Freeing itself from the GoPro-clone mold, the DJI Action 2 offers a modern and fresh perspective on the possibilities of what an action camera might be. It succeeds the first Osmo Action, the Action 2 is lighter, smaller magnetic, and completely modular.
The camera that fits in a pocket can be used as a on its own or as a part of two of the expansion modules. It can be used with a variety of magnetic mounts that are brand new. It’s not lacking in terms of specs and can record in 4K at 120fps or up to 240fps in full HD in addition to RockSteady 2.0 along with HorizonSteady stabilisation of images.
With top-quality features and prices to be matched The DJI Action 2 is clearly designed to compete with GoPro’s top model Hero 10 Black but with integrated batteries and the tendency to overheat, it does not quite meet the standards.
DJI Action 2 review: What you should be aware of
Over two years after the release of the first Osmo Action, the Action 2 is a fresh start with a brand-new and distinct design. DJI has opted out of the soap bar shape and the plastic shell of the predecessor, and instead chooses an aluminum case that has an easy-to-assemble modular design.
The heart of the unit is the 1/1.7in CMOS sensor which has been coupled to an ultra wide 155-degree f/2.8 lens. The unit is able to be used completely as a stand-alone unit or combine this with an optional module. Two modules are also available at the time of launch: the touchscreen front module we’ll be looking at here, as well as an extended-battery model. They attach to the camera with magnets, and are secured to the camera using the quick-release clips.
Its DJI Action 2 packs in top-of-the-line video specifications, with the option of 4K or 2.7K recording that can be recorded with 120fps or more with a maximum of 240 FPS when recorded at 1080p. You can also enjoy 4x slow-motion in 4K and 8x slow-motion in full HD, as well as dedicated modes for hyperlapses and timelapses as well as a social media-friendly quick Clip mode that can shoot quick 15-second videos.
The camera also has DJI’s most recent electronic stabilisation technology. The RockSteady 2.0 is available in any resolution, and videos taken at 2.7K or less can benefit from HorizonSteady’s horizon-leveling capabilities. HorizonSteady.
Like all of DJI’s new camera models Action 2 is no exception. Action 2 can be paired with the DJI Mimo smartphone application for remote control of the camera and playback of videos and uploading and editing on the go.
DJI Action 2 review: Pricing and competition
It’s the DJI Action 2 is currently available in two bundles including the $349 Power Combo, which includes an extended battery module. The other is the Dual-Screen combo, which I’m examining here. The camera is included as well as a touchscreen for the front. The bundles include the magnetic lanyard as well as a magnetic camera mount adapter and adhesive ball-joint adapter , and Power cable for USB-C.
When it comes to rivals in the market in terms of rivals, there is no doubt that the GoPro Hero10 Black is an obvious contender. As of now, it appears that the Hero10 can be the sole action camera with the Action 2’s capabilities of recording in 4K120 and takes things even further, allowing 5.3K video up to 60 frames per second. Although the Hero10’s suggested price is slightly larger at $480, should purchase it directly from GoPro directly, you can get it with the one-year GoPro subscription, which offers you cloud storage and a reduction on GoPro accessories and replacement of the entire camera in the event of damage. the price of $380.
Insta360 One R Insta360 One R uses a similar modular design and allows you to swap cameras. The 4K standard camera can be purchased for $285. The Twin Edition, which comes with both 360 and 4K camera units, can be purchased at $440.
Insta360’s Go 2 camera for $295 is also worth a look. Although it’s not equipped with flagship frame rates, this tiny lightweight camera can be used in where larger models aren’t and, due to its magnetic mount design it offers some of Action 2’s capabilities but at a price that is much less.
DJI Action 2 review: Design and features
The main camera of the Action 2 device weighs 56g and measures 39x39mm across its face, with the deep of 22.3mm. Despite its slim appearance and its aluminum frame, it feels sturdy in the palm of your hand.
A glass enclosure takes up much of the front part of the camera. It’s behind it is the ultra-wide lens that is 155 degrees wide, as well as an incorporated color temperature sensor. It is surrounded by tiny openings for the microphone as well as an the LED indicator. The rear to the camera’s back is highlighted by an 1.7in OLED touchscreen display, with a single physical button at the top of the camera and an expansion port at the bottom. The camera’s bottom is magnetic for fast mounting to metal objects, and it has clip-on points to secure attachment of mounts and modules.
The camera comes with its own battery as well as 32GB (22GB of usable) of internal storage, which allows it to function as a stand-alone device. But, as the main camera doesn’t have a charging port or microSD card reader speaker the front-facing touchscreen must be kept near by.
The front touchscreen module is attached onto the primary camera by a an easy click, by line up the clips and letting magnets take care of the rest. With 39 x 41.6mm in the front and 24.6mm deep, it’s a little bigger than the camera and adds 128g in weight. Alongside bringing another display that is front-facing This module also is home to an Action 2’s MicroSD reader USB Type-C charger port as well as three other microphones (one on each side , and another on the rear) and a larger battery. Similar to the camera it’s touchscreen that’s magnetized across its base, which allows for rapid mounting. It also comes with clip-on points that allow for pairing with mounts that are more secure.
Although the front-facing touchscreen unit (and its Power Combo power unit) enhance the functionality of the Action 2 but at the cost of weather-proofing. The camera is water-proof to 10 meters right from the box, however the ports that are exposed of the expansion modules mean that you need to install an enclosure that is waterproof to achieve the same protection.
DJI Action 2 review: Performance
When used it, when used, the Action 2 does a great job at judging exposures, conserving highlights while retaining sufficient dynamic range to preserve ample detail in shadows. Transitions between dark and bright scenes are smooth and easy and the auto white balance feature – likely due to the Action 2’s specialized colour temperature sensor – has proven extremely robust.
When the lighting is good, the footage is clear, detailed without distracting noise. With regular colour profile, videos appear natural with an extra pop and a D-Cinelike profile is also available should you wish to edit the video yourself. Even though Action 2 comes with a Action 2 includes a large 1/1.7in sensor and a large f/2.8 aperture, as with most action cameras, it has issues in low lighting and the grain will quickly begin to blur the images when you’re not cautious.
Although I’m not yet able to test the latest GoPro flagship model, I can confirm the RockSteady 2.0 is up there with the most stable stabilisation technology I’ve tried. The jerky and unpredictable motions are well stabilized and footage recorded during running and walking is gimbal smooth.
Moving things to the highest level The DJI HorizonSteady keeps the footage level. It is extremely effective and lets you turn the camera around 360-degree angle while maintaining the perfect level of your shot. HorizonSteady is restricted to 2.7K resolutions and lower because the stabilisation is digitally applied, there’s a slight reduction but given the Action 2’s 155-degree ultra-wide area of vision, it’s not enough of a problem.
If you’re talking about ultra-wide views, the 155-degree view is ideal for fitting almost everything that’s on the screen into the frame. Like you’d imagine, there’s plenty of distortion, which means that users are likely to stick to wide or wide dewarp view often, but it’s definitely a inventive tool to possess.
This magnetic mount system can be practical, as it allows quick mounting to almost anything metal and the magnetic lanyard lets you get rid of heavy chest mounts. Magnetics do have limitations. Shake the lanyard sufficiently and you’ll be able to remove it however, for shooting casually it’s an excellent alternative to have. And, obviously the clip-on adapter is always in use for more challenging scenarios.
While OLED screens are excellent for framing quickly but their small dimensions and their square proportions could make them difficult to playback. Fortunately DJI’s Mimo smartphone application (available on each Android as well as iOS) allows complete control of the camera as well as playback, and even mobile editing. The app, as well as the camera itself are easy to use, and I found it easy to become familiar using the apps.
The point at which it is that the Action 2 starts to come out of its bind is the battery. DJI states that the is capable of providing up to 70 minutes of recorded time however this is only in power reserve mode , at 1080p and stabilisation disabled. When recording at 4K60, I was able to get 18 minutes and 40 seconds before the device was completely depleted. Adding the front-facing touchscreen increased this to of 62 minutes. Because the batteries are built inside the modules, they are not able to change them at a moment’s notice as you would with GoPro. GoPro however, you can recharge them by using the USB energy bank.
Overheating can also be a issue. Indoors, I observed that my unit was overheated to the point of shutting down 7 minutes recording in 4K60 and less than 15 minutes when taking a recording in 2.7K60. However, performance is heavily dependent on airflow because outside during running I could record in 4K , until I ran the camera’s battery completely flat.
There is a way to increase the threshold for overheating hidden within the menu settings however due to the regulations that prohibit this feature, it is turned off in UK and EU models. The issue of overheating is certainly not unique only to DJI Action 2 but, dependent on the way you intend to use the camera it can result in significant restrictions.
The audio recorded on the board is not particularly impressive and it can get a bit noisy and compressed in noisy situations. The front-facing touchscreen module can help, but the audio is not great.
DJI Action 2 review: Verdict
The DJI Action 2 is an exciting, flexible and enjoyable small action camera. It’s simple to use, and the stabilisation is superb and whether it’s used on its own or with DJI’s Mimo application It’s capable of delivering outstanding results.
If it was targeted primarily for casual users and priced accordingly, it’s a strong case to be among the top options available currently. With a price of just $455, it’s a great value per Dual-Screen Combo, however, it’s clearly a product for enthusiasts and, with its shaky battery longevity, non-weather-proof modules and serious overheating issues, it’s not up to the same level.
The battery’s life and overheating issues could be solved with future firmware updates, and the cost will decrease over time, but in the moment it feels that it’s falling a bit way short of what is needed.
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