The brand DJI is known for their drones and creative cameras, taking over the niche that GoPro made popular many years back. Their current lineup ranges from entry-level devices to professional-grade tools that make taking videos easier and with better quality, whether using their camera system or in tandem with other devices. Their product line includes different sizes of drones, action cameras, gimbals for mobile phones and DSLRs, wireless microphones, the vlogger favorite Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera, and a plethora of accessories that work with the ecosystem they have created.
Until recently, their cameras had a traditional, unidirectional field of view, whether in landscape or portrait orientation. And now.
“With the Osmo 360, DJI is challenging the status quo of the 360 camera market,” said Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at DJI. “We are revolutionizing panoramic innovation by leveraging DJI’s long history of innovation in creative camera technology. With each technological breakthrough, from 1-inch 360° imaging with industry-first square HDR sensor, to outstanding low-light performance, we aim to change what’s possible in a 360 camera.”
Meet the DJI Osmo 360
Once just a nice-to-have, niche item, DJI has elevated their 360 camera into a must-have tool in every creator’s bag.
Measuring 61 mm x 36.3 mm x 81 mm and weighing just 183 grams, the DJI Osmo 360 can easily be securely attached to a bicycle, motorcycle, or vehicle using proper mounts. Because of how it works, one just needs to raise the camera and start recording to capture the outstanding footage. You can remotely control the direction via the DJI Mimo app in real time, or you can add keyframes in post-processing. Unlike the Osmo Pocket 3, the Osmo 360 comes with 105 GB of built-in storage aside from the slots available for external micro SD cards. This feature means you can literally start recording straight from the store. It ships with a 1950 mAh lithium-ion battery, but if you purchased the Adventure Combo, you will have 3 batteries to swap out and use on rotation, as well as a portable charger. The battery can record continuously for 100 minutes at 8K/30 fps resolution but can be extended for another 180 minutes using the Osmo 360 Battery Extension Rod optional accessory. When connected to the Osmo 360, the battery charges from zero to 50% power in just 12 minutes. As part of the DJI ecosystem, the Osmo 360 works seamlessly with the DJI wireless mics and the magnetic quick release.
The Osmo 360 is equipped with the industry-first square HDR image sensor that maintains the same 360-degree image field as a traditional 1-inch rectangular sensor while eliminating the unused areas. This results in 25% more sensor utilization, as well as outstanding image quality and lower power consumption, all in a lightweight, compact camera body.
It takes native 8K/30 fps 360-degree panoramic video with large 2.4 micron pixels, boasting an industry-best run time of 100 minutes at 8K/30 fps. The large pixel size, which is double the industry standard size of 1.2 microns, captures more details, has less noise, and has better low-light performance with a higher dynamic range. It also supports ultra-high-spec 8K/50 fps and 4K/100 fps 360-degree video, as well as up to 4x slow-motion mode. The result means more flexibility and more room for creativity, granted you know how to use the features.
While all video formats support 10-bit color depth, capturing over a billion colors, it also has a D-log M option for advanced users to have more flexibility with color grading in post-production.
Best of all, it can also function as a single-lens action camera that can be used for traditional, unidirectional videos and for taking photos, complete with a countdown timer. The Osmo 360 can take up to 120 MP photos, resulting in ultra-clear 360° achieving razor-sharp detail for still images. No more blurry and artifact-filled images of the past.
User-friendly features
The Osmo 360 offers numerous features that make shooting easier and more fun. Available in different lengths, the Osmo Invisible Selfie Stick vanishes from 360-degree videos and photos with no additional editing needed, providing third-person views typically captured by a cameraman. The Gesture and Voice Control feature enables the hands-free starting or stopping of recording. This feature proves particularly beneficial when attaching the device to an Invisible Selfie Stick or other brackets that may be out of reach. The HorizonSteady function keeps the footage level no matter how much the camera is rotated, and the RockSteady 3.0 effectively reduces shakes inadvertently present in handheld devices. The GyroFrame feature allows users to adjust the 360° composition using motion control, while Intelligent Tracking makes it possible to lock into and track people, vehicles, pets, and more. Functions include Panoramic Photo, Panoramic Video, Super Night, Selfie Mode, Vortex, and Timelapse when in 360 mode, and Photo, Boost Video, and Video when shooting with a single lens. Lastly, the Osmo 360, similar to other DJI products, can be edited on the fly using the DJI Mimo app for mobile devices and professionally on the DJI Studio app for personal computers.
Why you need it?
I have to admit that if you are new to the 360 field, the learning curve is steep. However, the DJI Mimo app is pretty intuitive and easy enough to use. The more you use the camera, the more creative shots you get. The 360-degree option gives you unique POVs that you don’t normally get from conventional forward-facing lenses. With the excellent quality of video output, this 360 camera is no longer a toy but a useful tool that can be extremely useful for travelers and people on the go.
Availability and Pricing
In the Philippines, the DJI Osmo 360 is officially available in two combos: The Standard Combo, priced at P24,490, includes one Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus, a protective pouch, a lens cleaning cloth, a USB-C to USB-C PD cable (USB 3.1), and a rubber lens protector. On the other hand, the more complete Adventure Combo is still reasonably priced at P30,990. The set contains three (3) units of the Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus, an Osmo Action Multifunctional Battery Case 2, a protective pouch, a lens cleaning cloth, a USB-C to USB-C PD cable, an Osmo Adjustable Quick Release Adapter Mount, an Osmo 1.2m Invisible Selfie Stick, and a Rubber Lens Protector. Other markets have combos with accessories that suit the different use cases of customers, including DJI mics (Vlog Combo), motorcycle mounts, helmet mounts, body straps, and more.
The following original accessories that are sold separately, are available for the Osmo 360
- Osmo 360 Battery Extension Rod
- Osmo Motorcycle Heavy-Duty Mount
- Osmo Adjustable Quick-Release Adapter Mount
- Osmo 360 Transparent Lens Protectors
- Osmo Hanging Neck Mount Max
- Osmo Third-Person Helmet Mount Kit
- Osmo 70cm Invisible Selfie Stick
- Osmo 1m High-Strength Carbon Fiber Invisible Selfie Stick
- Osmo 1.2m Invisible Selfie Stick Kit
- Osmo 1.6m Tripod Selfie Stick
- Osmo 2.5m Extended Carbon Fiber Selfie Stick
- Osmo Dual Heavy-Duty Clamp
- Osmo Vortex Rotating Handle
- Osmo 360 Carrying Bag
- Osmo Bike Rear Mount Kit
The DJI Osmo 360 is now available in major shopping malls in the Philippines and online on TikTok, Shopee, Lazada. For more information, visit djiph.com.