DJI Action 3 vs. DJI Action 4 - Is It Better? - Side by Side Video Comparison - Initial Review

[@ADV_Agenda]

Thank you for putting in the work on the comparison, I'm looking to make the switch from GoPro on my channel. I'm definitely going to the DJI now!! New sub!

[@uosocal]

I love the A4. It is so much easier to use, and great battery life.

[@markpulling12]

To my eye the A3 looks much nicer and brighter ?

[@AndreasDueck]

Looking at the manual, you can see that the part you blocked with foam at the top is just the speaker. There are only 3 microphones on the Osmo Action 4, the two small holes in front and the windproof microphone at the bottom of the camera. I think you can improve your results by using foam to protect the front mics from the wind. I still liked your video and it is valuable during this time when the products are maturing at the customer.

[@uosocal]

Thank you for that info. I must have read the wrong info about the mics. I haven't done a lot of testing covering the two in the front. I don't know if covering the color sensor will affect the video.

[@AndreasDueck]

@@uosocal Covering the color sensor is not a problem if you set the color temperature manually. 5500 in daylight works well for me and many use this setting.

[@h0ij0i]

Nice test thanks for that! I have both cameras OA3 & OA4. The Image Quality & Dynamic Range is definitely better on the OA4 and what i also noticed, the stabilization on ultra wide & RockSteady still works pretty good on 30fps 1/60-80s shutter before youll notice obvious jello/chitter effect (motorcycle with helmet mount). Where on the OA3 you definitely need a faster shutter (at least 1/120s) for good stabilization without those negative effects. But im very disappointed at the wind noise reduction on the OA4! Its not even close to the OA3 one. Dont know what in the world they were doing there. Even with the whole foam-case its barely useable at speed around 100kmh. Probably made it bad on purpose so they can sell the DJI 2 Mic for good audio..

[@uosocal]

Great camera, terrible audio. I did buy the Mic 2.

[@MTBr-of-SoCal]

Great coverage and comparison. I do notice that the A4 seems to have a better dynamic range. You can see more details in the dirt on the trail and sky. But the A4's wind noise is horrible! Dunno how you handle the two cameras + mount on your chin. That'd be weighing down my helmet.

[@uosocal]

There is definitely more detail. The A4 wind noise is much better with my case and windscreen on it.

[@Itsjondillon]

Would you recommend the same settings if you were riding in the woods in and out of tree cover?

[@uosocal]

Yes. The auto shutter will take care if the dark spots. Just make sure your isolated max is high

[@Itsjondillon]

@@uosocal , so guess I should of added same settings even if you don't plan on doing any color grading or editing? really appreciate the input. this is my first action cam and justr want to get the best quality video i can.

[@uosocal]

On a sunny day, those settings will get you pretty close. I will usually just tweak the highlights and shadows after. On cloudy days, you may need to turn up the color a little bit.

[@danijeI1337]

Should i get OA3, are focus issue repaired on ALL cameras after update? I'm worried about getting an old version of the camera from the store if that problem still exist...

[@uosocal]

The firmware updates fixed my old A3.

[@danijeI1337]

I watched your video about blurry problem, does video recording still look the same?

[@uosocal]

The firmware update took care of that problem. You can see the quality of the camera in the mtb videos I made shortly after the "Blurry" video.

[@uosocal]

Or watch the video I did comparing the A3 to the A4. Both images are really good.

[@danijeI1337]

I don't really see the sharpening and focus difference between these two cameras in your video, but I like how sharp the GoPro is. I'm going to buy DJI OA 3 or 4 for MTB, should I be concerned about the sharp video difference between these two? Plus AO3 is significantly cheaper. Thank you for the answer 😄

[@myco_space_kc5558]

The one on the right I feel like it shows more “texture” I’m new to photography sorry if that’s not the right term

[@nzdatsports9659]

i actually prefer'ed the OA3 . the OA4 just looks tinted or dull . after seeing this ill stick with my AO3 , in my eye's not enough of an upgrade , thanks

[@uosocal]

It's a minor update. There is definitely more detail in the A4. It would look better than the A3 with a couple of minor tweaks. It's just a matter of some fine tuning.

[@jambo4853]

@@uosocalGreat video review of the OA3 & 4. I’m right on the cusp of pulling the trigger on a cam and I’m keen to know what tweaks you mean by changing the OA4 to look better than the 3? I agree with many others here; the 3 looks better than the 4. I’m a keen MTBer too. But in Scotland, UK. In winter, the light here can be fairly poor. Conversely in summer out in the mountains proper, it’s bright AF! Then descending into forests from light to dark. I don’t think either would be a bad option really. But I’d like to get a decent AC for my trips and also shits of the kids when we go on holiday, like beach stuff mainly. Also, the ease of video editing in DJI suite is great as I’m not keen on spending hours and hours editing - time is King right. Atm I’m leaning towards the OA3 as it’s a fair bit cheaper and I can grab all the kit to just ride and hit record 🙌

[@nesciusplayground]

@@jambo4853 It looks "dull" because D log M needs post pro. Its like saying RAW looks dull...

[@yeshafaith2858]

Can I use my OA3 battery to OA4?

[@uosocal]

Yes, it worked for me.

[@high4travel]

A4 seems to pickup more wind noise than A3

[@yveschesterybanez3742]

How about overheating?

[@uosocal]

No problems with either camera.

[@citywalkwithme]

❤❤ Thank you

[@dave20thmay]

I strangely get an orange message The battery is abnormal, when I put the Action 4 battery in the 3, but not the other way round. Really can't see how GoPro can better the all round use of the Action 4. Only put one video from mine, which was done straight out of the camera, with no fuss by You Tube. and the quality is not short of outstanding. The Action 3 Freewell filters are smaller so even if you found a way to clip them on, it crops the image of the larger lens in the Action 4.

[@uosocal]

I love both cameras. Thanks for the info.

[@MTBraging]

pretty impressed with both cameras you have been shooting we these for a couple sessions. In this video the a3 quality on the DH looked sharper to me though ? The linear or standing film quality is amazing !!! The wind noise is horrific without Dead cats, muffs or foam ( IMHO) . Always stoked for these videos as they are very well done and informative.

[@uosocal]

The picture quality is pretty close. Super stoked with both. Bye bye GoPro.😪

[@Seneslau07]

Finaly a video of action, as the camera was intended. Great job, thanks! Just upon the fact that the Action 3 has a significant better wind reduction I'm thinking of buying that. I'll be using it on the helmet on an electric paramotor where there's a lot of wind but I also want it to capture the great prop noise as much as it can. I've watched the video three times to figure out if that wind reduction of the action 3 comes also with a loss in overall captured sound. It's clear that also the voice is slightly reduced in action3, not so amplified as in action4. But the wind seems as it blows two-three times more powerful in action4. And then there is the higher sensor, and since I'll always be flying right before sunset, maybe that might bright up the ground seen from above, more than action3. Thus my puzzle...pretending to ignore the 100$ price difference that is here.

[@uosocal]

The image quality is definitely better in the A4, much more dynamic range as well. Some type of wind muff will help with the wind noise as well.

[@reik_nufilmuot]

Maybe in dji oa3 was switch on wind noise reduction and in dji oa4 was off?

[@nenad2427]

A3 is better in all aspects except night shooting

[@nesciusplayground]

No, that is just not true.

[@nenad2427]

@@nesciusplayground with some corection in settings,night mode its ok

[@hanoitripper1809]

@@nenad2427how do you adjust your settings for nite

[@adegreen2731]

Purchased an OA4 for £280 and returned lack of definition in footage. Purchased a GP11 for £249 instead and it definitely picks up more detail, I think it may be down to the compression algorithm The OA4 uses… Annoyingly I have just spotted the OA3 on sale for £169. Think I’d gone for that instead after watching you comparison and saved myself £80! (I do have the advantage of GPS on the GP11 as well though)

[@terryshrives8322]

Man, dji just keeps making there footage darker and darker. The one thing that really bothers me.

[@uosocal]

It's only darker because it has more dynamic range. You can easily brighten the Image, or even set it up to be brighter. The darker image will retain more image quality in the hot spots of your video.