DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Review: The Ultimate Action Camera

Introducing the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, a game-changer in the world of action cameras. Launched in September 2024, this powerhouse is designed for thrill-seekers and content creators alike, offering pro-level imaging, exceptional battery life, and robust performance in extreme conditions. With features like a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, 4K video at 120fps, and up to 4 hours of battery life, the Osmo Action 5 Pro is set to redefine your adventure filming experience. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore its specifications, performance, and how it compares to competitors like the GoPro Hero 13 Black, giving you everything you need to decide if this is the right camera for your next big adventure.

Key Points

The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is a high-performance action camera with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, offering up to 40 MP photos and 4K video at 120fps.
It features a 13.5-stop dynamic range, dual OLED touchscreens, and up to 4 hours of battery life under specific conditions.
Research suggests it excels in low-light performance and has 47GB of built-in storage, making it ideal for adventurers and content creators.
The camera is waterproof up to 20m without a case and 60m with a case, and supports professional audio with DJI Mic compatibility.
It seems likely that it outperforms competitors like GoPro Hero 13 Black in battery life and price, though GoPro offers higher resolution video.

Overview

The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is designed for thrill-seekers, delivering pro-level imaging for adventures with features like subject tracking and robust stabilization. Launched in September 2024, it’s priced at $349, making it a competitive option in the action camera market. This review will cover its key features, performance, and how it stacks up against rivals, ensuring you have all the information to decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Features and Specifications

The Osmo Action 5 Pro boasts a next-gen 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with a 13.5-stop dynamic range, capturing up to 40 MP photos and 4K video at 120fps. It includes dual OLED high-brightness touchscreens for easy use, and its 360° HorizonSteady stabilization ensures smooth footage. With up to 4 hours of battery life under specific conditions (e.g., 1080p/24fps, RockSteady on, Wi-Fi off, screens off), it’s built for extended shoots. It’s waterproof up to 20m without a case and 60m with a case, and features 47GB of built-in storage, expandable with microSD cards up to 1TB. Additionally, it supports Wi-Fi 6.0 and has a built-in pressure gauge for depth and altitude tracking.

Performance and User Experience

The camera’s performance is impressive, particularly in low-light conditions, thanks to its advanced sensor and image processing, which outperform previous models and competitors like the GoPro Hero 13 Black. Video quality is sharp, with excellent color reproduction, and the stabilization system handles dynamic movements well, making it perfect for action sports. Audio quality is enhanced by direct compatibility with DJI microphones, ideal for vloggers. User feedback from X posts highlights its durability in snow and extreme sports, with many appreciating the extended battery life for uninterrupted filming.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared to the GoPro Hero 13 Black, the Osmo Action 5 Pro offers longer battery life (up to 4 hours vs. about 2 hours), better low-light performance, and a lower price ($349 vs. $399). It also includes 47GB of built-in storage, a feature GoPro lacks, and introduces subject tracking, which is great for content creators. While GoPro provides 5.3K video resolution, the Osmo’s 4K at 120fps is sufficient for most users, and its additional features make it a strong contender.

Detailed Analysis and Survey Notes

The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, launched in September 2024, represents a significant upgrade in DJI’s action camera lineup, targeting adventurers and content creators with its advanced features. This section provides a comprehensive analysis, drawing from official product pages, reviews, and social media insights, ensuring a thorough understanding of its capabilities and market position.

Product Overview and Specifications

The camera is equipped with a next-gen 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, offering a high dynamic range of 13.5 stops, which is 1.5 stops higher than the Osmo Action 4, as noted on the official DJI page (Osmo Action 5 Pro – Be All In – DJI). This allows for clear, sharp imagery in challenging lighting, such as urban nights or high-contrast scenes like sunrises and sunsets. It supports 10-bit, D-Log M, and HLG color modes, capturing over a billion colors for flexible post-production, as detailed on the DJI store page (Buy Osmo Action 5 Pro – Action Camera- DJI Store).

Key specifications include:

Max Photo Resolution: Approx. 40 MP
Video Capabilities: Up to 4K120, with 240fps for up to 32x super slow motion using frame interpolation
Battery Life: Up to 240 minutes at 25°C, 1080p/24fps, RockSteady on, Wi-Fi off, screens off, as per the official specs
Waterproofing: 20m without a case, 60m with a case, EN13319 certified
Storage: 47GB built-in, supports microSD up to 1TB
Audio: Direct connection to DJI microphone for premium audio, enhancing its appeal for vloggers

The dual OLED touchscreens and a 4nm high-performance chip further enhance usability and processing power, making it a versatile tool for various shooting scenarios.

Performance Analysis

Performance reviews consistently highlight the Osmo Action 5 Pro’s strengths. The PCMag review (DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Review | PCMag) notes it beats other action cams in battery life, offering over two hours at 4K60, and handles low-light scenes better than GoPro, thanks to the larger sensor and improved processing. The WIRED review (DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Review: Long Battery Life and Great 4K Footage | WIRED) emphasizes its industry-leading battery life, shooting well over two hours at 4K60, and excellent low-light footage, making it a preferred choice for extended shoots.

Low-light performance is a standout, with Forbes noting the 1/1.3-inch sensor and improved image processing drastically enhance results compared to the GoPro Hero 13 Black (DJI Action 5 Pro Review: The Best Battery And Low Light In An Action Camera). T3’s review (DJI Osmo Action 5 review: Low-light legend with top-tier image quality) also praises its low-light capabilities, supported by stabilization modes like Sport and Daily, catering to different activity levels.

Stabilization is robust, with 360° HorizonSteady ensuring steady footage, as mentioned in the Camera Jabber review (DJI OSMO Action 5 Pro review – Camera Jabber), making it ideal for cycling and other extreme activities. Audio quality is enhanced by professional-grade integration with DJI Mic 2, noted in multiple reviews, adding value for creators.

User Feedback and Social Media Insights

Social media, particularly X, provides valuable user insights. An X post from @DJIGlobal on March 16, 2025 (X post) showcased its use with the DJI Avata 2, highlighting ecosystem integration. Another post on March 17, 2025 (X post) featured extreme sports footage, emphasizing durability. On March 19, 2025, @nextgen_deals shared a deal for the Adventure Combo at $369, noting 12-hour battery life with three batteries (X post), reflecting user interest in extended shooting capabilities.

Users on X have praised its performance in snow and extreme conditions, with @DJIJAPAN on March 22, 2025, highlighting a winner of the #OsmoAwards for snowscape footage, crediting the camera’s cold resistance (X post). This aligns with reviews noting its operation in temperatures as low as -20°C, as seen on the DJI store page.

Comparison with Competitors

The comparison with GoPro Hero 13 Black is a focal point. The Osmo Action 5 Pro’s battery life (up to 4 hours) significantly outpaces GoPro’s approximately 2 hours, as per the WIRED review. Price-wise, at $349, it’s $50 cheaper than GoPro’s $399, as noted in Tom’s Guide (DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review | Tom’s Guide). Low-light performance is better, with Forbes and Android Police reviews (Review: The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro made me ditch my GoPro and never look back) confirming its edge. Built-in storage (47GB) is a unique feature, absent in GoPro, and subject tracking adds value for social media content, as per Digital Camera World (DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review – can DJI hold onto the crown? | Digital Camera World).

However, GoPro offers 5.3K video, while Osmo tops at 4K, which may appeal to users needing higher resolution, though reviews suggest 4K at 120fps is sufficient for most, as per TechRadar (DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review: a seriously feature-packed action camera | TechRadar).

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Exceptional battery life, up to 4 hours under optimal conditions
Superior low-light performance, ideal for night shoots
High dynamic range (13.5 stops) for detailed imagery
Subject tracking enhances usability for content creators
47GB built-in storage, plus microSD support up to 1TB
Lower price ($349) compared to GoPro Hero 13 Black ($399)
Professional audio with DJI Mic compatibility

Cons:

Lacks 5.3K video resolution, offered by GoPro
May require additional accessories for certain mounts, though compatible with GoPro mounts via adapter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the battery life of the Osmo Action 5 Pro?
- It can operate for up to 4 hours under specific conditions (1080p/24fps, RockSteady on, Wi-Fi off, screens off), as per the official DJI page.
Is the Osmo Action 5 Pro waterproof?
- Yes, up to 20m without a case and 60m with a case, EN13319 certified, detailed on the product page.
Can I use GoPro mounts with the Osmo Action 5 Pro?
- Yes, it includes a GoPro adapter for compatibility, as noted in the Camera Jabber review.
Does the camera have built-in storage?
- Yes, 47GB built-in, and supports microSD cards up to 1TB, as per PCMag.
How does the Osmo Action 5 Pro compare to the GoPro Hero 13 Black?
- It offers longer battery life, better low-light performance, built-in storage, and is $50 cheaper, though GoPro has 5.3K video, as per multiple reviews.
Can I connect external microphones to the camera?
- Yes, it directly connects to DJI microphones for premium audio, as highlighted in the Digital Camera World review.

Conclusion

The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is a top-tier action camera, excelling in battery life, low-light performance, and user-friendly features. Its competitive pricing and robust capabilities make it a strong choice for adventurers and content creators, potentially outperforming rivals like GoPro in key areas. With positive user feedback and social media buzz, it’s a reliable option for capturing your next big adventure.