DJI has launched the Osmo Action 6, bringing a fresh take on action-camera design that could change how creators shoot their adventures.
DJI, one of the world’s leaders in drones, filmmaking gear and action cameras, says its latest announcement, the Osmo Action 6, marks a major shift. The biggest change is something no other action camera has offered: a variable aperture that moves between f/2.0 and f/4.0, giving users more control over how their shots look in different lighting conditions. This is a major shift, and one that could have a shakeup in the action camera world, although we will have to see after testing things out.
The camera packs a custom 1/1.1-inch square sensor with 2.4 μm pixels, a setup that lets it capture up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range. That means better detail when you’re shooting bright skies and dark shadows in the same frame. It also handles video recording at 4K/120fps in a 4:3 ratio, which opens up new possibilities for slow-motion footage and gives creators room to crop later without losing quality.
If that sounds exciting, you may also like the new 4K Custom mode, which takes advantage of the square sensor. You can shoot once, then crop the footage for different platforms later, with no need to position the camera more than once to get horizontal and vertical versions of the same shot. It’s a time-saver for anyone posting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Low-light performance gets a boost from the wider aperture and improved noise reduction. The SuperNight mode can now capture 4K/60fps footage in dark conditions, while the f/2.0 aperture brings in more light when needed. Auto mode adjusts the aperture based on the scene, and Starburst mode turns city lights into starbursts for a more cinematic look.
The DJI Osmo Action 6 also handles native 4K/120fps recording and can generate up to 32x Super Slow Motion at 1080p by interpolating frames shot at 1080p/240fps when played back at 1080p/30fps. This creates an effect similar to 960fps.
On the durability side, the Osmo Action 6 stays rugged. It is waterproof to 20 metres without a case and 60 metres with one, and it can handle cold down to -20°C. The built-in colour-temperature sensor helps with underwater shooting, and the water-pressure gauge tracks dive data. Battery life reaches four hours, and you can fast-charge to 80 percent in 22 minutes.
DJI included 50 GB of internal storage, so you won’t be stuck if you forget a memory card. The camera also works with the OsmoAudio ecosystem, connecting to as many as two DJI Mic transmitters without a receiver. That comes in handy for interviews or recording two audio sources at once. Even without external mics, the built-in three-mic array captures stereo sound and reduces wind noise.
There are optional accessories as well, including a Macro Lens that cuts the minimum focus distance from 35 centimetres to 11 centimetres for close-up vlog shots, and an FOV Boost Lens that expands the field of view from 155 degrees to 182 degrees for more immersive POV footage. Stabilization options include RockSteady 3.0 and HorizonSteady, which keeps the horizon level even when the camera rolls 360 degrees.
The Osmo Action 6 also adds professional tools such as 2x lossless zoom, 10-bit D-Log M colour for post-production flexibility and Portrait Mode that improves skin tones. Subject centring and tracking keep your subject in frame, and gesture control makes the setup more hands-free.
You can find more information about the Osmo Action 6 by visiting DJI, where you can read the full details and see what the company says about the new camera.
