DJI Just Announced its First-Ever 360º Camera, 'Osmo 360'

Drone-maker DJI confirmed its long-rumored entry into immersive imaging today, unveiling its first-ever 360º camera – the Osmo 360.

The brand describes the Osmo 360 as “revolutionary” and says it features a large 1-inch 360º sensor that allows it to shoot ultra-high-resolution 8K footage at 50fps – something that it claims is an “industry-first.” While the Osmo 360’s sensor is larger than the 1/1.28-inch sensor found in its nearest rival – Insta360’s X5, a 360 camera generally considered to be the best on the market before now – DJI says it’s the shape of its new sensor, not the size, that really matters. In what it calls another industry-first, DJI describes its new sensor as having a unique square design that retains the same imaging field as traditional rectangular sensors while gaining “25% more sensor utilization” by eliminating the “unused area” of the rectangular design. The brand also claims its HDR square sensor uses less power and results in better battery life.

DJI’s first 360 camera was always going to have impressive specs. As well as shooting 8K at 50fps, DJI says the Osmo 360 is capable of shooting in 8K continuously for 100 minutes, albeit at the slightly lower frame rate of 30fps, as “the only 360 camera” on the market that can currently achieve this. And it’s not just video that the new camera excels at: according to the brand, the Osmo 360 captures the “sharpest” 360º still photos of any 360 camera out thanks to its large 2.4μm pixels – “double the industry standard size of 1.2μm” – that deliver more detail with less noise. Together with a large f/1.9 aperture, the larger pixels also helps the Osmo 360 to perform better in low-light situations and mean the camera has a higher dynamic range (13.5 stops to be precise).

Additional features include a higher 100fps frame rate (with resolution capped at 4K), gesture and voice control, intelligent tracking, and “effortless” quick switching between the front and rear lenses without the need to stop or pause recording. In “single-lens mode”, the Osmo 360 can also be used as a first-person action camera, providing an ultra-wide 155° angle in 5K resolution up to 60fps, or a 170° field of view in 4K/120fps with “Boost Video” mode. The camera weighs just 183g and comes with 105GB of built-in storage, and in terms of battery life, DJI says the battery can last for up to 180 minutes when using the “Battery Extension Rod.”

The DJI Osmo 360 is available today via the brand’s website in several configurations, starting with the “Osmo 360 Standard Combo” at £409.99 GBP / €479.99 EUR / $549.99 USD.