DJI
Osmo Action 3
Rugged 1/1.7-inch action camera with 4K 120p, dual touchscreens, RockSteady stabilization, and 16m waterproofing without a case.
$329
Launch priceReleased Sep 2022
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Osmo Action 3 is 11 months newer.
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Wins
Osmo Action 3
Wins
Z9
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 0)
- AOsmo Action 3 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- AOsmo Action 3 has lower Weight (145 g vs 1160 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareOsmo Action 3
71 × 44 × 33 mm
145 g (0.32 lb / 5.11 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
Osmo Action 3 is 79mm narrower, 105mm shorter, and 58mm thinner than Z9.
Osmo Action 3 is 1015 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 33mm Osmo Action 3 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Osmo Action 3
71 × 44 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Osmo Action 3
71 × 33 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Osmo Action 3: mount data unavailable
Z9
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Osmo Action 3
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264, HEVC
Stabilization modes
Adds RockSteady, HorizonBalancing, HorizonSteady
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 70.5, 44.2, 32.8
Card types
Adds microSD
Weight
145 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
1080p max frame rate
240 fps vs 120 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
AF points / zones
493 vs 0 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 12 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓IBIS effectiveness — Both 6 stops
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Osmo Action 3
Pros
- ✓4K 120p
- ✓Dual touchscreens
- ✓16m waterproof without case
- ✓RockSteady and HorizonSteady
Cons
- –Older than Action 4/5 Pro
- –Small action-cam sensor
- –Fixed ultra-wide lens
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Osmo Action 3 and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
DJI Osmo Action 3
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Osmo Action 3 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 1.5/10 for Osmo Action 3 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the Osmo Action 3 and Z9?
Osmo Action 3 is 12 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Osmo Action 3 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
Osmo Action 3 uses Electronic image stabilization (electronic), while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Osmo Action 3 or the Z9?
Osmo Action 3 reaches 15 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Osmo Action 3 and Z9?
Osmo Action 3 weighs 145 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the Osmo Action 3 is 1015 g lighter.
Do the Osmo Action 3 and Z9 record 4K video?
Osmo Action 3: 4K up to 120p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Osmo Action 3 and Z9 weather sealed?
Osmo Action 3: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Osmo Action 3 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Osmo Action 3 launched at $329 and Z9 at $5,499. The Osmo Action 3 is $5,170 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Osmo Action 3 vs Z9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of DJI and Nikon press materials.