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789 Review
22 Karma

Review on DJI Osmo Action: 4K Action Cam with 2 Displays, 12MP Camera, Waterproof, WiFi, HDR Video, Black by Joshua Carter

Revainrating 1 out of 5

Back to GoPro

Out of the box, the camera turns on 5 times and then turns into a brick without prior "activation" by the application on the smartphone. This app is pure spyware. There is no legitimate reason for an app to "activate" (ie "use") the camera. Если я куплю камеру, я рассчитываю использовать ее прямо из коробки, без необходимости устанавливать приложение, "прочитать и понять" несколько лицензионных соглашений с конечным пользователем, создать учетную запись и открыть доступ ко всем своим файлам, местоположению, телефону и т. д. контакты etc. with a Chinese spy company. If someone wants to use the app, that's fine, but REQUIRING all of this to use the camera is a deal breaker for me. Trying to install the app and connect the camera is another unwanted issue. Video modes: This camera is said to give the Hero 9 (or at least the Hero 7) a good run for the money, but there's no native white balance (a ProTune feature, why the Hero 2 at all?). No on-screen bars or histograms; These functions require an application. In manual mode, I can set shutter speed and EV so that ISO controls exposure, but there's no on-screen or app display for current ISO or actual EV; This complicates the use of neutral density filters with variable lighting. No wide/medium/narrow views, just a wide view that isn't as wide as the GoPro. There is no option to disable Bluetooth on the camera. When the camera is turned on, it transmits the Bluetooth MAC address and other unique identifiers. Those are just problems I find in the first few minutes. Many of these features that I expect to see on screen are available through the app, but excessive app permissions and a *REQUIREMENT* to use the app to "activate" the phone are not allowed. Not to mention that I want to be able to use these functions without a smartphone. "Features" like this push me back to GoPros and other action cameras that don't rely heavily on spyware. The GoPro app can be intrusive, but their cameras work just fine without it.

Pros
  • nice little thing
Cons
  • negative impression