DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: A Full-fledged Overtaking of GoPro? Can Hero 13 Still Reign Supreme in the Action Camera Realm?

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: A Full-fledged Overtaking of GoPro? Can Hero 13 Still Reign Supreme in the Action Camera Realm?When it comes to first-person action cameras, the name GoPro is no longer the first that pops into many people's minds. While it is undoubtedly the pioneer of the action camera industry and enjoyed a long period of glory, its popularity and sales in China have been surpassed by DJI's OsmoAction series

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: A Full-fledged Overtaking of GoPro? Can Hero 13 Still Reign Supreme in the Action Camera Realm?

When it comes to first-person action cameras, the name GoPro is no longer the first that pops into many people's minds. While it is undoubtedly the pioneer of the action camera industry and enjoyed a long period of glory, its popularity and sales in China have been surpassed by DJI's OsmoAction series. The reason is simple: GoPros product strength has declined.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

However, talk is cheap. I happen to have the latest products from both manufacturers: GoPro Black Hero 13 and DJI OsmoAction 5 Pro (hereinafter referred to as GoPro 13 and Action 5 Pro). Lets dive into the details and see if GoPro has truly been surpassed by DJI.

Configuration Showdown: Neck and Neck, with Each Holding Its Own

Let's start with the basic parameters. The GoPro 13 features a 1/1.9-inch sensor, with a maximum pixel count of 27 million, supporting 27MP photo shooting, 5.3K60fps, 4K120fps, and 2.7K240fps video recording. The Action 5 Pro, on the other hand, packs a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor, capable of capturing 40MP static photos and recording videos at 4K120fps, 2.7K120fps, and 1080P240fps.

On paper, GoPro 13 seems to have the upper hand. After all, in terms of image quality, GoPro offers a higher 5.3K resolution and better frame rate support. DJIs only advantage is its larger sensor size and ability to capture higher-resolution photos. However, lets be honest: most users wouldnt use an action camera for taking photos. Therefore, in terms of basic specifications, GoPro still has a slight edge.

However, electronic products are more than just numbers. We need to see their actual performance in the real world.

Before diving into the shooting comparison, I noticed another difference between GoPro and DJI: their user interfaces. The UI layout on GoPro is simply disastrous. Lets not even talk about its outdated design, which looks like it was crafted a decade ago. The setting buttons at the bottom of the screen take up almost one-third of the entire screen, making the already small display feel cramped.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

I also discovered a fascinating detail. When you change the aspect ratio of GoPro to 16:9, the content fills the entire main screen, but the front sub-screen shows a large black border. On the other hand, DJI maintains a consistent display, whether using a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, without any black borders. This subtle detail showcases DJI's user-friendliness in terms of operation.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

DJI's Action 5 Pro, on the other hand, thoughtfully arranges all the essential information, including recording time, battery level, playback, mode switching, current image quality options, parameter settings, zoom magnification, and more, in various corners of the screen. The abundance of information doesn't overwhelm the user. Placing both interfaces side by side reveals a significant difference.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

Other aspects like recording buttons, power buttons, pull-out battery compartments, and Type-C ports for direct power supply are almost identical between the two. GoPro deserves credit for this, as it has set the standard for many action cameras today. Many other manufacturers have adopted GoPros design approach, as they have truly explored the path of this industry.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

In terms of accessory mounting, I am truly in love with Action 5 Pros magnetic design. Its incredibly convenient to attach it to helmet mounts, selfie sticks, or various small accessories. With a little practice, it only takes less than a second to secure the camera. GoPro 13, however, still relies on the traditional 1/4 screw thread, which requires a few seconds to tighten and loosen each time after a ride. While GoPro also offers a magnetic adapter, users need to fork out extra money for it.

Image Test: GoPro Still Holds Its Own, While DJI Surpasses

After covering the basic parameters, lets address the most crucial aspects: image quality and image stabilization. These form the core of an action camera and are the features consumers are keen on. To ensure fairness, I first set the resolution, frame rate, and focal length of both products to identical settings (4K/60fps) and recorded a short video in a well-lit park.

(Due to GIF compression, the image quality and color may be significantly compromised. Refer to the video screenshots for a more accurate representation.)

(Image source: Lei Technology, DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology, GoPro 13)

From the comparison images, we can see that Action 5 Pro captures richer details in the highlights, while GoPro 13 retains more details in the shadows. This indicates their metering priorities are different.

(Image source: Lei Technology, Top: Action 5 Pro, Bottom: GoPro 13)

Looking at the trees in the distance, we can also see that Action 5 Pro handles exposure better, avoiding a situation where a bright light source makes the entire picture excessively bright. As for GoPro 13, its performance is evident in the image.

Of course, for someone like me who often uses action cameras as dashcams, low-light nighttime scenes are also common. This scenario puts a significant test on both products' performance in dim lighting.

(Action 5 Pro has a built-in night mode, while GoPro uses HDR to ensure both cameras have the maximum ISO)

(Image source: Lei Technology, DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology, GoPro 13)

As seen in the video screenshots, Action 5 Pro's image is significantly brighter than GoPro 13's. It also has better image clarity with minimal noise, resulting in a cleaner and more comfortable viewing experience. GoPro 13, in comparison, displays a "dirty" image with more noise and a significant loss of detail.

(Image source: Lei Technology, DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology, GoPro 13)

Some readers might argue that using 4K resolution for GoPro 13 is unfair, considering it can capture up to 5.3K. I also recorded a video at 5.3K60fps. When played on a computer, GoPro 13's exceptional image quality is evident, with details that withstand close inspection. However, for me, 5.3K resolution is more about appearances than practicality. While it does provide higher resolution, most users' phones, tablets, and computers cannot fully display it. Moreover, 5.3K also leads to higher heat generation and power consumption. The fact that GoPro 13 generates significantly more heat than Action 5 Pro is partly due to this.

I also compared the slow-motion capabilities of both. Slow-motion is essential for those who enjoy outdoor activities, as it breathes life into otherwise ordinary footage. How do Action 5 Pro and GoPro 13 fare in this area? Its worth noting that GoPro can record 2.7K240fps (8x) slow-motion, while DJI Action 5 Pro maxes out at 1080P240fps (8x). The difference in image quality is obvious, as higher resolution is king.

(Image source: Lei Technology, DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology, GoPro 13)

However, if we set the resolution to 4K, both can capture 120fps (4x) slow-motion. In terms of image quality, DJI Action 5 Pro clearly outperforms. Whether its overall image clarity or the trajectory of moving objects, Action 5 Pro excels.

(Image source: Lei Technology, DJI Action 5 Pro)

(Image source: Lei Technology, GoPro 13)

In previous reviews of action cameras, I emphasized that my top priority isn't image quality or stabilization, but battery life. GoPro 13 boasts a 1900mAh battery, while DJI Action 5 Pro packs a 1950mAh battery. Theoretically, their battery life shouldn't differ much, possibly a difference of 5% at most. However, the real-world test results were shocking. After recording 45 minutes of video (at 4K, 60fps, with image stabilization enabled), GoPro 13 had 4% remaining battery, while Action 5 Pro still had