DJI is bucking GoPro’s action cam dominance and has taken another big step with the launch of the Action 5 Pro. With a new “next-gen” sensor, it promises better video quality, extended battery life, a bigger display and a new feature, subject tracking and centering.
The 1/1.3-inch sensor is the same size as the Action 4, but DJI says it now has 13.5 stops of dynamic range, “making it the first action camera with specs that rival professional cameras.” Maximum photo resolution is 40 megapixels (MP), up from 10MP on the Action 4. The lens has the same 155-degree field of view and f/2.8 aperture as the previous model.
You can shoot 4K at up to 120p in 16:9 as before, but it now supports 4K 120p capture at 4:3 (3,840 x 2,880 pixels) – so slow ultra-slow-mo can be captured across the whole sensor if you want to crop the image later. However, resolution is still limited to 4K UltraHD, where the GoPro 13 supports 5.3K 8:7 (5,312 x 4,648) capture, giving users more cropping options.
In addition, it supports 1080p capture at up to 240fps, and can push this to 960fps using frame extrapolation (creating fake frames from real frames).
As before, images can be recorded in 10-bit D-Log M and HLG to increase dynamic range. DJI says you can shoot “high-dynamic, low-light video” at 4K/60fps to retain shadow details without overexposing highlights. It also comes with a Supernight mode that uses AI noise reduction to produce relatively clean videos in low light.
The new 1950mAh has a higher capacity than the previous 1770mAh model, allowing for up to 4 hours of continuous use or about 50 percent more than before (the Action 5 Pro can still use the previous model’s battery). This is also helped by a new 4nm chip and algorithms that optimize for energy savings. “Even in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F), the camera can reliably record video for up to 3.6 hours,” DJI said.
A major new feature is subject centering and tracking that allows creators to shoot without a gimbal. Like other DJI products (ActiveTrack on drones), it intelligently detects a subject’s position and dynamically adjusts the composition to keep the subject centered in the frame. This is obviously done digitally, and the resolution is reduced to 2.7K – but that could still be a huge benefit for extreme sports and other creators. As before, it offers “strong stabilization” and HorizonSteady which keeps the camera level during 360-degree motion.
The Action 5 Pro is EN13319 certified waterproof to 20 meters (66 feet) without a case, 2 meters more than before. It can automatically start recording as soon as you’re underwater and comes with an interesting new feature: a pressure gauge to record underwater depth, duration, and altitude data to ensure user safety.
Although the body is the same size as before, both OLED screens are larger thanks to smaller bezels, which are 16 percent larger. According to DJI, the larger rear screen is now 2.5 inches, up from 2.25 inches, making it the largest on any mainstream action cam. As before, the Action 4 works with the DJI Mic 2 for high-quality sound recording and you can use the built-in mics simultaneously for ambient sound.
Another great addition is 47GB of built-in storage and an 80MB/s transfer rate via Wi-Fi 6.0 or USB 3.0. Other features include the updated Mimo app, Wi-Fi livestreaming, timecode for multiple camera syncing, and a pre-record feature.
I had the Action 5 for a short time and it’s largely the same as the previous model, apart from larger power and record buttons, a different internal mic opening, and a hole at the bottom for the pressure sensor. Other features like the magnetic mount are carried over from the Action 3. The improvements look promising, so stay tuned for a more detailed review (where I hope I don’t get my face smashed).
Perhaps the best news about the Action 5 is that it’s $349 cheaper than the Action 4 in a Pro Combo package that includes the camera and a battery, a protective frame, quick-release adapter mount and more. The Action 5 Pro Adventure Combo includes a 1.5m extension rod with two more batteries and a charger for $449. Both are available now from DJI’s store and most authorised retail partners.