Comprehensive review of the DJI Action 2, examining its features, performance, and value as a budget action camera option in 2025.
Introduction
The DJI Action 2 was launched 3 years ago, but remains a compelling option in the budget action camera market in 2025. Despite its age, the Action 2’s unique modular design, image quality, and feature set make it worth considering, especially at its current discounted price point of around ₹15,000 (with card discounts bringing it down to approximately ₹13,000-₹14,000).
In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the DJI Action 2’s design, features, performance, and overall value proposition to help you decide if it’s the right action camera for your needs in 2025.
Design and Build Quality
The DJI Action 2 features a unique modular design consisting of two main components:
- The camera unit
- The power/battery module
The camera unit is a compact, cube-shaped device measuring just 39 x 39 x 22.3 mm and weighing only 56 grams. It houses the lens, sensor, internal storage, and a small touchscreen display on the rear.
The power module attaches magnetically to the bottom of the camera unit, providing additional battery life and expanding connectivity options. When combined, the full setup remains remarkably compact and lightweight compared to traditional action cameras.
Key design features include:
- Durable metal construction
- Waterproof to 10 meters without a case (up to 60 meters with the optional waterproof case)
- Magnetic mounting system for quick attachment/detachment
- 1.76-inch OLED touchscreen on the rear of the camera unit
The magnetic mounting system is particularly innovative, allowing for easy attachment to various accessories and mounts without the need for additional housing or adapters. This makes the Action 2 incredibly versatile and quick to set up in different shooting scenarios.
Key Specifications
- Sensor: 1/1.7-inch CMOS
- Lens: f/2.8 aperture, 155° field of view
- Video Resolution: Up to 4K/120fps
- Photo Resolution: 12MP
- Stabilization: RockSteady 2.0 electronic image stabilization
- Internal Storage: 128GB
- External Storage: MicroSD card slot (in power module)
- Battery Life: Up to 70 minutes (camera unit only), up to 180 minutes (with power module)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
Image Quality and Performance
Despite its age, the DJI Action 2 continues to impress with its image quality and overall performance in 2025. Here’s a breakdown of its key imaging capabilities:
Video Quality
The Action 2 can shoot video at up to 4K resolution at 120 frames per second, which is still competitive with newer action cameras in this price range. The image quality is generally very good, with sharp details, vibrant colors, and good contrast in well-lit conditions.
Some notable video features include:
- Multiple field of view options: Ultra-wide (155°), Wide, and Dewarp (reduced distortion)
- HDR video mode for improved dynamic range
- Slow-motion recording at up to 240fps in 1080p
- Timelapse and hyperlapse modes
The camera performs particularly well in daylight and well-lit environments. Colors are punchy without being oversaturated, and the level of detail is impressive for a camera of this size and price point.
However, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- Dynamic range can be somewhat limited, with a tendency to overexpose highlights in high-contrast scenes.
- Low-light performance, while decent for the price range, shows increased noise and softer details compared to daylight shooting.
Photo Quality
While the Action 2 is primarily designed for video, it can also capture 12MP still photos. Photo quality is generally good, with similar characteristics to its video output – sharp details and vibrant colors in good lighting conditions.
The ultra-wide lens can create some interesting perspectives for action and landscape shots, though you’ll need to be mindful of distortion when shooting subjects close to the edges of the frame.
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Stabilization
One of the standout features of the DJI Action 2 is its RockSteady 2.0 electronic image stabilization. This system does an excellent job of smoothing out camera shake and vibrations, resulting in much more stable and watchable footage, especially in action-packed scenarios.
The stabilization works well up to 4K/60fps, which is impressive for a camera in this price range. There’s also a Horizon Leveling feature that can keep your footage level even when the camera is tilted up to 45 degrees, which is great for activities like biking or skateboarding.
Usability and Features
The DJI Action 2’s compact size and magnetic mounting system make it incredibly versatile and easy to use in a variety of situations. Here are some key usability features:
Touchscreen and Controls
The 1.76-inch OLED touchscreen on the rear of the camera unit is bright and responsive, making it easy to change settings and review footage. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with quick access to important settings.
There’s also a single physical button on the top of the camera unit that can be used to start/stop recording or switch between photo and video modes.
Smartphone App
The DJI Mimo app allows you to control the camera remotely, adjust settings, and transfer footage to your smartphone. The app is well-designed and offers a range of features, including:
- Live view streaming
- Remote control of camera settings
- Video editing tools
- Firmware updates
Mounting Options
The magnetic mounting system is one of the Action 2’s standout features. It allows for quick attachment and detachment from various mounts and accessories without the need for additional housings or adapters. This makes it incredibly easy to switch between different shooting setups on the fly.
Included in the box are:
- Magnetic lanyard for POV chest mounting
- Magnetic adapter for attaching to standard action camera mounts
- Magnetic protective case
Audio
The Action 2 has a built-in microphone that provides decent audio quality for casual use. However, for better audio, you can connect an external microphone via the USB-C port on the power module.
It’s worth noting that the camera doesn’t have a built-in speaker, so you’ll need to use headphones or connect to a smartphone to review audio while in the field.
Battery Life and Heat Management
Battery life and heat management are two areas where the DJI Action 2 shows its age compared to newer action cameras:
Battery Life
- Camera unit alone: Up to 70 minutes (in ideal conditions at 1080p/30fps)
- With power module: Up to 180 minutes (again, in ideal conditions)
In real-world use, especially when shooting at higher resolutions and frame rates, you can expect significantly shorter battery life:
- Camera unit alone: 12-15 minutes at 4K/60fps with stabilization
- With power module: 45-50 minutes at 4K/60fps with stabilization
While these figures are not terrible for such a compact camera, they do mean you’ll need to be mindful of power management during longer shooting sessions.
Heat Management
The Action 2 can heat up quickly during use, especially when shooting at higher resolutions and frame rates. There are two heat management settings:
- Standard: The camera will automatically stop recording after 1.5-2 minutes to prevent overheating
- High: Allows for longer recording times but at the risk of the camera becoming very hot
In practice, heat management is less of an issue when the camera is mounted in a way that allows for good airflow (e.g., on a helmet or bike mount). However, for stationary indoor shooting or in hot environments, you may need to take breaks to allow the camera to cool down.
Value and Competition
At its current discounted price of around ₹13,000-₹15,000, the DJI Action 2 represents excellent value for money in 2025. While there are newer action cameras on the market, few can match the Action 2’s combination of compact size, image quality, and feature set at this price point.
Some key advantages of the Action 2 over budget competitors include:
- More compact and versatile design
- Better image stabilization
- Higher quality lens and sensor
- More robust build quality and waterproofing
- DJI’s reputation for reliability and software support
However, it’s worth considering some newer alternatives if:
- You need longer battery life
- Better low-light performance is a priority
- You want more advanced features like 5K resolution or 360-degree capture
Conclusion
The DJI Action 2, despite being a few years old, remains a compelling option in the budget action camera market in 2025. Its unique modular design, excellent image quality, and effective stabilization make it a versatile tool for vloggers, action sports enthusiasts, and casual users alike.
Pros:
- Compact and versatile modular design
- Excellent image quality in good lighting
- Effective image stabilization
- Intuitive magnetic mounting system
- Good value for money at current prices
Cons:
- Limited battery life, especially when shooting 4K
- Can overheat during extended use
- Dynamic range and low-light performance could be better
- No built-in speaker for audio playback
Overall, if you’re looking for a capable action camera in the ₹15,000 price range and can work around its limitations, the DJI Action 2 is definitely worth considering. Its unique design and feature set still make it stand out in a crowded market, offering a combination of portability and performance that’s hard to beat at this price point.
Image Credit: dji