Typical action cameras are simple “set it and forget it” type devices that can be used by anyone who wants a simple way to film their antics without messing with camera settings. But rather than make its new Osmo Action 6 even more silly, DJI is introducing more advanced controls like the ability to adjust the aperture (and importantly, the amount of background blur, or Bokeh) of the action camera’s lens.
That is to say, the variable aperture on the Osmo Action 6 feels a little long in the tooth for typical, non-360-degree GoPros. And due to US policies, don’t expect this camera to come to the US any time soon.
I saw the DJI Osmo Action 6 at IFA 2025 last summer, though I didn’t get a chance to take it out and try it out on any of the Berlin attendees. It’s very close to last year’s DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro in look and feel, with touchscreens on the back and front and a larger, round lens. Everything that’s new is behind the lens, starting with the new 1/1.1-inch square sensor. It will be able to capture a different formatted image than the Action 5 Pro’s 1/1.3 CMOS sensor. Like the iPhone 17’s new selfie camera, that square shape will make it easier to crop footage for certain aspect ratios.
Just from that statement, you might already be able to tell that this is an action camera that’s trying to make a case for people who really know what they’re doing. This means eliminating the traditional fixed aperture on most other robust cameras. The Osmo Action 6 can set the aperture from a large f/2.0 to a small f/4.0. At its widest setting, this allows more light to get through the sensor, which can enhance low-light shooting. The camera also includes the ability to shoot in SuperNight mode at 4K and 60 fps.
The wider you widen the aperture (smaller f-stop number like f/2.0), the less depth of field you’ll have if you want to isolate a subject. DJI claims that the standard “Auto” mode will automatically set the aperture range based on the subject. There’s also a “Starburst” mode for capturing passing stars or the light paths of city streets at night.
Like 2024’s GoPro Hero 13 Black (which used an f/2.8 aperture), the Osmo Action 6 is also compatible with a number of lens accessories, like a macro lens for better close-up shots. All Instagrammers taking food photos in the age of constantly scrolling reels might prefer that lens over the FOV Boost lens, which expands the camera’s field of view from 155 to 182 degrees.
Otherwise, the Osmo Action 6 offers 13.5 stops of dynamic range and can record up to 4K and 120 fps. This is less than the 5.3K and 60 fps offered by the GoPro Hero 13. However, it’s better in slow motion with a claimed 240 fps when you set the resolution to 1080p. The action camera comes with 50GB of internal storage for you to add whatever microSD card you plan to use (as long as you stick to the 1TB limit). This is the kind of action camera that will make more experienced videographers a little more happy.
Meanwhile, DJI’s latest Osmo Nano appears to be tailored for the more traditional action cam user as it is more compact and easier to operate. Like Insta360’s Go Ultra, DJI’s camera pod is magnetic, meaning it can attach to more complex mounts or even your fridge door.
While the Osmo Action 6 will be available overseas, in an emailed statement, DJI told Gizmodo, “The Osmo Action 6 will not be immediately available for sale in the US market through DJI’s official channels. We do not currently have an estimated timeline for when it will be available.”
The same statement has been issued for each of the company’s many older products that have surfaced over the past two months. This includes two new drones—the Mini 5 Pro and the Neo 2—as well as a robovac called the DJI Romo. DJI is still plagued by US government allegations that its ties to China make the company a national security threat. The US has blocked many imports of DJI into the US through its first-party channels. It now faces further sanction from the Federal Communications Commission if the agency decides to block new DJI certifications.