At a Glance
- DJI releases Osmo Action 6 with 1/1.1-inch sensor and f/2-f/4 variable aperture
- Firmware update late 2025 unlocked 8K 30 fps and lossless 2× zoom
- Magnetic mount now reversible; Boost Lens widens FOV to 182°
Why it matters: The Action 6 beats rivals in low light and offers pro-level Log recording, but US availability and long-term support remain uncertain.
DJI’s lone fall 2025 launch, the Osmo Action 6, squeezes a bigger sensor, a mechanical variable-aperture lens and 8K video into a body barely changed from last year’s Action 5 Pro. Derrick M. Collins tested the camera for News Of Fort Worth and found noticeable gains in image quality, mounting convenience and low-light performance-though a few quirks survive.
Bigger Sensor, Better Image
The headline change is the new 1/1.1-inch square sensor. It delivers:
- Wider dynamic range
- Cleaner default colors with less magenta skin-tone shift
- More shadow detail and fewer lens flares
Shooting in 16:9 mode still outperforms cropping the full sensor read-out, but the square chip lets creators re-frame to vertical without rotating the camera. Stabilization and horizon-leveling crops are smaller, preserving a wider final field of view than on the Action 5 Pro.
Variable Aperture in Your Pocket
Tiny aperture blades open from f/2 to f/4, giving roughly one extra stop of brightness at the wide end. Low-light clips shot in D-Log look visibly brighter and sharper than footage from the Action 5 Pro or Insta360’s Ace Pro 2. Night surfers can stay at f/2; vloggers can stop down to f/4 for deeper focus.
The mechanical design raises durability questions for high-vibration sports, but real-world failure rates won’t be known for years.
Swappable Glass
DJI copies GoPro’s lens ecosystem:
- Standard lens: 155° field of view
- Boost Lens (sold separately, $146): 182° and auto-recognition
- Macro lens: announced, not yet shipping
- ND filters: manual settings only
Using the Boost Lens disables 1:1 recording and full 360° horizon leveling.
8K Arrives Late
A December 2025 firmware patch belatedly added 8K 30 fps recording and lossless 2× zoom. The zoom can’t be engaged mid-clip; users must stop, toggle zoom and resume. 8K quality lands slightly above 4K-useful for crops, not cinema-grade finishing. Internal storage grows to 50 GB from 47 GB.
Battery Life and Audio
The camera keeps the same 1,950-mAh Extreme Battery Plus, yielding just over two hours of stabilized 4K recording. Audio is serviceable but trails the Ace Pro 2; an external mic is still the route to clean sound.
Should You Buy?
Upgrade from Action 5 Pro? The better low-light image and reversible magnetic mount are meaningful; color improvements sweeten the deal.
Versus Insta360 Ace Pro 2: Action 6 wins on 10-bit Log and night video; Ace Pro 2 has superior onboard mics and the fun Xplorer Grip case.
Versus GoPro Hero 13: GoPro retains more lens choices, automatic ND recognition and GoPro Labs flexibility. Action 6 counters with longer battery life, less distortion and class-leading low-light clarity.
Key Takeaways
- DJI’s Action 6 is the low-light king of pocket action cams
- Variable aperture and 8K recording push specs past rivals
- Reversible magnetic mount fixes a daily annoyance
- US buyers face limited stock and uncertain support after federal restrictions
If you can find one, the Osmo Action 6 is the most capable all-around action camera you can mount on a helmet, handlebars or selfie stick today.
