DJI Osmo Nano Review: A Game-Changing Thumb Camera for Effortless Action Shots
While the DJI Osmo 360 is still making waves, DJI is already seizing the moment with its latest offering: the Osmo Nano. Released on September 23rd, the Osmo Nano is the next-generation thumb camera, blending powerful performance with a compact design. Its magnetic, wearable build allows for versatile angles, making it ideal for everything from outdoor activities like cycling and running to everyday moments like gatherings and travel. The Nano promises to deliver stunning image quality, capturing vivid moments with ease.
Portability, simplicity, and exceptional imaging are at the heart of the Osmo Nano’s appeal.
With this new release, DJI has completed its portable camera lineup, which now includes the Osmo Pocket, Osmo Action, Osmo 360, and Osmo Nano. Whether you’re into handheld vlogging, action sports, full-view recording, or creative freestyle shots, DJI has a solution for every need.
So, what’s it like to use the all-new Osmo Nano? Let’s dive into our review.
Design: Unique Creativity, a Novel Experience
At first glance, the DJI Osmo Nano struck me as a bit unconventional. It didn't immediately resemble any of DJI's familiar designs—aside from the classic translucent dark gray color scheme and the DJI logo on the front. It was clear, though, that this was indeed a DJI creation.
Unlike the more familiar Osmo Action 4 or Action 5 Pro, the DJI Nano features a dual-body design: a main camera and a video transmission module, each capable of independent operation and mutual control. You can control either module separately, though you'll need to hold the main camera to start recording.
In line with DJI’s signature minimalist design, the Nano only has three buttons: a customizable button for the main camera and video transmission module, plus a lock button above the video module to unlock the main camera. If you've used DJI’s Action series before, the user interface and menu layout will feel familiar, making it easy to get started.
Despite this familiarity, the DJI Nano introduces some unique features. Traditionally, action cameras require you to press a capture button to start recording. However, the Nano's form factor opens up new possibilities. Beyond simply attaching it to clothing, its magnetic design allows it to be placed almost anywhere for dynamic shooting angles.
Starting recording with a single button press may seem challenging at first, but DJI has made it easy by offering several recording start options. For example, tapping the main camera twice will initiate recording. Combine this with the voice control feature from DJI's Action series, and the Nano becomes a versatile tool for a variety of scenarios.
The image transmission module is not only used to adjust camera settings but also doubles as a portable power bank for the main camera. In testing, We found that when the main camera was dead, the transmission module charged it from 0% to 80% in just 22 minutes, consuming only 72% of its own battery. This means it can fully charge the camera more than once, which is quite impressive.
As for battery life, the DJI Nano can record continuously for about 67 minutes at 4K/60fps. With the image transmission module, this extends to 150 minutes. If you lower the resolution or frame rate, battery life improves further. At 1080p/24fps, the Nano can record for up to 200 minutes, or nearly 3.5 hours. The main camera is waterproof to 10 meters, while the image transmission module is IPX4 splashproof—making the camera robust for most outdoor adventures, though the transmission module needs more careful handling.
DJI also made a small but useful update to the image transmission module. Since it can easily slip into a pocket after positioning the camera, accidental touches—such as pausing or stopping filming—are possible. To prevent this, DJI added a "lock screen" feature, which can be activated by simply pulling down the menu and tapping the lock icon.
Overall, the DJI Nano’s design is refreshingly innovative and easily recognizable. Its magnetic top makes reattaching it after filming quick and convenient. As a compact thumb-sized camera, it’s in a class of its own, so comparing it directly to mainstream action cameras would be unfair. While some might see it as more of an entertainment gadget, my personal experience with the Nano has shown that its image quality is on par with DJI’s own Action series, offering impressive performance despite its small size.
Image Quality: The Mini DJI Action 5 Pro
Before diving into our hands-on experience with the DJI Nano’s image quality, let’s first look at its hardware specs: a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 143° ultra-wide angle, F2.8 aperture, 13.5 stops of dynamic range, a 1.96-inch OLED screen, built-in 64/128GB storage, USB 3.1 support, image transmission remote control, and compatibility with the Osmo dual microphones.
As for video capabilities, the Nano supports 4K recording at 60fps, 4K120fps for slow-motion, time-lapse shooting, 10-bit color, D-Log M format, Super Stabilization, horizon correction, and more.
At first, we had modest expectations for the Nano's image quality. Given its small size, limited space for a large sensor, and the need for batteries, heat sinks, and a motherboard, it seemed unlikely that it could capture high-quality photos or videos.
However, DJI—master of imaging stacking technology—has managed to fit a 1/1.3-inch sensor into such a compact body. We suspect that this is the same sensor found in the DJI Action 5 Pro.
Since both cameras share the same sensor, it's no surprise that the Nano’s image quality is impressive. After nearly a month of testing, We now see the DJI Nano as a "mini" version of the Action 5 Pro.
This assessment isn’t just speculation. The Nano consistently delivers outstanding performance, whether shooting in bright daylight, low-light conditions, or high-contrast environments.
For instance, we captured this video in Hawaii, where the exposure was perfectly balanced. While there was a brief overexposure transitioning from indoors to the balcony, the highlights were quickly suppressed, preserving the details of the distant scenery, even in direct sunlight. The colors were vibrant and rich, making it an ideal travel companion—no heavy post-production needed, just a quick color adjustment.
DJI’s nightscape algorithms also shine here. Unlike the aggressive processing typical of many smartphones, the Nano's low-light images look natural, with excellent control over brightness, noise, and color shading.
As for stabilization, the Nano continues DJI’s strong track record. With High Stabilization mode enabled, road vibrations are completely smoothed out, delivering a “gliding” effect on the road that feels incredibly fluid and stable.
In conclusion, after extensive use, we find that the DJI Nano’s image quality and stabilization are on par with the DJI Action 5 Pro. It’s not an exaggeration to call it a mini version of the Action 5 Pro.
Summary: DJI's Fresh Take on Action Cameras
To wrap things up, here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons of the DJI Osmo Nano
Pros:
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A unique and practical design.
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Exceptional image quality, comparable to DJI's Action series.
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Unrestricted shooting freedom, offering creative perspectives.
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Simple operation with a minimal learning curve.
Cons:
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Occasional connection issues between the main camera and image transmission module, requiring an OTA update.
After a thorough review, it’s clear that the DJI Nano offers a fresh and highly refined approach to action cameras. DJI’s years of technical expertise in the action camera market, combined with their ability to address real user needs, are evident here. The Nano could potentially impact the sales of DJI's Action series, especially since many users find traditional action cameras too cumbersome for everyday use. The Nano’s compact form and straightforward shooting methods make it a natural choice for those looking for a simpler, more accessible camera.
Looking ahead, we believe the thumb-sized camera market holds great potential, and we hope more people discover this unique and innovative gadget.
What features of the DJI Osmo Nano are most appealing to you? Do you think its compact design can replace traditional action cameras for everyday use? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
