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DJI Osmo Action RockSteady vs GoPro HERO7 Black HyperSmooth

Both the DJI Osmo Action and GoPro HERO7 Black have in-camera video stabilization to create smoother video footage out of the camera. GoPro has HyperSmooth. DJI has RockSteady. Here's how they compare side-by-side.

DJI RockSteady Vs GoPro HyperSmooth Header

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 4 months ago // Categories: Video
Tags: DJI Osmo Action, GoPro HERO7 Black, Video Stabilization

GoPro’s main marketing push for their latest flagship model, the HERO7 Black, has revolved around its most recent generation of in-camera video stabilization. Some previous models have had it, of course, but with the new version, which they’re calling HyperSmooth, they’ve lifted the bar considerably.

DJI has now released their own camera that takes direct aim at the HERO7 Black. DJI is best known for their drones, but those drones have also featured some impressive cameras as part of the packages. But they’ve now increasingly branched out to standalone cameras. Not long ago, they released the DJI Osmo Pocket, a tiny camera with an integrated gimbal that’s pitched at vloggers. The new model, the Osmo Action, looks and performs quite a lot like a HERO7 Black.

I’ve put together a much more comprehensive side-by-side comparison of how the Osmo Action compares with the HERO7 Black, but here I wanted to focus specifically on the in-camera video stabilization. DJI has called their version RockSteady.1

Side-by-Side Comparisons of GoPro HyperSmooth and DJI Osmo Action

Here are some side-by-side comparisons of RockSteady vs HyperSmooth. I’ll aim to add some more examples here as I get the opportunity to shoot them in different types of situations.

For these, I’ve mounted a DJI Osmo Action directly alongside a GoPro HERO7 Black using a dual mount. So both cameras are attached to the same base and are experiencing the same movement. You’ll notice that the images do look slightly different. Some of that’s just the different look of the video that comes out of each, and some of that is due to the different fields of view each has; the GoPro has a slightly wider perspective than the Osmo Action.

Mounted on a Bike

But first, here’s a reference point for what the stabilization is doing. This shows what effect the RockSteady stabilization is having compared to non-stabilized footage. The cameras were mounted on the handlebars, and even though it’s a smooth, well-paved road, you can see a lot of fast camera shake and vibration that the RockSteady is working to overcome.

Here’s the version with DJI Osmo Action’s RockSteady side-by-side with the GoPro HERO7 Black’s HyperSmooth:

Here’s another one, this time on a bumper path and including a lot more visual detail for the video codec to contend with.

Mounted on a Car

For these, the cameras were mounted on the hood of a car.

Again, here’s a reference clip that shows stabilization on vs off. The car’s mass and suspension naturally absorb a lot of the vibration, but you can still see that the stabilization matters.

And here’s the version with stabilization turned on on both cameras:

Here’s another one mounted on a car, but this one’s with a hillier and windy road that adds a lot more side-to-side twisting.

Walking

These were taken with the cameras still mounted together but hand-held while walking. Compared to the vehicular motion above, there’s a lot more swaying and side-by-side motion, and that’s where I’ve found the current iteration of RockSteady struggles most.

Again, first a point of reference with stabilization on vs off:

And here’s the version with RockSteady vs HyperSmooth.

Here’s another walking in which HyperSmooth easily outperforms RockSteady:

Low Vantage Point

Here’s an example that shows something a bit different. It’s actually mounted on the front of a stroller (pram). Now, I realize that’s not a place many people are going to want to be putting a GoPro, so it’s not a typical use scenario. But I think it’s a useful example to include here for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, it’s low to the ground, not that different from mounting on something like a skateboard or remote-control car. That means there’s a lot more fast-moving foreground detail in the frame. Secondly, and more importantly, it’s a good example of one of the weird quirks you can get with electronic stabilization compared with a proper gimbal. You’ll notice that the stabilization doesn’t apply equally throughout the frame, so the bottom is getting a weird kind of jelly-like stabilization while the top is staying smoother. You’ll also notice some differences in how the two systems handle the side-by-side movement. The HyperSmooth version is smoother sideways, while the RockSteady one seems to lock on and then have to suddenly readjust every now and then.

First, though, here’s the reference version with the stabilization on vs off. As you can see, there’s a lot of vibration to deal with.

And here’s the RockSteady vs HyperSmooth version.

Verdict

For me, it’s a clear result. In my experience, HyperSmooth is much more effective than RockSteady.

That’s not to say that RockSteady is bad. It’s quite effective, as you can see from the examples above. The results are generally much better than you get without stabilization. I’ve seen the occasional minor glitch and odd jerk, which is typical with electronic stabilization, but they’ve been relatively few and far between.

But it seems to me to be that a more direct comparison is with the previous generation of GoPro electronic stabilization that’s in the HERO6 Black. The newer generation in the HERO7 Black, which they’ve called HyperSmooth, is another significant improvement over that. (I’ve previously posted some side-by-side comparisons of the stabilization in the HERO6 Black and HERO7 Black.)

I know I’ve already said this, but it bears repeating: for all the marketing copy touting electronic stabilization “gimbal-like,” algorithms still don’t rise to the level of a good-quality gimbal properly operated. It’s not just about the smoothness of the ride. The algorithms can also impact the sharpness and overall image quality of the video.

That said, using an external gimbal is often inconvenient, it adds extra expense and moving parts, some have a learning curve to operate properly, and most aren’t waterproof. So in-camera electronic stabilizations like RockSteady and HyperSmooth definitely have a place and are slam dunks in terms of convenience.2 And if you’re going to be using it, I’ve found that both DJI’s RockSteady and GoPro’s HyperSmooth offer good results right out of the camera, with HyperSmooth having a clear edge.

Things Worth Knowing

It’s possible that both companies could tweak their stabilization algorithms and roll out improvements in future firmware updates. The firmware versions I’m using for these examples are v.01.70 on the GoPro HERO7 Black and v.01.02.00.10(6436) on the DJI Osmo Action.

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DJI Osmo Action 4K HDR Waterproof Camera Starters Bundle
  • Dual Screens: Whether you want to record your world from behind a lens or be the star of the show, Osmo...
  • RockSteady, Made to Move: RockSteady combines EIS with complex algorithms, delivering stable, shake-free...
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GoPro Hero 7 Black Action Camera + Extra USA Battery + Sandisk 32GB...
GoPro Hero 7 Black Action Camera + Extra USA Battery + Sandisk 32GB...
  • GoPro Hero 7 Black RITZ CAMERA BUNDLE INCLUDES 4 ITEMS - ALL BRAND NEW ITEMS WITH ALL...
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  1. If you don’t see the RockSteady option available, it could be due to two issues. The first is that it’s not available in every video mode. It’s not available in 4K60 4:30, for example, or the 240fps or HDR Video modes. The second is that you’ll need to update the camera’s firmware from the one that came with the camera when it was first released. DJI released the camera and then shortly thereafter released the firmware that included and update from the standard EIS to RockSteady. You can find the latest firmware here. ↩
  2. A third option is to apply electronic stabilization in post-processing. That, too, can lead to good results, although it’s a different kind of inconvenient. I’ve previously posted some side-by-side examples here. ↩

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2021-04-12 at 21:02. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

  • GoPro HERO6 Black vs HERO5 Black Stabilization Compared
    GoPro HERO6 Black vs HERO5 Black Stabilization Compared
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    What is GoPro SuperView?
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    GoPro HERO6 Black vs HERO5 Black: Photo Modes
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    GoPro HERO 5 Black vs HERO 7 Black
  • GoPro HERO7 Black vs HERO6 Black
    GoPro HERO7 Black vs HERO6 Black
  • GoPro HERO7 Lock Screen
    How to Lock the Screen on a GoPro HERO7
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on December 26, 2020

Categories: Video
Tags: DJI Osmo Action, GoPro HERO7 Black, Video Stabilization

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GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

Comments

  1. Ivanah says

    July 6, 2019 at 1:43 pm

    In the first few videos, it seems that the GoPro footage has a warmer image quality to it compared to the Osmo Action, but in the last few videos, it seems reversed? Why is that so?

    Reply
    • David says

      July 6, 2019 at 5:32 pm

      Yes, you’re right. In all cases it was set to auto white balance on both cameras–it’s not manually set. So just reflecting differences in the ways that the automatic exposure decisions are made.

      Reply

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

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