DJI
Osmo Action 3
Rugged 1/1.7-inch action camera with 4K 120p, dual touchscreens, RockSteady stabilization, and 16m waterproofing without a case.
$329
Launch priceReleased Sep 2022
Sony
ZV-1
The original Sony vlogging compact with a 1-inch stacked sensor, 24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS lens, Real-time Eye AF, and side-flip screen.
$749
Launch priceReleased May 2020
Osmo Action 3 is 2.3 years newer.
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Wins
Osmo Action 3
Wins
ZV-1
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZV-1 has higher AF points / zones (315 vs 0)
- AOsmo Action 3 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZV-1 has higher Burst (mechanical) (24 fps vs 6 fps)
- AOsmo Action 3 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AOsmo Action 3 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 260 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareOsmo Action 3
71 × 44 × 33 mm
145 g (0.32 lb / 5.11 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
ZV-1
106 × 60 × 44 mm
294 g (0.65 lb / 10.37 oz)
Osmo Action 3 is 35mm narrower, 16mm shorter, and 11mm thinner than ZV-1.
Osmo Action 3 is 149 g lighter than ZV-1.
Depth (front-to-back): 33mm Osmo Action 3 · 44mm ZV-1
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Osmo Action 3
71 × 44 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZV-1
106 × 60 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Osmo Action 3
71 × 33 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZV-1
106 × 44 mm
Sensor size, to scale
ZV-1
13.2 × 8.8 mm · 1″
116 mm² area
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Osmo Action 3
Codecs
Adds H.264, HEVC
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Stabilization modes
Adds RockSteady, HorizonBalancing, HorizonSteady
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 70.5, 44.2, 32.8
Card types
Adds microSD
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 260 shots — higher is better
Weight
145 g vs 294 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
ZV-1
AF points / zones
315 vs 0 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal
Codecs
Adds XAVC S, AVCHD
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 105.5, 60, 43.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I, Memory Stick Duo
Burst (mechanical)
24 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
AA filter
Only ZV-1 supports it
Eye AF
Only ZV-1 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 12,800
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Osmo Action 3
Pros
- ✓4K 120p
- ✓Dual touchscreens
- ✓16m waterproof without case
- ✓RockSteady and HorizonSteady
Cons
- –Older than Action 4/5 Pro
- –Small action-cam sensor
- –Fixed ultra-wide lens
ZV-1
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS sensor with DRAM
- ✓24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS zoom
- ✓Real-time Eye AF and Product Showcase
- ✓Side vari-angle LCD for vlogging
- ✓4K oversampled video and HFR slow-mo
Cons
- –Fixed 24–70mm zoom (no telephoto reach)
- –No built-in ND filter (unlike ZV-1 II)
- –No EVF
- –Short battery life for long shoots
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Osmo Action 3 and ZV-1 at major authorized retailers.
DJI Osmo Action 3
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, Osmo Action 3 or ZV-1?
Osmo Action 3 scores 7.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for ZV-1 — 145g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the Osmo Action 3 and ZV-1?
Osmo Action 3 is 12 MP and ZV-1 is 20.1 MP, so the ZV-1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
How does stabilization compare between the Osmo Action 3 and ZV-1?
Osmo Action 3 uses Electronic image stabilization (electronic), while ZV-1 uses Optical SteadyShot + Active electronic (electronic).
Which shoots faster bursts — the Osmo Action 3 or the ZV-1?
Osmo Action 3 reaches 15 fps electronic. ZV-1 reaches 24 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Osmo Action 3 and ZV-1?
Osmo Action 3 weighs 145 g and ZV-1 weighs 294 g, so the Osmo Action 3 is 149 g lighter.
Do the Osmo Action 3 and ZV-1 record 4K video?
Osmo Action 3: 4K up to 120p. ZV-1: 4K up to 30p.
Are the Osmo Action 3 and ZV-1 weather sealed?
Osmo Action 3: Yes. ZV-1: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Osmo Action 3 and 260 shots for the ZV-1, giving the Osmo Action 3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Osmo Action 3 launched at $329 and ZV-1 at $749. The Osmo Action 3 is $420 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Osmo Action 3 vs ZV-1 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of DJI and Sony press materials.