The DJI Osmo 360 is finally here!
After a lot of leaks, the DJI Osmo 360 is finally launched in the market. It promises to focus on high-quality imaging and easy integration with DJI’s ecosystem. As someone who’s tested various action and 360 cameras in the past, I see this as DJI’s push into a space dominated by brands like Insta360.
The Osmo 360 brings features like a custom square sensor – a first in the market, and native 8K video. It’s built for creators who want versatile shooting options without much hassle. In this review, I’ll cover its specs, design, performance, and more, based on my hands-on time with it, especially during my previous trip to North America.
DJI Osmo 360 Specifications
Before we get into the deep dive of my experience, the Osmo 360 packs solid specs for a 360 camera. It supports native 8K video at up to 50fps, with options for high frame rates like 4K at 100fps. Photos go up to 120MP in panoramic mode. It has a 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensor, which is a first for this category. The body weighs 183g and measures 61x83x47mm, making it highly compact. It includes 105GB of built-in storage, WiFi 6.0, and USB 3.1 for transfers. Battery life hits 100 minutes for 8K/30fps recording. It’s compatible with DJI’s Osmo Action accessories and microphones.
Here’s a table summarizing the key specs:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 61x83x47mm |
| Weight | 183g |
| Sensor | 1/1.1-inch square CMOS |
| Video Resolution | 8K/50fps panoramic, 5K/60fps single-lens, 4K/120fps Boost |
| Photo Resolution | 120MP panoramic |
| Battery Life | 100 min at 8K/30fps |
| Storage | 105GB built-in |
| Connectivity | USB 3.1, WiFi 6.9 |
| Audio | OsmoAudio direct mic connection |
| Operating Temp | -20°C to 45°C |
These specs make it competitive against models like the Insta360 X5 and X4, with advantages in sensor design and runtime.
Design and Hardware
The design of the Osmo 360 surprised me. I never thought I’d like this style on a 360 camera. I’m used to Insta360’s trend-setting designs, which make sense for portability. But DJI took cues from the GoPro Hero Max, which didn’t last, and refined it. The result is functional with minimal extras. It’s small and light at 183g, easy to hold or mount on a helmet. The magnetic quick-release system is a highlight – it works with all Osmo Action series accessories. If you’ve invested in Action 4 or 5 Pro gear, you can reuse most of it here. That saves money and hassle. Great job, DJI.
It supports traditional 1/4-inch threaded holes too. The bottom has magnetic contacts for charging, but watch out when weighing it – don’t stand it upright on a scale, as the magnets mess with accuracy. Overall, the hardware feels solid and ecosystem-friendly. One annoyance is the gesture control. It’s subjective, but I often trigger start or stop recording by accident when waving my hands to make a point. That can interrupt shoots.
Camera and Sensor
The DJI Osmo 360 leads with its 1.1-inch square sensor – the first in a 360 camera. This stands out compared to the Insta360 X5’s rectangular 1/1.28-inch sensor. Why does this matter, and what’s the reason why it may be better than rectangular sensor? A square sensor uses the entire area efficiently for 360-degree stitching, unlike rectangular ones where parts get wasted. This boosts light capture and image quality, especially in low light. It eliminates ineffective areas in traditional sensors, increasing utilization by 25%. The result is better details, less noise, and higher dynamic range.
Pixel size in 8K mode is 2.4um, larger than competitors’ 1.2um or 0.8um. That means sharper images with richer tones. For stills, the 120MP capability beats the X5’s 72MP, giving more detail in panoramic photos. It’s a smart engineering choice that shows DJI’s focus on quality, even if they’re late to the 360 game.
Camera Performance
In my experience, the Osmo 360 shines in picture quality. It produces great details and high dynamic range thanks to the larger pixel size. After a recent firmware update, noise levels improved in my videos. I’m very satisfied overall – DJI did a good job here.
It supports native 8K/50fps panoramic video with a 13.5-stop dynamic range. Low-light performance is strong due to the f/1.9 aperture and sensor design. Super Night mode helps capture clear night scenes. For single-lens mode, it’s a solid alternative to the Action 5 Pro. Boost Video gives 4K/120fps ultra-wide at 170° FOV1. Switch to normal single-lens for 5K/60fps at 155° FOV, mimicking the Action 5 Pro closely.
You can swap front and rear lenses without stopping recording (up to 4K/60fps). Panoramic options include 6K/60fps and 4K/100fps slow motion. D-Log M and 10-bit color are consistent with DJI’s lineup. If default Rec.709 colors don’t work, D-Log M lets you tweak in post for more creativity. The 105GB internal storage is a big plus – enough for a day’s shooting. I transfer files nightly to my phone or PC, unlike the X5 which lacks built-in storage.
Sample Photos
Audio Performance
Audio on the Osmo 360 is reliable. The internal mics are top-notch – clear and usable without extras. I often just mount the camera on a monopod and start recording. No need for external mics every time.
If there’ a need for a better microphone, it supports OsmoAudio direct connection for DJI Mic Mini and Mic 2. The camera has a built-in receiver, so pairing is easy. You can connect two mics at once for dual tracks. This is great if you dislike bulky receivers. In my tests, it delivered original sound quality without fuss.
App Operation on Mobile
The DJI Mimo app works well for the Osmo 360. It’s easy to navigate videos and photos. The 360-camera workflow – shoot now, frame later – fits the app’s design. You can edit, stitch, and export quickly. WiFi 6.0 makes transfers fast, saving battery. I use it on my iPhone to offload files nightly. Gesture controls sync here too, but as I mentioned, they can be tricky.
App Operation on PC/Mac
On PC or Mac, the experience is straightforward. DJI’s software handles stitching and editing for 360 content. You get full access to D-Log M files for post-production. USB 3.1 speeds up transfers of large 8K files. It’s efficient for bigger workflows, like compiling footage from a day out. I haven’t run into major issues – it’s consistent with DJI’s other tools.
Battery Life
Battery performance is strong. DJI claims 100 minutes of continuous 8K/30fps recording. In my tests, a full charge lasted a 20-minute Banff Gondola trip up Sulphur Mountain and back, with 70% left. That shows it can handle over an hour of real use easily. Endurance mode extends to 120 minutes at 8K/30fp.
The battery works with Osmo Action series chargers. The Adventure Combo includes a charging hub and two extra batteries, which covers a full day of shooting. That’s plenty for content creation needs.
Pricing
Pricing for the Osmo 360 is competitive. The Standard Combo is PHP24,490, and the Adventure Combo is PHP30,990. For comparison, that’s close to the standard Insta360 X5’s price, but you get more features like internal storage and better sensor. It’s a good value for a flagship 360 camera.
Verdict
The Osmo 360 is an impressive piece of engineering and design. It excels in image quality, battery life, and ecosystem compatibility. The square sensor and native 8K set it apart, especially for low-light and detailed shots. Audio options are flexible, and the apps make editing simple. Drawbacks like finicky gesture controls exist, but they’re minor. If you’re in the DJI world or need a versatile 360 camera, this is worth it. For Philippines users, the pricing fits well for adventure and vlogging. Overall, it’s a strong contender that pushes the category forward.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
