibly, not in a big hurry, I have an Action 2. I think I’m going to sit tight for a while. Z7III is due in November, I may pivot that way for my camera gear collection.

[@bobjohnson6341]

Hi Do you have any update? I waited until I thought it would be safe to buy. Got my 1st Action 3 Jan 30th - OUT of focus. Got my 2nd unit today - OUT of focus! BOTH manufactured November 2022. It seems they are still manufacturing and shipping "bad" units which are unfit for purpose!? As you say, the image quality may be "OK" for some, but as soon as you have text in the shot (any signage or labels) and you see how bad the focus issue is. Unacceptable, in my view. Mine is going back, again.

[@mlzphoto-official]

mind was ok, had a firmware update, nothing changed seemingly. however, if it really is a hardware issue that affects the optics, it would be an easy fix: dji just had to mail to it's clients the correcting frontlens. just screw it in place and there you go! no cam had to be sent back, or serviced.

[@Rush-Media]

Yes maybe, but then we would likely lose infinity focus. I have a theory it was a compromise between aperture and depth of field.

[@mlzphoto-official]

@@Rush-Media i bought mine a few days ago, it has seemingly no issues - it's "in focus".

Many thanks for the info , yt has processing difficulties last couple of weeks i supppose. It takes too long for hd processing which im having the same issue for my uploaded videos. I will wait till its hd to see the difference/improvement if there is one. My video will be available tomorrow at 19:30 in my channel with last fw on bicycle. When i look in my computer for straight out files , in general looks okay.

Edit: but yeah wout hd vid , i hear your comments about the fw that added sharpness etc. and some fixes that's all. This is getting more close to same point; lens calibration/another hw issue needs to be fixed. DJI should cover the buyers for a replacement with fixed units.

Now its 1080p

[@Rush-Media]

It's in 4k now, I look forward to your video

@@Rush-Media I will paste the URL when its processed .

@@Rush-Media video in on yt now, but still 1080p only , normally its 1440p : kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqq7nqmca7x9eKM

[@matthews9852]

Looks like maybe DJI rushed to match GoPros launch date for the Hero11 and now.....uh oh...

[@valenzuelaeph]

You got link to the diopter?

[@JohnRocker340]

Love thecaction 3 just for the live viewing on phone while recording.

[@AdventureVanMan]

I returned mine. Unacceptable.

[@Rush-Media]

What will you use instead?

[@robertcsmith7773]

It appears both DJI and GoPro have issues. I have been so frustrated with my Hero 10 (currently being replaced AGAIN for terrible focus), that the DJI seemed a relief when I bought it recently. Unfortunately it has a mild version of the problems you identify. Overall, I have found found DJI products far more reliable and I prefer the user interface, battery life, mounting system.etc. Still, it would be nice have a truly satisfying action cam. Since I am still within the return window on the DJI, do you think I should return it and hope DJI will not just update software and send it back? (I have already done that). Honestly, I love the camera in all ways except the focus,. . .but of course that is important. Thanks for providing an invaluable resource through your site. All the best to you.

[@FayzFishingAdventure]

gopro 11 the best with enduro battery, they discounted now and got one more battery

[@renzzo93]

Have you tested it on the latest firmware by any chance? Is there any improvement?

[@qt31415]

good thing i went for the insta360 x3..

[@BrucesShop]

Subscribes. I am still leaning toward the DJI Action 3. So many reasons to use it. On my KZbin channel do mower rep[airs in my shop. Price is an issue.

[@Rush-Media]

I believe DJI can sort this, and it might not be a problem for a lot of people. You could also look at the gopro 11 mini which will be 300 and comes out in the next week

[@rich4716]

Oh dear. The additional lens proves what we already knew - it's a hardware issue. And now even if they fix that, the new firmware will over sharpen the image. Disaster. 😢

[@rasmokey4]

You used a moving subject with low contrast for your example of focus! Try a non moving subject with some contrast ( with shadow!)

[@Craig-MItchell]

Well done and factual 👏🏻 I'm hoping to send mine back in the next few days for repair / replace 🤞🏼they don't just send one back with the firmware update 😏 Like you, I already know that isn't acceptable. If a fixed lens camera isn't in focus, then it isn't fit for purpose...

[@3rdpig]

Anyone know if it's fixed in the current shipping models?

[@hurtighansen1]

Well done test. Yes, sadly, no go.

[@KonstantinGabriel1978]

Looks more of a hardware issue…the lens is the problem . They should recall all of them and address it properly. No amount of FW updates will cure the fuzziness

[@JamPlace]

Firmware or not, in my case, it was a lens adjustment issue. I have 3 of them and I did return all 3 for repair and one of them 3 times. All are now OK and beats all other brands. The codec is better in this cam and Insta360 dans gopro. I shoot long time video and the splitted files are joined without any sync problem as for Insta360. Don't ever buy Gopro if you plan to record for a long time (more than 10 mins) because there is ramdon 0 to 2 frames overlap between files which is a pain in the neck in post. Also Gopro file naming convention is not convenient for multiple session recording. Cheers

[@barryneil689]

Im looking for a action cam for around the £300 mark i was going to order the DJI but the out of focus picture is a no go. The hero 11 is out off my budget, what else would you recommend?

[@Rush-Media]

You could get a second hand gopro 10, or the new hero 11 mini

[@MotorcycleParody]

Havent anyone tried to recalibrate the lens yet??

[@jean-roschprudencio930]

This is why I like to stick with GoPro products-despite their many faults, mainly due to overall quality. This test of the Osmo Action 3 just strengthens my general distrust of Chinese-made products in general.

[@nomad0714]

@Jean-Rosch Prudencio, FYI DJI is the same Chinese company that’s pumping out quality drones that Westerners and non-Westerns are buying. Insta360 is also a Chinese-made company that Western consumers are buying and getting popular. My view is that DJI did a rushed job (11mos since A2 launched) so it was bound to have QC issues. They didn’t learn from GP past and on-going mistakes or the Insta360 R 1” (also out of focus short distance and I discovered shooting macros with a +10 diopter that everything close was in focus). This has plagued GP (an American company who designs in US, China, France, and Romania, but still manufactures in China, Mexico, and Thailand) such that GP11 has quality features but was getting bashed because of past bad experiences. They have negative brand equity as many consumers hates their user experience. The primary fault is that GP is pumping out a new GP year on year. Just go back to 1.5-2yrs life cycles and you’re see better QC and finished products whether it is GP or DJI. In fact, A3 is a repackaged A2 which launched in 2021 when the GP10 was launched and in 2019, the A1 launched during the GP8. I would say for GP10 users, unless you color grade, 10bit will help and reframe after shooting, 8:7 will benefit. Otherwise casual shooters should wait for GP11 like myself. For A2 users like myself, A3 doesn’t provide much of an upgrade to the A2 or GP10, which comes in at relative same price. And you have all the existing accessories you don’t need to buy more. I think the key here is making “frictionless finished products” that consumers can use easily, reliable, and hassle-free. Will someone just make the best of GP11 + A3 and be done with it.

[@busuncle2006]

I am sure you are biased against anything from China even if nothing wrong with it and that’s the nature of U.S. of A.propaganda

[@jonnygelato]

Good stuff. Can you fix it with a screw in diopter

[@Rush-Media]

Well, you could get a diopter for vlogging but will likely lose infinity focus. Might be a nice idea though?

[@rich4716]

Worth a test?

[@under_jersea]

The DJI Osmo Action 4 has the same problem! My go pro 8 provides a far sharper picture.

[@Rush-Media]

That's strange, I tested the action 4 and it was in focus. I made a video

[@under_jersea]

@@Rush-Media I film entirely underwater which may be the issue. I have tried with and without the housing. The camera settings I have used are identical to those on the go pro 8. The images are exactly how you are describing in the video. Nothing seems to be in focus if the frame is frozen. Anyway it has now been returned for a go pro 9. I guess I have chosen poor battery life and freezing 😅

[@blackbugmedia]

This seems like a lens problem rather than firmware. It’s weird they’re trying to address it with a firmware update. Any camera nerd will know that’s not gonna work.

[@AzogDefilerFromMordor]

Is that diopter possible to use instead of lens cover?

[@Rush-Media]

We would need a specific one designed for the action 3. I'm sure someone will make one soon

[@HaoTran-tr1xb]

Dji has push action 3 to soon to the day go11 coming out. They need to fix all the first batch before sent it to customer

[@divedaz]

They need to recalibrate the lens to the sensor, this will fix it.

[@danlovesayu]

Well, they can't move the sensor. So, need to replace the whole lens for sure or add a diopter. Again, I am not bother buying a defective product until they totally fix the whole issue. I can live with Action 2 heating issues as that's easily solve by not shooting too long but when your images is fuzzy..........there are no ways to rectify easily.

[@RicardoSantos-yj7iu]

Hi, the boost in sharpness given by the latest firmware is on itself the reason no one should by this camera, if you look at the trees and leafs, building walls...everything is way too sharp and looks artificial. avoid at all cost or get a cheaper akaso that has the same oversharpened look.

[@commonsense4you]

That was a costly mistake that someone at DJI made there during production of that camera. Send it back, it is no good, sorry!

[@yanzodadon]

Can't dji just give us a diopter replacement lens then?

[@graphguy]

I would say yes. I'm sending mine back to give them a chance to review it, fix it , make good. if they can't then I might send it back via Amazon purchase for a full refund. personally I am not that bothered by the slight soft focus. the camera is great in all regards and 2 areas are far superior than the h11; that is not overheating and battery life. I bought this solely to film tennis matches and for that I don't need razor sharp focus out of 1/1.7 sensor. if I do, I use my $4,000 Sony.

[@allanmowz]

Your assessment is correct. It a simple hardware production fault of overtightening the lens. I don't own one but in researching to buy one I encountered the issue and the probable fix. Caution: It will probably void warranty and has potential to damage the camera. But for those wishing to do so, it involves breaking the glue and then turning the lens just a few degrees checking focus as you adjust. Subtitles explain as he does it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4iWp4htbaiZd6s

[@greggh]

DJI has a very simple choice to make. Recall all the defective cameras and physically reseat the lens to the proper focal distance. Or lose a lot of their customers. Permanently. If they don't publicly acknowledge this hardware defect and fix it I will never buy another DJI product again. How can we ever trust them? The fact that it's taking them this long to do the right thing, and their deceptive phony fix they tried may already have lost them their customers.

[@danlovesayu]

Yeap and I am one of them! Paying good money but getting defective products!

[@murph3692]

I decided to never buy DJI after upgrading to the pocket 2, where the quality was worse, it overheated, etc. Their last few physical product updates and iterations in the handheld space seem to be low quality cash grabs.

[@WaqManVR]

Can't they just give us the diopter to attach.

[@Rush-Media]

That could be a partial fix, but we would likely lose infinity focus

[@Fish2Eat]

I've had so many problems with Gopros over the years that I won't spend another dollar on that company. The Hero 7 is still working but I can't leave in the battery or it will completely drain over several hours (I've done firmware updates and tried every tip and trick). Their batteries are rubbish, they don't hold charge, lithium batteries stored at 80% should only lose about 1-2% a month, over a 6 month period when I checked them they were all below 20% and one was below 10%, most are almost brand new. The camera also locks up forcing a Gopro-reset (pull the battery out), I hate using it, completely put me off making videos. I also have two Hero sessions which are completely dead. Only commenting for balance because people who don't have issues with a product generally keep quiet, my DJI unit is great, cost me about the same as my Hero 7 black did in 2019 and is much better in every way.

I am also liking my OA3 features a lot . This cam has a great value and if this focus issue is fixed by DJI , that will be a beast for sure.

[@Rush-Media]

Yes, I too had the same issue with my 7 black. But it went away, try formatting memory card. I installed gopro labs on it which may have fixed it.

[@BillyBusby]

As of today the Hero 11 is superior in almost every way. I want to do more tests with the action 3 with some different settings before I decide which one to keep though.

[@danlovesayu]

Yeap......almost except with the heat problem. Hahaha......DJI almost perfect until this lens problem!

[@giaxxone]

If I hadn’t been seeing all these “action 3 out of focus” videos I never would have noticed that mine might be… but, it isn’t. If I really zoom in on single frames it looks like dogs*#!, but any lack of “focus” is overwhelmed by typical tiny sensor video noise.

[@Rush-Media]

That's great to hear! Hopefully it's been corrected with a new batch

[@cameradave7302]

The update helped but still not right , I suppose it depends how you use the camera if it’s going to be of any good 😂

[@nerivaldoafonso]

It is regrettable that a company the size of DJI has such a serious problem and simply ignores thousands of customers around the world, does not pronounce itself and only gives didactic answers to customers who seek it out. It seems to me that they rushed to launch it together with GOPRO and ended up doing it anyway, it's clear that it's a hardware problem but they're going to try to pass on the defective units and fill the market with replacement units, I received mine and it came with a manufacturing date from 09/2022, I will do my best to ensure that new customers are not deceived.

[@albertliu5760]

becoz of this video, iam going to buy gopro 11

[@CollectiveMindz]

Gopro looks way better the new update just adds contrast and it looks worse than before

[@JeffBourke]

in camera sharpening is not a substitute for poor focus. Just an outrage actually.

[@insighteins1317]

My copy is **** as well and i will send it back! Prior to sending it back i did this --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnisnZywp7adqM0

[@tropicthunderbolt]

Did the update give it 10 bit

[@Moditate]

Still NO :(

[@pedrosonic]

You can easily fix the focus issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWGlfmR3eqqBetE

[@Rush-Media]

Don't know about easily, I'd rather send it in to DJI myself

[@user-cq5hg6ho9r]

DJI still lie. They said focus issue has resolved by update firmware. fell free to purchase one. HaHa this is HW Defect can’t not fix by firmware. i returned it. now almost 9 months after release. i just order first from amazon i got 9/2022 I returned with out open box. and order second one from bestbuy i got 9/2022 again. i test it. this issue can’t fixed by firmware. no more order. wait more 4 months. see what is gopro hero 12 or maybe action 4.

[@only1symo]

Well if it’s a choice to be running after 20 minutes, I will go with the action3.

[@JohnRocker340]

At 170 cheaper can deal with it.

[@HarryL2020]

so basically the camera itself could be great, just the lensing system is bad...

[@ZotmundSzele]

In the real world examples I hardly see any blur. In fact I don't see an issue at all.

[@thorstenschafer6823]

It is possible to recalibrate the lens like shown in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4iWp4htbaiZd6s

[@juankabetiko723]

As seen in the video, you simply removed the lens, attached the crumbs inside? and put the lens back on, screwing until you find the perfect focus both near and far? Is it necessary to remove it completely and blow? I have not understood what this process is for.

[@jermia93]

In my opinion people who watching youtube wont zoom it till 300% 😅

[@ajayaYtube]

🙏👏👏👏🙏

[@danlovesayu]

I would not buy a DEFECTIVE product. Simple! Getting money back is almost close to impossible unless you kick a super big fuss with DJI. That's the feedback which my friends got from DJI but at the end of the day, DJI had no choice but to process a full refund.

[@youonlyliveonce1432]

Gopro=🤭