GoPro Hero 12 vs DJI Osmo Action 4: Which is Better at What?

By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023

GoPro is a well-known brand and has been in the action camera game for a long time. Its latest model, the Hero 12, has some impressive features, but the DJI Osmo Action 4 is proving to be a worthy competitor. Which action camera is right for you?

In this article, we'll compare the GoPro Hero 12 and the DJI Osmo Action 4 to help you make an informed decision.

Specs	GoPro Hero 12 Black	DJI Osmo Action 4
	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon
Price	$399.99	$399
Dimensions	71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm	70.5 x 44.2 x 32.8 mm
Weight	154 g	145 g
Screen	Preview Front (1.4”), Rear Touch (2.27”)	Front Touch (1.4”), Rear Touch (2.25”)
Max Video Resolution	5.3K/60 fps	4K/120 fps
Max Photo Resolution	27 MP	10 MP
Max Field of View	156°	155°
Image Sensor	1/1.9”	1/1.3"
Aspect Ratio	(16:9) (9:16) (4:3) (8:7)	(16:9) (4:3)
Image Stabilization	HyperSmooth 6.0	RockSteady 3.0+
Audio	3 microphones	3 microphones
Temperature	-10º C to 35º C	-20º C to 45º C
Waterproof	Yes, 10m	Yes, 18m
Voice Control	Yes	Yes
Live Streaming	Yes	Yes
Webcam	Yes	Yes
HindSight	Yes	No
Timecode Sync	Yes	Yes
Invisible Selfie Stick	No	Yes
Battery	1720 mAh	1770 mAh
Storage	microSD card up to 1 TB	microSD card up to 512 GB

Key Takeaways

GoPro Hero 12 has a better 5.3K resolution than DJI Osmo Action 4's 4K resolution, but Action 4 has better low-light performance with its larger 1/1.3” sensor. Hero 12 offers optional HDR mode, while Action 4 has sensor-level HDR. Action 4 has better underwater and cold weather resistance, but Hero 12 offers wireless audio support.

On our list

#1 Price

#2 Design

#3 Build & Endurance

#4 Image Quality

#5 Features

#6 Additional Accessories

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Great for Daily Vlogs

✓ 5.3K Video, 27 MP Photo
✓ HyperSmooth 6.0 with Horizon Lock
✓ New 9:16 and 8:7 aspect ratio for vertical video
✓ Large storage up to 1 TB

Buy on Amazon

DJI Osmo Action 4

Great for Adventures

✓ 4K Video, 10 MP Photo
✓ RockSteady 3.0+ and HorizonSteady
✓ 1/1.3” Sensor for Low Light
✓ Cold Resistant to -20°C

Buy on Amazon

#1 Price

DJI Osmo Action 4

Being newly released in August and September 2023 respectively, the DJI Osmo Action 4 and GoPro Hero 12 are both priced at around $399. This is a reasonable price point for both cameras, and is fairly standard for high-end action cameras. Because of the similar price point, it's important to consider other factors when deciding between the two. So, read on to learn more.

#2 Design

GoPro Hero 12 Black

When it comes to design, the DJI Osmo Action 4 stands out with its dual full-color touchscreen, making it easy to frame your shot and navigate the menus from both the front and back of the camera. The GoPro Hero 12 also has a dual screen, but the touchscreen is only on the rear while the front screen is only meant for preview.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is also slightly more compact and lightweight, measuring 70.5 x 44.2 x 32.8 mm and weighing only 145 g compared to the GoPro Hero 12, which measures 50.8 x 71.8 x 33.6 mm and weighs 154g.

#3 Build & Endurance

DJI Osmo Action 4

The DJI Osmo Action 4 is designed to withstand harsh conditions, with a waterproof rating of up to 18 meters without a case, and a durable construction that can endure drops and shocks. It also has a long battery life of up to 160 mins, thanks to its 1770 mAh battery capacity with fast charging capability of only around 49 mins.

On the other hand, the GoPro Hero 12 is also waterproof to 10 meters without a case, and has a water-repelling lens cover to ensure clear footage even when used underwater. It has a smaller battery capacity of 1720 mAh, but the Hero 12 has a new power management system that improves thermal performance, resulting in longer runtime around 2.5 hours at 1080p, similar to the DJI Osmo Action 4.

One advantage that the Action 4 has over the Hero 12 is its extreme temperature resistance, with the Action 4 being able to operate in temperatures as low as -20°C, whereas the Hero 12 can only operate in temperatures as low as -10°C. This means, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is better suited for extreme outdoor activities in colder environments, such as skiing or snowboarding.

#4 Image Quality

GoPro Hero 12 Black

The GoPro Hero 12 has an outstanding image quality, delivering videos at a maximum resolution of 5.3K/60 fps and photos at 27 MP. DJI Osmo Action 4, on the other hand, has a maximum resolution of only 4K/120 fps, 91% lower than 5.3K. It also delivers photo quality at only 10 MP, much lower than the Hero 12.

However, the Action 4 comes with a bigger sensor of 1/1.3”, compared to Hero 12's much smaller 1/19" CMOS sensor. A large sensor delivers an excellent low-light performance, meaning that the Action 4 outperforms the Hero 12 in low-light conditions, such as filming at nighttime or in darker environments like forests or caves.

DJI Osmo Action 4

Both action camera supports native vertical shooting, but in different ways. The GoPro Hero 12 allows you to create social media-friendly videos with its new 9:16 and 8:7 aspect ratios, while the DJI Osmo Action 4 has a Horizontal-Vertical Protective Frame that lets you physically switch it to vertical mode for easy vlogging and social media sharing.

The GoPro Hero 12 has HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode that you can enable when recording videos or taking photos, resulting in a more balanced and vibrant color range in your shots. DJI Osmo Action 4 records HDR at a sensor level, so a separate HDR mode is not necessary.

When it comes to image stabilization, both the GoPro Hero 12 and DJI Osmo Action 4 offer their own most advanced image stabilization technology, the HyperSmooth 6.0 and RockSteady 3.0+ respectively, allowing you to capture smooth and steady footage even in the most intense action sports, and keep the horizon level even when the camera rotates a full 360°.

#5 Features

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Both the GoPro Hero 12 and DJI Osmo Action 4 offer a wide range of pro-level features like Timecode Sync, allowing you to synchronize multiple cameras for easy editing. Both cameras also come with editing apps, Quik for the GoPro and LightCut for DJI, which allows you to edit your videos on your phone and share them to social media easily.

Another common feature that both action cameras offer is livestreaming for sharing your adventures in real-time, and voice control for hands-free operation.

GoPro Hero 12 offers additional features like wireless audio support, which enables you to connect with your Apple AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones wireless sound recording and remote voice control. If you subscribe to a GoPro subscription plan, you can even receive automatic highlight videos sent to your phone and an unlimited cloud backup.

#6 Additional Accessories

InvisiStick for DJI Osmo Action 4

Both the GoPro Hero 12 and DJI Osmo Action 4 are compatible with a wide range of accessories to further enhance the camera's capabilities, including mounts, tripods, and cases.

Out of many accessories compatible with GoPro Hero 12, the Max Lens Mod 2.0 is a popular one. It provides an ultra-wide 177° field-of-view and improved Max HyperSmooth stabilization for even smoother video.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 has no such a lens mod yet, but it has a unique accessory called the InvisiStick, a selfie stick that you can eliminate from your footage using AI. This feature is perfect for capturing seamless third-person footage of yourself when skiing.