DJI Osmo Action 4 - any experience please

[MasterDabber]

I'm now having bad problems with my GoPro 8. Apart from suddenly freezing and needing the battery pulling to get it back in action (it's always done that) I now have another problem which really screwed me up recently.
It's now started to freeze video (but not the audio) a few seconds after recording has started. No warning that it's done it and not found out until reviewing footage. Btw, googling this it seems to be a known problem and not easy to resolve.
OK, so long preamble. My son has a Dji Osmo Action 4 and really likes it but before pressing the button to buy one I thought I'd see what the experience of the folks on here is. I'd appreciate any feedback.

 

[Robstyle]

I know it's not the specific model you're wanting info on but I have an action 5 that I'm really thrilled with. Battery life is fantastic and it's very user friendly.
I have a gopro 9 and gopro max prior and I know it's a few generations later but better by a long shot.

 

[iXi]

The osmo 4 is a solid camera and most reviews say its better than the 5 if you just point and record. The 5 shines moreso in pro mode. The 4 is also on special in most places so I say go for it if you can get a good price.

 

[Bear-uk]

I've recently done the same swap. Still getting used to the settings but so far happy
I'm about to post the first video from it sometime this week.
Had to do some post editing as it's very murky weather at the moment.
Slight niggle is using an external mic. From switch on the camera takes about 5 seconds to find it and another 10 seconds to actually work.
It sometimes switches the camera off when I say stop recording as well
Fingers crossed it's software related that will be rectified .
The battery doesn't last long with the front screen on but I always use a power pack so not an issue for me.
I recommend you crack open your wallet

 

[MasterDabber]

Thanks for your feedbacks... much appreciated.
Tbh, when it's been working and not playing up I've been quite happy with the results from my GoPro 8 so I'm pretty sure the Osmo will be even better. My demands aren't that great.... POV riding and handheld capturing mtb races.
I was editing in Shotcut (which I was happy with) but recently started using da Vinci Resolve which I think I prefer.
I don't think I'm likely to do any/much editing in mimo.
I like a wide FOV and great stabilisation. I've been shooting in 4K/30 but whether I'd go up to a higher frame rate I'd have to experiment with.
I haven't been using a mic for sound and have only played a bit with voice control.

Thanks again

 

[Bear-uk]

Thanks for your feedbacks... much appreciated.
Tbh, when it's been working and not playing up I've been quite happy with the results from my GoPro 8 so I'm pretty sure the Osmo will be even better. My demands aren't that great.... POV riding and handheld capturing mtb races.
I was editing in Shotcut (which I was happy with) but recently started using da Vinci Resolve which I think I prefer.
I don't think I'm likely to do any/much editing in mimo.
I like a wide FOV and great stabilisation. I've been shooting in 4K/30 but whether I'd go up to a higher frame rate I'd have to experiment with.
I haven't been using a mic for sound and have only played a bit with voice control.

Thanks again

4k 30 for me on the gp8 and the action 4.
Also using DaVinchi, although it's a million miles above my skill level
External mic user on both and a massive improvement in sound quality. Even from a £20 purple panda microphone.
Annoyingly you need expensive adaptors for both.

 

[MasterDabber]

I went ahead and bought it with the Adventure pack.... decent price. Had a bit of a problem getting it to connect to mimo app on my Android.... it seems I needed to give ALL the "Permissions". Not happy about that and I'll check that out further as to why.
Now the fun bit and I'll have a play with settings this afternoon.

 

[Neverbeentomoab]

20% of DJI osmo at Argos with code red20

 

[Rando_12345]

I'm too late, but I had the same story as you, my GP7 was starting to get on my nerves with 1 in 5 videos having bugs, the camera randomly discharging, frequent resets or battery needing to be taken out, even the editing app seemed a bit wonky at times.

Very happy with my Action4, even though once you put the footage on youtube there isn't much meaningful improvement (note I always just upload unedited footage). One exception being the action 4 works ok in darker settings, the GP7 was terrible in dense forests. The mounting system is fab, I bought a few extra magnetic mounts.

GP7 footage, audio quality is terrible but my fault, I'm wearing the harness under a jacket, and the zipper it hitting the camera body.

Action4 footage, same trail with different lighting, and same audio mistake (whoops):

 

[MasterDabber]

I'm too late, but I had the same story as you, my GP7 was starting to get on my nerves with 1 in 5 videos having bugs, the camera randomly discharging, frequent resets or battery needing to be taken out, even the editing app seemed a bit wonky at times.

Very happy with my Action4, even though once you put the footage on youtube there isn't much meaningful improvement (note I always just upload unedited footage). One exception being the action 4 works ok in darker settings, the GP7 was terrible in dense forests. The mounting system is fab, I bought a few extra magnetic mounts.

GP7 footage, audio quality is terrible but my fault, I'm wearing the harness under a jacket, and the zipper it hitting the camera body.

Action4 footage, same trail with different lighting, and same audio mistake (whoops):

Sounds a similar scenario. Anyway, played around with the settings this afternoon. I'll see whether they work for me or not..
I've set the colour to the 10-bit D- log M Colour and will see how it edits in daVinci Resolve.
I'm having to get my mind around the dji software interfaces... not totally intuitive for me but I'm sure I'll get there in the end.
Just need a better weather than today and get a ride in and see how it looks.
Btw, I like your videos... whereabouts in France are they. We're back over mid-March... we're trying to sell our house there.

 

[shadowfacts]

I own a DJI action 4, and I have no regrets about going for the 4 instead of the 5. It's a great camera.

Here's some ride footage:

 

[MasterDabber]

If anyone would like to share their settings for MTB POV action that would be good. I'm still playing and have setup a couple of profiles. Hopefully the rain will stop and it will brighten up where I am this morning and I can get a ride in to do some testing.

 

[Rando_12345]

Off the top of my head: 4k30 with widest lens effect and highest stabilisation that doesn't do horizontal leveling.

I believe pro YouTubers say to use 4k24 but that ends up looking stuttery once I put it on YouTube. I haven't tried 60fps in a long time, I don't remember if YouTube give you extra bps for the higher frame rate.

 

[iXi]

Mine are

4k60
Rocksteady
Ultrawide
Exposure auto
Colour normal
White balance auto
Texture -2
Noise reduction -1
Iso 100-800
-0.7EV

These are for clear sunny days. If overcast maybe up the EV also maybe 4k30 to let more light in. YMMV

 

[MasterDabber]

Thanks... always useful to see what others are doing.
I got out today, dodged the rain and went to my local playground at Tunnel Hill, Deepcut.
I did a couple of trails, back to back with slightly different camera settings. Back home I've compared them.
I guess I should say that initial impressions of the camera are very good.
The main difference in setting is that I rode each trail a couple of times but changed the colour... Normal and D-Log M.
For me, I think D-Log M worked best. My settings in the video below were:
4K/30, Rocksteady, Ultra Wide
Exposure Auto, with ISO parameters 100-800, EV -0.3, Shuuter 400 - 8000
Sharpness 1 Noise Rection 0
Sound, Stereo, Wind noise reduction OFF.... I may change that as it was windy today and you can hear it.
Anyway, this is using D-Log M

 

[MasterDabber]

Just thought I'd add an update to my experiences with the Action 4 so far. I've basically kept the same settings but with the fps changed to 60fps just to see.
What I have played around with more is DaVinci Resolve. Changing from my old GoPro to the DJI was pretty much in parallel with me changing my editing from Shotcut to DaVinci. Today I had a "lightbulb moment" with regard to my DaVinci editing which had me using LUTS and Nodes for the first time. Still loads to learn but I think it's helped.
So, my latest attempt ........ Btw, never sure what Youtube does to the results.

 

[MasterDabber]

Btw, just to add. If you're using the Action 4 in D-Log M and editing in Davinci Resolve (or other editors as well I guess) it might be worth downloading and using the DJI Osmo Action 4 D-Log M to Rec.709 vivid LUT

Downloadable from DJI OSMO Action 4 D-Log M to Rec.709 vivid LUT - Download Center - DJI

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[Bear-uk]

Btw, just to add. If you're using the Action 4 in D-Log M and editing in Davinci Resolve (or other editors as well I guess) it might be worth downloading and using the DJI Osmo Action 4 D-Log M to Rec.709 vivid LUT

Downloadable from DJI OSMO Action 4 D-Log M to Rec.709 vivid LUT - Download Center - DJI

​

What does that do?
I thought D-log was fairly bland and needed colour adding in post.
Normal colour can be altered in Da-vinchi.

 

[MasterDabber]

What does that do?
I thought D-log was fairly bland and needed colour adding in post.
Normal colour can be altered in Da-vinchi.

I'm not the best person to answer this but basically if you go into the "Colour" section you will find "Nodes". button at the top right. If you add this LUT into the Node created you have4 a good start point for Colour Grading. It is basically the DJI Colour space for the Action 4. You'll see plenty of YT videos that will describe this a lot better. HTH (a bit)