I’ve been using the DJI Osmo Action 3 to document my fitness journey and practice my vlogging skills. These types of action cameras, are allowing us to capture every leap, sprint, and dive with cinematic precision. While I’m not using this camera to its full potential, this is the realm of these cameras, where every moment is an epic waiting to be unveiled and captured.
The secret behind that cinematic precision in action cameras like the DJI Osmo Action 3 lies in a combination of user technique, where the longer you use cameras like these, the better you’ll get at knowing those moves, understanding how to compose, getting into those angles that are going to get you those epic shots, and advanced technology, with it’s stabilisation technology, sensors, optics and colour science, all contributing to achieve that sought after cinematic like effect.
Combining these technical aspects with creative storytelling and post-production editing results in footage that not only captures the action but does so with a narrative and visual flair that keeps viewers engaged and intrigued.
The Osmo Action 3 has a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor. Now, you might wonder, ‘What does that mean for my videos?’ Well, this sensor size is a nice sweet spot for action cameras. It’s large enough to capture detailed videos with excellent clarity in ideal lighting conditions, yet compact enough to fit into this rugged, adventure-ready body.
With its 155° field of view in the ultra wide view, this camera doesn’t just see the world; it embraces it. Whether you’re carving down a mountain or catching a wave, the Osmo Action 3 ensures that nothing escapes its gaze.
With an aperture of f/2.8 it’s going to allow the lens to open wide enough to let in a substantial amount of light, which is crucial when you’re shooting in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Although in low light conditions, I have found that it’s where this will sometimes let you down, has a comparatively small sensor, compared to the Osmo action 4 at 1/1.3 and the pocket 3 at 1 inch, which can impact its low-light performance. This means that in environments with less light, the camera may struggle to capture clear and noise-free footage.
But I have found that for better low-light performance, switching to manual mode and adjusting settings such as shutter speed, to double the frame rate and keeping the ISO range between 100–1600 may give you more optimal results.
So, if you plan to shoot a lot in low light environments, then this probably wouldn’t be ideal for you, unless you want the footage to appear noisier and grainier compared to other action cameras in extremely dim conditions.
Overall, while the DJI Osmo Action 3 may not be the top performer in low-light conditions, with careful adjustment of settings, it can still produce decent quality footage suitable for most casual users. For those requiring superior low-light performance, considering cameras with larger sensors might be beneficial.
The focus range starts from 0.3 meters to infinity, meaning whether you’re getting up close and personal with your subject or capturing a sprawling landscape, everything stays crisp and in focus.
The ISO range of 100–12800 gives you the flexibility to shoot in various lighting scenarios. From the bright midday sun to the dimly lit corners of an urban landscape, the Osmo Action 3 adapts with ease.
I’m not a fan of using these for photos, when I have one of these or a dedicated camera, but when it comes to photos, you can snap up images at a resolution of 4000×3000 pixels with the 12 mega pixel sensor. What about video? You’re looking at up to 4K (4096×3072) at 60fps in standard recording, in HDR recording, up to 4k at 30fps, up to 4k at 120fps or 1080p at 240fps, in slow motion, hyper lapse in up to 4k and timelapse up to 4k at 30fps.
For the colour enthusiasts out there, the Osmo Action 3 supports 10-bit colour depth. So that’s over a billion colours at your disposal, giving you the freedom to get creative in post-production. Plus, with HDR video capability, you can say goodbye to overexposed skies or underexposed shadows. This camera handles high-contrast scenes like a pro. But even if you’re not a colour enthusiast, you’ll still get pretty good colour production using the standards colour modes.
The Osmo Action 3’s audio is captured by its three microphones that do a decent job of tuning out background and wind noise. But doesn’t remove it completely. The audio isn’t as full-bodied as some competitors, but it’s clear, especially for dialogue. For even better audio, there is the option on this to connect, external microphone like the DJI Mic via the USB-C port.
The DJI Osmo Action 3’s stabilisation is one of its standout features. It employs RockSteady 3.0, DJI’s electronic image stabilisation technology, which effectively smooths out the shakes and jitters that are common when recording action-packed scenes. This technology ensures that your footage remains stable even when the camera is subjected to movements and vibrations during intense physical activities. The stabilisation works across various resolutions, providing stability up to 4K resolution.
I think the stabilisation on this is awesome, you’ve just got to remember, having no stabilisation on will give you the widest field of view, narrower on rocksteady, even narrower on rocksteady plus and then only a little bit more on horizon steady. But in all stabilisation modes using the ultra wide view will give you a more than useable field of view, but it will depend on the look you’re going for.
With this really good stabilisation, it demonstrates and contributes to the camera’s reputation as a fine all-rounder and a budget-friendly alternative to some pricier competitors. Whether you’re running, cycling, or engaging in any other vigorous activity, the Osmo Action 3’s stabilisation should serve you well, ensuring that your videos are smooth and enjoyable to watch. If you’re looking for an action camera with reliable stabilisation, the Osmo Action 3 is definitely worth considering.
It is equipped with a 1770mAh Extreme Battery, giving you about 160 minutes of usage, allowing operation in temperatures as low as -20° C. With the appropriate power adapter this can be charged quickly too. 18 minutes to charge to 80% and 49 minutes to fully charge.
If you’re into diving and want a camera for those underwater shots, then the waterproofing in this, without a case on it, so just like this, will allow you to go down to 16 metres.
So having been using this for a while now, what are the main pro’s to having a camera like this:
For me, I really like the mounting System, the quick and easy magnetic and clamp combo is so convinient and when you’ve got the protective frame on, you get that quick mounting system in both landscape and portrait orientation.
Those dual screens offer several benefits that will enhance your experience. The addition of a front-facing screen allows you to easily frame yourself in the shot, which is particularly useful for vlogging or taking selfies. It ensures that you are always in focus and well-composed in the frame. The larger rear screen provides a clear view of what the camera is capturing from its main perspective, useful for reviewing footage on the go and accessing the camera’s settings.
With screens on both sides, you can switch between monitoring your shot from the front or the back of the camera without having to reposition it, convenient when transitioning between different types of shots or angles.
Both screens are touch-enabled, offering intuitive control over the camera’s functions, making it easier to navigate through menus and adjust settings quickly, even in the midst of action. And if you want additional handsfree control, there is an option for voice control too.
The dual screens on this camera provide a significant advantage for content creators who need to monitor their footage in real-time from any angle, ensuring that they capture the perfect shot every time.
The negative aspects of this camera, some of which I have spoken about earlier and have been improved in the Osmo Action 4 are the lowlight Performance and the struggles of video quality in darker settings.
If you’ve already got one of these, is it worth upgrading to the newer DJI Osmo action 4?
While these two action cameras share a lot of similarities, there are notable upgrades in the newer model:
Like the larger Image Sensor, significantly improving low-light performance, image fidelity, and dynamic range.
Some improvements in the 2nd stage stabilisation, so you’ve got rocksteady 3.0+ (on the action 4) v rocksteady + (on the action 3)
The waterproofing depth on the Action 4 is increased to 18 metres making it more resilient against water damage.
A few minor aesthetic changes.
Obviously, the main difference is the price, with the new one out, it means its predecessor gets a price reduction.
So while the DJI Osmo Action 4 is a true flagship option, excelling in image quality and durability. If you prioritise low-light performance and want the best-in-class features, the Action 4 is worth the upgrade. However, if you’re on a budget and mainly shoot in daylight, the Action 3 still offers great value.
My Verdict on this Osmo Action 3. It’s rugged, reliable, and ready for anything. Perfect for vloggers, action seekers, and everyone in between.
It may not be the flashiest in the lineup, but it delivers where it counts without draining your wallet.
What you’ll enjoy with this, particularly if you’ve not used one of these before is its convenience, from the dual screens, easy to mount system specially with that frame on, giving to instant swapping between vertical and horizontal orientations, it’s easy to use and with cameras like these in general, there are so many mounting options for you that means you’re not having to risk your more expensive phone or camera in the pursuit of getting that spectacular shot, all because it can all be done with this.
Whether you’re a vlogger, an action sports enthusiast, or just someone who loves capturing life’s moments like I’ve been doing documenting my fitness journey, the Osmo Action 3 stands as a rugged companion ready to document your own journey. It may not have all the bells and whistles of its successor, the Action 4 or the evolved form factor in the Pocket 3, but it holds its own with reliable performance, a user-friendly design, and a price point that won’t break the bank.
So, if you’re looking to step up your action camera game without stepping over your budget, then the DJI Osmo Action 3 might just be the perfect fit for you.
If you want to see the video version of this article, check out the YouTube link below: