Drone manufacturer DJI is no stranger to large and small cameras and lenses. NS corporate drones captures some of the best aerial footage around, which is why DJI crashes head first into an action camera — Action Osmo-Is a success. It’s more or less a GoPro clone, but it has added a full color front screen, a feature GoPro copied later.
In its second entry into the genre, DJI seems to have its eyes on another competitor — Insta360, the company that pioneered an interchangeable lens system on an action camera. DJI’s GoPro clone has innovated in some really clever ways, but the new Action 2 is less appealing.
On paper, its specs are solid. Features 4K video recording at 120 fps (fps), improved motion stabilization, and a range of modes and automatic shooting features that have become standard premium action cam. But after weeks with Action 2, I’m just unimpressed. I can only think one the reason i chose it over GoPro Hero 10 or Insta360 One CHEAP: weight.
Tiny-tiny camera
The Action 2 is by no means an Insta360 One R clone. Both are modular, but with the One R the module includes swapping out different combinations of lenses and sensors. DJI takes a different approach, with the main device being an active camera. What you can add is a battery pack or a dual display module; the latter allows you to see yourself when the camera is pointed at your face. (The magnetic sides can also attach to different mounts and clamps, so you don’t have to screw anything in.)
This modular approach is welcome, but when I first unpacked the Action 2, I was captured by the camera itself. If there’s one bad thing about GoPro Hero 10 Black, which is the weight. Or at least, I consider it annoying when you have a weight of 5.3 ounces on top. I very rarely wear any camera on my people — I don’t find the resulting footage particularly interesting — but I do realize that many people do exactly this.
If your primary use case for an action camera is in fact tethering it to your helmet, as my ski roommate used to say with all seriousness, “bomb the slopes “, the DJI Action 2 will probably outperform the GoPro and pretty much anything else on the market. It weighs a mere 2 ounces, barely noticeable even when it’s on your helmet. DJI’s cameras are also very small, which means less interference by wind and water.
In addition to the lightweight design, you can turn it into a more traditional action cam by adding the battery and monitor module to the mix. However, this is where Action 2’s quirks and disadvantages begin to manifest.
Magnetic Flaws
DJI’s magnetic attachment mechanism is, from a purely technical point of view, a genius. It’s simple and reliable. You put two cubes together and they snap into place. Not much easier than that. The two clips hold the magnet more firmly, but you can still easily detach the magnet even with gloves on. But you probably shouldn’t try to take it off with gloved hands because if you’re wearing gloves you’re probably in the snow and only the lens part of the camera is completely waterproof.
Divers, fear not, there is a waterproof case you can be purchased for an extra $65 that would make the entire camera waterproof to a depth of 196 feet (60 meters). But then you lose the advantage of the clip system from rapidly changing. The lack of waterproofing is moderately annoying, but shouldn’t be a deal-breaker unless you plan to primarily use your action cam in the water. If so, this is definitely not what you want.
