The DJI Action 5 Pro is a rugged, feature-packed camera designed for adventure. With 4K 120FPS recording, dual OLED screens, internal storage, and advanced stabilization, it’s built for capturing moments anywhere.
Sponsored by DJI: Why Simple, Portable Cameras Matter
All right, I think I’m allowed to say this. So, I’ve been making content for like 15 plus years now, and there’s something actually kind of counterintuitive that happens, where people are more drawn to almost lower-production-value content. Like, obviously, big lights and cameras and everything are super fun, but people just wanna see real life—what’s happening in front of you with whatever camera you have with you.
So while I’m a huge video nerd and I’ve graduated a few times from, you know, my first camera to my first DSLR to a cinema camera, and these cameras actually get harder and harder to use, I actually wanna get back more into shooting just like more places, more spontaneously, and experiencing more locations—not just the structured content that we’ve gotten really good at. It’s still fun, but I just wanted to get out more, you know?
The Power of an Action Camera: Compact, Rugged, and Always Ready
The apex of portable gear is, and you might have thought I was gonna say smartphones, but it’s actually an action camera like this. It’s even smaller, it can go everywhere with you, it’s more rugged, and it can shoot everything all the time.
That got me thinking—it’s been almost 10 years since I got into these action cameras. How good are the best ones now? You might remember when we strapped one onto Mac that one day and got the perspective of being a dog in 4K. That was 2014.
So, similar to that, this isn’t exactly a review, but DJI sent over their latest, highest-end action camera—the Action 5 Pro. I figured I’d use this to take a deeper look at the tech that’s gonna hopefully enable more of this freestyle shooting that I do in 2025.
Unmatched Durability: Waterproof, Freeze-Proof, and Impact-Resistant
The first obvious advantage of an action camera is just how tough it’s built. Yes, smartphones can do an incredible job with video too, but I don’t know about you—I’m just not trying to risk my phone in all these precarious scenarios where it would be cool to get an angle. You put a camera somewhere, and it could fall, get smacked around, or take a beating. That’s my phone, and I need it.
This has always been true since the beginning. This thing is airtight, built like a tank, and waterproof up to 20 meters without needing a case—much better than most smartphones. It’s also super temperature resistant, operating anywhere from -20°C to 45°C. No freezing, no overheating in any of these conditions, which is kind of nuts.
Enhanced Usability: Dual OLED Screens & Internal Storage
Being smaller and tougher than any smartphone is a clear advantage, but action cameras have also gotten a lot of usability upgrades over the years.
Back in the day, these used to just have back screens, so if you were on the other side, you were just pointing, shooting, and hoping for the best. Now, they all have dual screens—one on the front and one on the back, making it easy to frame shots in any direction.
This model features high-brightness OLED screens, so even in direct sunlight, both displays remain clearly visible. Since it’s a touchscreen, I can flip through settings, adjust things, and get my framing right on either side—it’s actually very useful.
Internal Storage: A Feature That Should Be Standard
One feature that should be way more common than it is—internal storage. The Action 5 Pro has 47GB of built-in storage, which has already saved me a couple of times when I forgot my memory card. Petition for all cameras to have this feature! It should be standard.
This internal storage allows up to two hours of recording, meaning even if you forget your memory card, you’re still good to go.
Battery Life & Smart Charging: Ready for Long Shoots
Battery life is very solid—up to four hours of nonstop recording with the screen off. DJI also includes a clever battery case similar to their drone charging system.
If you put all the batteries into the charging case, it tops them up automatically. The camera itself also quick charges via USB-C. I don’t have the exact wattage, but I plugged it in at 0%, and it hit 20% in four minutes and fully charged in 40 minutes.
Advanced Features: 4K 120FPS, Wide FOV & Pro-Grade Color Profiles
This camera is all about versatility. It features a 1/1.3-inch sensor, which is the same size as the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera sensor, paired with an f/2.8 lens—big enough to gather plenty of light.
It records 4K at 120FPS, allowing for high-quality slow motion. You also get D-Log M and HLG color profiles, which offer a 10-bit color depth and greater dynamic range for editing. Of course, you can shoot in normal mode too, but having log profiles is a great bonus for those who like to tweak footage in post-production.
The 155° ultra-wide field of view captures immersive first-person perspectives, while cropped modes help reduce distortion depending on the shot.
Mounting & Accessories: Magnetic Quick Release System
This camera attaches to any accessory via its magnetic quick-release system. This system has been a standard for the past few years, and even other brands are adopting it.
Being a DJI product, it directly integrates with DJI’s Mic 2 for easy wireless audio capture. Plus, it can be used as a plug-and-play webcam—just plug it in, select “Webcam,” and it’s ready to go.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
For $349, the DJI Action 5 Pro offers incredible value. Rather than risking your expensive smartphone, you can pick up this dedicated camera, grab a few accessories, and shoot without worries.
The biggest takeaway from all my time using these compact cameras is this:
“The best camera is the one you have with you.”
I’ve been leaning into this more because there have been so many moments where I didn’t have my high-end cinema camera with me, but having a small, powerful camera could’ve made a huge difference.
I’m definitely not saying I’m done with high-end cameras—the Red cameras in the studio still have their place. But moving forward, my goal is to always have a camera with me.
Having an action camera in my pocket, bag, or strapped somewhere means I’ll never miss a great moment again.
Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next one. Peace.
