DJI Action Pro 5 Review: Is It Worth Buying?
As a first-time action camera owner, I have to say—I’m seriously impressed with the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. In this article, I’m breaking down everything that stood out to me about this little beast of a camera.
Pros & Cons of the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
PROS:
Packaging is chef's kiss. The box is compact and well-labeled: “Accessories” and “Osmo Action 5.” Everything was neatly sealed—airtight and satisfying to unwrap
Stickers included! If you’re a sticker person.
Comes with a battery case. Handy and well-designed—major bonus.
The tripod? Absolute win. It extends to 1.5m, is lightweight but sturdy, and feels premium. The material? Smooth to the touch. It even comes with a mount for your helmet or wherever else you wanna stick it.
IT’S WATERPROOF. Huge plus for island life (or pool life… or rain life… whatever floats your boat).
Battery lid = A+ engineering. Soft padded sponge to protect the battery, smooth open/close motion, and a satisfying click that tells you it’s locked, sealed, and ready to take on water.
Compact body, lightweight without battery. Feels solid and well-built, and the texture? Soothing. DJI really paid attention to detail here.
Battery design is smart. Slides in with a click so you know it’s secure, and has a little tag to help pull it out easily. No fingernail gymnastics required.
CONS:
No microfiber cloth included.
Low-light performance isn’t as good as GoPro’s.
It overheats after long sessions (more on that below).
ACTION 5 PRO’s DUAL SCREENS:
Front and back screens make vlogging way easier. You can adjust settings, frame your shot, change colors, switch FPS, and zoom—all from the front screen. It’s like having a tiny control center wherever you go.
Perfect for hiking, skating, skydiving, or even just vlogging in the snack aisle at the store. No more guessing if you’re in frame!
DJI’s Osmo Action 5 Waterproof:
I honestly don’t know what I love more—the dual screens or the fact that this thing can swim. We flipped it, dunked it, dived with it, and the Osmo Action 5 just kept going like a champ.
It can go up to 20 meters deep without a case. And if you’re planning serious dives, grab the waterproof case and take it even deeper for up to 60 minutes.
SHOOTS IN 4K (AND THEN SOME):
4K is basically the standard now, and the Action 5 doesn’t disappoint. You get:
4K at 120fps
1080p at 240fps
2.7K
Aspect ratios of 16:9 and 4:3
It’s like a mini cinema camera in your pocket—for $349. That’s a serious BANG FOR YOUR BUCK, especially when most quality cameras are $1000+ these days.
DJI Osmo Action 5’s Battery Life:
Battery life is solid—it lasted me a whole day. That’s a major win for anyone planning a full day of shooting.
The charging case is another gem. It holds and charges three batteries at once. As a photographer constantly on the go (and sometimes forgetting to charge a battery or two…), this is a literal dream come true.
Dji’s Image Stabilization:
The stabilization is wild. Walking, running, biking, diving—you name it, it stays smooth.
Built with 360° HorizonSteady and RockSteady 3.0, it’s like your video has its own gimbal. Perfect for nature hikes, vlog walks, and yes—even doing water bombs from tall cliffs.
Action 5 Pro’s Storage:
The Action 5 Pro comes with 47 GB of internal storage, plus a slot for a microSD card when you need extra space. Basically like having a dual SD card setup—just in disguise.
Shooting in 4K eats up storage quickly, so this built-in space is a huge help when you’re out in the field.
10-BIT D-LOG FOOTAGE:
Okay, here’s the kicker—I own a Sony camera that doesn’t shoot in 10-bit. It’s stuck on 8-bit. But this pocket-sized beast does 10-bit D-Log.
That’s game over if you’re someone who loves color grading. You can tweak color, brightness, hues, luminance—you name it.
Heads up though: some users say D-Log footage can be tricky to grade if you’re not familiar with it. So if you’re just dipping your toes into editing, it might take a little learning curve.
Action 5 Pro Overheating?
Now for the not-so-fun part: this camera does overheat after filming for about 2+ hours. Not sure if that’s standard across the board, but it’s something I ran into while filming my videos. Just something to be aware of.
Final Thoughts on the DJI Action 5
If you're looking for an action camera that delivers on performance, portability, and price, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is it. The features packed into this little powerhouse are impressive—and for $349, it's honestly one of the smartest investments for creators, adventurers, or anyone wanting to up their video game without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions – DJI Action 5 Pro & Action Cameras
1. Is the DJI Action 5 Pro good?
Yes, the DJI Action 5 Pro is considered a top-tier action camera. It features a large 1-inch CMOS sensor for better low-light performance, 4K/120fps video recording, advanced RockSteady stabilization, and HorizonSteady for leveling shots. Its compact design and versatile mounting options make it great for sports, travel, and vlogging.
2. Is DJI Action better than GoPro?
It depends on what you're looking for.
DJI Action 5 Pro offers excellent color accuracy and has superior thermal management.
GoPro Hero12 Black excels in low-light situations, offers a wider range of accessories, more mature software, and slightly better slow-motion options.
Both are fantastic—if you prioritize low-light and stabilization, DJI may edge ahead. For broader ecosystem and third-party support, GoPro is a strong choice.
3. How long does the DJI Action 5 Pro battery last?
4 hours max, depending on the footage you are taking. If you are shooting in 4k mostly, your battery life will most likely drain faster.
4. Does the DJI Action 5 Pro overheat?
Yes, it can overheat during extended high-resolution recording—especially in hot weather or without airflow. DJI has optimized cooling compared to earlier models, and you can extend recording times by reducing resolution or enabling Power Efficient mode.
5. Is the Action 5 Pro waterproof?
YES!! The DJI Action 5 Pro is waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet) without any housing. With an additional waterproof case, it can go even deeper—up to 60 meters (196 feet)—making it great for underwater sports and diving.
6. What's the best action camera?
The "best" action camera depends on your needs:
10 bit, 4K Shooting & Stabilization: DJI Action 5 Pro
Best ecosystem & accessories: GoPro Hero12 Black
Best budget option: Insta360 GO 3 or AKASO Brave 8
Best for 360° video:Insta360 X3
