Action Cam Showdown

Let’s face it: GoPro has been the king of action cameras for what feels like forever. But with DJI's new Action 5 Pro, the throne might be wobbling.

DJI just dropped the Action 5 Pro, and it’s packed with features that make you wonder if GoPro’s reign is finally coming to an end. With a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 40MP photo resolution, and 4K video at 120fps, this little beast is gunning for GoPro’s crown. But is it really enough to topple the GoPro Hero 13 Black?

First off, let’s talk about the sensor. DJI is boasting a 13.5-stop dynamic range, which is a huge deal for anyone who’s serious about capturing high-quality video. This means better detail in both the shadows and highlights, something that’s been a bit of a weak spot for action cams in the past. GoPro’s Hero 13 Black, on the other hand, maxes out at 5.3K resolution, which gives you more cropping options but doesn’t necessarily mean better video quality. So, are you more into resolution or dynamic range? That’s the real question.

Subject Tracking: Game Changer or Gimmick?

Now, here’s where things get spicy. The Action 5 Pro comes with subject tracking and centering, a feature that could be a game-changer for creators who don’t want to mess around with gimbals. DJI borrowed this tech from their drones (ActiveTrack, anyone?), and it’s designed to keep your subject in the center of the frame without needing any extra gear. Sounds awesome, right? Well, there’s a catch. The resolution drops to 2.7K when you use this feature. So, while it’s cool, it’s not exactly 4K magic. Still, for extreme sports or fast-moving subjects, this could be a lifesaver.

GoPro doesn’t have anything quite like this, but their HyperSmooth stabilization is still top-tier. It’s like comparing apples and oranges—both are great, but it depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want buttery-smooth footage, or do you want to keep your subject locked in the frame without extra gear?

Battery Life: The Unsung Hero

Battery life is one of those things that no one talks about until you’re halfway through a mountain bike trail, and your camera dies. DJI’s Action 5 Pro has a 1950mAh battery, which gives you up to 4 hours of continuous use. That’s a 50% improvement over the previous model, and it’s thanks to a new 4nm chip that optimizes energy usage. Even in freezing temps (-20°C or -4°F), this thing keeps going for up to 3.6 hours. GoPro’s Hero 13 Black? It’s no slouch either, but it doesn’t quite hit those numbers.

So, if you’re planning on long shoots or cold-weather adventures, DJI might have the edge here. Plus, the Action 5 Pro is backward compatible with older batteries, so if you’re upgrading from an Action 4, you’re good to go.

Underwater Adventures

Both GoPro and DJI are known for their underwater capabilities, but DJI just took it up a notch. The Action 5 Pro is waterproof down to 20 meters (66 feet) without a case, which is 2 meters more than its predecessor. It also has a built-in pressure gauge that records depth, duration, and altitude data, which is a pretty sweet safety feature if you’re into serious diving.

GoPro’s Hero 13 Black is waterproof too, but it doesn’t have that fancy pressure gauge. So, if you’re planning on going deep—literally—DJI might be the better option.

Storage and Connectivity

DJI’s Action 5 Pro comes with 47GB of built-in storage, which is a nice touch if you forget your SD card at home. It also supports Wi-Fi 6.0 and USB 3.0 for faster transfers. GoPro, on the other hand, relies solely on external storage, so you’ll need to keep those SD cards handy.

For livestreaming, both cameras are pretty solid, but DJI’s updated Mimo app makes it a bit easier to sync multiple cameras with timecode. If you’re a multi-cam shooter, this could be a big deal.

The Verdict

So, is the DJI Action 5 Pro the GoPro killer we’ve all been waiting for? Well, it’s complicated. If you’re all about dynamic range, subject tracking, and battery life, DJI’s offering is hard to beat. But if you crave higher resolution and top-tier stabilization, GoPro’s Hero 13 Black is still a beast.

In the end, it comes down to what you value more: features like subject tracking and longer battery life, or higher resolution and HyperSmooth stabilization. Either way, it’s a win for action cam enthusiasts. And hey, competition is always good for us, right?

Funny story: I once took my GoPro on a snowboarding trip, and the battery died halfway down the mountain. I had to rely on my phone for the rest of the day. If only I had the Action 5 Pro back then, maybe I wouldn’t have missed that epic wipeout!