DJI is no longer just the world’s dominant drone maker — it’s now a formidable player in the immersive video and action camera space, too. With DJI’s July 31 release of the Osmo 360, DJI takes a direct shot at competitors like Insta360 and GoPro MAX, firmly planting its flag in the 360° camera market with an industry-first 1-inch HDR sensor and native 8K/50fps recording.
The launch marks a significant pivot for DJI, a company long synonymous with flying cameras. With rising anti-drone sentiment, increasing calls for Chinese drone bans and general fatigue in the consumer drone market, DJI’s push into broader photography and content creation tech seems not only strategic but vital for DJI’s growth.
DJI Osmo 360: everything you need to know
The DJI Osmo 360 is the company’s first-ever 360° camera — and it’s positioned to shake up a category long dominated by Insta360. With standout features like native 8K/50fps recording, a world-first 1-inch square HDR sensor, and seamless DJI Mic 2 audio integration, the Osmo 360 is more proof of how DJI is flexing its imaging muscles.
And the DJI Osmo Action 360 is affordable too. It starts at $499 for the Standard Combo or $649 for the Action Camera Adventure Combo. Both are available now for pre-order.
- Purchase the Standard Combo now from Adorama for $499.
- Purchase the Standard Combo now from B&H Photo for $499.
- Purchase the Action Camera Adventure Combo now from Adorama for $649.
- Purchase the Action Camera Adventure now from B&H Photo for $649.
What is a 360° camera — and why should you care?
A 360° camera captures video and images in every direction at once. Using multiple lenses (usually two ultra-wide fisheyes), it records everything around the camera and stitches the footage into a seamless spherical video. That file can then be “reframed” in post-production, letting creators pan, zoom, and rotate the viewpoint as if they were controlling a virtual camera.
This allows for a single take to be edited into multiple shots — tracking fast action, creating dynamic transitions, or even outputting traditional flat video. Use cases range from adventure sports, travel vlogging, and VR filmmaking, to real estate tours, drone-first-person flights and even journalism.
With the rise of AI-driven editing, social media storytelling and compact pro-grade sensors, 360 cameras are evolving from niche tools to creative powerhouses. Clearly DJI wants in.
What do you use the DJI Osmo 360 for?
DJI is targeting a wide audience here — from YouTubers and FPV drone pilots to action sports athletes and travel documentarians. In single-lens mode, the Osmo 360 transforms into a 5K60 action camera with a 170° field of view. With Boost mode activated, it becomes a legit GoPro rival.
And because it weighs only 183g and includes DJI’s magnetic quick-release system, it’s easy to mount on bikes, helmets, drones or even handheld rigs.
Underwater shooters should note: the camera itself is waterproof to 10 meters and compatible with an invisible waterproof case (for an extra cost). Though — due to the lens shape — DJI warns of potential refraction artifacts. Still, it’s good for shallow dives or rainy conditions. And with a proper housing, it becomes a legitimate dive companion.
Osmo 360: performance and features
On paper — and increasingly in early field tests — the Osmo 360 is a stunner.
It uses dual 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensors with 2.4μm pixels, which allow for native 360° capture at 8K/50fps. The square sensor shape is more efficient than traditional rectangular ones, allowing DJI to use 25% more sensor area for better light intake and less cropping. Video looks vibrant and sharp straight from the camera, and there’s 10-bit color with D-Log M for advanced editors.
Still image quality is equally impressive: 360° stills can be captured at up to 120 megapixels. DJI has also added a SuperNight mode for dramatically improved low-light footage, a Boost mode for high-frame-rate wide-angle video (up to 4K/120fps in single-lens mode), and gyro-controlled framing via the Mimo app.
Design-wise, DJI nails the fundamentals. The 2-inch touchscreen is bright and responsive. There are dual mounting options (1/4” tripod thread and magnetic quick-release), and the battery is removable — a nod to pro workflows. Built-in 105GB storage means creators can record without worrying about missing an SD card. And for those who want to shoot even longer, a Battery Extension Rod extends runtime up to 280 minutes.
Audio and software: DJI’s ecosystem edge
Where DJI really pulls ahead is in audio. While built-in microphones on most 360 cameras are an afterthought, the Osmo 360 includes four directional mics and integrates directly with DJI’s own wireless mic systems — no receiver needed. If paired with a DJI Mic 2, creators can adjust gain and activate noise cancelation directly from the camera. Audio quality is pristine, especially in windy or loud environments, and this tight integration is a major win for DJI users.
DJI also used its DJI Osmo 360 launch to debut its Studio desktop app. This editor complements the mobile Mimo app.
While Insta360’s desktop suite has long been the gold standard for 360 editing, DJI’s Studio comes surprisingly close out of the gate. It supports keyframing, tracking, AI-enhanced filters and export presets, and it feels polished enough for serious post-production. Meanwhile, DJI’s Premiere plugin helps bridge the gap between camera and NLE timelines for pros editing in Adobe workflows.
Editing workflow: more robust than ever
360° editing has long been a sticking point for casual users. DJI addresses this with:
- GyroFrame: Lets users adjust the shot angle via motion sensors after capture — a dream for quick edits.
- AI Quick Edits: In Mimo, creators can auto-generate clips tailored for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels.
- Desktop post: DJI Studio brings robust tools like tracking, keyframe animation, filters, and direct export to 4K or 1080p. It’s not quite as powerful as Insta360’s suite yet, but it’s impressively close.
Osmo 360 vs. Insta360 X5 vs. GoPro MAX
Here’s how the Osmo 360 stacks up against the other two major players in this space:
| Feature | DJI Osmo 360 | Insta360 X5 | GoPro MAX 360 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2025 | 2025 | 2019 (relaunched in 2025) |
| Max 360 Video Resolution | 8K/50fps | 8K/30fps | 5.6K/30fps |
| Sensor Size | Dual 1/1.1” square CMOS | 1/1.28” CMOS | Dual 1/2.3” CMOS |
| Photo Resolution | 120 MP | 72 MP | 18 MP |
| Image Stabilization | RockSteady 3.0, HorizonSteady | FlowState, Horizon Lock | Max HyperSmooth |
| Battery Life (8K video) | 100 min (extendable to 280 min) | ~93 min (extendable to 208 minutes) | ~78 min (5.6K) |
| Built-in Storage | 105GB | None | None |
| Audio | 4 mics + direct DJI Mic support | 4 mics + optional adapter | 6 mics, no native wireless |
| Waterproofing | IP68, 10m | 15m | 5m |
| Weight | 183g | 200g | 154g |
| Mounting Options | 1/4” thread + magnetic | Standard thread + magnetic | Standard thread only |
| Software | DJI Mimo + DJI Studio | Insta360 app + Studio | GoPro Quik (limited 360) |
Key takeaways:
- Resolution & Quality: DJI beats Insta360 in resolution (8K/50fps vs. 8K/30fps).
- Battery life: Insta360 X5 still wins.
- Underwater durability: Insta360 X5 also still wins.
- Ecosystem integration: Especially with audio, DJI’s is best-in-class.
While GoPro MAX is clearly the most outdated of the bunch (especially in resolution and app support), rumor has it that a Max 2 is slated for later this year.
Is DJI outgrowing drones?
The Osmo 360 is more than a spec-sheet win — it’s a symbolic step. DJI, long the poster child of the drone era, is now crafting a future where its name is synonymous with imaging, not just flying. In recent years, DJI has released the Osmo 5, DJI Mic 2, Ronin gimbals, Osmo Pocket 3 and now a 360 camera that could outsell some of its drones.
With global scrutiny tightening around Chinese tech and drones in particular, expanding into non-flying cameras gives DJI a buffer — and a new growth avenue.
While the Osmo 360 doesn’t dethrone Insta360’s top-end X5 in every category (like battery endurance or underwater housing flexibility), it wins where it counts: sensor size, image clarity, audio integration, and ecosystem design.
How to get your hands on the Osmo 360
The DJI Osmo 360 is available now for pre-order. You can choose from one of two configurations:
- Standard Combo ($499): Includes an Extreme Battery Plus, lens cleaning cloth, USB-C to USB-C PD cable, rubber lens protector and a protective pouch
- Adventure Combo ($649): All of the above plus two extra batteries, the Multifunctional Battery Case 2, Adjustable Quick Release Adapter Mount and Invisible Selfie Stick.
If you don’t want the full Adventure Combo but want just a couple of those two extras, they’re also sold a la carte. For example, you could buy the Standard Combo plus just the Invisible Selfie Stick for an additional $60.
Other add-on accessories you can purchase separate include a $99 invisible waterproof case.
So is the Osmo 360 worth it? For anyone already in DJI’s orbit looking to get every new gadget they can get, it’s a no-brainer. For those shopping for their first 360° camera, it’s an excellent — and arguably more beginner-friendly — option. And for DJI, it’s proof that even as drone regulations tighten, their trajectory as a camera company is only just beginning to lift off.
- Purchase the Standard Combo now from Adorama for $499.
- Purchase the Standard Combo now from B&H Photo for $499.
- Purchase the Action Camera Adventure Combo now from Adorama for $649.
- Purchase the Action Camera Adventure now from B&H Photo for $649.
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