DJI is known for its incredible drones, but the company also puts out a remarkable line of handheld camera gear in its Osmo series. From the powerful DJI Osmo 360 to the mini-sized Osmo Nano or Osmo Pocket 3, each selection has a different set of capabilities to match your creative needs. Underwater divers will love the superior recording quality of the Osmo Action 6, while the Osmo Mobile 8 is a great way to unlock the full potential of your existing smartphone.
To help you decide which selection from the Osmo lineup best fits your needs, here is a guide comparing the Osmo Action 6, the Osmo 360, the Osmo Nano, the Osmo Mobile 8, and the Osmo Pocket 3.
The DJI Osmo Action 6 features a 1/1.1-inch square sensor that captures crystal-clear video at up to 4K/120fps (4:3) or 1080p/960fps for Super Slow Motion video. The dual high-brightness OLED touchscreens in the front and back give you a clear view of your footage throughout filming. You can use Starburst mode to turn city lights into stunning bursts of light, or switch to SuperNight mode for even better video quality at night.
What’s truly notable about the DJI Osmo Action 6 is that it's DJI’s first action camera with a variable f/2.0-f/4.0 aperture. This delivers better image quality in low-light environments, offering greater shooting flexibility than fixed-aperture cameras. Auto mode allows you to choose from a set of aperture ranges, automatically dialing in the aperture to the proper setting within that range.
Like many DJI cameras, the Osmo Action 6 relies on 10-bit D-Log M to retain more highlight and shadow detail for post-production editing. This camera, however, includes an on-screen D-Log M preview so you can monitor color and exposure during recording.
Thanks to its square sensor, the Osmo Action 6 features a new 4K Custom mode. This allows you to record video without worrying about the angle, as you can reframe the footage into different aspect ratios during post-production. The camera also features Gesture Control, which lets you start or stop recording with a simple palm gesture.
The Osmo Action 6 doesn’t just excel at capturing video—with the DIJ OsmoAudio ecosystem™, you can directly connect up to two DJI microphone transmitters, capturing high-quality audio without a receiver. This clearly captures vocals while cutting through distracting noise, such as wind. The Built-in Mic Audio Backup feature smoothly incorporates ambient noise to make the footage sound true-to-life.
The Osmo Action 6 doesn’t just excel at capturing video—with the DIJ OsmoAudio ecosystem™, you can directly connect up to two DJI microphone transmitters, capturing high-quality audio without a receiver. This clearly captures vocals while cutting through distracting noise, such as wind. The Built-in Mic Audio Backup feature smoothly incorporates ambient noise to make the footage sound true-to-life.
The DJI Osmo Action 6 is waterproof to a depth of 20 meters. It’s also built to withstand extreme environments, with an operating capacity of -20° C to 45° C (-4° F to 113° F).
The Macro Lens can easily attach to record extreme close-ups of your subject, letting you hone in on the details of a flower, wildlife, or food. The FOV Boost Lens expands the FOV from 155° to 182°, perfect for capturing full-body shots while skiing or snowboarding. The DJI Osmo Action 6 is also compatible with the Osmo Action GPS Bluetooth Remote Controller, allowing you to control the camera from afar as you start and stop recording.
The waterproof design and built-in color temperature sensor make the DJI Osmo Action 6 ideal for diving and underwater video capture. It even records dive data using its water-pressure gauge. The cold-resistant design and use of Gesture Control also make it well-suited for filming skiing or snowboarding videos. With a four-hour battery life and Subject Tracking, you can film hours of footage on the slopes.
The stabilization technology and OsmoAudio ecosystem let you film while on a bicycle, motorcycle, or mountain bike, keeping footage steady and filtering out ambient noise so your voice sounds loud and clear. With one of the many DJI Osmo accessories and the versatile Mimo app, you can also capture gorgeous photos and recordings on hikes in the mountains, the forest, and desert national parks.
The stabilization technology and OsmoAudio ecosystem let you film while on a bicycle, motorcycle, or mountain bike, keeping footage steady and filtering out ambient noise so your voice sounds loud and clear. With one of the many DJI Osmo accessories and the versatile Mimo app, you can also capture gorgeous photos and recordings on hikes in the mountains, the forest, and desert national parks.
Whereas the Osmo Action 6 is known for its adjustable aperture, the DJI Osmo 360’s claim to fame is its ability to capture 120MP (16K) 360° still photos and native 8K/30fps 360° video. Its 1-inch sensor, f/1.9 aperture, 2.4μm pixels, and 13.5 stops of dynamic range mean that every detail in both shadows and highlights comes through crystal clear, enhanced even more by 10-bit & D-log M color mode.
The Osmo 360 offers a few different recording options, from ultra-smooth 8K/50fps (with a 155° FOV) to slow-motion 4K/100fps 360°. Boost Video slows things down even further to 4K/120fps, with an even wider 170 ° field of view. Like the Osmo Action 6, the DJI Osmo 360 features SuperNight mode for better nighttime filming.
The DJI Osmo 360 comes with HorizonSteady to reduce shake and correct horizontal tilt, while Rocksteady 3.0 smooths out footage while shooting in single-lens mode. You can take full advantage of the ultra-wide FOV with Selfie Mode, while Gesture and Voice Controls let you operate the camera hands-free.
With SnapShot, you can start recording with just one press. Rapid charging gets you fully charged and filming right away, as the Osmo 360 can charge to 50% in just 12 minutes. Like the Osmo Action 6, this camera uses OsmoAudio to capture sound with DJI microphone transmitters. You can also pair the Osmo 360 with third-party Bluetooth headsets to capture wireless audio and use hands-free voice control.
With SnapShot, you can start recording with just one press. Rapid charging gets you fully charged and filming right away, as the Osmo 360 can charge to 50% in just 12 minutes. Like the Osmo Action 6, this camera uses OsmoAudio to capture sound with DJI microphone transmitters. You can also pair the Osmo 360 with third-party Bluetooth headsets to capture wireless audio and use hands-free voice control.
With SnapShot, you can start recording with just one press. Rapid charging gets you fully charged and filming right away, as the Osmo 360 can charge to 50% in just 12 minutes. Like the Osmo Action 6, this camera uses OsmoAudio to capture sound with DJI microphone transmitters. You can also pair the Osmo 360 with third-party Bluetooth headsets to capture wireless audio and use hands-free voice control.
The DJI Osmo 360 is waterproof to a depth of up to 10 meters. It can record for over 1.5 hours and operate in temperatures as low as -20° C (-4° F).
The Osmo Adjustable Quick-Release Adapter Mount features a magnetic quick-release design that makes it easy to attach the Osmo 360 to any Osmo Action series accessory. The Invisible Selfie Stick automatically removes the selfie stick from the shot for a more professional look, while the Battery Extension Rod extends battery life by an additional 180 minutes.
The Osmo Motorcycle Heavy-Duty Mount locks the camera in place for smoother, safer video capture on the road, and the Osmo Dual Heavy-Duty Clamp connects to the mount and selfie stick to enable third-person video capture. There’s also the Osmo Bike Rear Mount Kit, Osmo Third-Person Helmet Mount Kit, and Osmo Hanging Neck Mount Max accessories that let you record cycling and hiking videos with more flexible, dynamic perspectives.
The DJI Osmo 360 has endless potential thanks to its ultra-wide FOV and numerous accessories. Lock it onto your bicycle, motorcycle, or mountain bike to film FPV of the road or a third-person view of your ride. The invisible selfie stick and Hanging Neck Mount Max allow you to film yourself hiking or mountain climbing from a first-person or third-person perspective, while the waterproof design allows for short dives (that can be extended even further with a waterproof case).
The DJI Osmo Nano is the lightweight entry in DJI’s Osmo series, with a dual-sided magnetic design that makes it easy to clip on for the ride. The 1/1.3” sensor captures up to 4K/60fps video and 4K/120fps slow-motion footage with a 143° Wide FOV, giving you decent camera quality for its small size. The 2.4μm pixels and 13.5 stops of dynamic range are identical to the Osmo 360, maintaining clarity in both low light and bright sunlight. Like the Osmo 360 and the Osmo Action 6, the Osmo Nano features SuperNight mode and 10-bit & D-Log M Color mode.
Even with its small size, the DJI Osmo Nano includes two special features: HorizonBalancing, which keeps the horizon steady with tilts of up to 30°, and RockSteady 3.0, which eliminates shake while preserving the sense of motion. One of the most notable features of the Osmo Nano is its dual-sided magnetic mount, which lets you switch from selfies to forward-facing shots with ease.
Like the previous Osmo cameras, the Osmo Nano features Gesture Control and DJI OsmoAudio for better audio recording. You can also switch between horizontal and vertical shooting, letting you frame your shot however you want.
Like the previous Osmo cameras, the Osmo Nano features Gesture Control and DJI OsmoAudio for better audio recording. You can also switch between horizontal and vertical shooting, letting you frame your shot however you want.
Like the Osmo 360, the Osmo Nano is waterproof down to 10 meters. The Multifunctional Vision Dock offers even more protection against the elements on land. It also increases charging time, allowing it to reach 80% of its battery level in just 20 minutes. While the Osmo Nano has a runtime of 90 minutes for 1080p and 60 minutes for 4K, the Multifunctional Vision Dock extends 1080p recording time to 200 minutes.
In addition to the Multifunctional Vision Dock, the Osmo Nano is compatible with accessories such as the Osmo Nano ND Filter Set, which increases flexibility while filming in bright light. The Osmo Nano Glass Lens Cover protects the lens with high-strength glass, keeping it safe from scratches and water. The Osmo Nano Dual-Direction Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount lets you slap the camera onto your car, window, or any smooth surface for easy, safe filming.
Because it’s so small and lightweight, the Osmo Nano is best suited for everyday vlogging and hands-free POV shots. You can attach it to your clothing, hat, or bag to get hands-free footage while hiking, camping, or just walking around the city. It can be attached to a car or bike, and the HorizonBalancing and RockSteady features help keep the footage more stable while in motion. The camera quality isn’t as great as that of the Osmo Action 6 or Osmo 360, so it’s better for everyday filming and social media posting.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is not a camera itself, but a gimbal that turns your smartphone into a high-quality mobile studio. The 3-axis gimbal keeps footage stable while offering 360° pan rotation, freeing you to film from every angle. You can attach your smartphone via the phone clamp or directly using the DJI OM Magnetic Quick-Release Mount, then use Bluetooth to pair your phone and the gimbal.
The Osmo Mobile 8 comes with intuitive controls, including a side wheel for zooming and brightness/color adjustment and a trigger that allows you to swap effortlessly between front and rear cameras. It also features Gesture Control, allowing you to activate the gimbal, snap a photo, or adjust framing at will. With a built-in extension rod and tripod, you can turn it into a selfie stick or set it on the ground for easier filming without the need for accessories.
The 360° horizontal rotation makes it easy to shoot panoramic photos and videos, while intelligent tracking features will automatically keep moving subjects in frame. PTF Mode makes it so that the camera view actively follows the gimbal’s pan and tilt along vertical and diagonal lines, while PF Mode keeps the camera via following a horizontal pan. In FPV Mode, all three gimbal axes are activated, creating a professional-looking “flying” effect. Lastly, the SpinShot mode lets you flick the joystick left or right to create cinematic camera rotation in your footage.
ActiveTrack 7.0 makes subject tracking easier than ever, as the gimbal seamlessly follows movement no matter how the direction changes. The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 can detect multiple subjects at once, allowing you to switch between subjects with a single tap. The dual wide-angle and telephoto lenses further expand tracking to ensure a subject never falls out of frame. To unleash your creative potential, the Osmo Mobile 8 supports cinematic modes such as Timelapse, Motionlapse, Hyperlapse, Panorama, and Dynamic Zoom.
ActiveTrack 7.0 makes subject tracking easier than ever, as the gimbal seamlessly follows movement no matter how the direction changes. The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 can detect multiple subjects at once, allowing you to switch between subjects with a single tap. The dual wide-angle and telephoto lenses further expand tracking to ensure a subject never falls out of frame. To unleash your creative potential, the Osmo Mobile 8 supports cinematic modes such as Timelapse, Motionlapse, Hyperlapse, Panorama, and Dynamic Zoom.
The Osmo Mobile 8 is not waterproof, so it’s best to keep it limited strictly to dry land. It can last up to around 10 hours of filming.
The DJI OM Magnetic Quick-Release Mount is built exclusively to allow iPhones to clip on and off more quickly. The DJI OM 8 Tracking Kit includes the powerful DJI OM Multifunctional Module, which makes it easier to track humans and pets, as well as a Charging/Audio Cable and Magnetic Phone Clamp. Lastly, the DJI Mic Mini Transmitter improves the audio quality and extends the runtime by connecting it directly with products in the DJI OsmoAudio ecosystem.
The best features of the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 are its tracking capabilities and its unshakeable 3-axis stabilization technology. It’s a powerful tool for filming selfies while traipsing through the woods, self-taping videos with family and friends, or filming fun family videos with kids and animals running around in the background. Because it can track so well and maintain stability even while moving, it’s great to film from the ground or from your hand, but not so well-equipped for more strenuous activities like skiing or anything water-related.
The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is designed to be a camera you can keep in your pocket, with a 2-inch rotatable screen that can shoot in both landscape and portrait modes. It comes with a 1-inch CMOS sensor that captures 4K 120fps video, with 10-bit D-Log M and HLG to boost color quality in every shot. HDR Video allows you to create more realistic footage in both bright and and dark scenes, while 4x zoom lets you get up close and personal with your subject.
The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 relies on a mechanical, 3-axis gimbal to keep footage steady and smooth, while its integrated three microphone array records stereo sound in all directions while eliminating wind noise. With UDB Audio protocol support, you can even attach external microphones and monitoring earbuds. ActiveTrack 6.0 has Face Auto-Detect, Dynamic Framing, and Basic modes that allow you to track subjects in close-up and full-body shots as they mood. You can also shoot in smart modes like Timelapse, Motionlapse, Hyperlapse, and Panorama.
Like the Osmo Mobile 8, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is not waterproof, so use it on dry land only. It has an operating time of 166 minutes, and charges to 80% battery level in only 16 minutes.
The Osmo Pocket 3 is compatible with accessories like the DJI Mic 2, which enhances audio quality with an external recorder, as well as an Osmo Mini Tripod to set up filming from the ground. The Osmo Pocket 3 Magnetic ND Filters Set lets you adjust exposure levels in different lighting environments, and the Osmo Pocket 3 Wide-Angle Lens opens up the FOV to 108°.
Like the Osmo Mobile 8, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 excels at vlogging and social media posting from remote locals. Because it fits in your pocket, you can take it with you on a mountain hike or beach trip. The camera is the weakest of the Osmo series, so it’s generally the best option for people who don’t need a fancy camera but want something more than a gimbal to use with their smartphone.
The DJI Mimo app gives you even greater creative control with the Osmo series, letting you preview the camera view and adjust settings on your smartphone. It does wonders for editing, giving you numerous templates and offering One-Tap Editing for faster post-production. The Mimo app can add a sports dashboard overlay to videos, perform color grading to your footage, and automatically remove the selfie stick from any shot. There’s also a Highlight feature that makes it easier to mark special moments in your footage to return to later.
The Lightcut app is DJI’s AI-assisted video editing app that’s similar to Mimo but works much faster. If you’re interested in creating quick Instagram Reels or stories to post right away, it’s a great alternative to generate rapid turnaround edits. For more in-depth editing, however, Mimo offers more room to play.
Whether you prioritize durability, stabilization, portability, or superior camera quality, DJI’s Osmo lineup offers something for every style of shooter. The Osmo Action 6 is both rugged and action-ready, while the Osmo 360 offers immersive capture from every angle. The Osmo Nano and Osmo Pocket 3 are both small enough to take with you almost anywhere, with the Osmo Nano clipping onto almost any surface. If you’re content with your smartphone’s camera quality and just want to add a few unique filming features, the Osmo Mobile 8 is a great way to add subject tracking and smooth stabilization to everyday filming.
Dr Drone
Auteur
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.