There are cameras that politely point at the thing you want to photograph.
Then there are 360 cameras.
These peculiar little machines look at the world and essentially declare:
“Why should I choose?”
The new DJI Osmo 360 II belongs firmly to the second camp.
It is DJI’s second-generation 360-degree camera, and this time the company appears to have done something rather sensible: instead of reinventing everything, it looked at the first Osmo 360, listened to its complaints, and fixed the bits that actually mattered.
The result is a camera that can record native 8K video at 60fps, shoot enormous 120MP photographs, store 105GB internally, venture underwater to 10 meters without a case, and—most importantly for anyone who has ever dropped an expensive camera—let you replace a damaged lens yourself.
That last one may sound less glamorous than 8K.
Trust me.
When your lens meets a rock, 8K will not comfort you.
Table of Contents
- What Is the DJI Osmo 360 II?
- DJI Fixed the Most Annoying Problem
- 8K at 60fps: Because Apparently 4K Was Feeling Lonely
- Night Photography Gets a Serious Upgrade
- Take It Swimming
- Battery, Storage and the Heat Problem
- What About Image Quality?
- DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6 vs GoPro Max 2
- Conclusion
What Is the DJI Osmo 360 II?
The Osmo 360 II is DJI’s second attempt at making a serious 360-degree camera, arriving roughly a year after the original.
At first glance, you might struggle to tell the two apart.
The dimensions remain 61 × 36.3 × 81mm, while weight stays at a remarkably portable 183g. It retains the compact body, two opposing lenses and a 2-inch OLED screen.
In other words, DJI hasn’t redesigned the house.
It has renovated the plumbing.
And that is probably the better decision.
The original Osmo 360 was already a capable camera. The second generation concentrates on making the experience more practical rather than merely throwing new numbers at the specification sheet.
The big changes include:
- Native 8K/60fps video
- Improved low-light performance
- Better dynamic range
- 120MP HDR photographs
- 4K/240fps slow motion
- 16K/30fps timelapse
- Tougher lenses
- User-replaceable lenses
- Improved underwater confidence
- 105GB internal storage
- 2,150mAh battery
The result is less “brand-new species” and more “same animal, considerably better behaved.”
DJI Fixed the Most Annoying Problem
Let us commence something less exciting than 8K.
The lenses. Yes, lenses.
Nobody buys a shiny new camera dreaming about a replacement lens. People dream about mountain ranges, sunsets, motorbikes, diving, skiing, and cinematic shots in which they look dramatically into the distance while pretending not to notice the camera.
But 360 cameras have an unfortunate relationship with physical reality.
Their lenses protrude.
Very prominently.
That makes them vulnerable to scratches, knocks, and the occasional meeting with the unforgiving floor.
The Osmo 360 II therefore introduces tougher optical coatings and, more importantly, user-replaceable lenses.
That is a surprisingly valuable improvement.
DJI even offers a replacement lens kit, meaning a damaged lens doesn’t automatically transform your expensive camera into an expensive paperweight.
For action-sports users, this could be one of the most meaningful upgrades of the entire camera.
8K at 60fps: Because Apparently 4K Was Feeling Lonely
Now we reach the number designed to make technology enthusiasts sit upright.
8K.
And not merely 8K.
8K at 60 frames per second.
The Osmo 360 II is described in the supplied review as the first 360 camera offering native 8K/60fps recording, while the Insta360 X6 reaches 8K/50fps.
That sounds like the sort of specification that might cause someone to stand beside a television in an electronics store and announce:
“Mi Amigo, you simply cannot understand the importance of sixty frames.”
Meanwhile, everyone else is wondering where the coffee is.
But the higher frame rate isn’t merely there for bragging rights.
Higher-resolution footage gives creators more room to reframe 360-degree footage later. Instead of deciding exactly where the camera should look while recording, you can capture the whole environment and make that decision during editing.
That is one of the great charms of 360 cameras.
The camera sees everything.
You decide later what mattered.
Night Photography Gets a Serious Upgrade
Daylight is easy.
The sun does most of the work.
Nighttime is where cameras begin to reveal their character.
The Osmo 360 II introduces SuperNight 2.0, which improves low-light performance and allows recording at up to 60fps rather than the previous 30fps limit.
The improvement is particularly interesting because the underlying sensor appears to remain physically similar to the previous generation.
That suggests DJI has extracted more performance through image processing and software rather than simply installing a dramatically different sensor.
And that is a useful reminder about modern cameras.
Sometimes the magic isn’t entirely inside the glass.
Sometimes it lives inside the algorithms.
SuperNight 2.0 also produces vivid and sharper results than the previous generation, according to the supplied review.
There is, however, a small catch: SuperNight 2.0 cannot be combined with D-Log M.
So cinematographers expecting to unleash their inner Hollywood colorist will have to make a choice.
Night mode or maximum grading flexibility.
Sometimes technology gives you everything.
Occasionally it gives you a menu.
Take It Swimming
DJI has also changed its attitude toward underwater photography.
The camera remains rated to 10 meters without a case, which is less than the 20m rating offered by the Insta360 X6.
But the important change is that DJI now presents the Osmo 360 II as suitable for underwater use within that limit, including snorkeling and scuba diving.
So yes, the camera can now accompany you beneath the surface.
Just don’t interpret that as permission to recreate The Little Mermaid at the bottom of the ocean.
Ten meters is ten meters.
Si, Physics remains undefeated.
Battery, Storage and the Heat Problem
The Power has grown slightly, from 1,950mAh to 2,150mAh.
But battery endurance remains roughly comparable to the previous generation.
DJI claims around 100 minutes of continuous 8K/30fps recording, and testing described in the supplied material broadly supported that figure.
There is also a rather generous 105GB of built-in storage, alongside a microSD card slot.
That is excellent news for people who have the unfortunate habit of saying:
“I’ll transfer the footage later.”
You won’t.Thee never do.
Eventually the camera fills up, and you begin deleting things while whispering, “This clip wasn’t important anyway.”
But there is one limitation worth remembering.
Push the camera into 8K/60fps, particularly for extended periods, and heat becomes an issue.
Testing cited in the source found that the camera lasted around 19 minutes indoors at room temperature before shutting down to cool itself.
In hot environments, airflow and ambient temperature become even more important.
So if you’re planning a six-hour desert expedition consisting entirely of 8K/60fps footage, perhaps bring something more useful than enthusiasm.
What About Image Quality?
Quite simply: It is very good.
The Osmo 360 II improves several areas at once.
There is improved dynamic range, better slow-motion recording, higher-resolution time-lapse, HDR support for 120MP photographs, and enhanced low-light performance
The camera also handles essential 360-degree features very well, including stabilization, stitching, selfie-stick removal, flare handling, and subject tracking.
The interesting part is that the upgrade isn’t necessarily revolutionary.
The supplied review describes the improvement as evolutionary rather than a dramatic leap.
And honestly, that may be exactly what DJI needed.
A second-generation product doesn’t always need to arrive wearing a cape.
Sometimes it simply needs to fix the holes in the umbrella.
DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6 vs GoPro Max 2
This is where things become interesting.
Because buying a camera isn’t simply about asking:
“Which one has the biggest number?”
Otherwise we’d all be walking around with cinema cameras strapped to our heads.
DJI Osmo 360 II
Its strongest argument is balance.
You get:
- Native 8K/60fps
- Strong low-light performance
- Replaceable lenses
- 105GB internal storage
- 120MP photographs
- 10m waterproofing
- A relatively competitive price
Its main weakness is that prolonged 8K/60fps recording can generate significant heat.
Insta360 X6
The X6 remains a formidable competitor and offers deeper waterproofing at 20m.
It also costs more.
The supplied review considers the X6 the camera to beat if money isn’t the primary concern and you simply want the strongest overall image quality.
GoPro Max 2
The GoPro Max 2 enters the fight from a different direction.
Its biggest advantage is price.
It can be significantly cheaper than DJI, making it attractive for buyers who care more about affordability than squeezing every last drop of performance from their camera.
However, DJI has the edge in areas such as low-light performance and dynamic range
The simple version
| Camera | Biggest Strength | Biggest Question |
| DJI Osmo 360 II | Excellent all-rounder | 8K/60fps heat |
| Insta360 X6 | Premium image quality & 20m waterproofing | Higher price |
| GoPro Max 2 | Lower cost | Weaker low-light performance |
How Much Does the DJI Osmo 360 II Cost?
The DJI Osmo 360 II Standard Combo costs approximately £509 / AU$921, while the Adventure Combo is around £639 / AU$1,096. Prices and availability may vary by region and retailer.
(Price Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and may change depending on the seller, location, and available offers. Please check with local retailers for the latest pricing and availability)
Conclusion
The DJI Osmo 360 II feels less like a revolution and more like a thoughtful step forward. Sometimes, improving what already works is smarter than reinventing the wheel!
But is it the right 360° camera for you? That depends on your needs, creativity, and budget.
Now it’s your turn! Which 360° camera would you choose, and why? Share your favorite in the comments!
