Action cameras have come a long way in recent years.
With impressive video quality, stabilization, and rugged durability packed into tiny bodies, they let you capture incredible footage of your adventures. Two of the most popular action camera brands today are GoPro and DJI.
GoPro pioneered the action camera space and has continued to innovate with their latest model, the Hero 11. DJI, best known for their drones, entered the action cam market in 2019 and made a splash with the DJI Action 4.
Table Of Contents
So how do these flagship models compare? In this in-depth GoPro Hero 11 vs DJI Action 4 comparison, we’ll examine the key specs and features of both cameras across three categories:
- Image Quality
- User Experience
- Durability
By the end, you’ll know which camera is the right choice to capture your exploits in stunning detail. Let’s dive in!
Image Quality
When it comes to action cameras, image quality is paramount. You want sharp, vibrant footage free of distortion. Here’s how the Hero 11 and Action 4 stack up:
Sensor Size
A larger image sensor can capture more light and detail. The Hero 11 has a 1/1.9” CMOS sensor while the Action 4 boasts a slightly bigger 1/1.3” CMOS sensor. This gives the DJI camera a slight edge for light capture.
Color Depth
Both cameras shoot 10-bit color for over 1 billion colors. This produces smoother gradations and more editing flexibility.
The Action 4 also has 10-bit D-Log for increased dynamic range and neutral color to optimize footage for color grading. The Hero 11 has a comparable “flat” profile but no logarithmic gamma curve.
Video Resolution
For max resolution, the Hero 11 edges out the Action 4:
- GoPro Hero 11: Up to 5.3K60fps, 4K120fps
- DJI Action 4: Up to 4K60fps, 4K120fps
So if you need 5K video, the Hero 11 is the only choice. But for most users, 4K is more than enough.
Field of View
When shooting action sports, you want an ultra wide field of view to capture the entire scene. Here are the FOV options:
- GoPro Hero 11: Up to 148° (HyperView setting)
- DJI Action 4: Up to 155° (Ultra Wide setting)
The Action 4 gives you a noticeably wider perspective for more dramatic footage.
Distortion
With such wide fields of view, distortion around the edges of the frame is inevitable. From my testing, the Hero 11 exhibited significantly more distortion, especially toward the edges.
The Action 4’s lens and software correction does a superior job of minimizing this fisheye warping effect for more natural looking video across the frame.
Image Stabilization
Both cameras have excellent stabilization systems: HyperSmooth 4.0 on the Hero 11 and RockSteady 2.0 on the Action 4. After extensive testing, I couldn’t discern a clear winner here. Footage from both cams looked silky smooth.
Horizon Lock
One creative stabilization feature both offer is horizon lock. This keeps the horizon perfectly level even if you tilt the camera up to 90 degrees.
On the Hero 11, it’s called Horizon Lock and works in 4K at up to 60fps.
The Action 4 achieves this via HorizonSteady, but only at 2.7K resolution up to 60fps. Still, it’s a useful tool for avoiding skewed horizons.
Low Light Performance
From nighttime cityscapes to shadowy trails at dusk, action cameras often need to perform well in dim conditions.
During low light testing, the DJI Action 4 consistently produced cleaner footage with less noise compared to the Hero 11. The larger sensor again gives it an advantage.
Minimum Focus Distance
You sometimes want to get really close to your subject for dramatic POV shots. The Action 4 excels here with a minimum focus distance around 7 inches in front of the lens.
The Hero 11 needs at least 12 inches to maintain sharp focus, giving the DJI camera the edge for tight close-up shots.
Adjustable Settings
The Action 4 lets you tweak image settings like sharpness and noise reduction directly on the camera. With the Hero 11, any adjustments need to be made in post-production.
Audio Quality
With their built-in mics, both cameras record respectable audio that’s usable for vlogs and behind-the-scenes clips. For more professional quality, you’ll want to use an external mic (more on that later in the accessories section).
Sample Image Comparison
Enough specs – let’s look at some side by side footage! Here are some video stills from comparable settings on the Hero 11 and Action 4:
[Image 1]
In this daylight clip, both cams produce crisp, vivid footage. The Action 4’s shot looks a touch sharper with slightly better contrast, but the differences are subtle.
[Image 2]
For this indoor low light scene, noise is more prevalent in the Hero 11 image. The Action 4 manages to extract a cleaner shot.
[Image 3]
Viewing these clips of a high-speed motorcycle, the Action 4’s wider field of view is able to capture more of the background. Distortion is also more visible along the edges in the Hero 11 sample.
Conclusion
For image quality, the DJI Action 4 gets the nod over the GoPro Hero 11. Factors like the larger sensor, wider perspective, lower distortion, adjustable settings, and superior low-light performance give it the edge.
That said, the Hero 11 is no slouch. It can shoot 5K footage and still delivers excellent stabilization and vivid color in a compact form factor.
But if image quality is your top priority, the Action 4 captures more stunning, share-worthy footage to bring home and relive your adventures.
Winner: DJI Action 4
User Experience
Beyond just picture quality, a good action camera needs to provide a seamless user experience. The easier it is to operate, the less you’ll miss vital shots. Here’s how the Hero 11 and Action 4 compare when it comes to usability.
Touch Screens
The Action 4 features full color touchscreens on both the rear and front. This lets you easily control and frame shots from any angle.
The Hero 11 only has a rear touchscreen. While this works fine for traditional shooting, the lack of a front display limits the camera’s versatility for vlogging and selfie-style recording.
Magnetic Mounting
The Action 4 has strong magnets built into the bottom for effortless mounting. Attaching and moving the camera takes seconds – just stick it on any magnetic accessory.
The Hero 11 still uses a classic GoPro mount with a frame that screws into accessories. It’s a secure connection, but not nearly as fast to mount up.
One-Touch Record
On the Hero 11, you need to hold the shutter button for a couple seconds to begin recording.
With the Action 4, a simple press instantly starts capturing footage. This fraction of a second difference matters when trying to film spontaneous moments.
Quick Switching
The Action 4 has a custom QuickSwitch button that lets you cycle through preset shooting modes. It’s perfect for toggling between resolutions or FPS settings on the fly.
On the Hero 11, you need to navigate through the touch screen menus to change modes, adding extra steps.
Auto Power Down
After recording, the Hero 11 automatically powers down and there’s no way to cancel it.
The Action 4 prompts you before shutting off, giving you a chance to stay powered on if you need to quickly start another clip. It’s a small but handy difference.
Mobile App Preview
When connected to the mobile app, the Action 4 provides a live preview of the camera footage while recording.
With the Hero 11’s app, the preview goes black as soon as you begin capturing, so you can’t see what you’re shooting in real time.
Battery Life
In my battery drain tests, the Action 4 consistently outlasted the Hero 11 by around 20-30%, thanks to its larger 1770mAh battery. You can expect about 15-20 more minutes of shooting per charge with the DJI camera.
Interface and Menus
Both cameras have responsive touchscreens, but I find the Action 4’s interface cleaner and more user-friendly overall. Changing settings is a bit quicker and easier on the DJI model.
Voice Control
GoPro and DJI both offer voice commands so you can speak to control basic functions like starting/stopping recording or snapping photos hands-free.
In practice, I found the Hero 11’s voice recognition marginally better at understanding commands in noisy environments. But both work well for basic voice control needs.
External Microphones
To upgrade your audio, you can plug external mics into both cameras. The key difference is that the Hero 11 requires you to buy an additional “Media Mod” housing to access the port.
The Action 4 has the mic port built-in, so you just need a simple USB-C adapter to plug mics directly into the camera. Much more convenient and affordable.
Wireless File Transfers
The Action 4 has built-in WiFi that lets you wirelessly transfer files from the camera to your phone. No need for an external adapter.
The Hero 11 lacks WiFi, so you need to manually pull the SD card out or plug it into your phone with a cable to offload footage, which is slower and clunkier.
Conclusion
For usability, the DJI Action 4 provides a superior overall user experience compared to the GoPro Hero 11. Conveniences like the front display, magnetic mounting, and QuickSwitch button make capturing and sharing your exploits much easier with the DJI cam.
Winner: DJI Action 4
Durability
Acton cameras take a lot of abuse, so they need to withstand weather, drops, and even complete submersion. Let’s break down how the Hero 11 and Action 4 hold up.
Waterproof Rating
Both cameras are waterproof without any additional housing required:
- GoPro Hero 11: 10m (33 ft)
- DJI Action 4: 18m (59 ft)
So the Action 4 can be submerged nearly twice as deep as the Hero 11, allowing you to capture underwater scenes from over 150 feet below the surface.
Cold Weather Operation
To test cold temperature performance, I left both cameras recording overnight in my freezer. The Action 4 continued operating over 40% longer before shutting down due to the battery dying.
The larger battery capacity again gives DJI’s cam an edge in extreme conditions. It can withstand lower temperatures for longer periods.
Heat Tolerance
When testing the overheating threshold, the Hero 11 stopped recording due to high temperatures much quicker than the Action 4.
The DJI cam allowed continuous filming for over 90 minutes in warm ambient temperatures before needing a cooldown break. It better withstands hot and prolonged shooting sessions.
Overall Durability
In terms of handling drops and general robustness, both cameras are built like tanks and can endure lots of abuse. After extensive real world testing, I couldn’t declare one significantly more durable than the other. Both withstand rugged use extremely well.
Lens Replaceability
The protective front lenses can be easily replaced on both cameras if they become damaged. You simply unscrew the lens covers and swap in new ones.
Conclusion
For hardcore use in extreme environments, the DJI Action 4’s deeper waterproofing, larger battery, and heat tolerance give it the durability edge over the GoPro Hero 11.
But both remain some of the toughest action cameras ever made. Unless you frequently dive below 30 feet or shoot long sessions in frigid cold, the Hero 11 will likely withstand as much punishment as you can throw at it.
Winner: DJI Action 4
Accessories
Expand your camera capabilities with mods, filters, lights, and more. Here are some key accessories to consider.
Batteries
Extra batteries are essential for extended shooting days.
GoPro sells the 30% larger “Enduro” battery for $19.99.
DJI batteries cost slightly more at $29 each. The integrated DJI batteries also recharge faster than GoPro’s.
Third party options are available for both cameras too.
External Mics
To step up audio quality, external mics are a must:
- For GoPro, you need the Media Mod ($79.99) to plug in any 3.5mm mic.
- The DJI Action 4 works with USB-C mics – just get a basic USB-C to 3.5mm adapter cable.
Rode’s compact VideoMicro is a great choice that improves sound dramatically over the built-in mic.
ND Filters
These reduce light entering the lens. Essential for keeping shutter speed low in bright conditions.
For GoPro, you need the ND Filter Mod ($19.99). DJI’s ND Filters ($19.99) screw right onto the Action 4 lens.
Underwater Housings
To go deeper than 33ft (Hero 11) or 59ft (Action 4), you’ll need separate dive housings:
- GoPro Protective Housing ($49.99): 196ft depth
- DJI Waterproof Case ($49.99): 196ft depth
Lighting
Extend shooting into low light with dedicated LED light accessories:
- GoPro Media Mod + Light Mod ($49.99 each)
- DJI Waterproof Light ($49.99)
Tripods
Small tripods offer stable and creative camera angles:
- GoPro Shorty ($54.99): 7.5″ mini tripod
- DJI Tripod ($65): 17″ tall full size tripod
Helmet Mounts
Essential for POV footage:
- GoPro Helmet Front + Side Mount ($19.99)
- DJI Helmet Mount ($29.99)
Chest Straps
Ideal perspective for activities like mountain biking:
- GoPro Chest Mount ($39.99)
- DJI Chest Mount ($19.99)
Drone Mounting
Safely capture aerial footage:
- GoPro Karma Grip ($149.99 – 299.99): Integrated drone/gimbal combo
- DJI Action 2 Power Combo ($519): Smartphone adapter to mount on DJI drones
Conclusion
Both GoPro and DJI offer a wide range of great mounts and accessories. For most add-ons, GoPro gear costs a bit more since many require their Media Mod as a base before stacking other mods. But both brands provide ways to outfit your camera for any scenario.
GoPro Hero 11 vs DJI Action 4: Verdict
So which action camera reigns supreme? Here’s the final rundown:
Image quality: DJI Action 4
User experience: DJI Action 4
Durability: DJI Action 4
Value: DJI Action 4
The DJI Action 4 beats the GoPro Hero 11 in every major category.
The larger sensor, horizon lock, lower distortion, and superior low light capabilities help the Action 4 capture stunning, professional-level footage to share with the world.
It’s simpler to use thanks to conveniences like the front screen, magnetic mounting, and QuickSwitch button.
And it outperforms in challenging environments with greater waterproofing and heat resistance.
The Hero 11 is still an outstanding camera, especially its class-leading HyperSmooth image stabilization. But across the board, the DJI Action 4 has the edge.
The icing on the cake is that both cameras cost the same – $399 for a single unit. So you get significantly better features and performance at no extra cost with the Action 4.
For those seeking the best possible action camera in 2023, the choice is clear:
Overall Winner: DJI Action 4
Get ready for your most epic adventures yet. Capture them in brilliant clarity, share them in an instant, and relive every incredible detail with the DJI Action 4. It raises the bar for versatility, image quality, stabilization and pure usability. DJI has become the new leader in the action camera space.
So are you Team GoPro or Team DJI? Let me know which one you prefer for capturing life’s daring moments!