Key specs:
Camera: 1/1.3-inch sensor / f/2.8 / 155° FOV
Video resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1080p
Frame rates: 4K as much as 60FPS, 2.7K as much as 120FPS, 1080p as much as 240FPS
Slow motion: 4K as much as 120FPS, 2.7K as much as 120FPS, 1080p as much as 240FPS
Dimensions: 2.77 x 1.74 x 1.29 in (70.5 x 44.2 x 32.8 mm)
Weight: 5.11 oz (145 g)
Compatible with: Larger FPV drones
Motion cameras are an important element for FPV drones because, in the vast majority of cases, these drones require a further camera for capturing video. And although DJI are best-known for manufacturing most of the best camera drones available, the world’s leading drone manufacturer can also be a heavyweight on the subject of the world of motion cameras.
The DJI Osmo Motion 4 is the most recent motion camera to hit the shelves, offering a superb option for FPV drone pilots flying the best FPV drone kits and likewise those preferring to self-build. In fact, as an motion camera, the Osmo Motion 4 is amazingly robust being waterproof to a depth of 18 m (IP68) and may be utilized in temperatures as little as -4°F (-20°C).
These features are most welcome and permit the Osmo Motion 4 to be utilized in a wide range of situations, but for FPV drone pilots its image quality and video specs that might be of most interest. Video capture is obtainable as much as 4K at as much as 60FPS, with 4K slow motion available as much as 120FPS and better at lower resolutions. You may as well capture in Normal and the flat D-Log M profile with 4 excellent image stabilization options available. To learn more about capturing cinematic aerial video footage, then try our beginner’s guide to drone video.
DJI Osmo Motion 4 review: Design
- Front and rear touchscreens
- Only two physical buttons
- Detachable protective frame
As a dedicated follower of convention, the design of the Osmo Motion 4 is typical of motion cameras of an analogous size and weight, and it looks extremely just like the DJI Osmo Motion 3. The general design is easy yet functional, with just an influence button on the side and a record/shoot button on the highest. Settings are accessible using dual touchscreens – a 1.4-inch on the front and a bigger 2.25-inch screen on the back. Below the facility button is a covered USB-C port, while on the alternative side you may access the battery and the microSD card slot. There isn’t any onboard storage, which is a shame but not the tip of the world since high-speed skilled microSD cards are inexpensive.
Osmo Motion 4 Combo kits come bundled with the Osmo Motion Horizontal-Vertical Protective Frame, which allows mounting of the camera in each orientations, using the magnetic adaptor mounts (GoPro size) and provides a level of protection. Without the Protective Frame, the camera can only be mounted in landscape orientation. Adding further protection and maintaining the Osmo Motion 4’s waterproof credentials is a lens protector that may be swapped out for ND filters. This is good for maintaining an accurate shutter speed when shooting video.
DJI Osmo Motion 4 review: Setup
- Easy-to-navigate user interface
- App control available
- Multiple shooting modes
The great thing about the Osmo Motion 4 is how easy it’s to make use of due to an intuitive touchscreen interface that may be accessed via each screens. Don’t be concerned about needing to read through an exhaustive manual because most individuals won’t even have to read the fast start guide – it’s that easy to make use of.
Throughout the initial set-up, you could have to activate the Osmo Motion 4 with the DJI Mimo app since you may only use the camera five times without doing so. The Mimo app is simple to make use of as you’d hope and expect, and provides handheld remote control, Live View and video editing functionality including AI editing, amongst other features. But for many individuals, including FPV pilots, using the camera’s menu system for adjusting settings is essentially the most convenient option.
The Osmo Motion 4 has all the shooting modes we have come to expect in an motion camera including Photo, Video, Slow Motion and Timelapse, so you could have many of the functionality you may ever need. The camera is simplest for shooting video, which is the precise shooting mode that is of most interest to skilled FPV pilots and enthusiasts aiming to capture the most effective quality footage possible.
DJI Osmo Motion 4 review: Performance
- Implausible image quality
- Normal and D-Log M color profiles
- Excellent image stabilization
Featuring a camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, this drone is identical size because the DJI Mini 3 Pro and offers a hard and fast f/2.8 and a lens with a 155° field of view. The shooting modes on offer make the Osmo Motion 4 a flexible option with an enormous amount of scope to be used beyond FPV drones, but on the subject of video functionality there’s every part you wish. Image quality for video is great with the simple Normal color profile (8-bit) for straight out-of-camera footage, and the flat D-Log M flat profile (10-bit) hugely expands dynamic range and image quality (although does require processing and color grading in editing software).
Video capture is obtainable as much as 4K at as much as 60FPS, with 4K slow motion available as much as 120FPS and as much as 240FPS in 1080p. That is great since it opens up many possibilities for capturing immersive video. Plus, video may be captured in the usual and more widely compatible H.264 codec or in HEVC for greater compression but with reduced compatibility for playback and editing with lower-end software. Using three built-in microphones, audio is recorded in 48 kHz 16-bit (AAC).
Image stabilization performs extremely well with RockSteady, RockSteady+ and Horizon Balancing (when shooting in 4K). All three options do crop into the image barely to account for image stabilization in comparison with when it’s switched off, with the latter two options cropping in slightly more. All image stabilization settings will work extremely well for FPV video and were rigorously tested with the Osmo Motion 4 attached to mountain bike handlebars on a bumpy dirt track.
DJI Osmo Motion 4 review: Price
- $399 / £379 for the Standard Combo
- $499 / £469 for the Adventure Combo
- Multiple Combo kits can be found
The Osmo Motion 4 is obtainable in 10 Combo Kits aimed squarely at various kinds of use so you may select the kit that most closely fits your predominant use of the motion camera. This includes activities equivalent to cycling, climbing, browsing, vlogging and more.
The least expensive kit is the DJI Osmo Motion 4 Standard Combo at $399 / £379. This bundle comes with the Osmo Motion 4, one battery, a protective frame, a lens hood, an adaptor mount and other basic accessories.
For FPV drone pilots and lots of users, essentially the most useful kit is the DJI Osmo Motion 4 Adventure Combo which costs $499 / £469. This kit includes all the above alongside two additional batteries, a battery charging hub/case, a 1.5 m extension rod and a further mini adaptor mount. Not only do you profit from the extra batteries and the extremely useful charging hub, however the Adventure Combo will prevent money compared to purchasing the Standard Combo with additional batteries and the charging hub individually.
Must you buy the DJI Osmo Motion 4?
The Osmo Motion 4 is incredibly easy to make use of due to an intuitive user interface and each front and rear screens. Image quality is great overall and the stabilization is incredibly effective, so you will not be upset with video footage captured by the camera.
Weighing in at 5.11 oz (145 g), this can be a heftier motion camera model so it will probably only be carried by larger and more powerful FPV drones. You’ll need to bear this in mind and make certain that your drone is able to carrying a camera of this weight.
Beyond drones, the Motion 4 is a highly capable motion camera that excels on the subject of shooting video, slow motion video and timelapse videos. It could actually also shoot photos with control over settings and the power to capture in each JPEG and Raw. Nonetheless, the sector of view is pretty wide which ultimately limits its use on this area.
If the DJI Osmo Motion 4 isn’t for you
When you fly a smaller FPV drone, equivalent to a 2.5-inch cinewhoop, the Insta360 Go 3 is a tiny and light-weight option that is able to shooting at as much as 2.7K. This motion camera is best suited to enthusiast FPV pilots because image quality is not as high because the Osmo Motion 4, and the resolution can also be lower.
Those with a bigger 3-inch cinewhoop or a 5-inch freestyle FPV drone who would love an analogous alternative to the Osmo Motion 4 should consider the powerhouse GoPro Hero 12 Black – GoPro is the market leader on the earth of motion cameras, even though it’s now facing some seriously stiff competition from DJI.