After years of dominance in the 360 camera market, DJI has recently entered the fray, leveraging its accumulated expertise. Its first 360 camera, the Osmo 360, is a direct competitor to Insta8's X-series models. Not only does it boast 50K 10fps XNUMX-bit Log video quality, but it also boasts enhanced low-light performance, highlighting DJI's commitment to aggressively entering the XNUMX market.
The first panoramic camera directly targets many designs of Insta360
Since the Osmo 360 has been on the market for some time, I'll only briefly review its hardware specifications. These include its newly customized 1/1.1-inch square sensor, which allows the camera to more efficiently utilize the sensor's surface area for recording images. This allows it to record up to 8K 50fps in 10-bit D-LogM format, while also supporting a wider dynamic range and higher light tolerance. It also provides more stable detail preservation and noise control during nighttime recordings.
DJI has also created a new "Boost Video" mode for 360-degree panoramic videos, which can record 4K 120fps ultra-wide-angle videos (170-degree field of view) in single-lens mode, providing GoPro-like sports recording effects. It also supports "Horizon Steady" horizontal correction and Rock Steady digital stabilization technology, which can make the shooting images smooth and natural, without any distortion or stitching in daytime or under stable light sources.
Unlike the narrow and long body design of the Insta360 panoramic camera, the Osmo 360 has a wider and shorter body, but is relatively lighter. It has a built-in 105GB storage capacity and micro SD memory card expansion, which is very convenient for shooting needs. The body is also waterproof, so simple underwater shooting is not a problem. However, if you want to use it for recording deeper underwater activities such as diving, it is recommended to use it with a dedicated diving case.
The Osmo 360 currently only records single-lens 360D images, or panoramic images with the front and rear lenses separately. Unlike the Insta5 XXNUMX, which, through an additional processing chip, allows users to simultaneously record panoramic videos and XNUMXD images shot by the front or rear lenses in a single shot, simplifying the capture process.
Outdoor scene shooting:
Indoor scene shooting:
Indoor scene shooting:
Connect with DJI's product ecosystem and use existing panoramic camera accessories and shooting techniques
The Osmo 360's battery is compatible with the Osmo Action 4 Pro and 5 Pro, making it a convenient option for those who also use action cameras like DJI. A single battery supports up to 120 minutes of 8K 30fps video recording, and using an external battery extender extends this time to 180 minutes. The camera also supports continuous recording via a USB-C power adapter.
The Osmo 360 supports dual-channel recording with the DJI Mic 2/Mic Mini, and can also connect to commercially available headphones via Bluetooth. This not only integrates with the DJI ecosystem but also increases convenience and flexibility. If you also own a DJI drone or action camera, you can even use D-Log to standardize color grading on your footage, making post-production editing much easier.
On the other hand, because Insta360 has long established a 360 camera ecosystem, the Osmo 360 can almost directly connect to many accessories designed for 360 cameras on the market (mainly using standard quarter-thread mounting). Many shooting techniques and tips used with InstaXNUMX cameras can also be used with the Osmo XNUMX, thus significantly reducing the learning curve for users.
Osmo 360 can improve some
However, the Osmo 360 still has some drawbacks. For example, the panoramic camera's fisheye lens is prone to cracking and scratching due to collisions. Currently, repairs are only available through paid services or pre-purchased DJI Care, but this generally requires a long wait. In this regard, Insta360, starting with the X5, has introduced removable front and rear fisheye lenses, which can be repaired using a separately sold replacement kit. Perhaps DJI could consider adopting a similar approach, allowing users to replace damaged fisheye lenses themselves.
Another drawback is the horizontal screen design. While it's convenient for checking footage during shooting, and even allows for single-lens action camera viewing, the narrow top and bottom, wide left and right screen design makes it easy to get stuck or accidentally touch the screen when scrolling through panoramic images. Insta360, on the other hand, has long used a vertical display design, making it very convenient for one-handed operation. Its slim design also makes it relatively easy to carry around.
One area that users might find annoying is the editing software DJI provides for the Osmo 360. Currently, it doesn't include many automated features, especially when processing panoramic video content. Frequent manual adjustments to the viewing angle and zoom position are often required, making it a tedious and complex operation for non-professional users.
Insta360 has already incorporated AI to help identify video content and automatically and quickly edit it, allowing users to quickly output videos that can be shared on social media platforms. They can even quickly apply various eye-catching templates and special effects to enhance the watchability of panoramic videos.
Apply template to quickly output:
summary
While DJI's first 360 camera, the Osmo 360, still has much room for improvement compared to Insta360, a company that has long been a leader in the XNUMX camera market, the actual user experience of its first XNUMX camera is already quite compelling. Perhaps continued software updates or further adjustments in the next generation of products will enable DJI to further challenge InstaXNUMX's dominance in XNUMX cameras.
However, Insta360 is naturally not stopping there. In addition to releasing a new firmware upgrade just before DJI officially announced the Osmo 360, which not only improved the image quality specifications of its panoramic camera, but also improved battery efficiency, allowing the overall shooting time to be further extended, it is expected that the next panoramic camera will also add more functions. At the same time, Insta360 has also begun to launch its own microphone products and even officially entered the drone market a few days ago, combining panoramic cameras with drones to create a new user experience and shooting effects. It is expected that it will also compete with DJI in terms of product ecosystem integrity.
