DJI’s Osmo Action 6 Proves Action Cameras Can Do More, Thanks to a Variable-Aperture Square Sensor

DJI has finally released the Osmo Action 6, an action camera designed for everyday adventures. The base kit costs $379 and is available today through DJI’s website and select stores, ready to capture the attention of bikers, divers, and anybody looking for clear footage on the go.

Square sensors may appear simple, yet DJI used one as the foundation for the Osmo Action 6. This 1/1.1-inch CMOS sensor measures light throughout a 4:3 frame, allowing you to capture more of the world without unpleasant cropping. Pixels are 2.4 micrometers in size and fused together to provide finer details even when the sun is low. The dynamic range is 13.5 stops, allowing for shadows and highlights that other cameras would smear into mush. Low light is also improved, with ISO up to 51,200 in night mode, resulting in low noise and true colors.

Pair that sensor with a lens that adjusts its own opening and you have footage that adapts to the moment. The aperture opens from f/2.0 to f/4.0, no other action cam does this. Open it wide for dim caverns or late-night climbs to let in more light for brighter frames. Close it for sunny beaches, reducing glare and adding star-shaped flares around bright points. Five auto settings manage the options, or you may lock it manually for more control. Shoot in 4K at 120fps, and the Osmo Action 6 will smooth out every bump and splash. The square sensor shines here; shoot square, then trim to fit broad screens or tall phone streams. A custom 4K mode operates at 60fps in that complete square, allowing editors to reframe without sacrificing quality.

SuperNight mode enhances night images by cleaning up grain at 4K/60. Ten-bit color in D-Log M extracts more detail from the scene, making it ideal for future changes. Six preset tones give warmth or cold without requiring post-processing, and the 2x zoom is clear in 4K. Stabilization is built in layers: RockSteady smoothes out vibrations, HorizonBalancing corrects tilts up to 45 degrees, and HorizonSteady keeps the view level over entire spins. When you turn on a natural wide angle, the vertical stretch fades, leaving you with realistic viewpoints. Photos are shot at 38 megapixels in raw or JPEG format, with a portrait mode that identifies faces and adjusts the lighting for even skin. Live photographs capture still images from motion clips and sync with phones for easy sharing. All of this runs on a 4-nanometer processor, which reduces heat while increasing speed.

The Osmo Action 6 doesn’t mind being submerged in salt water or fresh snow, as its IP68 classification indicates it can handle 20 meters without a case, or 60 with one that sports a gauge registering dives and starts / stops when pressure changes. Cold snaps to -20°C will not halt operations, while the color sensor can read white balance on the fly, even underwater where tones fluctuate quickly. The body weighs 149g and is small enough to fit under helmets or handles, with fast release attachments that allow you to swap sides in seconds.

Battery life is around 4 hours at room temperature on a single charge, and 2.5 hours in freezing winter temps with 1080p stabilization enabled. A rapid charger can charge the 1950mAh battery pack to 80% capacity in 22 minutes. The camera has 50GB of built-in storage and a microSD card that can hold up to 1TB. Transfer clips at 80MB/s over Wi-Fi or 300MB/s via phone. The gear is bookended by two screens: a 1.46″ front display for framing selfies and a 2.5″ rear panel with a brightness of 1000 nits for sunny checks. Both touch responsive, even with moist fingertips, and smear and water resistant.

Three microphones pick up conversations over the wind and perform an excellent job of removing rumbling to generate extremely clean audio. Link two DJI wireless transmitters directly, no need for additional equipment, and you can even collect sound from what people are saying or the ambient sounds around them in stereo by pairing Bluetooth with your earbuds or helmet. Control the camera with a simple wave of your hand from two meters away (no need for gloves), or deliver voice commands in English or Mandarin. Its auto-tracking tool does an excellent job of locking onto people or pets and keep them in the center of the frame while maintaining a balanced exposure. When you want to film vertical clips, simply select high-format mode, and the camera will automatically detect faces and level out the tones. The pre-record buffer activates five seconds before you begin recording, allowing you to capture those unexpected moments you nearly missed.

With the macro lens attached to the front, you can get up close and personal with your subjects, down to 11 centimeters away, resulting in some incredible close-up images of flowers or fine china. And it works nicely with the wide aperture to create an extremely soft background for whatever tiny subject you’re photographing. Want to capture more of the scene with no distortion? The boost lens may extend your view to a full 182 degrees. The neutral density filters are useful for shooting in bright sunshine, and the glass cover protects the camera’s front.

Your standard kit includes the essentials: the camera, a curved mount for stability, a screw for securing it in place, a wire for connecting it, and some pads to improve your grip on the device. But if you want to take your journey to the next level, the Adventure bundle (above) includes extra batteries, a charger case, and a 1.5-meter extension pole for reaching into tight spots.