DJI's first 360 camera unveiled after Insta360's drone tease
The DJI Osmo 360 is also a bit cheaper than the Insta360 X5.
DJI, the undisputed titan of drones and action cameras, has just thrown down the gauntlet in the 360 camera market with the launch of the Osmo 360. Announced earlier today, the Osmo 360 is billed as an "8K flagship panoramic camera," and on paper, it’s a serious contender—especially for creators, adventurers, and anyone who wants the most immersive video possible. But what does this launch mean for the market, especially for Insta360, whose X5 is currently the top dog in consumer 360 cameras?
Let’s get the elephant out of the room: Price. Here in Hong Kong, DJI has priced the Osmo 360 at HK$3,299 (around US$420), undercutting the Insta360 X5, which sits at HK$3,699 (around US$470). That’s a clear signal: DJI wants to win market share and isn’t afraid to wage a price war.
In terms of specs, the Osmo 360 impresses with two 1-inch high dynamic range sensors (each 4,000 x 4,000; 2.4μm per pixel), which output a native 8K panoramic video at up to 50fps, plus 4K/100fps slow-mo, and a mode that looks strikingly similar to Insta360’s “bullet time” — as pictured below. It also captures 13.5 stops of dynamic range for crisp, detailed footage in tough lighting.
Thanks to its thermal design, the Osmo 360 can apparently record up to 100 minutes of 8K/30p recording, or 190 minutes at 6K. For photos, this device supports 1.2 billion pixel (16K) panoramic photos, along with 10-bit color depth and D-Log M profile for pro-level post-processing. The device has 105GB of internal storage, with file transfers handled via Wi-Fi 6 or USB 3.1.
While the Insta360 X5 matches the 8K video resolution, it does so with slightly smaller 1/1.28-inch image sensors. That said, the company has previously released 360 cameras with 1-inch sensors, so there’s no stopping it from striking back with better hardware — but it’ll ultimately boil down to the price and performance.
This new 360 camera joins DJI’s line of action cameras, which have already been a hit thanks to its well-established presence in the consumer market. As creators demand more immersive content, a true flagship 360 camera fills a glaring gap in DJI’s portfolio.
But DJI isn’t the only one crossing over. Insta360 has incubated a new drone company under the name of “Antigravity,” which is due to unveil a 360 drone in August 2025. This is a direct shot at DJI’s core business. Insta360 has long dominated the 360 space, but by moving into drones, it’s taking the fight to DJI’s home turf.
The coming months could see the two companies facing off in both the air and on the ground. Insta360’s rumored drone could appeal to creators who want an all-in-one flying camera with immersive capture, while DJI’s Osmo 360 (and its potential use on drones, bikes, and more) cements DJI’s “everywhere camera” philosophy.
With the Osmo 360, DJI is making a big play for both professional and casual 360 creators, offering more camera for a bit less money than Insta360’s X5. The undercutting on price, the technical leaps (native 8K, square 1-inch sensors, long battery life), and the seamless connection to DJI’s accessory and software ecosystem make it a compelling package.
But Insta360 isn’t out of the race yet. With its own drone on the horizon, the battle lines are drawn. One thing is clear: Whether you’re a vlogger, traveler, or drone pilot, the future of immersive content just got a lot more interesting. With Google’s Android XR making an official launch later this year, 2025 is shaping up to be the year 360 goes mainstream.