DJI Osmo Action 3: Longer runtime, vertical recording - and old shape

[14:02 Wed,14.September 2022 by Thomas Richter]

DJI has introduced the Osmo Action 3, the latest generation of its action cam series. Unlike its modular predecessor Action 2, the new Osmo Action 3 looks again like a "classic" actioncam in the style of GoPro&s Hero series (or DJI&s first actioncam model, the DJI Osmo Action). It features a 2.25" touch display on the back and a smaller 1.4" selfie display on the front. So the Action 2&s modular design doesn&t seem to have proven itself - after all, problems with overheating when shooting 4K at 60/120 fps were known.

DJI Osmo Action 3 in horizontal and vertical mode.

Camera features

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The biggest new features of the Osmo Action 3 are the ability to record video in portrait format as well, and also to use the front display for operation, as well as more than double the battery life and fast-charge capability of the new Extreme battery. The actual recording function is unchanged from the previous model, as the 145g camera appears to use the same sensor and lens as this one: a 1/1.7" CMOS sensor, which allows recording at up to 4K/120fps (and 1080p at 240 fps) in H.264 and H.265 on up to a 256GB microSD card along with an f/2.8 lens with a wide 155° angle of view. Photos can be captured at a maximum of 4,000 × 3,000 pixels as JPG or RAW.

DJI Osmo Action 3

The Osmo Action 3 has an integrated mounting system that allows the camera to be instantly attached to handlebars, helmets and the like. With its help, it also offers - aimed squarely at smartphones (and social video platforms like TikTok or Instagram) - the new option of vertical recording. This is because the new additional Osmo Action 3 protective frame can also be aligned vertically by means of the quick-release mount. The special feature is that when the camera is used vertically, the control menu also automatically aligns itself accordingly.

Video can be streamed live via WLAN in 1080p/30fps, 720p/30fps and 480p/30fps - however, recording is paused during streaming - so no "backup" is recorded in parallel. Connected to a PC via USB, the Action 3 also functions simply as a UAC/UVC webcam, e.g. for conference calls and live streams. Audio is recorded using three microphones and is said to reduce wind noise as well as record sounds from the front and back.

DJI Osmo Action 3 rear panel.

In Pro mode, D-Cinelike color recording is available in video, slow motion, and fast motion modes, which offers a wider range of colors and more detail for post-processing. Compared to GoPro&s Hero Black cameras, which are only guaranteed to withstand 10 meters of water, DJI now surpasses them with a maximum depth of up to 16 meters .

Image stabilization in three modes

Extremely important for good recordings of an actioncam is, of course, the image stabilization - DJI offers here, as in the previous model Action 2, no less than three image stabilization modes for different shooting situations:
- RockSteady 3.0 is designed for sport-specific scenes such as cycling and handheld shooting and is intended to effectively eliminate camera shake in all directions when shooting at up to 4K/120fps and is optimized for a stable and intense first-person perspective.
- HorizonSteady: Here, the stabilization focus is on a leveled horizon. This is to eliminate camera shake in all directions and also correct tilt at any angle. However, this mode can only be used with resolutions up to and including 2.7K /16:9, since significantly more sensor area is required for this type of stabilization.
- HorizonBalancing is a kind of middle ground between RockSteady and HorizonSteady: here, tilt is corrected horizontally within ±45°, but also when shooting at full 4K resolution.

DJI Osmo Action 3

No more overheating?

DJI - presumably for users disappointed with the Action 2 - particularly emphasizes the improved thermal management, which should now allow continuous 4K/60fps recording throughout the battery life. DJI spricht davon, daß dadurch "das Problem der Überhitzung gelöst wird, das bei vielen anderen Action-Kameras üblich ist" und meint wohl implizit auch das

eigene Vormodell. Das gilt aber nicht für die Aufnahme von 4K mit 120 fps. In unserem ersten Test der Action 3 allerdings, erschien bei der Aufnahme von 4K 60p H.265 Video bereits nach 18 Minuten eine Hitzewarnung (bei einer Umgebungstemperatur von 18° C). Mehr zu diesem wichtigen Thema in unserem Hands-on Artikel der DJI Osmo Action 3.

DJI Osmo Action 3 mit magnetischer Kugelgelenk-Adapterhalterung

Weitere Features

DJI hat bei der Action 3 auch an Streamer oder Vlogger gedacht und deren besondere Bedürfnisse - deswegen kann die Kamera auch vollständig über den kleinen Front-Touchdisplays gesteuert werden, wenn die Kamera direkt auf den User ausgerichtet ist. Der integrierte Farbtemperatursensor passt automatisch den Weißabgleich und die Belichtung während einer einzelnen Aufnahme an, z. B. beim Tauchen ins Wasser. Per Tastendruck kann einfach zwischen fünf benutzerdefinierten Modi umgeschaltet werden - per Sprachansage wird der User dann über den aktuell aktivierten Modus informiert, ohne dass er die Kamera abnehmen und ansehen muss.

DJI Osmo Action 3 im vertikalen Aufnahmemodus

Die InvisiStick for Skiing Funktion erkennt den Selfie-Stick in Schneesport-Situationen und blendet ihn automatisch digital aus. DJI bietet eine spezielle Zeitrafferfunktion, die besonders wenig Strom verbraucht und Voreinstellungen für gängige Szenarien wie etwa die Aufnahme von Menschenmengen, Wolken oder Sonnenuntergang besitzt. Zudem sorgt eine spezielle Zeitraffer-Videostabilisierung für gleichmäßige Belichtung und Farbtemperaturänderungen, die ansonsten oft stören können. Der Ton kann auch extern aufgenommen werden - mit Hilfe von DJIs

Mic über den USB-C-Anschluss oder anderen Mikrofonen über 3,5-mm auf USB-C Kabel.

DJI Osmo Action 3

DJI Mimo und LightCut Apps

Neben der direkten Steuerung per Bedienknöpfe und Touchscreen oder per Sprachbefehlen läßt sich die Action 3 auch mittels der DJI Mimo App über Wi-Fi oder Bluetooth steuern. This offers even more features, including a live feed of the camera, various story templates, quick in-app editing and more. In addition, the LightCut app has been optimized as a video editing program for use with the Osmo Action 3: Clips can be automatically selected and intelligently integrated into special templates.

New Extreme Battery

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The 1,770 mAh included Extreme battery is said to give the Action 3 up to 160 minutes (2:40h) of power and work in very low temperatures down to -20 °C. This is a significant upgrade compared to the 580 mAh battery of the previous model, the Action 2, which only lasted 70 minutes. Thanks to a new fast charging feature, it is said to charge from 0 to 80% in just 18 minutes and 0 to 100% in just 50 minutes.

New Extreme Battery

Special accessories

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DJI offers a full range of accessories for a variety of shooting scenarios, including a waterproof housing for long-term shooting underwater or in high water pressure environments, the Extreme battery, a multifunctional battery charging cradle, an adhesive mount set, a lens protector, a 1.5m extension pole set, a magnetic ball joint adapter mount, a chest strap mount, a handlebar mount, a helmet chin mount, a suction cup mount, and a surf mount.

Prices and Availability

The Osmo Action 3 is available now from DJI as well as most authorized retail partners in a variety of configurations. The Osmo Action 3 Standard combo starts at and consists of the Osmo Action 3, Osmo Action 3 Extreme battery, Osmo Action 3 protective frame, Osmo Action 3 quick-release adapter mount and Osmo adhesive mount (flat).

DJI Osmo Action 3 in Diver Kit.

The Osmo Action 3 Adventure combo starts at and includes the Osmo Action 3, three Osmo Action 3 Extreme batteries, the Osmo Action 3 protective frame, two quick-release adapter mounts, an adhesive mount (flat), and the Osmo Action 3 battery charging cradle (multifunctional).

more infos at bei www.dji.com

deutsche Version dieser Seite: DJI Osmo Action 3: Längere Laufzeit, vertikale Aufnahme - und alte Form