DJI's New Camera: A GoPro Rival with a Catch

DJI Action 2: A Promising Design Hampered by Overheating

DJI’s latest action camera, the Action 2, presents a compelling proposition on paper, aiming to challenge GoPro’s dominance. This second-generation offering boasts a remarkably compact form factor and a comprehensive feature set, distinguished by a unique modular design.

Innovative Modularity and Design

The Action 2’s design echoes the aesthetic one might expect from Apple, particularly reminiscent of the earlier GoPro Session cameras. It’s available in two configurations: a $399 bundle featuring the core camera unit and a magnetic battery extension, and a $519 package that adds a front-facing display module.

The core camera unit, weighing just 56 grams, is advertised to deliver 4K/120fps video capabilities, matching the GoPro Hero10 Black, but in a significantly smaller package.

Initial Impressions and Hardware Quality

After several days of testing, the device’s appeal is undeniable, yet significant concerns emerged. The hardware itself is well-crafted, and the modular system functions surprisingly effectively.

Magnetic connections and locking mechanisms feel robust, lending a premium weightiness to the camera. Video quality generally aligns with expectations for an action camera in its price range, and the included accessories, such as a necklace mount and macro lens, are enjoyable to use.

A minor inconvenience is the inability to charge the core unit without attaching it to either the battery module or the front display.

Battery Life and Usage Scenarios

The modular design prioritizes both portability and extended battery life. Users can opt to forgo the additional modules for quick video capture, ideal for social media.

DJI envisions the Action 2 as a versatile camera for both professional athletes and content creators, designed to be comfortably worn using the included magnetic lanyard. Approximately 30 minutes of 4K footage can be recorded on a single charge of the core unit – sufficient for short clips, but less than typical for an action camera (DJI states a maximum runtime of 70 minutes). Connecting to the battery or display module significantly extends recording time.

Critical Overheating Issues

Despite impressive specifications, the Action 2 suffers from a critical flaw: overheating. Attempts to record stabilized 4K video at 120 frames per second were consistently cut short, with the device automatically shutting down after less than five minutes.

This issue persisted across all 4K settings, even at the lowest frame rate of 24fps, limiting continuous recording to just under 15 minutes. Such thermal limitations are particularly problematic for a camera intended for wearable use.

Confirmation and Potential Solutions

A DJI representative acknowledged that other reviewers encountered similar overheating problems. The current workaround involves reducing the recording resolution.

A Disappointing Launch

The inability to reliably capture 4K video at any frame rate significantly diminishes the Action 2’s appeal at launch. While the innovative design is commendable, it’s overshadowed by this fundamental performance issue.

This contrasts with GoPro’s more iterative approach to upgrades, which may lack the Action 2’s visual flair but consistently deliver on their promises.

Building on Past Successes

The original DJI Action camera, released in 2019, was a strong competitor to GoPro, introducing features subsequently adopted by its rival. As my colleague Brian Heater noted at the time, it was a remarkably polished first-generation product.

Final Thoughts

The Action 2 represents a different scenario. While DJI may address these issues through firmware updates, the device was demonstrably not ready for release. Potential buyers should exercise caution and await confirmation of key fixes before purchasing.