DJI Osmo Action 6 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black: Which One Should You Buy?

It’s somewhat unfair to compare the brand-new DJI Osmo Action 6 to a model that’s more than a year old, but this year GoPro didn’t release a successor to the Hero 13 Black, which was launched in September 2024.

When I reviewed the OA6’s specifications, I felt for the first time that DJI truly nailed it and managed to challenge GoPro’s long-standing dominance in the action camera market. For years, GoPro has been considered the undisputed king of adventure rugged cams, setting the standard for durability, image quality, and stabilization. However, the Osmo Action 6 introduces a compelling mix of features that make it a serious contender.

With its larger 1/1.1-inch – 38MP image sensor, adaptive aperture, and improved RockSteady 3.0+ stabilization, it is much superior over the GoPro Hero 13. Both cameras support up to 4K at 120fps and include dedicated slow-motion modes (1080p at 240fps for DJI Osmo Action 6 vs 720p at 400fps for GoPro Hero 13 Black). Additionally, the GoPro Hero 13 offers a 5.3K resolution mode at up to 60fps, which sounds impressive on paper. However, in practice, I found this intermediate resolution somewhat unnecessary. To be honest, I found this intermediate resolution unnecessary, and I initially believed the feature referred to 8K video.

Both action cameras feature a dual-LCD system of similar size, but only the Osmo Action 6 offers touch functionality on both screens.

Osmo Action 6 vs Hero 13 Black comparison table

I’ve compared the key specs of both action cameras in the table below. Areas where one camera outperforms the other are highlighted in green.

Which Action Camera Is the Toughest for Extreme Adventures?

Felix Baumgartner’s historic jump from the stratosphere became one of the most iconic moments ever captured on an action camera. As he stepped off the capsule at over 39,000 meters, a GoPro strapped to his suit recorded every second of the breathtaking descent—from the silence of near space to the violent tumble as he broke the sound barrier. The tiny camera withstood extreme cold, low pressure, and incredible speeds, delivering a stunning visual record of a journey few humans will ever experience. Felix’s leap wasn’t just a milestone in human achievement; it was also a powerful testament to how rugged and reliable GoPro cameras can be in the most extreme environments imaginable.

The GoPro Hero 13 is rated for operation between -10°C and 35°C and is waterproof up to 10.1 meters without a housing. In comparison, the DJI Osmo Action 6 offers superior durability, functioning safely in temperatures from -20°C to 45°C and can be submerged underwater without a case to depths of 20 meters.

While both cameras use a 2S 1950 mAh battery, the Osmo Action 6 promises more than an hour of additional recording time compared to the GoPro Hero 13 Black.

Bottom line

After reviewing and comparing the most important specifications and features of these two action cameras, it’s clear that the new DJI Osmo Action 6 offers significantly more powerful hardware than the GoPro Hero 13 Black.

Considering that both models are priced similarly, DJI is well-positioned to dominate this holiday season. This sends a strong message to GoPro: it’s time to deliver real innovation rather than incremental updates. Frankly, there hasn’t been much evolution since the GoPro Hero 10, and consumers are ready for something truly groundbreaking.