When it comes to capturing live underwater footage, the camera you choose makes all the difference. Whether you’re fishing, filming, exploring marine life, or conducting underwater inspections, the ability to stream in real-time to your phone or display is crucial. With the rise of systems like Seavu, which enable action cameras to livestream underwater, two contenders stand out: the DJI Action 5 Pro and the GoPro HERO13 Black.
In this article, we compare how these cameras perform in underwater livestreaming, with a focus on two key applications:
- Streaming to a mobile device using the Seavu Seeker or Explorer
- Streaming to a TV, monitor, or computer using DisplayPort with the Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit
๐ฑ Part 1: Streaming to a Mobile Device via Camera App (Seavu Seeker or Explorer)
Seavuโs Seeker and Explorer Kits allow you to livestream footage from your action camera directly to your phone or tablet using the cameraโs app. This setup is ideal for fishing, exploring, marine education, and inspections where real-time visibility is essential.
โ What Matters:
- Connection Stability via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- App Performance (DJI Mimo vs GoPro Quik)
- Battery Life
- Low-light performance (especially for deeper or murkier water)
DJI Action 5 Pro โ Mobile Streaming Performance
- Excellent Connectivity: The Action 5 Pro uses Bluetooth 5.2 and a strong 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, both ideal for underwater signal pickup via Seavu.
- Superior App Experience: The DJI Mimo app is responsive, stable, and far less buggy than GoProโs Quik app. Connecting to your camera is quick and reliable.
- Battery Life: Long-lasting battery with fast USB-C charging โ ideal for extended sessions.
- Low-Light Superiority: The Action 5 Pro features a larger sensor and advanced colour profile, making it ideal for underwater scenes with limited light.
๐ Verdict:
The DJI Action 5 Pro offers the most stable connection and the best app experience for mobile underwater livestreaming with Seavu kits. Its low-light performance is especially useful when filming deeper or in cloudy conditions.
GoPro HERO13 โ Mobile Streaming Performance
- Improved Connectivity: Now with Bluetooth 5.0 and upgraded Wi-Fi, the HERO13 connects faster than older GoPros. However, app reliability can still vary.
- GoPro Quik App: While Quik has improved over time, it can still be a little buggy, especially when reconnecting or switching modes during a session.
- Battery Life: Great battery efficiency thanks to the new Enduro battery and processor improvements.
- Low-Light Conditions: Performance is decent but not quite on par with the Action 5 Pro.
๐ Verdict:
The GoPro HERO13 is solid, especially with its improved hardware, but is let down slightly by its app reliability. It works well with Seavu, but DJI is the better mobile-streaming option.
๐ฅ๏ธ Part 2: Streaming to a TV or Computer via DisplayPort (Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit)
The Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit is the worldโs first underwater system to use DisplayPort over USB-C for direct, uncompressed video streaming and power delivery โ allowing seamless connection to TVs, monitors, and computers.
Currently, only the DJI Action 5 Pro supports this feature natively, but future action cameras are expected to follow.
DJI Action 5 Pro โ DisplayPort Streaming Performance
- Native DisplayPort Output: With Seavuโs DisplayPort HDMI Adapter, the Action 5 Pro streams uncompressed video in real-time to any display. Choose between 1080p or 4K output, depending on your setup.
- Power Delivery Over USB-C: Seavuโs fibre-optic Media Cable powers the camera while streaming, eliminating battery concerns during long sessions.
- Ultra-Stable Feed: Perfect for charter operators, filmmakers, and researchers who require reliable, long-form underwater footage on large screens.
- Low-Latency Response: Critical for live viewing or directing underwater shots from the surface.
๐ Verdict:
The DJI Action 5 Pro is currently the only camera on the market that supports this setup. It delivers exceptional quality, stable power, and unmatched ease of integration with Seavuโs Explorer+ Pro Kit.
GoPro HERO13 โ DisplayPort Streaming Performance
At this time, the GoPro HERO13 does not support DisplayPort output over USB-C, making it incompatible with Seavuโs Explorer+ Pro Kit.
While GoPro offers alternatives like webcam mode or HDMI output via the Media Mod, these options come with trade-offs. To achieve both video output and continuous power, youโll need to run two separate cables โ one for HDMI and one for USB-C power โ which makes the setup bulkier and more complex.
In contrast, the DJI Action 5 Pro delivers both uncompressed video and power through a single USB-C connection using DisplayPort, offering a streamlined and efficient setup.
๐ซ Verdict:
For DisplayPort-based livestreaming with the Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit, the GoPro HERO13 is not compatible. Until GoPro enables DisplayPort output, the DJI Action 5 Pro remains the only choice.
โ๏ธ Final Verdict: Which Is the Best Camera for Underwater Livestreaming?
Feature | DJI Action 5 Pro | GoPro HERO13 Black |
---|---|---|
Mobile App Livestreaming | โ Excellent | โ Excellent |
App Experience | โ Very user-friendly | โ Very good |
Low-Light Underwater Footage | โ Excellent | โ Excellent |
DisplayPort Streaming (TV/PC) | โ Fully Compatible | โ Not Supported |
Power While Streaming | โ Supported | โ Not Compatible |
๐ Overall Winner: DJI Action 5 Pro
Both cameras offer exceptional mobile livestreaming performance when used with Seavuโs Seeker or Explorer kits. The GoPro HERO13 delivers crisp footage, strong connectivity, and excellent low-light performance โ making it a reliable option for most underwater users.
However, the DJI Action 5 Pro edges ahead for a few key reasons:
- Its Mimo app is more intuitive and stable, especially during long sessions or mode changes.
- Itโs currently the only camera that supports DisplayPort streaming via the Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit.
- It offers continuous power and real-time video output to TVs and monitors โ ideal for live production, research, or charter operations.
If you’re primarily using Seavu to stream to your phone or tablet, both cameras are top-tier. But if you’re also looking to stream to a TV, monitor, or computer, the DJI Action 5 Pro is the clear winner for now.
๐ Explore Compatible Kits
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Seavu Seeker Starter Kit โ Stream from DJI or GoPro to your phone
-
Seavu Explorer Adventure Kit โ Stabilised housing for live mobile streaming
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Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit โ Direct video output to displays with DJI Action 5 Pro
Ready to dive into real-time underwater viewing? Explore Seavu Kits โ