Early Verdict
At first glance this isn't a revolutionary new 360-degree camera. DJI has stuck to many aspects of the previous design, though it is not only tougher-looking (check those screws), but has more power and flexibility. I'm not sure it's enough to draw me from the X6's new AI tricks, but here the sensors and the price have appeal.
Pros
- +
8K60fps is fastest frame rate for 360-degree video
- +
One-tap NFC connection for easier linking to the app
- +
Four microphones built-in and DJI OsmoAudio connectivity
Cons
- -
AI software less extensive than Insta360
- -
Not available directly from DJI in USA
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DJI's second offering in the 360-degree camera space is hot on the heels of arch-rival Insta360's X6. In theory DJI is still playing catch up – the X6 represented a 10th anniversary – but this camera has specs which could turn the eye of any 360-degree creator, not least the 10-bit recording across all modes and 1-inch image sensor.
Bringing the same 8K resolution for video as most other 360-degree cameras, there are a few boosts – including a 16K timelapse mode and, excitingly for many, 8K60fps (beating the Insta360 X6's maximum 8K50fps.
There is also some AI introduced in the software, with DJI Studio now including frame interpolation which can create up to 8K/480fps, or 64x slow motion in post, and on-camera AI boosting the night mode to a 'SuperNight 2.0'.
Is this enough to lift the camera to the top of our best 360-degree camera guide (after we've only just put the new X6 there)? Let's see...
DJI Osmo 360 II: Price
The Osmo 360 II launches in a Standard Combo for £509, and an "Adventure Combo" for £639. There are no US prices as the product will not be officially sold in the USA.
DJI Osmo 360 II: Specs
Video |
8K60 |
'Vortex' mode |
8K120 |
Stills |
120MP |
Timelapse |
16K |
Weight |
183g |
Dimensions |
61×36.3×81 mm |
Screen |
2-inch |
Memory |
105GB + MicroSD |
Sensor |
Dual 1/1.1-Inch Square CMOS |
DJI Osmo 360 II: Build and handling
The Osmo 360 II doesn't feel a million miles away from its predecessor in design, a squarer and more boxy design than Insta360's despite the recent ensquarification of the X series with the new shorter X6.
The case design features have changed a bit on closer inspection though. There is a bigger microphone guard on the 'front' (the side without the display) of the camera, and the case appears to be screwed together.
The rugged plastic is also an even darker black, whereas the Osmo 360 (1) had a smooth front – no screws in the corners – as well as a prominent white DJI logo on a very dark gray surface. The new 360 II features a gloss black logo on a matt black background, and it's that bit more black.
The base of both cameras features for contacts for pogo pins in accessories, and the standard DJI action camera connector.
The touchscreen side has also changed slightly, with red and gray physical buttons below the screens, but in essence we're looking at a camera with back-to-back lenses which have nearly 1-inch sensors. The marketing team tends to refer to them as 1-inch sensors since they are square, and the upshot is that they deliver as much size as a traditional rectangular sensor would in the same circumstances (and, until recently, that is how 360-degree cameras were made – simply losing a significant percentage of the chip's surface area because the optics resulted in their being disused).
Like its predecessors, the camera has replaceable lenses, which should boost its appeal to action camera users.
DJI has also added the option for a double-rotate to initate shooting, which might make a lot of sense to gloved users (winter sports etc.)
DJI Osmo 360 II: Performance
When I powered up both cameras to test, the 360 II was notably faster, although the screen layout – with icons in each corner – seems remarkably unchanged.
Image quality – never really an issue on the previous model – is better here, and it was possible for me to detect evidence of the claimed 14.5-stop dynamic range, especially where light was mixed.
The desktop software still didn't feel as polished as Insta360's tools to me. It was able to find clips and download them, as well as tweak the lens effects, so to some extent I could just be being a stick in the mud.
I must admit that, in my testing (which, admittedly, was in different locations – York for this camera and New York for the X6), I felt that the Insta360 X6's microphone setup had the advantage when it came to operation without a worn wireless mic. This, however, is not a setup many folks should be using!
DJI Osmo 360 II: First Impressions
I've taken the camera out on a couple of trips, both before the final firmware was released, so I cannot offer a full verdict yet – this page will be updated in the coming days.
What I can say is that the camera produces surprisingly good results, and feels as robust as I needed in my hands. I am just as confident about its ability in low light as I am with the Insta360 X6, and I can see that the color science is going to need further examination.
In both cases, the presence of a 10-bit recording mode means that 360-degree video can be used more freely with other professionally graded content, and that should mean 360-degree video can be part of something
It's also pleasing to see that DJI has stuck to the goal of keeping the camera robust
