I've just been out filming with two new DJI Osmo Action 4 cameras using external power with both.

Both cameras were charged 100% before I plugged one into a USB battery pack and the other into my car's power supply.

When I got home after about 45 minutes of recording, the battery was at 75% on one camera and 82% on the other.

How come the batteries are draining even when plugged into an external power source?

I've recently switched from GoPro where the battery level would stay the same or even go up when plugged into an external power source. The lightning icon was showing so the external power source was detected and in use.

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I read about being able to power the Action 4 without a battery in but DJI recommends against it. Their official response on this site is not to do it so I never tested that.

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Factory reset your camera or cameras, do look in the menu system and turn off things you should not have on. If the Rc is on it will use battery and drain the camera,  they added  in firmware additional features so make  certain like said they are not on. we all got the same camera, same firmware or not and not a drain issue

do try without a battery, DJI only says not to do so, because they want you to be All DJI!

Hi there. Thank you for reaching out. Osmo Action 4 supports charging while in use. When the camera is not recording, the external power source charges the camera battery. When the camera is recording, the external power source directly powers the camera without charging the battery, and the battery does not lose power. Unless the current provided by an external power source is very low (such as the USB port of a computer or a car charger with a maximum output of only 5 V 500 mA), the battery will output while slowly discharging. Please note that the Osmo Action 4 can be charged while capturing or recording without attaching a battery. However, to prevent losing any photos or video, we recommend that you attach the battery before using the device. Hope this helps.

DJI Paladin Posted at 2-1 01:21
Hi there. Thank you for reaching out. Osmo Action 4 supports charging while in use. When the camera is not recording, the external power source charges the camera battery. When the camera is recording, the external power source directly powers the camera without charging the battery, and the battery does not lose power. Unless the current provided by an external power source is very low (such as the USB port of a computer or a car charger with a maximum output of only 5 V 500 mA), the battery will output while slowly discharging. Please note that the Osmo Action 4 can be charged while capturing or recording without attaching a battery. However, to prevent losing any photos or video, we recommend that you attach the battery before using the device. Hope this helps.

Thanks, that helps a lot.

telesin powerbank grip
OA4  accu can stay in the camera, no drain
OA3 power bank and OA3, film without battery
When extended, the selfie stick can hold a load of 300 grams

OA4 you can use the  DJI power/mic splitter
or the bulky Belkin usbc splitter

1stDrive Posted at 2-1 04:43
Thanks, that helps a lot.

You are very much welcome. Feel free to contact us if you have further inquiries. Have a nice day ahead.

no drain with Telesin Powergrip

DJI Paladin Posted at 2-1 01:21
Hi there. Thank you for reaching out. Osmo Action 4 supports charging while in use. When the camera is not recording, the external power source charges the camera battery. When the camera is recording, the external power source directly powers the camera without charging the battery, and the battery does not lose power. Unless the current provided by an external power source is very low (such as the USB port of a computer or a car charger with a maximum output of only 5 V 500 mA), the battery will output while slowly discharging. Please note that the Osmo Action 4 can be charged while capturing or recording without attaching a battery. However, to prevent losing any photos or video, we recommend that you attach the battery before using the device. Hope this helps.

in other words you mentioned or some one in the staff mentions that using without a battery can cause damage, so which one is it to use with a battery or without a battery.

Fishycomics Posted at 2-6 04:29
in other words you mentioned or some one in the staff mentions that using without a battery can cause damage, so which one is it to use with a battery or without a battery.

@Fishy
Telesin:
The Action 4 is switched off or charged with the power bank in standby mode. If you press the record button, the charging process is interrupted and the power bank takes over the power supply for the camera (the battery can remain in the camera).  This is not the case with the Action 3, with Record the battery continues to charge, which leads to overheating (the battery has to be removed)
m2c

iff your intern battey drain buy a better PD/FC Powerbank!
NiteCore NB10000 gen2 only 150gr

action 3 (it's cold today 4⁰C ) no Audio with the Adapter

Temp Telesin. 0-45⁰C
          NiteCore -10⁰ to40⁰C
dont charge intern Battery below 0⁰C!!

Fishycomics Posted at 2-6 04:29
in other words you mentioned or some one in the staff mentions that using without a battery can cause damage, so which one is it to use with a battery or without a battery.

Yes, it can be used like that however, the third-party power supply of the power bank or external power supply cannot be guaranteed, and using this might cause irreversible damage to the camera therefore it is not recommended. We still recommend using the product with the battery on as it provides a stable power supply when in use. Hope this helps.

lutzmix Posted at 2-6 10:31
@Fishy
Telesin:
The Action 4 is switched off or charged with the power bank in standby mode. If you press the record button, the charging process is interrupted and the power bank takes over the power supply for the camera (the battery can remain in the camera).  This is not the case with the Action 3, with Record the battery continues to charge, which leads to overheating (the battery has to be removed)

Like said DJI just answered,  that  damage can happen , they know way more then you me put together

Can i charge Action 4 battery without taking it out of the camera?