DJI Osmo Action 2 vs GoPro Hero 12 Black

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Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 2

DJI Osmo Action 2☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★DJI Osmo Action 2
DJI's wearable action camera: 4K video in a modular format
The DJI Osmo Action 2 is an extremely modular action camera which delivers incredible 4K120fps footage while still remaining wearable. Thanks to it's magnetic attachement system, you can mix and match modules to transform it to suit every use case you can imagine. It's successor, the DJI Osmo Action 3, has abandonned this modular design, so the Action 2 remains DJI's current wearable camera.
  • Pros
  • 4K120fps footage
  • Wearable
  • Lightweight
  • Cons
  • SD card only with extra module
  • Modules are not waterproof without case
  • Not freeze-proof
  • Overheating issues

Overview of the GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro's 2023 camera: 5.3K video, HDR video, great stabilization
The Hero 12 is GoPro's 2023 flagship action camera. It is an incremental improvement over the Hero 11 and introduces HDR video but does not feature GPS like models before and after it. HDR video can really improve results when filming with big lighting changes and will avoid your footage being overexposed.
  • Pros
  • Performance similar to newer model
  • HDR video introduction
  • Cons
  • No integrated GPS

Comparison of the Action 2 vs the Hero 12

Weight and size

The Action 2 is a lot more compact than the Hero 12. The Action 2 is a lot lighter than the Hero 12.
DJI Osmo Action 2
39mm x 39mm x 22.3mm / 1.54in x 1.54in x 0.88in
1.98oz / 56g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be dvifficult to use or uncomfortable. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Battery life

The Hero 12 offers a much larger battery capacity. The Hero 12 has a removable battery whereas the Action 2's battery is not removable
DJI Osmo Action 2
580mAh
Removable
70min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removeable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Only the Action 2 features built-in storage. Both the Action 2 and the Hero 12 support SD cards.
DJI Osmo Action 2
32GB or 128GB
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Video performance

Only the Hero 12 offers HDR video.
DJI Osmo Action 2
4K video at 120fps
HDR video unsupported
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps

Camera and sensor technology

The Hero 12 features a much higher resolution. The field of view of the Action 2 is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Action 2 has a slightly better video bit rate than the Hero 12.
DJI Osmo Action 2
12MP
155°
130Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps

Camera settings

Both the Action 2 and the Hero 12 have the same ISO range. The Action 2's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
DJI Osmo Action 2
100-6400
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2

Action 2 vs Hero 12 specifications

NameDJI Osmo Action 2GoPro Hero 12 Black
Year of release20212023
Width1.54in / 39mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height1.54in / 39mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth0.88in / 22.3mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight1.98oz / 56g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature32°F / 0°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature104°F / 40°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity580mAh1720mAh
Removable batteryNoYes
Battery life70min at 1080p150min at 1080p
Charging time-3h (5W)
Battery extension capacity1300mAh-
Battery extension run time160m at 1080p-
Battery extension charging time90min-
Battery extension weight2.26oz / 64g-
Built-in storage32GB
128GB
-
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported256GB1Tb
Rear screen size-2.27in
Front screen size-1.4in
Field of view155°148°
Sensor1/1.7"1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels12MP27.6MP
ApertureF2.8F2.5
Focal length-12-39mm
ISO range100-6400100-6400
Video zoom-2x
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate130Mbps120Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-2
360-degree videoNoNo
5.3K video-60fps
4K video120fps60fps
2.7K video120fps120fps
1080p video240fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K44x
Maximum slow motion4x at 1080p8x at 1080p
HDR video-5.3K 30fps
StabilizationRockSteady 2.0HyperSmooth 6.0
Horizon lock-Yes
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.265 (HEVC)
Live streamingNo1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60
Webcam mode-1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNo-
Photo burst modeNoYes
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones1 (3 with Module)3
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacwav
Audio input-Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.0BLE 4.2
USBType-C USBUSB-C
GPS integratedNoNo
Voice commandsYesYes