DJI beats GoPro to the punch with the new Osmo Action 3

DJI have just announced their new Osmo Action 3 action camera. The new 4K camera comes less than a year after the Action 2 launch but adopts an entirely different housing; a more familiar all-in one design.

The more rugged design targets vloggers and streamers with its dual touchscreens. It is the first action camera with dual touchscreens (not counting DJI’s own Action 2 when the secondary module was attached. The lens is a full 155˚ field of view (FOV), equivalent to 12.7mm).

DJI has clearly listened to the mixed response to the Action 2, and here the camera is waterproof to a depth of 16m (52ft) without a housing. The screens and lens are all protected with Corning Gorilla Class giving a 1.5m drop resistance.

A key improvement of the Osmo Action 3 is the battery, a 1770 mAh capable of operating in extreme temperatures as low as -20˚C to 45˚C (-4˚F to 113˚C) is included as standard. This clearly takes aim at GoPro who charges extra for an ‘Enduro’ battery. 

Coming from the Action 2, which had batteries in different modules, things are also a lot easier to manage. The batteries are fast-charge capable, up to 80% in 18 minutes or full in 50. The battery can shoot for an impressive leading 160 minutes, and a Multifunctional Battery Case can protect and charge up to 3 (and has space for two spare microSD cards). 

DJI has also followed their recent Mini 3 Pro drone by facilitating vertical shooting. A quick release frame has a quick magnetically-assisted clip into which the camera can easily be placed in both formats.

The camera features triple microphones with noise cancellation, a sensor to adjust white balance as it goes in and out of water, voice control and voice prompts. Manual and Pro functions are on offer too, including D-Cinelike for an editing-friendly flat video profile.

The 1/1.7-inch sensor can capture 4K video with DJI’s ‘RockSteady’ or ‘HorizonBalancing’ EIS at up to 120fps, and 1080p at up to 240fps. There is also the vlogging-friendly ‘HorizonSteady’ mode, first seen on the Action 2, which lets you turn the camera a full 360˚ without losing a steady horizon (when shooting 2.7K and below).

Video is captured at up to 4K 120fps or 1080P 240fps; not as high as the mark set by the GoPro Hero10 which can rise to 5.3K 60fps, but the camera is cheaper to buy and doesn’t push a cloud subscription. DJI do provide a downloading and editing app, Mimo, but it is free to use.

The Action 3 Standard combo is $329 / £309 / AU$519 RRP, while the Adventure Combo is priced at $399 / £439 / AU$719. The later includes the Battery Charging Case, 3 Batteries, a 1.5m Extension Rod, the horizontal/vertical protective frame and 2 quick-release mounts and screws. 

Thanks to an early lend from DJI, you can check our full DJI Osmo Action 3 review 

The Action 3 follows so fast on the heels of its predecessor that in our review our point of comparison was the same GoPro model. It is, however, a very busy day for action cameras. GoPro has been teasing an announcement for a while and it will be made just an hour after DJI’s. Check our coverage of the GoPro news event.

See also our guide to the Best GoPro alternatives, and our pick of the best budget action cameras.