GoPro Hero 12 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 2

VS

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

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

Comparison of the Hero 12 vs the Action 2

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.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
71.8mm x 50.8mm x 33.6mm / 2.83in x 2in x 1.32in
5.43oz / 154g
Features
Dimensions
Weight
DJI Osmo Action 2
39mm x 39mm x 22.3mm / 1.54in x 1.54in x 0.88in
1.98oz / 56g
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
GoPro Hero 12 Black
1720mAh
Removable
150min at 1080p
Features
Battery capacity
Removable battery
Battery life
DJI Osmo Action 2
580mAh
Removable
70min 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 Hero 12 and the Action 2 support SD cards.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
No built-in storage
microSD
Features
Built-in storage
Storage format
DJI Osmo Action 2
32GB or 128GB
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.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
5.3K video at 60fps
5.3K 30fps
Features
Max resolution
HDR video
DJI Osmo Action 2
4K video at 120fps
HDR video unsupported

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.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
27.6MP
148°
120Mbps
Features
Pixels
Field of view
Video bite rate
DJI Osmo Action 2
12MP
155°
130Mbps

Camera settings

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

Hero 12 vs Action 2 specifications

NameGoPro Hero 12 BlackDJI Osmo Action 2
Year of release20232021
Width2.83in / 71.8mm1.54in / 39mm
Height2in / 50.8mm1.54in / 39mm
Depth1.32in / 33.6mm0.88in / 22.3mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g1.98oz / 56g
Waterproof33ft / 10m33ft / 10m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C32°F / 0°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C104°F / 40°C
Battery capacity1720mAh580mAh
Removable batteryYesNo
Battery life150min at 1080p70min at 1080p
Charging time3h (5W)-
Battery extension capacity-1300mAh
Battery extension run time-160m at 1080p
Battery extension charging time-90min
Battery extension weight-2.26oz / 64g
Built-in storage-32GB
128GB
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3V30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1Tb256GB
Rear screen size2.27in-
Front screen size1.4in-
Field of view148°155°
Sensor1/1.9" CMOS1/1.7"
Pixels27.6MP12MP
ApertureF2.5F2.8
Focal length12-39mm-
ISO range100-6400100-6400
Video zoom2x-
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate120Mbps130Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-2+/-4
360-degree videoNoNo
5.3K video60fps-
4K video60fps120fps
2.7K video120fps120fps
1080p video240fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K4x4
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p4x at 1080p
HDR video5.3K 30fps-
StabilizationHyperSmooth 6.0RockSteady 2.0
Horizon lockYes-
Video formatH.265 (HEVC)H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30 (HyperSmooth) or 1080p60No
Webcam mode1080p30-
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYesYes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject tracking-No
Photo burst modeYesNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones31 (3 with Module)
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Audio inputMedia Mod (H9B/H10B/H11B)
Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter
-
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.0
USBUSB-CType-C USB
GPS integratedNoNo
Voice commandsYesYes