You might have not heard of the DJI Action. That is because there was no such product. It sounded like a DJI action camera though. That existed.
They called it the DJI Osmo Action and it looked almost like any other action camera that was popular at its launch. It was launched in 2019 and it was designed after the gold standard in action cameras for the longest time. It was modelled after the GoPro cameras that was so popular at the time. Say what you will, the GoPro cameras were the most popular for good reasons.
With DJI’s knowhow in making cameras on stabilisers, gimbals, drones, and even innovative film cameras, the Osmo Action was made to really take on the GoPro cameras and beat them. It shot at 4K 60p. It has two displays, one at the back and one in front making it a clever vlogging camera as well. It featured DJI’s know how in stabilising footages. It also featured slow motion modes. The only thing that GoPro had it beat was in its sheer namesake and pedigree in action cameras.
Two years on and we sort of thought DJI might have forgotten about the action camera market completely. We thought that DJI might have given up on the idea. Last week as well DJI just redefined the film maker industry with a brand-new camera on a 4-axis gimbal in a cinema camera body and guise. It was remarkable and it really will change the entire film industry.
They did not give up on the action camera market though. In fact, they just launched a brand-new action camera to replace the Osmo Action. This time also, they went with a slightly different philosophy over the old one. This time, they went modular.
The Tiny DJI Action 2
They call it the DJI Action 2, and they did not bother introducing their latest action camera to the world through a launch event though. Rather they introduce the Action 2 to the world with a three-minute video on YouTube. We kind of think that this is the shortest launch gambit we have ever experienced. Short, but impactful.
It weighs only 56 grams, which is really nothing in the world of cameras. When we say it is modular, it means that you can attach the little camera cube to almost anything, anywhere. Of course, you need some help in the form of attachment struts, straps, and magnets that is suitable for whatever surface you want to attach it to. It also has other attachments that allows the camera to work as a vlogging camera as well, with added battery life.
It also has a small 1.79-inch OLED display at the back of the camera so that you still know what you are shooting even without using your smartphone to monitor your camera. The square display is also a touch sensitive display, which also means you can do all your set-up on the DJI Action 2 itself. The vlogging attachment also comes with its own 1.79-inch touch-sensitive square display as well.
The main bit of the DJI Action 2 shoots at 4K resolution. You also get up to 120fps in ultra-wide frame goodness for that beautiful slow-mo videos when it matters. It has something DJI calls the HorizonSteady technology that allows the camera to keep a level frame throughout the shot. With RockSteady 2.0, your shots are even more stable than before. For vlogging purposes, the Action 2 packs three microphones to record video from every direction. You can immerse it in up to 10m of water too, just so that you can even take videos when you go scuba diving.
Price and Availability
The DJI Action 2 will be available globally on the 2nd of November 2021 onward. It will set you back US$ 519 (MYR 2,156*). That package comes with the Front Touchscreen Module for you to work with it as a vlogging camera. It also comes with a slew of attachments for more mounting options. There will be a Power Combo that will come later in November. The Power Combo will retail at US$ 399 (MYR 1,657*) and will include the camera itself, a Power Module, Magnetic Lanyard, and Magnetic Adpated Mount. For more information on the DJI Action 2 action camera, you can visit DJI’s website.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.15 on xe.com as of 28/10/2021