DJI Osmo 360 Review – The 8K Sphere That Wants to Be Your Main Camera
Performance: ★★★★☆ – Stunning 8K clarity with rock-solid stabilisation.
Image Quality: ★★★★☆ – Rich colour and dynamic range, though low light still tests it.
Ease of Use: ★★★★☆ – Streamlined app control and pro workflows, but 360° editing still demands patience.
Value: ★★★☆☆ – Premium pricing, but a feature set few can rival.
Overall: ★★★★☆ – DJI’s most professional 360° camera yet, blending creator-friendly design with production-level results.
Image credit: dji.com
A New Era for 360°
The 360° camera world has always promised a kind of magic—one device capturing everything around you in a single shot. In practice, though, early models were riddled with compromises: low resolution, awkward stitching lines, and editing software that looked like it was built for engineers rather than storytellers.
DJI’s new Osmo 360, announced in early 2025, is its most ambitious attempt to change that. It’s pitched not as a novelty but as a main creative tool—something you could build a YouTube channel, VR documentary, or commercial project around. From unboxing to first test shots, you can tell DJI has raised the bar.
The 360° Problem to Solve
Most consumer 360° cameras have been stuck in a frustrating trade-off between resolution, low-light performance, and usability. Smaller sensors struggle in dim light. Push resolution higher and you risk overheating, short runtimes, and giant file sizes. Then there’s the editing—too many creators have abandoned 360° because post-production took longer than shooting.
DJI’s challenge with the Osmo 360 was clear: deliver pro-grade image quality, keep it rugged and portable, and make post-production painless.
How DJI Tackled It
Imaging Power
The Osmo 360 uses dual 1-inch CMOS sensors, each capturing a 180° view and stitching them into a seamless sphere. It can shoot 8K at up to 60fps, 5.7K at 120fps, or 4K at 240fps, with DJI claiming 12 stops of dynamic range. It supports 10-bit D-Log M for professional colour grading, plus RAW stills for photography workflows.
Stabilisation & Build
DJI’s RockSteady 4.0 stabilisation smooths even the roughest motion—no gimbal required. The camera is IPX8 waterproof to 10 m, with an upgraded heat management system that allows continuous 8K recording without auto-shutdown. At 239 g, it’s portable enough for travel yet sturdy enough for action sports.
Workflow & Controls
Control comes via a 2.25-inch touchscreen or the updated DJI Mimo app. You can preview, reframe, and export standard-format clips on your phone. For professionals, high-bitrate files can be offloaded to desktop software for editing in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
Audio & Connectivity
Four integrated mics offer directional audio capture with wind reduction. Bluetooth 5.2 allows wireless mic pairing, while USB-C 3.1 supports fast transfers. Wi-Fi 6 enables 4K live streaming direct from the camera. Storage is via UHS-II microSD, up to 1 TB.
The Real-World Payoff
The Osmo 360 turns 360° from a “special project” into an everyday creative option. Mountain bike rides look cinematic without a stabiliser. Walking city tours feel immersive without distracting shake. Viewed in VR headsets, the extra resolution removes much of the pixelation that has plagued older models.
The downsides? The £799 / $849 price will scare off casual buyers. Storage demands are huge—8K/60fps will eat through even a 512 GB card quickly. And while DJI’s stitching is among the best in the industry, you can still find faint seams against bright skies or fine detail like tree branches. Editing 360° also remains inherently more time-consuming than traditional footage.
Still, for pros and serious enthusiasts, the Osmo 360 is a compelling mix of quality, portability, and creator-friendly design.
Image credit: dji.com
DJI Osmo 360 vs GoPro Max 2 vs Insta360 X4 – Which 360° Camera Wins in 2025?
If you’re considering the Osmo 360, its closest competitors are the GoPro Max 2 and Insta360 X4. Here’s how they stack up.
Compare sensors, frame rates, waterproofing, and price—then jump straight to today’s offers.
| Feature | DJI Osmo 360 | GoPro Max 2 | Insta360 X4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor size | Dual 1‑inch CMOS Big sensors | Dual 1/1.7‑inch | Dual 1/2‑inch |
| Max video | 8K @ 60fps | 6K @ 30fps | 8K @ 30fps |
| Slow motion | 5.7K @ 120fps; 4K @ 240fps | 4K @ 120fps | 5.7K @ 60fps |
| Dynamic range | ~12 stops (claimed) | ~10–11 stops | ~11 stops |
| Stabilisation | RockSteady 4.0 | HyperSmooth 6.0 | FlowState |
| Waterproof | IPX8 to 10 m | IPX8 to 5 m | IPX8 to 10 m |
| Weight | 239 g | ~154 g | ~208 g |
| Price | £799 / $849 | £549 / $599 | £649 / $699 |
| Buy | Buy now | Buy now | Buy now |
Image Quality
DJI Osmo 360: Dual 1-inch CMOS, 8K 60fps, 12 stops dynamic range. The low-light king in this group.
GoPro Max 2: Dual 1/1.7-inch sensors, max 6K, vibrant colour science, but less detail for VR playback.
Insta360 X4: Dual 1/2-inch sensors, 8K 30fps, excellent HDR modes, but weaker low-light performance.
Stabilisation
DJI: RockSteady 4.0 – smooth, minimal cropping.
GoPro: HyperSmooth 6.0 – robust, but crops slightly more.
Insta360: FlowState – flexible settings for creative shooting styles.
Software & Workflow
DJI: Updated Mimo app is pro-friendly, supports 10-bit editing workflows.
GoPro: Quik app is simple but less powerful for 360° editing.
Insta360: Most feature-packed for casual creators with AI reframing and playful effects.
Ruggedness
DJI: IPX8 10 m waterproof, strong heat management.
GoPro: IPX8 5 m waterproof, rugged body, but can overheat at high res.
Insta360: IPX8 10 m waterproof, lightest of the three.
Price
DJI Osmo 360: £799 / $849
GoPro Max 2: £549 / $599
Insta360 X4: £649 / $699
Verdict: If resolution, dynamic range, and low-light matter most, the Osmo 360 justifies its cost. The GoPro Max 2 is best for rugged action work. The Insta360 X4 is the creative social shooter’s dream.
Image credit: dji.com
Where to Buy the DJI Osmo 360 and Its Rivals
Buy DJI Osmo 360 here – Official DJI store and authorised resellers.
Check GoPro Max 2 prices here – GoPro direct and Amazon.
Shop Insta360 X4 deals here – Insta360 store and partner retailers.
Final Verdict
The DJI Osmo 360 is the first 360° camera I’ve tested that feels like it could be your main shooter rather than a novelty. It delivers the kind of image quality, stabilisation, and workflow polish that professionals have been asking for—without losing portability or durability.
It’s not the cheapest option, and you’ll need serious storage to handle 8K, but if you want immersive footage that looks as good in a VR headset as it does on YouTube, this is the 360° camera to beat in 2025.
