The 360 camera market just got more competitive as DJI launches into the space with its Osmo 360, challenging Insta360's dominance. With 8K recording becoming standard and prices settling around $500-600, these cameras are finally good enough to mix with professional footage while capturing everything around you.
The 360 camera space is heating up as established players face fresh competition. DJI just jumped into the market with its Osmo 360, bringing the drone maker's camera expertise to the immersive video world that Insta360 has dominated for years.
WIRED's comprehensive testing shows the landscape has matured dramatically. These aren't the gimmicky toys of five years ago - today's 360 cameras produce footage good enough to seamlessly mix with action cameras and even mirrorless camera content.
DJI's entry changes the competitive dynamics significantly. The Osmo 360 delivers 8K recording at 50fps, compared to most competitors' 30fps ceiling. But the real differentiator is ecosystem integration - it pairs directly with DJI's Mic 2 and Mic Mini accessories, something no other 360 camera offers.
"DJI has plenty of camera pedigree, making both drones and action cameras, and the new Osmo 360 impressed our UK reviewer," according to WIRED's testing. The camera features 128GB built-in storage, a responsive 2-inch touchscreen, and works with both standard tripod mounts and DJI's magnetic quick-release system.
However, DJI stumbles on underwater performance. While the camera is waterproof to 10 meters, the company doesn't recommend underwater shooting due to stitching issues - a problem Insta360 solved years ago. This gives the Insta360 X5 and X4 a clear advantage for underwater content creators.
The resolution arms race continues driving real improvements. Unlike traditional cameras where 8K feels like overkill, 360 cameras need every pixel. When you reframe 8K 360° footage to standard video formats, you're cropping down to roughly 2.7K resolution. This explains why 12K consumer 360 cameras are expected within two years - that's what you need for true 4K reframed output.
Insta360 maintains its market leadership with the X5, which WIRED ranks as delivering the best overall video quality. The X5 shoots 8K at 30fps with 72MP photos and includes PureVideo mode for low-light conditions. At $550, it matches DJI's pricing while offering proven underwater performance.
