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DJI

Osmo Action 6

Flagship DJI action camera with 1/1.1-inch CMOS sensor, variable f/2.0-f/4.0 lens, 8K 30p video, 4K 120p, 38MP stills, and 20m waterproofing.

$379

Released Nov 2025

vs

GoPro

HERO12 Black

1/1.9-inch action camera with HDR 5.3K60, 4K120, 2.7K240 slow-mo, HyperSmooth 6.0, and 10m waterproof body.

$349

Released Sep 2023

Osmo Action 6 is 2.2 years newer.

Wins

7categories

Osmo Action 6

TravelWildlife

Wins

0categories

HERO12 Black

Travel

6 categories tied

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TL;DR — Key differences

Osmo Action 6 wins 5 categories·HERO12 Black wins 0 categories
  • AOsmo Action 6 has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 6,400)
  • AOsmo Action 6 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
  • AOsmo Action 6 has higher Resolution (38 MP vs 27.6 MP)
  • AOsmo Action 6 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
  • AOsmo Action 6 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)

Key specs at a glance

Osmo Action 6HERO12 Black
Resolution38 MP27.6 MP
Sensor1/1.1 inch1/1.9 inch
ISO max51,2006,400
Burst20 fps15 fps
4K120 fps120 fps
IBISNoNo
Weight149 g154 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Osmo Action 6

73 × 47 × 33 mm

149 g (0.33 lb / 5.26 oz)

HERO12 Black

72 × 51 × 34 mm

154 g (0.34 lb / 5.43 oz)

Osmo Action 6 is 4mm shorter and 1mm thinner than HERO12 Black but it is also 1mm wider.

Osmo Action 6 is 5 g lighter than HERO12 Black.

Depth (front-to-back): 33mm Osmo Action 6 · 34mm HERO12 Black

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseOsmo Action 6HERO12 Black
Portrait
2.5Limited✓ wins
2.0Limited
Sports & Action
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good✓ wins
3.0Limited
Landscape
3.5Limited✓ wins
3.0Limited
Travel
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Wildlife
6.5Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Vlogging
4.0Fair
4.0Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Osmo Action 6

  • Codecs

    Adds HEVC

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 72.8, 47.2, 33.1

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 6,400 — higher is better

  • RAW buffer depth

    120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • Resolution

    38 MP vs 27.6 MP — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better

Reasons to choose

HERO12 Black

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265 (HEVC)

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 71.8, 50.8, 33.6

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • Pre-Capture / Pre-ReleaseBoth support pre-capture / pre-release
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 120 fps
  • Max video bit rateBoth 200 Mbps
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • Battery life (CIPA)Both 640 shots

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Osmo Action 6

Pros

  • 8K 30p video
  • 1/1.1-inch sensor
  • Variable f/2.0-f/4.0 aperture
  • 20m waterproof without case

Cons

  • 8K has mode limitations
  • Fixed ultra-wide lens
  • Small sensor vs compact cameras

HERO12 Black

Pros

  • HDR 5.3K and 4K120
  • HyperSmooth 6.0
  • 10m waterproof
  • Strong used value

Cons

  • Superseded by HERO13
  • Fixed lens
  • Smaller battery than HERO13

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Osmo Action 6 and HERO12 Black at major authorized retailers.

Full specifications

= category winner

Osmo Action 6
HERO12 Black
Resolution
38 MP+38%
27.6 MP
Sensor type
1/1.1-inch CMOS
1/1.9-inch CMOS
Sensor size
1/1.1 inch
1/1.9 inch
Osmo Action 6
HERO12 Black
AF system
Fixed focus
Fixed focus
AF points / zones
0
0
Eye AF
No
No
Animal / bird AF
No
No
Subject recognition
Osmo Action 6
HERO12 Black
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps+33%
6 fps
Burst (electronic)
20 fps+33%
15 fps
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Yes
Yes
RAW buffer depth
120 frames2× more
60 frames
Osmo Action 6
HERO12 Black
Max resolution
8K
5.3K
4K max frame rate
120 fps
120 fps
Max video bit rate
200 Mbps
200 Mbps
Internal RAW video
No
No
Log profile
D-Log M / standard profiles
10-bit color / GP-Log
Codecs
HEVC
H.265 (HEVC)
Osmo Action 6
HERO12 Black
Weight
149 g−5 g less
154 g
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
72.8 × 47.2 × 33.1 mm
71.8 × 50.8 × 33.6 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, Osmo Action 6 or HERO12 Black?

Osmo Action 6 scores 6.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for HERO12 Black — 8K recording for future-proof footage.

What's the resolution difference between the Osmo Action 6 and HERO12 Black?

Osmo Action 6 is 38 MP and HERO12 Black is 27.6 MP, so the Osmo Action 6 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Osmo Action 6 and HERO12 Black have in-body image stabilization?

Osmo Action 6 does not have IBIS, while hERO12 Black does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Osmo Action 6 or the HERO12 Black?

Osmo Action 6 reaches 20 fps electronic. HERO12 Black reaches 15 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Osmo Action 6 and HERO12 Black?

Osmo Action 6 weighs 149 g and HERO12 Black weighs 154 g, so the Osmo Action 6 is 5 g lighter.

Do the Osmo Action 6 and HERO12 Black record 4K video?

Osmo Action 6: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p. HERO12 Black: 4K up to 120p.

Are the Osmo Action 6 and HERO12 Black weather sealed?

Osmo Action 6: Yes. HERO12 Black: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Osmo Action 6 and 640 shots for the HERO12 Black, giving the HERO12 Black the edge.

How much does each cost?

Osmo Action 6 launched at $379 and HERO12 Black at $349. The HERO12 Black is $30 less.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.