DJI Osmo Action 3 vs GoPro Hero 12 Black
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Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 3
DJI Osmo Action 3
DJI's 2022 premium action camera: 4K120fps video
The DJI Osmo Action 3 was released in 2022 and while it is a few years old, it offers incredible 4K120fps video at a very affordable price. It's successor, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is mostly an incremental improvement, making the Action 3 a great budget friendly action camera.
- Pros
- 4K120fps footage
- Freeze-proof
- Good image stabilization
- 52ft / 16m waterproof without case
- Cons
- Older model
Overview of the 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 3 vs the Hero 12
Weight and size
The Action 3 is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Action 3 and the Hero 12 have similar weights.
DJI Osmo Action 3
70.5mm x 44.2mm x 32.8mm / 2.78in x 1.74in x 1.29in
5.11oz / 145g
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 Action 3 and Hero 12 have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
DJI Osmo Action 3
1770mAh
Removable
160min 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
Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Action 3 and the Hero 12 support SD cards.
DJI Osmo Action 3
No built-in storage
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
Both the Action 3 and the Hero 12 offer HDR video.
DJI Osmo Action 3
4K video at 120fps
4K
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 3 is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Action 3 has a slightly better video bit rate than the Hero 12.
DJI Osmo Action 3
12MP
155°
130Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Camera settings
The Action 3's 100-12800 ISO range is far superior to Hero 12's. The Action 3's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
DJI Osmo Action 3
100-12800
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2
Action 3 vs Hero 12 specifications
Name | DJI Osmo Action 3 | GoPro Hero 12 Black |
Year of release | 2022 | 2023 |
Width | 2.78in / 70.5mm | 2.83in / 71.8mm |
Height | 1.74in / 44.2mm | 2in / 50.8mm |
Depth | 1.29in / 32.8mm | 1.32in / 33.6mm |
Weight | 5.11oz / 145g | 5.43oz / 154g |
Waterproof | 52ft / 16m | 33ft / 10m |
Waterproof with diving case | 197ft / 60m | 197ft / 60m |
Min operating temperature | -4°F / -20°C | 14°F / -10°C |
Max operating temperature | 113°F / 45°C | 95°F / 35°C |
Battery capacity | 1770mAh | 1720mAh |
Removable battery | Yes | Yes |
Battery life | 160min at 1080p | 150min at 1080p |
Charging time | 49min | 3h (5W) |
Storage format | microSD | microSD |
Storage rating required | V30 or UHS-3 | V30 or UHS-3 |
Maximun storage supported | 256GB | 1Tb |
Rear screen size | - | 2.27in |
Front screen size | - | 1.4in |
Field of view | 155° | 148° |
Sensor | 1/1.7" | 1/1.9" CMOS |
Pixels | 12MP | 27.6MP |
Aperture | F2.8 | F2.5 |
Focal length | - | 12-39mm |
ISO range | 100-12800 | 100-6400 |
Video zoom | - | 2x |
Color Depth | 10bit | 10bit |
Video bite rate | 130Mbps | 120Mbps |
Exposure Compensation | +/-4 | +/-2 |
360-degree video | No | No |
5.3K video | - | 60fps |
4K video | 120fps | 60fps |
2.7K video | 120fps | 120fps |
1080p video | 240fps | 240fps |
Slow motion at 4K | 4 | 4x |
Maximum slow motion | 8x at 1080p | 8x at 1080p |
HDR video | 4K | 5.3K 30fps |
Stabilization | RockSteady 3.0 | HyperSmooth 6.0 |
Horizon lock | - | Yes |
Video format | H.264 (MP4) | H.265 (HEVC) |
Live streaming | No | 1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60 |
Webcam mode | - | 1080p30 |
Timelapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Starlapse mode | Yes | Yes |
Timeshift mode | Yes | Yes |
Loop recording mode | Yes | Yes |
Subject tracking | No | - |
Photo burst mode | No | Yes |
RAW format supported | Yes | Yes |
Microphones | 3 | 3 |
Stereo audio | Yes | Yes |
Noise reduction | Yes | Yes |
Audio format | aac | wav |
Audio input | - | Media Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B) Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter |
Wifi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 4.2 |
USB | Type-C USB | USB-C |
GPS integrated | No | No |
Voice commands | Yes | Yes |