Action & 360 cameras
GoPro HERO 12 or DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro?
You are about to rent a GoPro HERO 12 Black for two days of mountain biking, and you come across discounted offers on the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. The question is healthy: does the camera you were going to take do as well? Detailed answer, without pretending, with figures from the two manufacturers.
Why is DJI so cheap right now?
Because it is no longer the top model in the range. DJI launched the Osmo Action 6 in November 2025, the first action camera with variable aperture, with a 1/1.1 inch sensor and an adjustable diaphragm from f/2.0 to f/4.0, priced at €379 as a standard combo on the manufacturer's store. The Osmo Action 5 Pro remains listed at €349 as a standard combo, and resellers are selling it significantly lower.
So this is not a good deal that fell from the sky, it is a clearance sale from a previous generation. Which doesn't mean it's a bad camera, quite the contrary.
What DJI does better, without discussion
- Autonomy. DJI announces up to 4 hours of recording with its 1950 mAh battery, and up to 3.6 hours at −20°C. GoPro announces 70 minutes continuously in 5.3K at 60 fps, more than 1 hour 30 minutes in 5.3K at 30 fps and more than 2 hours 30 minutes in 1080p at 30 fps. It's not the same world.
- Internal storage. 64 GB integrated, of which approximately 47 GB are actually usable. Card forgotten, day saved. The GoPro does not have internal memory.
- Waterproofing. 20 meters without box for the DJI, compared to 10 meters for the HERO 12. With box, both go to 60 meters.
- The screens. Two OLED panels, 1.46 inches at the front and 2.5 inches at the back, more readable in direct sunlight than LCD screens.
- The weight. 146 g compared to 154 g for the GoPro. The gap is symbolic, but it exists.
What GoPro keeps for herself
The first point is technical and can be seen during editing: the HERO 12 films in 5.3K up to 60 fps, and in 4K up to 120 fps, with a 1/1.9 inch sensor. The DJI caps at 4K, in a generous 4:3 format (3840 × 2880) up to 120 fps. If you're going to crop a glide path or extract a clean still image from it, the extra definition of GoPro feels.
The second point is more prosaic, and it is often the one that decides: the binding ecosystem. The HERO 12 has folding mounting fingers integrated into the case, and an entire generation of screw-on accessories – helmet, handlebars, torso harness, clamps – has been designed around this format. On a weekend of mountain biking where you change your point of view three times in an hour, that's what makes the difference between filming and tinkering.
The third point has nothing to do with technique: the HERO 12 Black is in our fleet in Lyon, the Osmo Action 5 Pro is not. We prefer to tell you frankly rather than let you reach the basket. Here is the face-to-face, manufacturer figures in hand.
| Criteria | GoPro HERO 12 Black | DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/1.9 inch | 1/1.3 inch |
| Maximum video | 5.3K at 60 fps, 4K at 120 fps | 4K (4:3) at 120 fps |
| Battery | Enduro 1720 mAh removable | 1950mAh |
| Autonomy announced | 70 mins in 5.3K/60 | until 4 a.m. |
| Internal storage | none | 64 GB, of which approximately 47 GB is usable |
| Waterproofing without box | 10m | 20m |
| Weight | 154g | 146g |
| Praiseworthy at Fox Rider | Yes | No |
On a mountain bike weekend, what really decides?
Three things, and none appear in bulk on the product sheets. The first: how many times you will move the camera. The second: what you are going to do with rushes, because higher definition is useless if you publish directly on your phone. The third: heat. A black camera placed on a handlebar in direct sunlight rises quickly, and GoPro gives an operating range of −10°C to 35°C on the HERO 12.
If you go for two days with two batteries and a fast card, the autonomy advantage of the DJI is greatly reduced. If you leave alone, far from any catch, for a crossing of several days, it becomes decisive again - and then, frankly, buy the DJI rather than renting.
Our settings for two days of mountain biking
- 4K at 60 fps in wide field: the best compromise between sharpness, slow motion and autonomy.
- Stabilization activated with horizon lock: this is what turns a glide path into a watchable shot.
- Rear screen off between sockets, Wi-Fi cut: these are the two biggest consumers.
- A fast microSD card of at least V30 class, and two batteries in the inside pocket, warm.
- Do not leave the camera in its waterproof case when you are not filming: it will cook there.
Our honest response
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is an excellent camera, better than the GoPro in terms of battery life, storage and diving. If you're looking for a smart buy right now, this is a great choice, and we're not going to tell you otherwise.
But for a weekend, what you rent must be available, mounted on the right bindings and ready Saturday morning. On this ground, la GoPro HERO 12 Black remains our recommendation, with a second battery added to the reservation. And if your budget is tight, the HERO 11 Black shares the same battery Enduro and the same format of fixings for less money.