I recently picked up the Action 5 Pro and I’m excited to start using it. What are the best settings to get the most out of it? Any advice is appreciated!
First step: make sure it’s powered on.
It depends on what you’re aiming for. If you plan on color grading in post-production, go with D-Log M for more control over the colors. If you’re not doing any editing, just stick with the normal color mode.
Set the ‘texture’ (previously called sharpness) and noise reduction to low for a more natural look, but feel free to leave them at default if you like things sharper.
For resolution, 4K in 16:9 is perfect for handheld shots. If you’re mounting the camera on something like a bike or car, try 4:3 for extra vertical field of view—you can crop to 16:9 later if needed.
Disable the wind reduction setting; software like DaVinci Resolve does a better job handling wind noise afterward.
Make sure your firmware is up to date (there was a new release recently), and set the bitrate to high for maximum quality. Also, lock the white balance to keep it consistent.
You’re not the first to ask this… happens every day.
Here’s a basic setup:
- D-Log M for color flexibility, texture to -2, noise reduction to -2.
- Use RockSteady stabilization.
- Pick your focal length: standard (dewarp) or wide, depending on your preference.
For daytime shooting, go with 4K at 30fps, shutter speed between 1/100-8000, and ISO 100-800. For low light, bump up the ISO.
If you’re filming at 120fps, try a shutter speed of 1/200-8000 with ISO 100-800.
That’s about all you need to get started!
@Tobin
Good advice. Also, shooting in 4:3 gives you more flexibility in editing—you can crop to your liking afterward.
Sawyer said:
@Tobin
Good advice. Also, shooting in 4:3 gives you more flexibility in editing—you can crop to your liking afterward.
Yep, 4:3 is a great choice for extra room to adjust your framing.
@Tobin
Quick question—does the Action 5 Pro crop more on the sides when shooting in 4:3 with UltraWide? On my Action 4, it seems to crop more on the sides compared to 16:9, which crops more on the top and bottom. Just wondering if it’s the same.
@Tobin
What do you think about setting the EV to -0.3?
Rio said:
@Tobin
What do you think about setting the EV to -0.3?
I actually prefer -0.7 for a little extra contrast, but it’s up to you.
Turn on voice control—trust me, it’s a nice feature to have!