DJI Osmo Action 6 vs Action 5 Pro: Is the Upgrade Necessary?
- Telicia
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
A few years ago I had a GoPro fail completely out of the blue, not long after the 1-year warranty expired. It was the catalyst for our switch to the DJI Osmo Action camera, and honestly, we haven’t looked back.
Our Osmo Action 4 has been a workhorse, surviving salt spray, bumpy dinghy rides, and tropical humidity. But, as we prepare to head into the remote corners of the Pacific, the "one is none, two is one" rule has started to weigh on me. In the islands, there are no tech shops. If a camera fails or ends up at the bottom of an anchorage, Travel Sketch vlogging comes to a standstill.
With the release of the DJI Osmo Action 6, I’ve been looking at whether this new flagship is the right choice for our "backup" camera, or if we should stick with what we know.
CONTENTS:
DJI Osmo Action 6 specifications
To get you situated, here are some of the key specs of the DJI Osmo Action 6, and how they compare to the previous model.
Specification | DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro | DJI Osmo Action 6 |
Manufacturers price | $294.00 USD $289.99 USD - Amazon | $389.00 USD $369.00 USD - Amazon |
Weight | 146 grams | 149 grams |
Sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS | 1/1.1-inch Square CMOS |
Max Resolution (Video) | 4K / 120fps | 8K / 30fps (or 4K Custom) |
Functions | Photo, video, slow motion, hyperlapse, timelapse, SuperNight, subject tracking | Photo, video, slow motion, hyperlapse, timelapse, SuperNight, subject tracking |
Built-in Storage | 47 GB | 50 GB |
Battery Life | 240 minutes | 240 minutes |
Waterproof (no case) | 20m | 20m |
As you can see the sensor and the resolution are among the biggest upgrades for the Osmo 6, so let's get into the key differences in more detail.
Comparing the Osmo Action 6 to the Action 5 Pro
When you look at the specs for the new Osmo Action 6, it’s clear DJI is moving away from the "minor tweak". This isn't just a software update; there are fundamental changes that actually solve some of the problems I’ve had while filming aboard, that weren't solved in the Osmo Action 5 Pro.
Max resolution and the square sensor
One of the biggest jumps is the move to 8K at 30fps. While I personally don't have the storage space or need to film everything in 8K, having that extra resolution is a massive win for the new "4K Custom" mode.
Because the Osmo Action 6 uses a 1/1.1-inch square sensor, you can record a single clip and, in post-production, crop a perfect 4K landscape video for YouTube and a 4K vertical clip for Instagram. For people creating content for multiple platforms, like myself, being able to film once for two aspect ratios wihout sacrificing quality is a massive time saver.
Low light and variable aperture
One of my biggest annoyances with the Osmo Action 4 has been the low-light performance; specifically when hiking under thick jungle canopies or filming at dawn, dusk or evening. While it was a huge improvement over the action cams I'd had before, I still have to be very intentional with lighting.
The Osmo Action 6 has introduced a variable aperture of f/2.0-f/4.0, so at f/2.0, the Osmo 6 lets in far more light than the fixed f/2.8 on the Osmo 5 Pro. This along with the square sensor are two of the biggest factors that would convince me to get the DJI Osmo Action 6 over the Osmo Action 4 or 5 Pro.
Physical design of the DJI Osmo Action 6
Physically, the Osmo Action 6 is very similar to the Action 5 Pro, which I think is a good thing. The button placement is identical, the OLED screens are still impressively bright for outdoor use, and it's still waterproof down to 20m without a case.
The biggest change is the lens housing, which has been slightly redesigned to accommodate the new variable aperture mechanism. The lens cover is still removable, allowing you to replace it if it ever gets scratched or damaged... like my Osmo 4 did!
Functionality
Functionally, the DJI Osmo Action 6 remains fairly intuitive to use. Swiping the screen in various directions enables you to change settings like the aspect ration, resolution, aperture and stabilization, and watching videos, it's laid out almost exactly the same as my Osmo 4.
Like all Osmo cameras, there are multiple modes to choose between, with the Osmo Action 6 supporting:
Photo
Video
Slow Motion
Hyperlapse
Timelapse
Portrait Mode
Subject Tracking
SuperNight
Also like previous Osmo cameras, you need to use the DJI Mimo app to activate the camera on its first use. I find this mandatory activation system to be somewhat of an annoyance, but after the activation you really only need the app for firmware updates, and if you want to access remote monitoring or the sports dashboard overlays.
DJI action camera accessories
When you buy the DJI Osmo Action 6, you still get the choice between different bundles. Here's what's included in two of the main combos.
Osmo Action 6 1x Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus 1x Quick-Release Adapter Mount Curved Adhesive Base 1x Osmo Locking Screw Anti-Slip Pad Type-C to Type-C PD Cable | Osmo Action 6 3x Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus Multifunctional battery case 2x Quick-Release Adapter Mount Curved Adhesive Base 2x Osmo Locking Screw Anti-Slip Pad Type-C to Type-C PD Cable Osmo 1.5m extension rod |
If you're new to the Osmo camera's, I'd lean towards the Adventure Combo - the difference in price makes it 100% worth it in order to get the additional batteries and battery case.
Backward compatibility
The best news for those of us who already own DJI cameras is that the 1950mAh Action Extreme Battery Plus is backward compatible. You can use these new batteries in your Osmo Action 4 and 5 Pro. Conversely, if you have a stack of 1770mAh batteries from your Osmo Action 4, they will work in the Action 6, although you won't get the full 4-hour runtime.
The magnetic quick-release mounts also remain the same, so all your old tripods and chest mounts will fit perfectly.
Recommended accessories
My number one recommended accessory remains the Multifunctional Battery case. It allows you to easily store and charge three batteries at once, with tri-color indicator lights for each.
Other accessories I use frequently are:
Selfie stick and tripod, which you can now get all-in-one
JOBY Gorillapod 1K with a camera thread adaptor
Chest mount
Finding the balance
For me, the decision whether or not to get the Action 6 is driven by a desire to have a back-up camera that's reliable, compatible and cost-effective. Carrying a spare camera that uses the same batteries and mounts as our current setup is just good "boat math", and as a result I am planning to buy the DJI Osmo Action 6 in Panama, our next stop where DJI products and Amazon US delivery are widely available.
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