Hi there,

I enjoyed one week of scuba diving in the northern red sea, strait of tiran. One week before, I decided to go for an Osmo Action 5 Pro that I took for a dive in a cold and dark german lake. I learned that I need to switch on rocksteady or rocksteady+ to get smooth footage.

I had the camera with me almost for each dive (except two night dives where I preferred to take my Sony RX100 MK5 due to its integrated flash). In addition, I had the Insta360 X4 with me for some dives.
I liked the Osmo Action 5 Pro because of its very fast boot up time (except for the first time each day). It is ready to shoot instantly, a big plus compared to others. I also liked the option to create presets that allow to easily switch between different modes. However, it seems I am limited to five presets (maybe I am wrong?), and I would have needed a sixth (utrawide, wide, normal for both video and photography = six options, if considering other parameters even more). I would also love to see if I could give a custom name to each preset so that it is easier to remember.
The housing is of good quality and the reaction of the buttons is reliable (especially compared to the Insta360 dive case).


What I am currently missing is a red/magenta filter as accessory.

Overall, I am quite satisfied with the options the Osmo Action 5 Pro provides as an underwater camera.

I kindly invite you to watch some videos in the playlist of this vacation.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIdvPxMISurH2fU7oNTyQkTqIyARZtQmV

Best regards
Gernot

I like it a lot - unfortunately you can't really tell where the Osmo 5 Pro was used.

There are 5 storages (you can only tell them apart by assigning a logo)



I have uploaded a test recording here with the OA 5 Pro from Marsa Alam "Abu Dabbab"

But with the D-Log M profile there is still a lot of room for improvement

cinfo Posted at 10-21 04:00
I like it a lot - unfortunately you can't really tell where the Osmo 5 Pro was used.

There are 5 storages (you can only tell them apart by assigning a logo)

Thanks for your reply. I always added the cameras that I used in the video description.

E.g. at Thistlegorm was Osmo Action 5 Pro only.


Additionally, in the Osmo was used under water only.

I need to get used to hte DLOG M since I also have the Mini 4 Pro so that it makes sense to accomodate with that technique.

Very cool. I'm planning to go on a liveaboard in December from Marsa Alam. That is why I bought the OA5. What modes did you use? Any tips?

OK, I probably won't test the OA-5Pro again until next year. Then I'll go to Marsa Alam - Lahami Bay

I use the Pro mode with
Resolution: 4K/16:9/60/RS/W
WB: AWB or 4200K
ISO: manual 100-3200
Color: normal 10 bit color / sport
or HLG / day
Image adjustment: standard

Timo1 Posted at 10-21 06:22
Very cool. I'm planning to go on a liveaboard in December from Marsa Alam. That is why I bought the OA5. What modes did you use? Any tips?

I mostly used Pro mode with
Resolution: 4K/16:9/60/RS+/UW
WB: AWB
ISO: manual 100-6400

Sometimes switched to 4K/16:9/60/RS+/W

cinfo Posted at 10-21 07:42
OK, I probably won't test the OA-5Pro again until next year. Then I'll go to Marsa Alam - Lahami Bay

I use the Pro mode with

Lahami Bay was my destination in late 2008. Nice hotel, but not so promising house reef. Try to get day boats for trips to better spots is highly recommended.

Timo1 Posted at 10-21 06:22
Very cool. I'm planning to go on a liveaboard in December from Marsa Alam. That is why I bought the OA5. What modes did you use? Any tips?

Ah... just to mention: If you put the camera into the housing while you are in the cabin with air condition on, there is no need to use the anti fog pads as the air is dry enough.

_SoP_ Posted at 10-21 11:25
Ah... just to mention: If you put the camera into the housing while you are in the cabin with air condition on, there is no need to use the anti fog pads as the air is dry enough.

nice! Thanks

_SoP_ Posted at 10-21 11:22
Lahami Bay was my destination in late 2008. Nice hotel, but not so promising house reef. Try to get day boats for trips to better spots is highly recommended.

Das werde ich machen

Hi Gernot,

Thank you for sharing your experience and video. We will forward your feedback with this information to the relevant team for evaluation. If you have any other questions, kindly let us know. Thank You!

Wouldn't the D-Log mode give you the best video for diving? I think it would give you the best dynamic range and allow you to do better colour correction. Did anyone try that?

cinfo Posted at 10-21 04:00
I like it a lot - unfortunately you can't really tell where the Osmo 5 Pro was used.

There are 5 storages (you can only tell them apart by assigning a logo)

Footage looks good, except I don't like the overly blue tone.

fCoIkjdAZQtp Posted at 10-22 16:44
Footage looks good, except I don't like the overly blue tone.

That's exactly the problem with the D_Log M profile -- the image doesn't tilt towards blue or green. Does anyone have any ideas about this?

cinfo Posted at 10-22 21:24
That's exactly the problem with the D_Log M profile -- the image doesn't tilt towards blue or green. Does anyone have any ideas about this?

Using a red filter would solve this issue... I used red filters for blue water and magenta for green water (like Starnberger See or Walchensee) together with compact cameras before, with good results. That's why I was mentioning the need for filters as accessory in my first post.
I was hoping to get the magic filter foil (https://magic-filter.de/) into the case of the OA5Pro, but since the sensor for WB is below the lens, this was too tricky to get it done in time before my trip. They are available for the GoPro.... maybe the GoPro would have been the better choice ;)

cinfo Posted at 10-22 21:24
That's exactly the problem with the D_Log M profile -- the image doesn't tilt towards blue or green. Does anyone have any ideas about this?

Yes! The GoPro tends tends to be warmer, and DJI tends to be on the cold side (More blue). You either use manual White balance and set it to be more on the warm side if this is what you like. Or you can use the Tint function in post to set it how you like it.

cinfo Posted at 10-22 21:24
That's exactly the problem with the D_Log M profile -- the image doesn't tilt towards blue or green. Does anyone have any ideas about this?

I exactly know what you mean with being bluish or cold toned, but i found a working solution for me: AquaColorFix and this for a small money. It's only available for Android and IOS. For my simple hobby knowledge, it does an incredibly fast and good job.

And one more: I'm not affiliated or in any other kind in touch with them.

Nice work.
Looks quite stable indeed.

tsiwo Posted at 10-24 06:31
I exactly know what you mean with being bluish or cold toned, but i found a working solution for me: AquaColorFix and this for a small money. It's only available for Android and IOS. For my simple hobby knowledge, it does an incredibly fast and good job.

And one more: I'm not affiliated or in any other kind in touch with them.

yes I tried the demo version with some underwater footage from my old Action 3 and I was really impressed. I wanted to check the OA5 with the Dlog and the new color profiles in the Mimo app first before I buy the AquaColorFix. Do you also have a Action5 @tsiwo?

Montfrooij Posted at 10-24 08:05
Nice work.
Looks quite stable indeed.

Thank you, Montfrooij!

here is a test with OA-5 Pro & AquaColorFix

_SoP_ Posted at 10-24 09:53
Thank you, Montfrooij!

You're welcome!

cinfo Posted at 10-24 10:14
here is a test with OA-5 Pro & AquaColorFix
https://cdn.djivideos.com/video_play/c3355be4-d141-4c0f-be9b-459f8c761e98

That's quite impressive... too bad that is available via app only. I don't like to edit footage on a mobile device first, then transfer to the PC for video compilation.

_SoP_ Posted at 10-24 21:53
That's quite impressive... too bad that is available via app only. I don't like to edit footage on a mobile device first, then transfer to the PC for video compilation.

I use it on MacOS (MacBook Air) -- I would always only use the finished film with AquaColorFix

cinfo Posted at 10-21 07:42
OK, I probably won't test the OA-5Pro again until next year. Then I'll go to Marsa Alam - Lahami Bay

I use the Pro mode with

AWB or 4200k. Which setting worked better? Or which WB setting works better between 20m and 30m (Diving spot is Caribbean.) I would be glad if you share your experiences and recommendations.

In my opinion 4200K -- has the advantage that the image is always the same.
With AWB it sometimes goes blue or green in the image (then it doesn't fit together cleanly later in the cut)

As far as I have researched, there is no red filter for dive case on the market (there are a few options for GoPro dive case). Is this a disadvantage for us AO5 owners, or is it not needed since AWB works so well?

but there is a housing with a filter -- @ ama...  -- also fits the 5 Pro
"is it not needed since AWB works so well?"


AWB it works very well. Just test both and save these settings in the Osmo.
Because AWB always depends on your visibility underwater

Omair20 Posted at 10-25 04:37
As far as I have researched, there is no red filter for dive case on the market (there are a few options for GoPro dive case). Is this a disadvantage for us AO5 owners, or is it not needed since AWB works so well?

I hope it is a matter of time for third party manufacturers to offer red filters...

The issue is not about AWB being good or not. It is about optics and physics: The deeper you dive, the more red light is filtered by the water. If there is no red light anymore, no AWB, neither good or bad, can add red color back to the footage. This only works having a red filter in front of the lens, or by having artificial illumination via lamps. Maybe AI is capable of doing so.... The demo videos in AquaColorFix were taken in shallow water. When diving to 30m+, this tool does not work so good anymore.

cinfo Posted at 10-25 04:51
but there is a housing with a filter -- @ ama...  -- also fits the 5 Pro
"is it not needed since AWB works so well?"

[Image]

I'll take a look at this. I currently have the original dji dive case. I wish there was a red filter for this. Thanks for your time.

_SoP_ Posted at 10-25 12:07
I hope it is a matter of time for third party manufacturers to offer red filters...

The issue is not about AWB being good or not. It is about optics and physics: The deeper you dive, the more red light is filtered by the water. If there is no red light anymore, no AWB, neither good or bad, can add red color back to the footage. This only works having a red filter in front of the lens, or by having artificial illumination via lamps. Maybe AI is capable of doing so.... The demo videos in AquaColorFix were taken in shallow water. When diving to 30m+, this tool does not work so good anymore.

Thank you for your time and enlightening information.

Thanks for sharing your playlist. Great little films. An enjoyable watch. Loved the dolphins. My Thistlegorm experience was 20 years ago!

Have you tried slowing down the OA5 footage? How does the picture hold up when slowing to half speed ie. 60fps to 30fps (or 50fps -> 25fps)

A couple of years ago I used a Gopro11 50fps and slowed it to half speed, and the picture fell apart. Unusable. I used red filters which perhaps made matters worse. I was too optimistic what this little sensor could absorb.

Tempted to buy this little camera.

Fishfeet Posted at 10-28 11:11
Thanks for sharing your playlist. Great little films. An enjoyable watch. Loved the dolphins. My Thistlegorm experience was 20 years ago!

Have you tried slowing down the OA5 footage? How does the picture hold up when slowing to half speed ie. 60fps to 30fps (or 50fps -> 25fps)

Thanks for your comment. Thistlegorm is such a nice wreck... I was there 10 times now and always enjoyed it.

What would you expect from reducing the recordings to 30fps? I used 60fps to be able to take snapshots for stills out of the footage.

_SoP_ Posted at 10-28 23:40
Thanks for your comment. Thistlegorm is such a nice wreck... I was there 10 times now and always enjoyed it.

What would you expect from reducing the recordings to 30fps? I used 60fps to be able to take snapshots for stills out of the footage.

Slowing the footage down is a purely a style choice. When slowing it down, bubbles flow slower to the surface and fast moving fish move at a gentler pace. I just find it attractive when adding the right music.

I just noticed you filmed in 60fps and thought the reason could be ability to slow it down.

Anyway, I am just an amateur trying to learn.

Did you do much post processing of the footage (colour correction, exposure etc)?

Fishfeet Posted at 10-29 12:45
Slowing the footage down is a purely a style choice. When slowing it down, bubbles flow slower to the surface and fast moving fish move at a gentler pace. I just find it attractive when adding the right music.

I just noticed you filmed in 60fps and thought the reason could be ability to slow it down.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the explanation. Maybe I'll give it a try in the future.

I did not do much to the footage - it is mostly used directly out of the camera, sometimes just some contrast or clarity enhancement. Later on, I recognized that the Mimo app offers an underwater correction (IIRC it is called Aqua Pro), but I don't like editing on a mobile device.

A nice collection of videos.
Looks like you had a good time!

Timo1 Posted at 10-24 08:14
yes I tried the demo version with some underwater footage from my old Action 3 and I was really impressed. I wanted to check the OA5 with the Dlog and the new color profiles in the Mimo app first before I buy the AquaColorFix. Do you also have a Action5 @tsiwo?

@timo Yes, moved from OA3 to OA5Pro + Sony Zv-E10 with underwater Housing

Montfrooij Posted at 11-1 06:47
A nice collection of videos.
Looks like you had a good time!

Oh yes, I had a good time, unfortunately with some health issues with the frontal sinus that prevented me from joining three night dives.

_SoP_ Posted at 11-21 22:48
Oh yes, I had a good time, unfortunately with some health issues with the frontal sinus that prevented me from joining three night dives.

Oh that is too bad to hear.