GEAR MINI TESTS
SMALLRIG DJI ACTION 2 MAGNETIC ADAPTER MOUNT £19.90/$23 smallrig.com
The DJI Action 2 camera has taken off in a big way, with superb 4K recording at up to 120fps. Compact and rugged, with stunning image stabilisation, it can be hidden in tiny places to get a unique, super-wide establishing shot – or mounted on virtually anything that moves for POV action. Much like the latest GoPro, you might say. Except the DJI is different. The camera itself is a tiny box measuring just 39x39x22.3mm/1.5x1.5x0.9in and weighing 56g/0.12lb. At the back is a touch-screen monitor to control the camera and change settings. At the bottom is a magnet that a small magnetic plate joins to, which is then automatically clipped in. The kit comes with a touch-screen module which is the same size as the camera itself and magnetically clamps to the bottom. This more than doubles battery power, provides a USB-C socket for charging and downloading files, and also has a front-facing screen ideal for selfies or vlogging. A microSD card socket means you can record more footage. In this way, the DJI’s form factor is very different to most other action cameras, many of which are based on a GoPro standard. Lots of people have plenty of GoPro accessories, and DJI sells a connector to fasten its camera using the two-pronged fitting. But SmallRig has gone even further, with a range of accessories for the DJI Action 2 that make it more rugged and compatible with GoPro
“No other mount is required, as it has both options in a sleek and low-profile unit”
accessories. SmallRig has various cages, plus a magnetic mount with USB-C socket for charging while in use – without having to add the big accessory touch-screen module. A more basic version was the order of the day, to keep weight and size down. It was for a rider to wear on his helmet while testing a new dirt bike. With the rough ground and impact from jumps, this was a tough test. We used the simple DJI Action 2 magnetic adapter mount that costs just £19.90/$23 and is made from CNC-machined aluminium. The mount clicks on the Action 2 or SmallRig aluminium cage with internal magnets. These are strong, but two clips do all the clamping to stop the camera being knocked off. The bottom has a neat 1/4in-20 thread for mounting to a tripod, plus a GoPro-style, two-prong mount that folds out. No other mount is required, as it has both options in a sleek and
SPECIFICATIONS Mounting: 1x 1/4in-20 thread, 1x two-prong GoPro mount Material: Aluminium, magnet Dimensions (wxhxd): 43.9x31.2x21mm/1.7x1.2x0.8in Weight: 28g/0.06lb
low-profile unit. The rider’s helmet already had a GoPro mount, so set-up was easy – and results were great. It was lighter and smaller than a GoPro and the rider appreciated the weight. Despite three days’ riding, it was rock solid and held secure. It’s an upgrade to the DJI – at a low price! PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 A well-built mount that works with GoPro accessories Pros: Small, light and cheap Cons: No USB charging
ACTION MAN The SmallRig mount handled all the bumps of a motocross video shoot
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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