The Osmo Action 4 is a strong cycling camera: it's waterproof to 18 m without a case, shoots 4K up to 120 fps, and its RockSteady and 360° HorizonSteady stabilization smooth out bumps and keep the horizon level. Mount it on the handlebar for road and gravel, on your chest for mountain biking, or on a helmet for a rider's-eye view. Start with 4K/60, RockSteady on, and a spare battery for long rides.
Pick your mount
DJI's Osmo Action Biking Accessory Kit includes a handlebar mount, a chest strap mount and two locking screws. It works with the Action 4 and other Osmo Action cameras.
- Handlebar: shows your bars and the road ahead. It picks up the most vibration, especially on rough gravel, so tighten it well and keep the camera close to the stem.
- Chest: the favorite for mountain biking. Your body soaks up vibration, the view shows your arms and bars, and the angle makes trails look as steep as they feel. Tilt the camera up a little, since you lean forward when riding.
- Helmet: shows where you look, which suits commutes and tours. It's harder to reach the buttons, and a tall mount can snag branches.
The Action 4 clips magnetically into DJI's quick-release adapter mount, and the kit's locking screws fasten that adapter to the bike mounts. Check every screw before a ride so a big hit doesn't knock the camera loose.
Best settings for riding
| Setting | Road and gravel | Mountain biking |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K, 16:9 | 4K, 16:9, or 2.7K for HorizonSteady |
| Frame rate | 60 fps | 60 fps |
| Stabilization | RockSteady, or HorizonBalancing | HorizonSteady for crashes and rolls |
| Color | Normal, or D-Log M if you grade | Same |
Which stabilization? DJI's Action 4 specs say full 360° HorizonSteady works at 2.7K and 1080p (16:9) up to 60 fps, not 4K. HorizonBalancing, which corrects smaller tilts, works up to 4K/60 in 16:9. Slow motion (4K or 2.7K at 120 fps) has no electronic stabilization, so save it for smooth jumps and drops.
Low light. Forest trails are darker than they look. If footage looks noisy under trees, drop to 30 fps so the camera can use a slower shutter.
Wind noise. Speed causes wind noise on the built-in mics. Lower speeds sound fine. For voice over the ride, the Action 4 links directly to one DJI Mic transmitter, such as the DJI Mic Mini.
Battery and power
DJI rates the Action 4's Extreme Battery at up to 160 minutes, recorded at 1080p/24 with screens off. At 4K/60, real rides run shorter. For long rides:
- Carry a spare. The Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus (1950 mAh) works with the Action 4 after a firmware update.
- Turn off the screens or set them to dim after a short delay.
- Turn off Wi-Fi when you're not transferring.
- Record clips, not the whole ride. Start and stop at the good sections.
Ride safely
- Set up the camera before you roll. Don't adjust settings while riding.
- Press record before you set off, or use voice control ("Start Recording"), which DJI says works best within 1 m in a quiet setting.
- Mount the camera so it doesn't block lights, the bell or brake levers.
- Check local rules if you plan to film other people on shared paths.
Is the Action 4 the right choice?
For most riders, yes. If you want longer battery life, built-in storage and better low-light footage, the Osmo Action 5 Pro is the upgrade. See Osmo Action 5 Pro vs Action 4. Motorcycle riders should read best action camera for motorcycle.
Get rolling with the Osmo Action 4 and the Biking Accessory Kit, or browse all Osmo cameras.
Related guides
- Osmo Action 4 for fishing: mounts, settings and underwater shots
- Osmo Action 4 for skiing and snowboarding: setup and settings
- Best Osmo Action 5 Pro mounts for motorcycle, bike and car
- Best action camera for motorcycle and bike rides (helmet, chest and bar mounts)
- Osmo Action 5 Pro accessories worth buying
- Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus: compatibility and runtime
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