DJI Osmo Action 3 vs GoPro Max

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Overview of the DJI Osmo Action 3

DJI Osmo Action 3☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★DJI Osmo Action 3
DJI's 2022 premium action camera: 4K120fps video
The DJI Osmo Action 3 was released in 2022 and while it is a few years old, it offers incredible 4K120fps video at a very affordable price. It's successor, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is mostly an incremental improvement, making the Action 3 a great budget friendly action camera.
  • Pros
  • 4K120fps footage
  • Freeze-proof
  • Good image stabilization
  • 52ft / 16m waterproof without case
  • Cons
  • Older model

Overview of the GoPro Max

GoPro Max☆☆☆☆☆★★★★★GoPro Max
GoPro's 2019 360 camera: 5.7K video
The GoPro Max was GoPro's second attempt at a 360 camera and was released in 2019. It is still offers relatively good performance but it's age is showing in comparision with the more recent competition. It's replacement, the GoPro Max 2, is still to be released.
  • Pros
  • Good stabilization
  • Cons
  • Average image quality
  • Ageing model
  • Still excessively expensive

Comparison of the Action 3 vs the GoPro Max

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Video performance

Only the Action 3 offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
DJI Osmo Action 3
GoPro Max
Feature missing
Max 360° resolution
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
4K video at 120fps
Max resolution
1440p video at 60fps
4K
HDR video
HDR video unsupported
8x at 1080p
Maximum slow motion
2x
RockSteady 3.0
Stabilization
Max HyperSmooth
Why it matters: A high resolution will give you crisp footage but also allow you to reframe your video without losing too much quality. A higher framerate (fps) will result in smoother video and is important when filming action scenes or fast moving subjects. Image stabilization is a crucial feature for an action camera, as it removes camera shake, vibrations, rotation and other movements that deteriorate your final footage.

Battery life

The Action 3 offers a slightly better battery capacity. Both cameras have removable batteries.
DJI Osmo Action 3
GoPro Max
1770mAh
Battery capacity
1600mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
160min at 1080p
Battery life
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Why battery life matters: Nothing worse than running out of battery just before capturing the best footage of the day! A long battery life is reassuring and convenient when shooting footage outdoors where options to charge are limited. Even the use of a power bank can be tedious or simply impossible like when filming watersports. Having removable batteries allows battery swapping on the go which further extends your runtime.

Storage

Neither camera features built-in storage. Both the Action 3 and the GoPro Max support SD cards. The GoPro Max supports a lot more storage than the Action 3.
DJI Osmo Action 3
GoPro Max
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
microSD
Storage format
microSD
256GB
Maximun storage supported
1TB
Why storage matters: High quality footage can quickly take up lots of space and insufficient storage can soon be frustrating. Having a large amount of storage and the possiblity to extend it or swap SD cards while on a outing will ensure you will always be able to capture the footage you want. However, smaller, wearable action cameras often rely on built-in storage because of their small size.

Weight and size

The Action 3 is a slightly smaller camera. Both the Action 3 and the GoPro Max have similar weights.
DJI Osmo Action 3
GoPro Max
2.78in x 1.74in x 1.29in / 70.5mm x 44.2mm x 32.8mm
Dimensions
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
5.11oz / 145g
Weight
5.43oz / 154g
Why size and weight matter: Weight is important for action cameras because we often mount them on helmets, or hold them at the end of a selfie stick while moving. Therefore a heavier camera can be difficult or uncomfortable to film with. Weight is even more crucial for certain sports like road cycling or running.

Waterproofing and usage conditions

The Action 3 is a lot more waterproof. The Action 3 is far better for extreme cold. The Action 3 beats the GoPro Max in high heat conditions.
DJI Osmo Action 3
GoPro Max
52ft / 16m
Waterproof
16ft / 5m
197ft / 60m
Waterproof with diving case
Feature missing
-4°F / -20°C
Min operating temperature
14°F / -10°C
113°F / 45°C
Max operating temperature
95°F / 35°C
Why it matters: Most action cameras are waterproof for accidental splashing or use above water, but if you plan on Snorkeling or Scuba Diving, we recommend choosing a camera which offers a diving case and always using it for underwater footage. If you plan on filming Snowboarding, Skiing or other wintersports in extremely cold conditions, you should pick a camera that is rated for those temperatures, most cameras are only rated down to 14°F / -10°C. Many action cameras are prone to overheating, even in ordinary conditions, so if you plan on filming in hot environments, you should choose a camera that can function at high temperatures.

Camera and sensor technology

The GoPro Max offers a slightly higher resolution. Both feature a 155° field of view. The Action 3 features a much higher bit rate than the GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
GoPro Max
12MP
Pixels
18MP
155°
Field of view
155°
130Mbps
Video bite rate
78Mbps
Why it matters: A higher amount of pixels will offer better quality footage and higher resolution photos. A higher field of view means that the camera captures over a wider angle and therefore more action can be seen in the final footage. Some cameras require accessories to enable the maximum FOV. A higher bitrate at a similar resolution will offer higher quality video.

Camera settings

The Action 3's 100-12800 ISO range is far superior to GoPro Max's. Both cameras have the same exposure compensation adjustments.
DJI Osmo Action 3
GoPro Max
100-12800
ISO range
100-3200
+/-4
Exposure Compensation
+/-4
Why these settings matter: The ISO range and exposure compensation settings will mostly allow you to tweak your action camera for low light situations.

DJI Osmo Action 3 versus GoPro Max specifications

NameDJI Osmo Action 3GoPro Max
Year of release20222019
Width2.78in / 70.5mm2.52in / 64mm
Height1.74in / 44.2mm2.72in / 69mm
Depth1.29in / 32.8mm0.98in / 25mm
Weight5.11oz / 145g5.43oz / 154g
Waterproof52ft / 16m16ft / 5m
Waterproof with diving case197ft / 60m-
Min operating temperature-4°F / -20°C14°F / -10°C
Max operating temperature113°F / 45°C95°F / 35°C
Battery capacity1770mAh1600mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life160min at 1080p85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
Charging time49min120min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredV30 or UHS-3Class 10 or UHS-I Rating
Maximun storage supported256GB1TB
Rear screen size-1.69in
Field of view155°155°
Sensor1/1.7"1/2.3"
Pixels12MP18MP
ApertureF2.8F2.0
Focal length-13-27mm
ISO range100-12800100-3200
Color Depth10bit8bit
Video bite rate130Mbps78Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoNoYes
5.7K 360 video-30fps
360 video format-GoPro 360 file
4K video120fps-
2.7K video120fps-
1440p video-60fps
1080p video240fps60fps
Slow motion at 4K4-
Maximum slow motion8x at 1080p2x
HDR video4K-
StabilizationRockSteady 3.0Max HyperSmooth
Horizon lock-Yes
Video formatH.264 (MP4)H.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
Live streamingNo1080p30
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse modeYes-
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNoNo
Photo burst modeNoNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones36
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formataacwav
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 5.0BLE 4.2
USBType-C USBType-C USB
GPS integratedNoYes
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commands-No