Combined with a variety of accessories with a detachable magnet!Compact action camera perfect for VLOG DJI ACTION2

New action camera Action2 from DJI. It can be attached and detached with magnets to various accessories such as neck straps, hand grips, and car mounts. Yuya Miyamoto, a videographer, reported on the appeal and issues of this product after actually using it.

Report Yuya Miyamoto (GIV)

Hello, I'm Miyamoto from GIV and I'm a freelance videographer in Hiroshima.

This time, I was able to borrow DJI's new action camera "DJI Action2" announced in October 2021 before its release, so I would like to introduce it!

Mr. Miyamoto's video review

A completely different style from the previous model

First, let's look at the differences from the previous model, the Osmo Action. The previous model "osmo action" released in May 2019. At the time of its release, it was differentiated from Go Pro, a representative action camera, with a front screen that can be used for selfies and RockSteady, an image stabilization technology that utilizes the company's experience in developing 3-axis mechanical gimbals. rice field. I also purchased it on the release date and used it in various cases. However, in the new model DJI Action2, the concept has changed greatly in terms of appearance and usability.

Unlike the previous model, the new DJI Action2 is square and compact. The weight is also quite light at 56g (it seems that it is the same as one egg). In addition, the front monitor has been abolished, and the battery was replaceable in the previous model, but in this model it is only rechargeable. There is only one physical button on the top.

However, you can see something like a connector on the bottom. The bottom of this was the big concept of this DJI Action2, and the biggest selling point was packed.

Magnetic design for easy attachment/detachment to accessories

Many action cameras, including the previous model, use a screw attachment method to securely fix the camera to accessories, etc. was used. However, in the new model, the bottom of the main body is a magnet, and by using newly prepared accessories, it is possible to attach and detach instantly. The necklace accessory that comes with the main unit can be hung around your neck and tucked inside your clothes so that you can quickly attach the camera to your chest when you need it.

We also include a mini pan head that supports magnets, so you can quickly attach it to a tripod.

It is a good specification that accessories can be replaced instantly when necessary, such as when Vlogging or playing sports. The magnet sticks firmly, so there is no need to worry about it coming off even if you give it a little movement or impact. A variety of third-party accessories that have been released so far can also be quickly attached using the magnetic adapter mount.

The LCD monitor and spare battery can be expanded with modularity

The new model has a function-expanding modular specification using the aforementioned magnet. For example, as I mentioned at the beginning, the new model doesn't have a front monitor, so you can't check it when you take a selfie. In such a case, by attaching a monitor that is the same size as the main unit called the "front touch screen module" to the bottom of the main unit, you can check the screen when taking selfies. will be

In addition, this front touch screen module is also equipped with a battery, and by attaching it to the camera body, you can shoot for a longer time. For those who don't take selfies, there will also be a package that includes a power module that can only be used as an extra battery, not the front touch screen module.

In this way, the new model is designed to be compact with the minimum necessary functions, and to be used by instantly attaching modules as needed. I think many men like this kind of design.

More compact than the previous model, but with more power

DJI Action2 is more compact, has magnet attachments, has a modular design and greatly changed the concept, but of course, the contents are also powerful. Up. The sensor size of the previous model was 1/2.3 inch, but it is slightly larger at 1/1.7 inch, and it also supports 4K/120p. We realize slow motion of high resolution high resolution.

New function that keeps the camera level even when tilted HorizonSteady

Furthermore, as with the previous model, the camera shake correction technology RockSteady is also installed this time, so you can shoot while walking. It is possible to shoot without blurring at all, and the newly installed HorizonSteady realizes shooting that maintains a stable level at all times.

You can choose from three different angles of view for Action2

You can also choose from three types of lenses: "standard", "wide angle", and "ultra wide angle". The ultra-wide angle can cover a wide area. I personally think standard is good enough.

If you use the dedicated smartphone app DJI mimo, you can monitor the video, easily edit the shot material you took, and immediately share it on SNS.

Issues with Action2 that I found after using it

While it is compact and easy to use, there are also disadvantages and points to be worried about because it is compact.

●Battery side

If you shoot with just the camera body without attaching the module, it will take about 30 minutes for continuous shooting at 4K/30p. If you want to shoot for a long time, using a module seems to be indispensable. Furthermore, without this module, the camera itself cannot be charged, and data cannot be transferred by connecting to a PC.

If you take only the camera body on a trip, you cannot charge it. Also, since the speaker is also on the module side, I thought it would be inconvenient not to be able to check the sound with just the camera itself.

●Storage side

Because the SD card is also attached to the module, the camera itself only has 32GB of built-in storage (actually about 22GB can be used), so 4K shooting is possible. and fills up quickly. If you want to shoot in 4K for a long time, you need to use the front screen module and insert an SD card into the module to record to the SD card.

●Heat problem

There is a setting called "Recording stop temperature setting", and it is set to "Standard" at the beginning, but if you shoot 4K in this state, the heat will stop in a short time. There were times when I was overwhelmed.

When I set it to "High", I was able to shoot for a long time, and I was able to rotate it at 4K30p for about 30 minutes indoors (room temperature 22.3 degrees), but in an environment where it was exposed to direct sunlight outside, the heat stopped in about 5 minutes. There were times when I did. At this time of October, when it's not too hot, I have the impression that I'm worried about whether it's okay to use it outside in the middle of summer. I want to use it as a camera that can be used casually in 1080p (sometimes like 4K) instead of 4K, so it may not be necessary to worry about that, but I want to use 4K to the fullest. Also, for those who want to use 60p or 120p frequently, you may have to think about how to use it, such as not shooting for a long time and turning off the power frequently.

There are issues, but I want to use this VLOG camera every day

As mentioned above, there are some issues that make it hard to buy, and some people may not want to buy it because it is fatal. think. As for me... I bought it while I was writing (laughs). Certainly there are issues, but more than that, I like the compactness of this DJI Action2 and the ease of attaching accessories with magnets. It was easy to shoot, and it made me feel like I should try Vlogging. I like the sound quality as well.

For that reason, I will use 4K when I need it, but I think that 1080p is usually fine, so I think I can use it without worrying about the issues I raised.

I'd like to expect new modules to come out more and more in the future!

Product information for DJI Action2

https://www.dji.com/jp/dji-action-2