DJI Osmo Nano vs. Insta360 Go Ultra: A New Tiny Camera War
An in-depth comparison of the new DJI Osmo Nano and the Insta360 Go Ultra. Will DJI's comeback kid dethrone the tiny titan of modular cameras?
The Tiny Camera Showdown: DJI's Revenge is Here
The world of action cameras is buzzing again. Insta360 has just launched its impressive GO Ultra, a tiny powerhouse that promises big things. But the wait is over—a challenger has officially arrived. A ghost from DJI's past, reborn: the DJI Osmo Nano. As a long-time DJI fanatic, this isn't just another product release for me; it's a redemption story finally realized.
Before we dive into the specs, let's compare these two titans head-to-head.
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| Spec | DJI Osmo Nano | Insta360 GO Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 1.96 inches
Resolution: 314×556
Brightness: 800 cd/㎡ | 2.5" Flip Touchscreen (Action Pod) |
| Microphones | 2 | 1 |
| Weight | 52 g (Camera)
72 g (Vision Dock) | GO Ultra: 52.9 g; Action Pod: 108.5 g |
| Dimensions | 57.3×29.5×28 mm (Camera)
59.1×42.2×22.3 mm (Vision Dock) | GO Ultra: 46×45.7×18.3 mm; Action Pod (folded): 70.4×48.8×33.3 mm |
| Sensor | 1/1.3″ CMOS | 1/1.28" CMOS |
| Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.85 |
| ISO Range | 100-25600 | 100-6400 |
| FOV | 143° | 14.27mm Lens, 156° FOV |
| Photo Resolution | Approx. 35 MP (6880 × 5160) | 50MP: 8192×6144 (4:3); 37MP: 8192×4608 (16:9); 12MP: 4096×3072 (4:3); 9MP: 4096×2304 (16:9) |
| Video Resolution | 4K/60fps (16:9)
4K/50fps (4:3)
Slow Motion: 4K/120fps, 1080p/240fps | Highest Video Quality: 4K60fps
Highest Video Performance: 1080p240fps |
| Video Bitrate | 120 Mbps | Max 180 Mbps |
| Video Codec | HEVC | H.264/H.265 |
| Log Profile | 10-bit D-Log M | I‑Log |
| Video Format | MP4 (HEVC) | MP4 |
| Audio Recording | 48 kHz 16-bit; AAC | 48 kHz，32-bit，AAC |
| Stabilization | RockSteady 3.0, HorizonBalancing | FlowState Stabilization; 360º horizon lock: Yes |
| Waterproof | Camera: 10 m
Vision Pod: IPX4 splashproof | GO Ultra: 10 m; Action Pod: IPX4 splashproof |
| Battery | Camera: 530 mAh
Vision Dock: 1300 mAh | GO Ultra: 500 mAh; Action Pod: 1450 mAh |
| Operating Time | 90 min (Camera)
200 min (with Vision Dock) | GO Ultra: 70 mins (1080p24); With Pod: 200 mins (1080p24) |
| Charge Time | — | GO Ultra: 12 mins to 80%; 20 mins to 100%; Action Pod: 18 mins to 80%; 40 mins to 100% |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB built-in, microSD up to 1TB | microSD |
| Wi‑Fi | Wi-Fi 6.0 | Go Ultra: WiFi 6 (2.4/5GHz 802.11 a/b/n/ac/ax), Action Pod: WiFi 6 (2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n/ax) |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.1 | BLE 5.4 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB‑C |
| App Support | DJI Mimo | Insta360 App |
| Pre-Rec | 5/10/15/30 s, 1/2/5 min | — |
| Me mode | — | Yes |
| PureVideo | — | Yes |
| Pre‑recording | — | Yes |
| Loop recording | — | Yes |
| Active HDR video | — | Yes |
| Clarity Zoom | — | Yes |
| Bullet Time | — | Yes |
| Webcam mode | — | Yes |
| Live streaming | — | Yes |
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A Tale of Fire and Ice: The Action 2 Saga
To understand why the Osmo Nano is such a big deal, we need to rewind a few years to DJI's ambitious, yet flawed, Action 2. It was a beautiful disaster. The modular, magnetic design was revolutionary, a brilliant concept that promised ultimate flexibility. You could snap off the core camera unit and stick it anywhere.
But there was a fatal flaw: it got hot. Dangerously hot. The tiny camera module, when detached from its battery/screen base, had abysmal thermal management. It would overheat and shut down within minutes of recording 4K video. The battery life was a joke. It was a classic case of brilliant engineering undermined by a single, critical oversight. DJI, the king of drones, had stumbled.
Insta360 saw the opening. While DJI was dealing with the fallout, Insta360 doubled down on the tiny camera concept with their GO series. They made a crucial trade-off with the GO 3: they used a smaller CMOS sensor. This meant sacrificing some image quality and low-light performance, but it solved the thermal nightmare. The GO 3 was a success because it was reliable. It delivered on the promise of a tiny, mount-anywhere camera without the fiery drama. They played it safe, and they won that round.
2025: The Rematch We've Been Waiting For
Fast forward to today. Technology has evolved. Battery chemistry is better, and thermal dissipation technology has made leaps. The stage is set for a rematch. Insta360 has fired the first shot with the GO Ultra, featuring a larger 1/1.28" sensor and 4K/60fps video. It's a solid upgrade, the logical next step.
But the DJI Osmo Nano has landed, and it's a monster. DJI has taken the core concept of the Action 2 and re-engineered it from the ground up to fix its predecessor's sins. They're not just aiming to compete; they're aiming to reclaim their honor.
Head-to-Head: Brains vs. Brawn
Let's break down how these two cameras stack up against each other now that the Nano is official.
Insta360 GO Ultra: The Refined Champion
The GO Ultra is an impressive piece of kit. It’s the culmination of everything Insta360 learned from the GO series.
- Image Quality: The 1/1.28" sensor is a significant step up, promising better detail and low-light performance than its predecessors. 50MP photos and 4K/60fps video are competitive specs.
- Ecosystem: Insta360's app is fantastic, with AI-powered editing features that make creating compelling content a breeze. Their mounting ecosystem is mature and versatile.
- Reliability: This is Insta360's ace in the hole. They've proven they can make a tiny camera that just works. The GO Ultra continues this tradition of stability.
DJI Osmo Nano: The Vengeful Contender
DJI isn't pulling any punches. The official specs for the Osmo Nano target the GO Ultra's weak points and leverage DJI's strengths.
- Superior Sensor & Image Quality: The Nano comes out swinging with a larger 1/1.3" CMOS sensor. This, combined with a sharp f/2.8 aperture and an impressive ISO range up to 25600, promises superior low-light performance and image detail compared to the GO Ultra.
- Performance & Battery: The operating time is a direct assault on the short battery life that has plagued tiny cameras. With 90 minutes for the camera alone and a whopping 200 minutes with the Multifunctional Vision Dock, it significantly outlasts the competition for extended shoots. This shows DJI learned its lesson from the Action 2's power issues.
- Pro Features: DJI is known for including pro-level features in its consumer products. While D-Log M isn't confirmed on the base spec sheet, the camera's high bitrate (120 Mbps) and HEVC codec provide a solid foundation for professional workflows. Support for the excellent DJI Mic system is another huge plus for anyone serious about audio quality.
- Stabilization: RockSteady 3.0 is a proven, top-tier stabilization technology. Expect buttery-smooth footage that rivals the best in the business.
My Verdict (As a Biased DJI Fan)
Let's be clear: the Insta360 GO Ultra is a fantastic camera. It's a safe bet, a reliable workhorse that will get the job done.
But my heart—and my money—is on the DJI Osmo Nano.
This isn't just about specs on a page. It's about the narrative. It's about a company that flew too close to the sun, got burned, and spent years engineering its return. The features of the Osmo Nano—the larger sensor, the incredible battery life, the seamless integration with a pro audio system—aren't just features. They are a direct response to every single failure of the Action 2.
DJI is back with a vengeance. They're not just releasing a product; they're proving a point. They are showing the world they can build the ultimate tiny, modular camera without compromise. While Insta360 was incrementally improving their design, DJI was in the lab, forging a weapon.
The DJI Osmo Nano represents the passion, the innovation, and the slight insanity that makes DJI special. It's a bold statement, and it's the tiny camera that finally delivers on the promise of power and portability without compromise. The king has returned.