DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Standard Combo – In-Depth Review

The Action 5 Pro’s dual OLED screens make framing effortless, even when vlogging.

The fifth-generation Osmo Action arrives with a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor, ambitious 360° HorizonSteady stabilization and a quoted four-hour run time on a single pack. We spent two weeks mountain biking, diving and city-vlogging with the camera to find out if those claims hold up in real-world use.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Sensor: 1/1.3-inch CMOS (up to 4K/120 fps)

• Lens: 155° FOV, f/2.8, swappable protective lens cover

• Stabilization: RockSteady 3.0 + 360° HorizonSteady

• Screens: 2.25-inch rear & 1.4-inch front OLED touchscreens

• Battery: 1,830 mAh Endurance Pack (≈4 hrs @1080p/30 fps)

• Waterproof: 18 m (59 ft) natively, 60 m (196 ft) with housing

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, direct mic input

• Storage: UHS-I microSD (SanDisk Extreme PRO, Kingston Canvas Go! Plus recommended)

Design & Build Quality

DJI sticks with the pocket-sized, brick-style shell we loved on the Action 4 but trims the weight to 141 g. The rubberized frame feels secure when wet, and the removable lens cover now accepts 52 mm ND filters without an adapter. Buttons are tactile, and the new Quick Switch side key lets you hop between custom modes with gloved hands.

The Endurance battery slides out tool-free and stays latched even after big hits.

Image Quality

The bump to a 1/1.3-inch sensor translates into noticeably cleaner low-light footage than the GoPro Hero 11 and Insta360 Ace Pro. Colors lean natural rather than hyper-saturated, and the D-Cinelike profile gives editors plenty of room to grade. In bright scenes, DJI’s new Dynamic HDR mode preserves cloud detail without crushing shadows.

Stabilization & Horizon Lock

RockSteady 3.0 removes jitters as expected, but it’s the 360° HorizonSteady that steals the show: even during barrel rolls on a BMX track the horizon stayed perfectly level. No action cam we’ve tested so far, including GoPro’s 360° Max Lens Mod, matches this consistency.

Field test: 360° HorizonSteady keeps the skyline flat during full rotations.

Audio Performance

Three built-in mics handle wind better than earlier generations, but serious creators will love the direct USB-C digital audio path that recognizes DJI’s Wireless Mic 2 instantly – no dongle needed. Levels can be adjusted on screen, and a 3.5 mm TRS adapter is still supported for legacy mics.

Battery Life & Thermal Handling

Shooting 4K/60 fps at 20 °C netted us 101 minutes before auto-shutdown, while a 1080p/30 fps time-lapse ran just shy of 4 hours. That’s a clear win over the Hero 11 (≈80 min @4K/60). The shell hits 48 °C in direct sun; DJI’s passive heat sink and automatic frame-rate throttling prevented overheating warnings in our tests.

Software & App Experience

The sticking point: the DJI Mimo app must be sideloaded on Android, which may scare casual users. Once installed, it offers slick remote control, AI Shot Assist framing and quick editing templates. iOS users can grab Mimo straight from the App Store.

On-Board Sensors & Data

Divers and climbers will appreciate the real-time depth and altitude overlay. We took the Action 5 Pro to 14.6 m and readings matched our dive computer within 0.2 m. ANT+ support overlays heart rate or power data from Garmin sensors directly onto clips – a first for an action camera.

How It Stacks Up

DJI trades headline resolution for bigger pixels, unbeatable stabilization and best-in-class endurance. For creators focused on cinematic 5.3K or 8K, GoPro and Insta360 still hold niche advantages, but for most users the Action 5 Pro’s real-world output simply looks better.

Pros & Cons

• + Exceptional low-light quality thanks to large sensor

• + True 360° horizon lock without external mods

• + Endurance battery outlasts competitors

• + Direct USB-C mic support and ANT+/BLE data overlays

• – Android users must sideload the Mimo app

• – No 5K or 8K option for high-resolution crop workflows

Who Should Buy It?

If you shoot action or adventure content where horizon integrity and battery life matter more than pixel count, the Osmo Action 5 Pro is the clear choice. Vloggers will love the front touchscreen, while athletes gain valuable performance metrics via third-party sensors.

Final Verdict

DJI’s Osmo Action 5 Pro confidently claims the performance crown in 2024. With outstanding stabilization, class-leading battery life and pro-grade audio options, it edges out GoPro for most creators. Only resolution purists or those unwilling to sideload an app should look elsewhere.