DJI Osmo Action 4 vs GoPro Hero 12 Black

VS

Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 4

DJI Osmo Action 4☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★DJI Osmo Action 4
DJI's 2023 premium action camera: 4K120fps video
The DJI Osmo Action 4 is DJI's 2023 premium action camera and features 4K120fps video, over 3 hours of run time at full HD in a very rugged package. It has since been replaced by the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro.
  • Pros
  • 59ft / 18m waterproof without case
  • Freeze-proof
  • Excellent image stabilization
  • Cons
  • Only 4K video

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 4 vs the Hero 12

Weight and size

The Action 4 is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Action 4 and the Hero 12 have similar weights.
DJI Osmo Action 4
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 4 and Hero 12 have similar battery capacities. Both cameras have removable batteries.
DJI Osmo Action 4
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 4 and the Hero 12 support SD cards.
DJI Osmo Action 4
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 4 and the Hero 12 offer HDR video.
DJI Osmo Action 4
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 4 is a little better than the Hero 12's. The Action 4 has a slightly better video bit rate than the Hero 12.
DJI Osmo Action 4
10MP
155°
130Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps

Camera settings

The Action 4's 100-12800 ISO range is far superior to Hero 12's. The Action 4's +/-4 exposure compensation is far superior.
DJI Osmo Action 4
100-12800
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Hero 12 Black
100-6400
+/-2

Action 4 vs Hero 12 specifications

NameDJI Osmo Action 4GoPro Hero 12 Black
Year of release20232023
Width2.78in / 70.5mm2.83in / 71.8mm
Height1.74in / 44.2mm2in / 50.8mm
Depth1.29in / 32.8mm1.32in / 33.6mm
Weight5.11oz / 145g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof59ft / 18m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature113°F / 45°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1770mAh1720mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life160min at 1080p150min at 1080p
Charging time49min3h (5W)
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported512GB1Tb
Rear screen size-2.27in
Front screen size-1.4in
Field of view155°148°
Sensor1/1.3"1/1.9" CMOS
Pixels10MP27.6MP
ApertureF2.8F2.5
Focal length-12-39mm
ISO range100-12800100-6400
Video zoom-2x
Color Depth10bit10bit
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 motion8x at 1080p8x at 1080p
HDR video4K5.3K 30fps
StabilizationRockSteady 3.0+HyperSmooth 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
Microphones33
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
GPS pairingGPS remote-
Voice commandsYesYes