DJI Osmo Nano Review: Capable Camera That Dislikes the Heat

Introduction: DJI Enters the Micro-Camera Market

Insta360 couldn't remain alone in the tiny camera market, and it's naturally DJI, the other Chinese firm, that joins them. Following a convincing DJI Osmo 360°, here's the Osmo Nano.

By commercialising the Osmo Nano, DJI launches into the magnetic micro-camera segment and thus responds to Insta360. On the programme: a large 1/1.3-inch sensor, 4K 60fps, Log 10-bit recording, and rather too much heat.

Presentation: Compact and Feature-Rich

DJI surprised everyone by selling its Osmo Nano at £239 for the 64GB version and £259 for the 128GB version. That's almost half the price of the recently tested Insta360 Go Ultra, offered at £399.

The philosophy is similar on this camera with a translucent design that's currently trendy. Minuscule with a magnetic back measuring only 57.3 x 29.5 x 28 mm. For comparison, the Insta360 Go Ultra measures 46 x 45.7 x 18.3 mm. This camera magnetises onto a pod, dock, or module—call it what you wish. The latter is equipped with a touchscreen and an internal battery capable of recharging the camera's battery.

And DJI means an appetising specification sheet. Here's a summary of the most interesting specifications:

Key Specifications:

• Camera waterproof to 10m; module IPX4
• 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with 2.4μm pixels
• 143° field of view, f/2.8 aperture
• Minimum focus 0.35m
• 35 Megapixel photos maximum
• 4K up to 60fps (16:9) / 30fps (4:3)
• Slow motion: 4K/2.7K 120fps, 1080p up to 240fps
• RockSteady 3.0 stabilisation, HorizonBalancing
• Maximum bitrate 120 Mbps
• Two microphones (48 kHz / 16-bit AAC)
• 530 mAh camera battery, 1300 mAh module battery
• 1.96-inch touchscreen (314 x 556 pixels, 800 cd/m²)

DJI obliges, the Osmo Nano is accompanied by a plethora of accessories. One finds notably in the box a collar with a very powerful magnet (avoid bringing it near your mechanical watch), which permits fixing the camera through a t-shirt.

The classic support with suction cup and cap support are also included. ND filters are proposed in a case that can accommodate two microSD cards.

Build quality is of very high standard. Indeed, nothing is left to chance, from the flap sheltering the USB-C and microSD ports to the ND filter case. The seal quality is equally proof of this, which is pleasing for an object sold at £239.

Handling: Between Ease of Use and Perfectible Ergonomics

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Handling the Osmo Nano isn't the most successful. Several technical choices limit ergonomics, starting with the stick format. This will be problematic for certain shots, as the cap or helmet mounting isn't rotatable; it will then be impossible to film vertically. Nothing dramatic, but worth knowing.

Another issue: screen legibility of the module is very weak in full sunlight. Rest assured, the app authorises real-time viewing on the smartphone screen—phew! This screen is also very small and the touchscreen slightly slow.

The microSD card lodges in the dock, which signifies that video viewing occurs from the module, but it will be necessary to have the camera attached. Impossible therefore to know if a take is good without removing the camera from the support to which it's fixed, unless... using the app on the smartphone. Indeed, in this case, the user can not only verify the footage but also import it onto their smartphone and configure everything.

Straightaway, one better understands why DJI limited the module's usage—surely for technical reasons.

Once the module is fixed, export to SD card is possible. Again, via the app, export to the smartphone occurs without this constraint.

Data transfer from internal memory to memory card is possible, but the copy then adopts the date and time of its creation and not that of the video's capture. For rush video organisation before editing, this can be problematic if, like the author, you opt for date-based classification.

Concerning ergonomics, a left-to-right or right-to-left swipe permits selecting the mode. From bottom to top, these are the recording frame rate and format settings (wide, with parallel correction, etc.). On the side, the Settings button permits adjusting sensitivity, encoding in 8-bit, 10-bit, or D-Log. There's only one button on which a brief press launches recording, whilst a long press allows switching the camera on or off. Good point: these buttons are configurable.

You then have the choice between:

• Timelapse
• Slow motion up to 4K 120fps
• SuperNight for filming at night or in low light
• Video up to 4K 60fps in 16:9 and 50fps in 4:3
• Photo (with burst up to 9 images in succession)

General ergonomics are redeemed by the multitude of DJI accessories compatible with the brand's other cameras.

Comprehensive and Fun Application

The DJI Mimo application—native on iPhone, to specify here as this hasn't always been the case—is very well designed. Certainly, the ergonomics could better take advantage of the screen surface with more legible buttons in recording mode, but outside this detail, it's flawless.

The integrated editor is not only top-notch but additionally proposes ready-made editing styles (templates) with music included. Enough to conceive creations that shine in a few clicks on one's smartphone.

Note that all videos are usable, including those made with other devices.

Image Quality: Large Sensor, Good Dynamic Range, and Pleasant Rendering

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With a 1/1.3-inch sensor and a wide-angle lens at f/2.8 aperture, one might believe in superlative imagery. The answer is both yes and no: yes for a small camera's quality at this price; no if you're expecting rendering from an Osmo 360°, for example, and even less the standard of a Mavic Pro or Canon PowerShot V1. But in all cases, we're not discussing the same budget, format, or versatility.

The large sensor's rendering is rather good. Highlights hold poorly, obviously, but the algorithm succeeds in containing extremes to offer correct dynamics. In the context of multi-camera recording, one must opt for D-Log and properly balance your lighting.

You'll have 20 minutes filming in D-Log 10-bit before overheating cuts the recording.

Slow motion is practical for action scenes, such as on a skateboard or filming a running dog. Filming in 4K 120fps is a small feat for this type of camera. Finally, a feat whilst benefiting from good rendering.

Stabilisation is excellent for its part, DJI being accustomed to this sort of exercise. A normal mode exists available with all options, when sport mode will suffer flickering in low light. Anti-blur mode goes further and is limited the same way as sport mode.

In nocturnal mode, things become complicated. The camera cannot perform miracles, and even SuperNight mode remains limited. Nevertheless, keep in mind that on a smartphone screen, the support for which images taken by this type of camera are destined, the rendering is very correct.

Photo mode itself is unremarkable. Nothing convincing versus a smartphone, nor practical regarding ergonomics.

Battery Life: It Heats Far Too Much!

Batteries aren't removable, neither on the camera nor on the module. One must wait 26 minutes of charging to pass from 2% to 100%, but 15 minutes alone suffice to reach 80%.

The module permits recharging the camera slightly more than once, and after a complete charge, 30% autonomy remained. Unfortunately, the camera doesn't hold more than 20 minutes in D-Log recording before overheating, even outdoors. In MPEG 10-bit, one gains hardly anything. Conversely, in cold weather outdoors and in 8-bit, we could hold 43 minutes.

Only timelapse (or hyperlapse) permitted exhausting a battery without cutoff.

Verdict

DJI's little Osmo Nano camera isn't as accomplished as its big sister, the Osmo 360°, but it's difficult to achieve masterstrokes every time. Beyond the quantity of options and general image quality, the Nano distinguishes itself through its versatile aspect, its ecosystem, D-Log 10-bit recording, its rather qualitative internal microphone, and the app which is a delight of efficiency and ease of use.

Alas, everything isn't perfect. One must accept questionable ergonomics, a barely usable screen, and above all, quasi-systematic overheating after 20 minutes of 10-bit recording, despite an update supposedly correcting the problem. A pity, as DJI holds a lovely product at half the price of its direct competitor, the Insta360 Go Ultra.