DJI Osmo Action 4 vs GoPro Max

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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 It has since been replaced by the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro.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 Max

GoPro Max☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Max
GoPro's 2019 360 camera: 5.7K video
The GoPro Max was GoPro's second attempt at a 360 camera and was released in 2019. It is still offers relatively good performance but it's age is showing in comparision with the more recent competition. It's replacement, the GoPro Max 2, is still to be released.
  • Pros
  • Good stabilization
  • Cons
  • Average image quality
  • Ageing model
  • Still excessively expensive

Comparison of the Action 4 vs the GoPro Max

Weight and size

The Action 4 is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Action 4 and the GoPro Max 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 Max
64mm x 69mm x 25mm / 2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in
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 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
DJI Osmo Action 4
1770mAh
Removable
160min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
GoPro Max
1600mAh
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min 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 GoPro Max support SD cards.
DJI Osmo Action 4
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
GoPro Max
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 Action 4 offers HDR video.
DJI Osmo Action 4
4K video at 120fps
4K
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
GoPro Max
1440p video at 60fps
HDR video unsupported

Camera and sensor technology

The GoPro Max offers a slightly higher resolution. Both feature a 155° field of view. The Action 4 features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 4
10MP
155°
130Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
GoPro Max
18MP
155°
78Mbps

Camera settings

The Action 4's 100-12800 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
DJI Osmo Action 4
100-12800
+/-4
Features
ISO range
Exposure Compensation
GoPro Max
100-3200
+/-4

Action 4 vs GoPro Max specifications

NameDJI Osmo Action 4GoPro Max
Year of release20232019
Width2.78in / 70.5mm2.52in / 64mm
Height1.74in / 44.2mm2.72in / 69mm
Depth1.29in / 32.8mm0.98in / 25mm
Weight5.11oz / 145g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof59ft / 18m16ft / 5m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m-
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature113°F / 45°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1770mAh1600mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life160min at 1080p85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
Charging time49min120min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3Class 10 or UHS-I Rating
Maximun storage supported512GB1TB
Rear screen size-1.69in
Field of view155°155°
Sensor1/1.3"1/2.3"
Pixels10MP18MP
ApertureF2.8F2.0
Focal length-13-27mm
ISO range100-12800100-3200
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate130Mbps78Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
360 video format-GoPro 360 file
4K video120fps-
2.7K video120fps-
1440p video-60fps
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4-
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p2x
HDR video4K-
StabilizationRockSteady 3.0+Max HyperSmooth
Horizon lock-Yes
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streamingNo1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYes-
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNoNo
Photo burst modeNoNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones36
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacwav
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.0BLE 4.2
USBType-C USBType-C USB
GPS integratedNoYes
GPS pairingGPS remote-
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commands-No