GoPro Max vs DJI Osmo Action 3

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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

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

Comparison of the GoPro Max vs the Action 3

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Video performance

Only the Action 3 offers HDR video. Both cameras feature slomo video. The two cameras have image stabilization.
GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
5.7K 360 video at 30fps
Max 360° resolution
Feature missing
1440p video at 60fps
Max resolution
4K video at 120fps
HDR video unsupported
HDR video
4K
2x
Maximum slow motion
8x at 1080p
Max HyperSmooth
Stabilization
RockSteady 3.0
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.
GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
1600mAh
Battery capacity
1770mAh
Removable
Removable battery
Removable
85min 5.7K30fps 360° and 105min at 1080p
Battery life
160min 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 GoPro Max and the Action 3 support SD cards. The GoPro Max supports a lot more storage than the Action 3.
GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
No built-in storage
Built-in storage
No built-in storage
microSD
Storage format
microSD
1TB
Maximun storage supported
256GB
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 GoPro Max and the Action 3 have similar weights.
GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
2.52in x 2.72in x 0.98in / 64mm x 69mm x 25mm
Dimensions
2.78in x 1.74in x 1.29in / 70.5mm x 44.2mm x 32.8mm
5.43oz / 154g
Weight
5.11oz / 145g
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.
GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
16ft / 5m
Waterproof
52ft / 16m
Feature missing
Waterproof with diving case
197ft / 60m
14°F / -10°C
Min operating temperature
-4°F / -20°C
95°F / 35°C
Max operating temperature
113°F / 45°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
GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
18MP
Pixels
12MP
155°
Field of view
155°
78Mbps
Video bite rate
130Mbps
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.
GoPro Max
DJI Osmo Action 3
100-3200
ISO range
100-12800
+/-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.

GoPro Max versus DJI Osmo Action 3 specifications

NameGoPro MaxDJI Osmo Action 3
Year of release20192022
Width2.52in / 64mm2.78in / 70.5mm
Height2.72in / 69mm1.74in / 44.2mm
Depth0.98in / 25mm1.29in / 32.8mm
Weight5.43oz / 154g5.11oz / 145g
Waterproof16ft / 5m52ft / 16m
Waterproof with diving case-197ft / 60m
Min operating temperature14°F / -10°C-4°F / -20°C
Max operating temperature95°F / 35°C113°F / 45°C
Battery capacity1600mAh1770mAh
Removable batteryYesYes
Battery life85min 5.7K30fps 360°
105min at 1080p
160min at 1080p
Charging time120min49min
Storage formatmicroSDmicroSD
Storage rating requiredClass 10 or UHS-I RatingV30 or UHS-3
Maximun storage supported1TB256GB
Rear screen size1.69in-
Field of view155°155°
Sensor1/2.3"1/1.7"
Pixels18MP12MP
ApertureF2.0F2.8
Focal length13-27mm-
ISO range100-3200100-12800
Color Depth8bit10bit
Video bite rate78Mbps130Mbps
Exposure Compensation+/-4+/-4
360-degree videoYesNo
5.7K 360 video30fps-
360 video formatGoPro 360 file-
4K video-120fps
2.7K video-120fps
1440p video60fps-
1080p video60fps240fps
Slow motion at 4K-4
Maximum slow motion2x8x at 1080p
HDR video-4K
StabilizationMax HyperSmoothRockSteady 3.0
Horizon lockYes-
Video formatH.264 (AVC)
H.265 (HEVC)
H.264 (MP4)
Live streaming1080p30No
Timelapse modeYesYes
Starlapse mode-Yes
Timeshift modeYesYes
Loop recording modeYesYes
Subject trackingNoNo
Photo burst modeNoNo
RAW format supportedYesYes
Microphones63
Stereo audioYesYes
Noise reductionYesYes
Audio formatwavaac
Wifi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBLE 4.2BLE 5.0
USBType-C USBType-C USB
GPS integratedYesNo
Voice commandsYesYes
Gesture commandsNo-