More than a year after its initial release, DJI has launched the Osmo 360 II, a successor to its first panoramic action camera designed to directly challenge the Insta360 X6. Priced at €589 ($680), the new model maintains a competitive edge over its rival’s €699 sticker price, though it unfortunately remains unavailable to consumers in the United States.
The most significant update for users concerned with durability is the introduction of replaceable lenses. On the original Osmo 360, damaging the lens required sending the device back to DJI for repairs, a process often fraught with difficulty for DIY enthusiasts. DJI has now made lens replacement straightforward and affordable, selling kits for €39 ($45) that include the necessary tools, suction cups, and gaskets. In testing, swapping a lens took less than five minutes, bringing the camera’s repairability in line with competitors like the Insta360 X6.
Visually, the Osmo 360 II retains the squarish, compact design of its predecessor but upgrades the internal sensor to an 8K square sensor on both sides. This setup allows each lens to capture a 180-degree field of view, which the camera stitches in real-time to produce 360-degree video. Users can later reframe footage during editing, exporting flattened 4K video or keeping the full panoramic format. The camera also supports 120-megapixel panoramic stills.
Performance improvements are evident in the video capabilities. The device now records 8K 360 video at up to 60 fps, an increase from the previous 50 fps, and 4K video at 120 fps, up from 100 fps. DJI has also enhanced the dynamic range from 13.5 to 14.5 stops and updated the processor to boost low-light performance. A new AI noise-reduction algorithm, SuperNight 2.0, allows for higher ISO settings and faster shutter speeds at night, reducing motion blur. Testing in Paris at night demonstrated that this feature significantly improved image quality by minimizing the “plastic” artifacts seen in previous models.
Battery life has also seen minor adjustments. The Osmo 360 II comes with a 2,150mAh battery, slightly larger than the original’s 1,950mAh unit. While rated for 100 minutes of 8K 30p recording, reviewers noted they could achieve around 105 minutes. Charging is faster as well, reaching a full charge in 39 minutes compared to the original’s 91 minutes, though it still trails the Insta360 X6, which offers 140 minutes of recording and charges in 35 minutes.
Audio remains a strong point, featuring four internal microphones with effective wind reduction. The camera supports NFC tap-to-connect for seamless pairing with DJI’s Mimo app and is compatible with DJI’s latest wireless mic systems, including the Mic 3 and Mic Mini series.
Despite these advancements, the Osmo 360 II is not without flaws. The DJI Studio editing software continues to be criticized for being unintuitive and lacking advanced features such as detailed color correction. To address this, DJI introduced a new plugin for DaVinci Resolve called DJI Reframe, allowing users to manipulate camera angles and projections within professional editing suites. However, the workflow still requires exporting files through DJI Studio first, which can be cumbersome and may reduce image quality.
Ultimately, the DJI Osmo 360 II delivers impressive video quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, and addresses previous concerns regarding repairability. For users outside the US, it stands as a compelling alternative to the Insta360 X6, offering a lower price point and robust feature set despite some software limitations.
8K at 60fps is no joke. How’s the heat management during long recording sessions? Worried about thermal throttling.
Is the DaVinci Resolve plugin really worth the hassle? Exporting through DJI Studio first sounds like a nightmare workflow.
Wait, it’s still not available in the US? That is incredibly frustrating after waiting over a year.
Finally, replaceable lenses! That was the main reason I never bought the first one. Great update DJI.