GBRL Posted at 12-19 04:50
I feel the same way. In most situations, the Action4 delivers better video quality. It seems like the Action5 was designed with a focus on lightweight, long-duration recording, more suited for vlogging rather than high-quality footage. The reduced heat and extended recording time likely aren’t just due to chipset efficiency but also to shooting at lower quality and relying on post-processing to make it “look good.”
Some people might ask why anyone cares about image quality in an action cam. But for someone like me, who wants the best possible quality from a small action cam, the Action4 or a GoPro (limited to bright outdoor conditions) is the better choice.

I think that I also try to get the best image quality that I can from it and perhaps it’s more designed for quick action grab type stuff. That could well be true for me too. I do tend to treat it as a normal everyday camera that’s really rugged.

Perhaps that’s why I feel that the 4 is better for me.

For my part, i was tempted to replace my two OA4 with this new model, but all i read on this forum stopped me.

Yanncd FrenchStreetMedic Posted at 12-19 05:04
For my part, i was tempted to replace my two OA4 with this new model, but all i read on this forum stopped me.

It wasn’t my intention to put people off. It’s basically a decent camera actually and I really like its audio arrangement. If you stick to D-Log,, there’s less of a problem.

That’s reminded me…. I ‘think’ normal mode also tends to look a bit sharper along with that HD look!

I really intended for people to just discuss how they really felt about the 5 because I’m not certain myself, that it’s really an upgrade even given that it’s supposed to be a new sensor and all that!

In fact, I saw another post where someone posted a ‘labelled’ picture from the Action 5 and it was a great example of what I see in my video. Kind of ‘underwhelming’.

Maybe I’m just expecting too much from an action cam.

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-19 04:28
Oh sorry. I might not have been clear what I was on about. Many returned their camera to have a swap done. That meant that no refund would be offered later if the swap even did the same as the first camera.

three times a charm

the   GoPro  dialed in since the hero 8, with the profile, they have kept to that profile ever since

i personally don't

If DJI could have added the  hardware/software to the Action  original chip, then  go to a newer one I be all in too

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-19 05:11
It wasn’t my intention to put people off. It’s basically a decent camera actually and I really like its audio arrangement. If you stick to D-Log,, there’s less of a problem.

That’s reminded me…. I ‘think’ normal mode also tends to look a bit sharper along with that HD look!

D-LOG M works great on POCKET 3. OA 5 in D-LOG M ruined everything with uncontrollable brightness change. I refuse to believe that DJI will not fix this problem. I really dislike Normal 10 bit, I never shoot in this mode.

Glad I am not using D-Log M 10-bit with the OA5p and kept to  10-bit Color.

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-18 23:57
Oh I see. I thought that bikers etc feel that it brings you more into the action and makes the speed seem faster because as things get closer, they look like they’re speeding up!

I liked the original but close focus was a bit difficult with it. Had to hold it well away.

Some probably use the ultra wide for making it looks faster, but there are many viewers that want to see the speedometer when watching and also the sky needs to be in the footage.
Mainly a matter of taste I will think

I can see that it is useful for bikes etc. The FOV lens is just over 180 though. That is SO wide! Sitting here in my front room, looking 90 left and 90 right ….. boy I’d need to tidy the place up!!

I've been playing around with the 4 and 5 today and to be honest, I am happier with the Action 4. My mist filter fits since they have the same thread, handle and Wireless Mic Mini work so I’m going to go back to the 4.

Just pointing out the window and the cloud detail looks better imo. It’s all too flattened out with the Action 5 and I can return to controlling the ISO more without that weird exposure movement and odd colours in normal mode.

This has been an interesting read, seeing how others feel tbh and my own doubts about the 5 are reflected in quite a few replies. I think if DJI sort out a few things, it will be on a par or better but certainly at the moment, I'm just not feeling it!

The Action 5 will be stored until there is an update to fix that exposure thing and the odd colour that you can get.

I really do think that the Action 4 is the sweet spot in the DJI action cameras and for anyone looking for a great camera, it even sells at a brilliant price. Going back to throwing gear out ….. I’m so glad that I didn’t get rid of my Action 4. But my Action 5 should start to get nervous ………..

I tried thinking going back to GoPro to give me a color difference going from GOLD to natural during my vids, I laugh  at  it as hts so much BRIGHTER, like a backlight is on, and DJI shuts that Backlite OFF.   Yeah I'll try and go back to the Action 4 myself, but I  will have to deal with Beta issues all over again

Fishycomics Posted at 12-19 08:21
I tried thinking going back to GoPro to give me a color difference going from GOLD to natural during my vids, I laugh  at  it as hts so much BRIGHTER, like a backlight is on, and DJI shuts that Backlite OFF.   Yeah I'll try and go back to the Action 4 myself, but I  will have to deal with Beta issues all over again

It has less dynamic range Fish, but it’s punchier. I feel happier I think with it. Also, I can use 10 bit Normal if I don’t want to play around in post. Also lock the ISO into a more limited range and you don't get that awful exposure blip where it seems to jump up and down, or that horrible vignetting that admin think is 'normal behaviour'.

IMO, DJI have taken a minor step backwards, even with the new processor. If people buy an Action 5 and haven't really played around at length with the 4, they probably would be pleased with their purchase, but the 4 is a difficult one to beat. Differences are subtle but I really feel that the 4 is giving a more natural result in all modes.

If an Action 6 emerges, I'm going to wait after my experiences with the Action 5.

I was on the verge of going back to the Ace Pro because that really has a punchy picture, but I just like the 4 and this afternoon for me confirmed it. It’s an absolute bargain of a camera.

If you go back Fish, check Mimo. Mine updated. (Mic Mini update and a few bug fixes)

too bad the site does not have announcements  that there are updates



Oh I forgot they do not do Manual firmwares

In answer to your question - NO!  I own both the OA4 and OA5, but my OA4 has started to get condensation behind the lens cover even though the camera is supposed to be waterproof.  NOT IMPRESSED

Steph Jant Posted at 12-19 11:33
In answer to your question - NO!  I own both the OA4 and OA5, but my OA4 has started to get condensation behind the lens cover even though the camera is supposed to be waterproof.  NOT IMPRESSED

you  removed the lens protector off  and allow t oair out, with all doors open in a cool dry place and reclose in a cool dry place, allow the moisture to get out?

Steph Jant Posted at 12-19 11:33
In answer to your question - NO!  I own both the OA4 and OA5, but my OA4 has started to get condensation behind the lens cover even though the camera is supposed to be waterproof.  NOT IMPRESSED

The front cover needs to be taken off to allow it to evaporate. Have you previously taken the cover off so moisture from the air is in there and everything has cooled off now? Or have you been in water with it and it's leaked?

take off the lens

the thing I like  of hte OA5P that can not be brought to the OA4

1 the Interface
2. the Format location
3 the  charge icon to the back and front screen
4 the custom names
5. the 2nd Tx

just something I gotten used to with the OA5P but I am back shooting with the Action 4   the 10-bit color profile I guess is another story

Fishycomics Posted at 12-19 13:33
the thing I like  of hte OA5P that can not be brought to the OA4

1 the Interface

It’s a great camera with its facilities, but for me, the picture quality is more important, I think.

You do miss those aspects of the Action 5, but I also like getting 10 bit normal back alongside D-Log. I use normal if the lighting looks good for it and D-Log in difficult lighting situations. Then I can adjust it easier later on.

Also getting 100-200 and 100-400 ISO back keeps a nice smooth picture.

I guess it’s down to priorities because I can totally understand someone preferring the 5 for quick action stuff.

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-19 13:55
It’s a great camera with its facilities, but for me, the picture quality is more important, I think.

You do miss those aspects of the Action 5, but I also like getting 10 bit normal back alongside D-Log. I use normal if the lighting looks good for it and D-Log in difficult lighting situations. Then I can adjust it easier later on.

well we did forget the Shutter speed can be dropped to 30 seconds something we also d don't have on the action 4

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-19 13:55
It’s a great camera with its facilities, but for me, the picture quality is more important, I think.

You do miss those aspects of the Action 5, but I also like getting 10 bit normal back alongside D-Log. I use normal if the lighting looks good for it and D-Log in difficult lighting situations. Then I can adjust it easier later on.

Action 4 is by far the best action camera DJI have released, and that we could use ISO 100-200 is one of those things I hope will come in Action 5. Also like many have mentioned the HDR look is not what we were hoping/asking for.
I will not say Action 5 is bad, but it have some "flaws". Also it have great focus range from very close to far.

Also now the price for Action 4 is close to 40% off from the price we had to pay for it last year. So I do recommend new people to buy it for the price and how good it actually is.

I think the Action 6 coming out early 2025 is more of DJI covering thier bases for any tariffs that the new administration in the U.S. may impose. Not a slam dunk an OA6 release is imminent. The OA5 isn't perfect, but it's still a young product that needs to be optimized. I think we need to give it a little more time.

ryguy80 Posted at 12-19 20:02
I think the Action 6 coming out early 2025 is more of DJI covering thier bases for any tariffs that the new administration in the U.S. may impose. Not a slam dunk an OA6 release is imminent. The OA5 isn't perfect, but it's still a young product that needs to be optimized. I think we need to give it a little more time.

"I think we need to give it a little more time."
Would you say the same thing for a car ?

ryguy80 Posted at 12-19 20:02
I think the Action 6 coming out early 2025 is more of DJI covering thier bases for any tariffs that the new administration in the U.S. may impose. Not a slam dunk an OA6 release is imminent. The OA5 isn't perfect, but it's still a young product that needs to be optimized. I think we need to give it a little more time.

But then we are left with video that doesnt always look so good until they’ve fixed it or moved on. Perhaps more stringent testing before release might be more useful to customers.

ryguy80 Posted at 12-19 20:02
I think the Action 6 coming out early 2025 is more of DJI covering thier bases for any tariffs that the new administration in the U.S. may impose. Not a slam dunk an OA6 release is imminent. The OA5 isn't perfect, but it's still a young product that needs to be optimized. I think we need to give it a little more time.

But how big market share is US compared to rest of the world? Will think most people in USA stick to their own brands

ryguy80 Posted at 12-19 20:02
I think the Action 6 coming out early 2025 is more of DJI covering thier bases for any tariffs that the new administration in the U.S. may impose. Not a slam dunk an OA6 release is imminent. The OA5 isn't perfect, but it's still a young product that needs to be optimized. I think we need to give it a little more time.

It is  like a Beta, or VHs tape machine they change models  before they even get used

DJI has become the world biggest brand, on the Market, like GoPro a US owned china product if asked,      we love to buy union label products, buthtey no longer exist like they used to.   back to the topic

I am grabbing my Action 4,  will continue to use the action 5 Pro.,  Will I   want DJI to rush to the Market a Action 6 Pro YES, so I can have better flares

Fishycomics Posted at 12-20 03:23
DJI has become the world biggest brand, on the Market, like GoPro a US owned china product if asked,      we love to buy union label products, buthtey no longer exist like they used to.   back to the topic

I am grabbing my Action 4,  will continue to use the action 5 Pro.,  Will I   want DJI to rush to the Market a Action 6 Pro YES, so I can have better flares

Haha …. Bigger trumpets or more of them ……

Went out with the 4 again this morning. I did notice the slower connection to the wireless mic Mini  but because the video was in ‘Normal’ mode, no editing at home so everything runs fine without luts, colour adjustment which also meant a quicker render.

My 4K 30P video rendered at 1:1 …. ie, it took roughly the same amount of time to render as the length of the video. That’s the beauty of being able to use ‘normal’ mode. No adjustments and quicker render.

The mic is slightly less convenient though, being slower to connect when you want to take a quick shot. Video starts recording before the audio has connected.

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-19 11:55
The front cover needs to be taken off to allow it to evaporate. Have you previously taken the cover off so moisture from the air is in there and everything has cooled off now? Or have you been in water with it and it's leaked?

My OA4 has not been in water. I agree that taking lens cover off should get rid of moisture, but it’s supposed to be a sealed watertight lens cover - so how did the moisture get in there in the first place unless the seal is defective?

Steph Jant Posted at 12-20 04:32
My OA4 has not been in water. I agree that taking lens cover off should get rid of moisture, but it’s supposed to be a sealed watertight lens cover - so how did the moisture get in there in the first place unless the seal is defective?

Oh ok …. Then check under the cover. There’s an orange ring inside the screw thread on the camera when you take the cover off. Sometimes it moves when I remove the cover.

I see that you haven’t removed the cover but it might not be seated correctly.

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-20 03:36
Haha …. Bigger trumpets or more of them ……

Went out with the 4 again this morning. I did notice the slower connection to the wireless mic Mini  but because the video was in ‘Normal’ mode, no editing at home so everything runs fine without luts, colour adjustment which also meant a quicker render.

I  just shot some footage with the OA4.   as long as I am within the 30 minutes of standby camera did great, that is what I noticed,  that the camera shut down. I forget that we have H264, the older container and what I am on..  Rendering vids, never been a problem HEVC, color profile, just the memory of the machine and how it shares things.

great t hear you're   getting us to use our Oldstuff again, actually its not old at all, just the better of the  camera I had with metoday

Post #138

  condensation  got in at hte factory I say.

if you  can take off the lens protector with no tool at all, then that is one good reason moisture got in, they now  over tighten these rings, or should we say aluminum on aluminum  is  going to be  stupid tight as they do not need to be tighten by much

Steph Jant Posted at 12-20 04:32
My OA4 has not been in water. I agree that taking lens cover off should get rid of moisture, but it’s supposed to be a sealed watertight lens cover - so how did the moisture get in there in the first place unless the seal is defective?

Unless you are always opening the doors(battery and charge door) in a low humidity or in a controlled environment, humid air will slowly find its way into the camera body. When this begin to happen with any of my action cams I just place it inside a plastic box with moisture absorber(something like Damprid) for a day with all the doors open, you can also use a dry cabinet for camera equipment if you have one.

DJI Tony Posted at 12-15 01:05
Hi there. Our engineers have noticed the issue with HDR effects and are continuously optimizing it. It will be applied to future firmware. Please wait patiently for the color performance of the new firmware.

DJI Tony, this is music to our ears, thank you

peloncr Posted at 12-20 07:45
Unless you are always opening the doors(battery and charge door) in a low humidity or in a controlled environment, humid air will slowly find its way into the camera body. When this begin to happen with any of my action cams I just place it inside a plastic box with moisture absorber(something like Damprid) for a day with all the doors open, you can also use a dry cabinet for camera equipment if you have one.

Thanks for the advice

i am tempted but  glad I can switch back and fourth now   am I tempted to go   to others yes

Fishycomics Posted at 12-21 04:30
i am tempted but  glad I can switch back and fourth now   am I tempted to go   to others yes

It’s nice to have the choice.

Iancraig10 Posted at 12-21 04:56
It’s nice to have the choice.

After seeing the rumored phot, glad I got a choice

I actually had to use my Action 4 today when I needed to be able to crop from 4:3