DJI’s New Action Camera Makes It Even Harder for GoPro to Catch Up

Typical action cameras are the simple “set it and forget it†type of device used by anybody who wants a simple way to film their antics without having to fiddle with camera settings. But instead of making its new Osmo Action 6 even more idiot-proof, DJI is introducing more advanced controls like the ability to adjust the aperture (and crucially, the amount of background blur, or bokeh) of the action camera’s lens.

All that is to say, the variable aperture on the Osmo Action 6 makes the typical, non-360 -degree GoPro seem a little long in the tooth. And because of U.S. policies, don’t expect this camera to arrive in the U.S. anytime soon.

I saw the DJI Osmo Action 6 at the IFA 2025 this past summer, though I didn’t have any chance to take it around and try it out on any Berlin attendees. It looks and feels very, very close to last year’s DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, down to the rear and front touchscreens and large, round lens. Most of what’s new is behind the lens, starting with the new 1/1.1-inch square sensor. It will be able to capture a differently 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 by that statement, you may already be able to tell this is an action camera that’s trying to make the case for people who actually know what they’re doing. That means doing away with the traditional fixed aperture on most other rugged cameras. The Osmo Action 6 can set the aperture from a larger f/2.0 through a smaller f/4.0. At its widest setting, it allows in more light to get through to the sensor, which may enhance low-light shooting. The camera also includes the ability to shoot in SuperNight mode at 4K and 60 fps.

The more you widen the aperture (smaller f-stop number like f/2.0), the shallower the depth of field if you want to isolate a subject. DJI claims the standard “Auto†mode will set the aperture range automatically depending on the subject. There’s also a “Starburst†mode for capturing light trails of passing stars or city streets at night.

Like the GoPro Hero 13 Black from 2024 (which used an f/2.8 aperture), the Osmo Action 6 is also compatible with several lens accessories, such as the Macro Lens for better close-up shots. All the Instagrammers out there stubbornly taking meal pics in the age of ever-scrolling Reels may 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. That’s 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 also comes with 50GB of internal storage to add to whatever microSD card you plan on using (so long as you keep to the 1TB limit). It’s the kind of action camera that will make more seasoned videographers a little happier.

Meanwhile, DJI’s more recent Osmo Nano seems to be geared for the more traditional action cam user since it’s more compact and simpler 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 email statement, DJI told Gizmodo, “The Osmo Action 6 will not be available for sale immediately in the U.S. market via DJI’s official channels. We currently do not have an estimated timeline for when it will be available.â€

It’s the same statement relayed for every one of the company’s many past products revealed over the past two months. That includes two new drones—the Mini 5 Pro and the Neo 2—plus a robovac dubbed the DJI Romo. DJI is still suffering due to the U.S. government’s allegations that its ties to China make the company a national security risk. The U.S. has blocked many of DJI’s imports to the U.S. through its first-party channels. It now faces further sanction from the Federal Communications Commission if the agency decides to block new DJI certifications.