There’s nothing quite as frustrating as reviewing your latest action camera footage only to find the sky is completely blown out or motion looks unnaturally choppy because the shutter speed was too fast for the bright conditions. I remember struggling with this exact problem when trying to capture smooth, cinematic clips outdoors. Without a way to control the amount of light hitting the sensor, you’re often forced to compromise on either exposure or motion blur, ruining potentially great shots. Solving this was essential for taking my video quality to the next level.
Anyone serious about getting the best possible video quality from their action camera, especially when filming outdoors in varying light, needs a way to manage exposure. Action cameras, by their nature, are designed for bright environments, but their fixed apertures mean the only way to control light is through shutter speed or ISO. Pushing ISO introduces noise, and using a fast shutter speed in bright light creates that jarring, choppy look to motion. This is where Neutral Density (ND) filters come in, acting like sunglasses for your lens. The ideal customer for ND filters is someone who shoots action sports, vlogging, travel content, or any outdoor activity where maintaining a desired shutter speed for cinematic motion blur is important, or simply to prevent overexposure in harsh sunlight or snow. If you primarily shoot indoors, in low light, or aren’t concerned with achieving smooth motion blur, ND filters might not be necessary for your workflow, and you could perhaps invest in lighting accessories instead. Before buying, think about the conditions you typically shoot in (how bright is it?), the specific ND strengths you might need (do you need heavy filtration for midday sun or just light reduction?), compatibility with your camera model, the ease of attachment and removal (crucial on the go), and durability, especially if you’re taking your camera into harsh environments.
- Includes ND 8/16/32 filters suitable for capturing sports at noon or in brightly lit scenarios like snow fields. A lower shutter speed enhances motion blur and a more striking visual effect.
- Press to mount without detaching the glass lens cover or affecting waterproof performance. The filters and the glass lens cover adopt AF Coating High-Quality Corning Gorilla Glass that delivers...
- Compatibility: Osmo Action 5 Pro, Osmo Action 4, Osmo Action 3
Introducing the DJI Action ND Filter Kit
When DJI released this DJI Action ND Filter Kit, it promised a simple, effective solution for controlling light and achieving a more professional look with their Osmo Action cameras. This kit comes with three essential Neutral Density filters: ND8, ND16, and ND32, providing a range of light reduction suitable for moderately bright to extremely sunny conditions like those encountered on snow fields. The promise is simple: better exposure control and the ability to maintain desired shutter speeds for cinematic motion blur, without compromising the camera’s robustness or waterproof capabilities. Unlike earlier days where third-party filters might be clunky or require removing the original lens cover, this kit integrates seamlessly with compatible Osmo Action models. This specific kit is tailored for the Osmo Action 5 Pro, Osmo Action 4, and Osmo Action 3. It’s not for users of other camera brands or older, incompatible DJI models.
Pros:
* Effectively reduces light for proper exposure in bright conditions.
* Enables slower shutter speeds for cinematic motion blur.
* Easy and secure press-to-mount installation.
* Maintains the camera’s waterproof seal.
* Includes a useful range of ND strengths (8, 16, 32).
* Uses high-quality Corning Gorilla Glass with AF Coating for durability.
* Comes with a protective storage case.
Cons:
* Requires carrying and swapping filters depending on changing light.
* Only compatible with specific Osmo Action models.
* Adds an extra cost compared to just using the bare camera.
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Exploring the Capabilities and Advantages
Using the DJI Action ND Filter Kit has genuinely transformed how I approach shooting with my Osmo Action camera in bright environments. The core principle behind these filters is light reduction, and the included ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters offer a good range to tackle various sunny scenarios.
Precise Light Control for Ideal Exposure
Action cameras excel at capturing dynamic scenes, but their fixed aperture can make exposing correctly in bright sunlight tricky. The camera’s sensor gets flooded with light, often resulting in blown-out skies or highlights where all detail is lost. Adding an ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the lens by a specific factor (ND8 cuts light by 3 stops, ND16 by 4 stops, and ND32 by 5 stops). This gives the camera’s auto-exposure system more flexibility to balance the shot, or allows you to manually set exposure parameters without overexposing. For instance, using the ND32 filter on a sunny day filming snow (which is highly reflective) dramatically helps bring the bright snow and sky back into the exposure range, preserving detail and colour that would otherwise be lost. This precise control means you spend less time in post-production trying to recover clipped highlights and more time enjoying your perfectly exposed footage.
Achieving the Cinematic Look with Motion Blur
One of the most significant advantages of using ND filters is the ability to control your shutter speed independently of your aperture (which is fixed on the Osmo Action). In cinematography, a common practice is the “180-degree rule,” where the shutter speed is set to approximately double the frame rate (e.g., 1/50th second for 24fps video). This creates a natural amount of motion blur, making movement look smooth and fluid, like in movies. Without an ND filter in bright light, your camera would need a very fast shutter speed (like 1/1000th or 1/2000th second) to get a correct exposure, resulting in choppy, ‘frozen’ motion. By adding an ND filter, you cut down the light, allowing you to slow your shutter speed significantly to adhere closer to the 180-degree rule. Filming sports or fast-moving action with the right ND filter (like the ND16 or ND32) and a slow shutter speed introduces just the right amount of blur to wheels, limbs, or water, giving the footage a much more professional, cinematic feel. It’s a subtle difference, but one that really elevates your video production quality beyond standard action camera fare.
Designed for Action: Seamless Integration and Durability
A major concern with action camera accessories is whether they hinder the camera’s core functionalities, particularly its waterproof rating. DJI has nailed the design with this DJI Action ND Filter Kit. The filters use a simple “press to mount” system that fits securely over the camera’s existing lens protection ring. Crucially, this design means you don’t have to remove the original glass lens cover, which is key to maintaining the camera’s impressive waterproof performance. You can confidently use these filters while diving or participating in water sports without worrying about leaks. The filters themselves are built with high-quality Corning Gorilla Glass, the same durable material used on many smartphone screens, making them highly resistant to scratches. They also feature an AF Coating, which helps repel water and oil, reducing smudges and making cleaning easier – essential when you’re out in the field. The construction feels solid and reliable, fitting perfectly onto my Osmo Action 4, and I’ve never worried about them accidentally falling off even during vigorous activity.
Comprehensive Kit for Varying Conditions
The inclusion of ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters in a single kit provides excellent versatility. An ND8 filter is perfect for slightly overcast bright days or open shade, cutting 3 stops of light. The ND16 is great for standard sunny conditions, cutting 4 stops. The ND32 is your go-to for extremely bright environments like direct midday sun, beaches, or snowy landscapes, cutting a full 5 stops of light. This range means you’re equipped for most bright outdoor scenarios you’ll encounter with an action camera. The kit also comes with a small, robust case that keeps the filters organized and protected when not in use. This makes swapping filters relatively easy on the go, although it does mean pausing your activity briefly. A minor drawback is needing to carry the case and swap filters as light conditions change, which isn’t as seamless as an automatic system, but for the price and functionality, it’s a perfectly acceptable compromise.
What Users Are Saying
I looked around online to see what other people thought, and the feedback for this DJI Action ND Filter Kit is overwhelmingly positive. Many users echoed my own experience, praising how these filters significantly improve image quality and allow for that coveted cinematic look, especially for outdoor action and vlogging on cameras like the Osmo Action 3 and 4. People consistently highlight the perfect fit and ease of installation – simply pressing them on and off – and appreciate that they feel secure even during intense activities like riding. The quality of the filters themselves is often mentioned as being top-notch, making them a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about their action camera footage in sunny environments.
Final Thoughts on Enhancing Your Action Footage
If you’ve ever captured what felt like amazing action, only to be disappointed by overexposed video or unnatural motion blur in bright conditions, you understand the problem this DJI Action ND Filter Kit solves. Uncontrolled light leads to compromised video quality and a less professional result. This kit is a fantastic solution for Osmo Action 5 Pro, 4, or 3 users because it provides essential light control to achieve proper exposure, enables the smooth, cinematic motion blur that elevates your footage, and does so with a durable, easy-to-use, and waterproof-compatible design. It’s a must-have accessory for anyone frequently shooting outdoors. To check out this kit and see how it can improve your action camera videos, Click here.
Last update on 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API