- DJI tipped to reveal the Osmo Action 6 in October
- The flagship action cam could feature a rival-beating 1-inch sensor and 8K video
- Advanced smartwatch integration could also be included
Leaks about DJI's next flagship action cam suggest it could put the squeeze on rivals Insta360 and GoPro.
Touted as the Osmo Action 6, it could be the first camera of its kind with a 1-inch sensor, which will support 8K video, plus what looks like advanced smartwatch integration.
If the exclusive leaks shared by The New Camera prove accurate, a would-be Action 6 looks like it'll be the action camera to beat, with a sensor that dwarfs the ones used in the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 and GoPro Hero Black 13.
We've seen a 1-inch sensor in other DJI products, including the Osmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera and the recent Mini 5 Pro drone. However, it would be a new kind of sensor for action cams and could deliver next-level low-light quality.
Other topline features to whet the appetite are 8K video and slow motion 4K 120fps and 1080p 240fps recording.
Video capture looks set to be supported by DJI's Advanced RockSteady 4.0 with AI-enhanced HorizonSteady for 360° leveling, while there could be 64GB of onboard storage, plus a micro SD slot.
DJI will likely have to increase the physical dimensions of the Action 6 to house that larger sensor, but it's unclear at this time how much larger it will be versus previous models, or if it will otherwise keep the same rugged Action 5 Pro design, which includes industry-leading waterproofing.
In addition to those promising features, the Action 6 could deliver unmatched smartwatch integration.
Getting smart
The New Camera supposedly received images from a tester showing the DJI Osmo Action 6 pairing with a (generic) smartwatch.
Pairing with a smartwatch isn't exactly new – the Osmo Action 5 Pro can overlay key data from your Garmin or Apple Watch on your videos, such as speed, heart rate, and distance, making it an excellent choice for athletes.
However, the Action 6 Pro could offer next-level integration, and it could work with other models besides those from Garmin and Apple, depending on the Bluetooth features available in the watch.
For example, a smartwatch could act as an Action 6 remote control, meaning you can start or stop the camera recording and switch to different modes without physically touching the camera, complete with data overlays.
We can also expect a wider range of data integrated into your videos in real time. For example, when used with a Garmin device, users might also be able to get power, cadence, pace, and dive data.
While the Osmo Action 5 Pro felt like an iterative upgrade over the Action 4, the Action 6 could be a weightier upgrade this time around. And with a rumored October launch, I anticipate the leaks to ramp up to give us a clearer picture of what to expect.