DJI Action 4 Review: What's Actually Better?

osmonauta

I find it odd that so far no one has taken out a focus chart and started making photos of it from 40cm away. What is happening!? The world has ran out of focus charts? LOL

Iancraig10

osmonauta Posted at 8-4 03:16
I find it odd that so far no one has taken out a focus chart and started making photos of it from 40cm away. What is happening!? The world has ran out of focus charts? LOL

That’ll cause WW3 on here. Lol.

That's because most of the videos are sponsored and 'Everything is awesome' syndrome. (Lego Movie) wait for next week!

I'll find out soon because I'll have one here .....

Helmut Ruch

Deleted...

Helmut Ruch

osmonauta Posted at 8-3 19:05
OA4 has smaller 4K @4:3 dimensions than OA3
OA4 has smaller photo dimensions than OA3
OA4 has less time interval choices for TimeLapse than OA3

OA4 doesn't have HDR...

The OA4 doesn't need traditional HDR because of it's "Quad Bayer Sensor", which allows "One Shot HDR". Here:

https://www.gsmarena.com/explain ... mera-news-30497.php

you can find an explanation for this concept. The OA4 Sensor has 12 million optical pixels, but 48 million photodiodes, 4 for each pixel. With this you can realise up to 4 seperate electronic sensors behind one Bayer-Matrix, which can be treated completely independent, e.g. can work with different exposure times. Thats what HDR does, but in one shot!

Iancraig10

Helmut Ruch Posted at 8-4 04:09
OA4 doesn't have HDR...

The OA4 doesn't need traditional HDR because of it's "Quad Bayer Sensor", which allows "One Shot HDR". Here:

Such a clever arrangement! The dynamic range is one of the first things that really show in comparison videos.

johansenfoto

Helmut Ruch Posted at 8-4 04:09
OA4 doesn't have HDR...

The OA4 doesn't need traditional HDR because of it's "Quad Bayer Sensor", which allows "One Shot HDR". Here:

Thanks for the information.
And OA4 have the same sensor size as Samsung S20 so it will be awesome.

For you iphone users, it is like having german technology in amish cover

10-Bit

DJI-ytao Posted at 8-4 00:33
auto low light enhancement is specific feature in Action4.
big sensor contributes all the original footage.

When you are referring to "auto low light enhancement is specific feature" - are you describing the A4 setting in the screenshot below reducing noise? Or something separate that explains why there is shaking camera footage in lower lighting conditions like shadows in tree cover when compared to GoPro?

10-Bit

These screenshots are from a sponsored video
But show a couple different camera setting scenarios comparing A3 to A4

10-Bit

johansenfoto Posted at 8-4 00:52
Just heard one paid reviewer said they plan to release a "media mod" to OA4, but not sure how much I can trust this reviewer since he keeps calling it Osmo 4

DJI is still trying to sort out the audio adapter
Which may be released some time in the future

johansenfoto

10-Bit Posted at 8-4 08:49
DJI is still trying to sort out the audio adapter
Which may be released some time in the future

Ah I missed that answer.
Guess it will be a $30 adapter

10-Bit

Here is a good comparison of the OA3 vs OA4 for close focus
The OA3 exhibits the problem that DJI tried to fix by simply over sharpening
Whereas the OA4 now has clearer focus right out-of-the-box
The screenshot seems fairly representative

So as expected - DJI took close focus very seriously for the OA4 this go around
There does seem to be bugs here and there - but overall the OA4 looks much more refined
All the user input and OA3 focus returns have made the OA4 a more matured product

DJI does read all these posts and even posts in Youtube comments section
So good that way they are being active vs non-responsive
What GP will come out with in a month or so will determine how well the OA4 sells

10-Bit

Here is another unsponsored video with someone who shoots both
Interestingly GP11 still wins for dynamic range in the clouds
But for the first time OA4 wins for in close focus details

Whatever changes DJI did in the OA4 sensor and lens - it worked
But as previously noted the GP12 will be out soon enough
100% Reliability though seems to be the biggest concern
As even one freeze is way too many for me

Oddly my old in the tooth GP Hero 2014 has never froze - ever
But that one has the in-built battery and underwater case
Shooting a CPU low intensity paltry 1080p30 max

Side by side comparisons are most times a good way to check
But shooter can always cherry pick or change settings or edit to favour

osmonauta

10-Bit Posted at 8-9 15:04
Here is a good comparison of the OA3 vs OA4 for close focus
The OA3 exhibits the problem that DJI tried to fix by simply over sharpening
Whereas the OA4 now has clearer focus right out-of-the-box

I'm not trying to defend the Action 3 but that screenshot is a very unrealistic representation of the quality of the OA3. That is not even close to the indoor quality that OA3 can do. Just tried it indoors (I think the lighting was close enough to what he has it the photo. Even at ISO1600 using 2.7k the quality/focus is way better than on that image. I think he either...

1. grabbed the wrong frame on purpose
2. manipulated the image, or
3. he simply has a bad camera

Hallmark007

10-Bit Posted at 8-9 15:04
Here is a good comparison of the OA3 vs OA4 for close focus
The OA3 exhibits the problem that DJI tried to fix by simply over sharpening
Whereas the OA4 now has clearer focus right out-of-the-box

It’s kinda typical. You have spent almost all your time posting negative things on this forum about A3 yet you never owned one. One thing is for sure the A3 is more than comparable to A2 and is all round a better action camera. The A3 is an excellent camera which has greatly improved over many FW update just like almost all action cameras.
You have posted some of the most ridiculous screen grabs to try make your point but they are laughable because its impossible to make any assumptions on low grade screen grabs as to whether a camera is good or bad. Even a screen grab from a medium format camera will not and should not be taken as a view that a camera is capable or not, it’s beyond belief you actually believe it can. In all honesty the diatribe you post here is nothing short of that diatribe. Many are trying to give honest opinions you seem to have a whole different agenda here and it has nothing to do with action cams.

10-Bit

osmonauta Posted at 8-12 03:38
I'm not trying to defend the Action 3 but that screenshot is a very unrealistic representation of the quality of the OA3. That is not even close to the indoor quality that OA3 can do. Just tried it indoors (I think the lighting was close enough to what he has it the photo. Even at ISO1600 using 2.7k the quality/focus is way better than on that image. I think he either...

1. grabbed the wrong frame on purpose

Well comparing these videos with side by side 4K screengrabs
This is what you get - make of it what you will as everyone has an opinion

But unless there are videos that show otherwise - it is what it is
In one video the girl likes the OA4 - in the other video guy likes the OA4
In this last video guy likes the OA4 - so seems that most like the OA4

osmonauta

To me the girl on the right looks as if the camera was wearing a filter. I’m not saying it looks bad. It’s just a tad “filtery” looking. The sky behind her, for example. I think the sky is more realistic on the left. At least for my taste. But then again, I don't use D-Cinelike.

The goal is that ppl should be happy with what they have. If they happy with the OA4, that's great. If they happy with the OA3, or whatever else gear they might have, that's great, too. Two days ago I went for a bike ride in the morning. Nice blue sky, some puffy white clouds here and there. Good lighting everywhere. I usually ride in the afternoon. I was stunned by the great quality and the colors, even though it was only 1080 ultrawide.

10-Bit

osmonauta Posted at 8-12 05:19
To me the girl on the right looks as if the camera was wearing a filter. I’m not saying it looks bad. It’s just a tad “filtery” looking. The sky behind her, for example. I think the sky is more realistic on the left. At least for my taste. But then again, I don't use D-Cinelike.

The goal is that ppl should be happy with what they have. If they happy with the OA4, that's great. If they happy with the OA3, or whatever else gear they might have, that's great, too. Two days ago I went for a bike ride in the morning. Nice blue sky, some puffy white clouds here and there. Good lighting everywhere. I usually ride in the afternoon. I was stunned by the great quality and the colors, even though it was only 1080 ultrawide.

What I noticed instantly was that she posted the OA4 was "ungraded"
Hmm?

Does not look "unedited" to me for D-Log - but only she knows for sure
The sky does look very saturated + focus and lack of glare exaggerated
In some ways looking like a CPL was installed to get such deep blues
Looks like an edited file - but she was one who was "sponsored"
But who to say if she has an agenda or not - or made an error

For 1080 my lowly GP 2014 did fantastic underwater on Lanai
But when compared directly to my OA2 in 4K - got blown away
The extra 4K pixels retain so much more detail when zoomed in
Difference - 2014 is near indestructible vs OA2 needs a waterproof case
I think I posted a comparison somewhere here between 1080 vs 4K

Iancraig10

The video sharpness on my Action 4 is much better than the 3. It’s instantly noticeable once you have used the 3 for a while. No adjustments are necessary in post whatsoever. In fact, I might turn it down a bit now I’m beginning to get used to its look.

4k on a large TV screen is razor sharp and those screenshots that 10bit posted are pretty typical of what I get between the two of them, whether I have a poor 3 or not, I don’t know. DJI thought my footage normal on the 3 but the 4 is streets ahead in that area.

The ‘’filtered’ look of the 4 might be to do with the way it works out exposure. It seems to have this knack of avoiding burned out highlights and so to some, who aren’t used to seeing this, it might look slightly underexposed. I’m finding that if I want to retain highlights, I still have detail in the shadow that can be boosted if I want it, so you get much better exposure overall.

10-Bit

Here is another unsponsored review for those interested
Where the YouTuber allows you to download his original files
So you can compare yourself firsthand

In low light - the OA4 looks to seriously crush the GP11
But you be the judge

Montfrooij

Not sponsored, not affiliated, not clickbait.
Interesting to see that in a thumbnail.

10-Bit

Montfrooij Posted at 8-30 00:07
Not sponsored, not affiliated, not clickbait.
Interesting to see that in a thumbnail.

It was interesting

Montfrooij

10-Bit Posted at 8-30 09:58
It was interesting

Yes for sure!