GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: A Comprehensive Comparison

Today, I’ll compare the latest two action cameras on the market: the GoPro Hero 13 Black versus the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. I’ll cover everything you need to know about these cameras, including vlogging performance, audio quality, stabilization, FPV performance, nighttime footage, and underwater shots. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which camera is right for you.

Vlogging Test

Let’s start with some vlogging tests. You can see the cameras side by side at the exact same location with nearly identical settings. I’m using automatic camera settings on both cameras, shooting in wide field of view, 4K 25fps on the Osmo Action 5 Pro, and 5.3K 25fps on the GoPro 13.

We’re in stormy Greece, specifically in Halkidiki. The weather isn’t ideal, but it’s still nice for a walk and to explore restaurants and shops. You can see how the cameras adapt to light changes from bright to dark. There’s a noticeable difference in white balance between the two cameras, with one shooting a bit more blue and the other having more warmth in the footage.

Stabilization Test

These stairs will be a great test for the stabilization of these cameras. I’m using basic stabilization, nothing intense, but this is the usual stabilization you’d need when running or going down stairs. Luckily, I didn’t fall!

FPV Test

Now it’s time for the FPV test, which I’m really excited about. Apologies for the rather bland and empty field, but we have to work with what we have. It’s quite windy, so I’m curious to see how the stabilization will perform. I’m running ReelSteadyGo and GyroFlow on both cameras, shooting in flat color profiles with ND Filters to make the footage look as good as possible.

GoPro Hero 13 Black

Starting with the GoPro Hero 13 Black, the footage is buttery smooth thanks to ReelSteadyGo. I’m shooting in 5.3K wide field of view, with stabilization at ISO 100 and white balance at 5500K. I’m using the flat color profile rather than the log option, as I find it provides a better comparison with the Action 5 Pro.

The greens look a bit oversaturated and unrealistic to me, but the flat profile gives you flexibility for color grading.

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

Switching to the Osmo Action 5 Pro, you’ll immediately notice that the footage looks flatter, leaving more room for color grading. The smoothness feels very similar to ReelSteadyGo. A tip for GyroFlow: set your smoothness to around 0.3 and the low-pass filter to 50 Hz for enhanced stabilization.

To me, the greens look more realistic and natural compared to the GoPro 13. The Osmo Action 5 Pro seems to offer better sharpness, depth, and dynamic range, with softer highlights and more detail in the shadows.

Night Footage

There are drastic differences between the two cameras in low-light situations. The Osmo Action 5 Pro has a maximum ISO of 25,600, while the GoPro Hero 13 Black maxes out at ISO 6,400. This results in much more noise and a darker image overall on the GoPro.

The Osmo Action 5 Pro also offers a dedicated night mode, boosting the maximum ISO to 51,000 and applying automatic noise reduction. This gives it a significant advantage in low-light situations.

Underwater Performance

Let’s see how these cameras perform underwater. The Osmo Action 5 Pro immediately displays dive details on its screen, such as duration and maximum depth. The GoPro 13 doesn’t offer this feature, giving the Osmo a clear advantage for underwater use.

Physical Differences and Usability

The Osmo Action 5 Pro has a significantly smaller footprint and a larger back screen compared to the GoPro Hero 13. The GoPro’s design feels outdated with its large bezels, while the Osmo offers a more modern look with slimmer bezels and a usable OLED front display.

In terms of usability, the Osmo Action 5 Pro powers on faster and offers convenient magnetic mounts, making it easier to switch between accessories. The GoPro still relies on the traditional mounting system, which can be less convenient.

Battery Life

Based on real-world usage, the Osmo Action 5 Pro offers about 3 hours of running time in 4K 25fps or 50fps. The GoPro Hero 13 provides about 2 hours of recording time in 5.3K 25fps.

Both cameras have new batteries with increased capacity. However, the GoPro’s new battery is proprietary and not compatible with older models, while the Osmo can still use batteries from previous models.

Pricing and Bundles

The Osmo Action 5 Pro starts at $379 for the standard combo, with the adventure combo offering better value at $399. The GoPro Hero 13 Black starts at $450 for the basic bundle, with more expensive options available that include additional accessories.

Conclusion

In my personal opinion, GoPro hasn’t made significant improvements with this one-year release cycle. The Osmo Action 5 Pro offers more innovation and better value, making it my preferred choice. However, I encourage you to form your own opinion based on the information provided.

Let me know which camera you prefer in the comments below. Keep it respectful, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

This is Mike from Drone Supremacy, take care, and I’ll catch you in the next one.

Ciao!