Wondering whether to buy the GoPro Hero 8 Black or the DJI Osmo Action?
You’ve landed at the right place.
It’s no doubt that GoPro has consistently been ranked as the top action camera for many years. But, ever since DJI came up with their own action camera – the DJI Osmo Action, GoPro has got real competition.
In this post, we’re going to do a head-to-head comparison between the GoPro Hero 8 Black vs the DJI Osmo Action. I think DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro Hero 8 is a fair comparison because both the cameras were launched in the same year (2019).
DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro Hero 8: Specs Comparison
Here’s how the DJI Osmo Action and the GoPro Hero 8 Black compare when it comes to their specifications:
| Specifications | DJI Osmo Action | GoPro Hero 8 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 124 Grams | 126 Grams |
| Dimensions | 65 × 42 × 35 mm | 66.3 x 48.6 x 28.4 mm |
| Screen Size | 2.25 inches | 1.95 inches |
| Front Display | Color Display | Monochrome Display |
| Image Sensor | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Resolution | 4K / 60FPS 2.7K / 60FPS 1080p / 240FPS 720p / 240FPS | 4K / 60FPS 2.7K / 120FPS 1440p / 120FPS 1080p / 240FPS |
| Image Stabilization | RockSteady | HyperSmooth 2.0 |
| Battery | 1300mAh | 1220mAh |
DJI Osmo Action on Amazon
GoPro Hero 8 Black on Amazon
Key Differences Explained
Listed below are the key differences between the DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro Hero 8 Black cameras:
Design
The DJI Osmo Action and GoPro Hero 8 have many similarities when it comes to their appearance, dimensions, and weight. The DJI Osmo Action measures 65 × 42 × 35 mm and weighs 124g, while the GoPro Hero 8 Black is 66.3 x 48.6 x 28.4mm and weighs 126g.
The most noticeable difference between the two cameras is the inclusion of a front color display in the Osmo Action. The GoPro Hero 8 Black, on the other hand, sports the same monochrome front screen as the Hero 7 Black. However, with the introduction of Hero 8, GoPro has come up with a new system of mods (sold separately), which includes-
- A display mod (an add-on color screen)
- A light mod (an LED light), and
- A media mod (an advanced mic).
These mods clip onto the camera and turn your GoPro into a vlogging powerhouse. Of course, you’ll have to spend some extra bucks on these, but you definitely won’t miss the front display with the display mod on.
Another design difference between the two cameras is the inclusion of flick-out magnetized mount fingers on the bottom of Hero 8. This lets you easily mount the action camera without a housing. In the case of DJI Osmo Action, however, you’ll require a mount-housing if you don’t want to hold the camera.
Interface
Following the Osmo Action’s launch in May 2019, GoPro faced criticism for its interface as the software of Osmo Action felt more intuitive and responsive than that of the Hero 7 Black. However, with the launch of Hero 8 Black in October 2019, GoPro responded with Custom Scene Modes. With this, you can create up to 10 customizable scenes for the perfect shot.
Resolution
This one is more of a similarity than a difference. Both the cameras have 12-megapixel sensors and can shoot 4K video at 60FPS. With 1080p resolution available at 240FPS on both the cameras, you can capture some amazing slo-mo shots at 8x slow-down.
However, with the GoPro Hero 8, you get some extra flexibility when it comes to the field of view (FOV). There are four view modes on GoPro Hero 8: SuperView, Wide, Linear, and Narrow. The DJI Osmo Action, on the other hand, has only one standard wide field of view.
Stabilization
Both the cameras have their own version of stabilization tech. In Osmo Action, it’s called RockSteady. In the case of GoPro Hero 8, significant improvements have been made to the HyperSmooth stabilization, and it’s now called HyperSmooth 2.0 which comes with the Boost mode.
Now, if you take a look at how HyperSmooth 2.0 compares with DJI’s RockSteady, you’ll notice that the DJI Osmo Action picks up vibrations much more compared to the Hero 8 Black with HyperSmooth 2.0.
Battery Life
DJI Osmo action features a 1300mAh battery, whereas the GoPro Hero 8 Black has a 1220mAh one. A fully charged battery on the Osmo Action can support video recording at 1080P/30fps for up to 135 minutes (with RockSteady turned off), and 4K/60fps for up to 63 minutes (with RockSteady turned on).
On GoPro Hero 8 Black, expect to get about 81 minutes of runtime when shooting at 1080p/60fps. And, if you shoot at 4K/60fps, you’ll get approximately 47 minutes of recording time. Therefore, it’s clear that DJI Osmo Action has a slight edge over the GoPro Hero 8 Black when it comes to battery life.
Price
When it comes to price, the DJI Osmo Action costs a tad bit lower than the GoPro Hero 8 Black (at the time of writing this post). The Osmo Action comes for $276.99, while the Hero 8 is priced at $299.00 presently.
Check the Current Prices of both the cameras here:
DJI Osmo Action:
GoPro Hero 8 Black:
Which One is the Best?
While both the action cameras are pretty solid, flagship action cameras of their respective brands, there are still some shortcomings in both.
If you want to capture high-quality cinematic shots with superb stabilization, then the GoPro Hero 8 is probably your best option. The GoPro Hero 8 Black has been upgraded by the company in many areas and has improved on both its video and photo capabilities. But, the fact that there’s no front screen is a total letdown for many!
However, if you’re a vlogger who doesn’t want too many external accessories weighing down your setup, then the Osmo Action is the way to go for you. The area where the DJI Osmo Action falls short is its stabilization. When comparing GoPro’s HyperSmooth 2.0 technology to DJI’s Rocksteady, the latter tends to run short.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you find out which one of the two leading action cameras is the best for your needs 🙂
Sharing is Caring ❤️
If you found this article useful, please share it on social media with your family and friends!
English 
Italiano 
Deutsch 
Español 
Português 
Nederlands 
Français