DJI fixes the major oversight in the original, that brings the Osmo 360 II up to speed with Insta360
An impressively capable first-gen 8K 360 camera, but a couple of design choices left it behind Intsta360
DJI has upgraded its original 360 camera, the Osmo 360, in typically swift fashion with the second-gen Osmo 360 II, which arrives almost exactly one year later in September 2026.
The Osmo 360 was a majorly impressive product considering it was DJI’s first stab at a new market otherwise dominated by Insta360, and it stood shoulder to shoulder in 2025 with the Insta360 X5 and GoPro Max 2.
There was one major drawback versus its rivals, however (of which the X5 has since been updated with the Insta360 X6); where Insta360 and GoPro’s cameras featured replaceable lenses for a cost-effective fix in the event of damage, the Osmo 360’s were fixed.
It comes as no surprise, therefore, that DJI has remedied the situation by introducing a replaceable lens design in the Osmo 360 II. Predictably, there are other tasty upgrades worth knowing about, too, and I will cover them all in this article, which also gives a fuller picture of the best 360 cameras now available.
1. DJI Osmo 360 II vs DJI Osmo 360: design
- The Osmo 360 II’s lenses can be replaced
- Both cameras waterproof up to 10m and weigh 6.5oz / 183g
If recording action sports in 360 degrees is your thing, then the Osmo 360 II is the better pick over the Osmo 360; its lenses can be removed, should they ever get damaged, and replaced with new ones. This is, of course, a much more cost-effective fix than buying an entirely new camera.
Not only can the lenses be replaced, but DJI says that the surface of the lenses has a tougher ‘Ultra-Hard’ optical coating that’s more able to withstand scratches. Again, this is a practical-use case win — the lenses in 360 cameras are bulbous and at high risk of scratches and knocks.
Besides the replaceable lens design, the squat, 6.5oz/183g cameras, each with 10m waterproofing, otherwise look and feel largely the same.
2. DJI Osmo 360 II vs DJI Osmo 360: Performance
- The Osmo 360 II’s battery has a 10% capacity increase
- Despite the same 10m waterproofing, the 360 II shoots better underwater footage
Both cameras are waterproof up to 10m, but DJI actively discouraged actually using the original model underwater to shoot video. It seemed that at the processor level, it wasn’t able to produce decent-looking 360 footage.
That situation has changed with the Osmo 360 II, with DJI encouraging its use for water-based video. We don’t know the specifics, but presumably DJI has fixed any software/metering/stitching issues with the original, and the Osmo 360 II can now be used for recording underwater, rather than simply being waterproof.
If you’re ever likely to shoot underwater 360 footage, then there’s only one winner here: the Osmo 360 II. Other performance improvements include a higher-capacity battery — a 2,150mAh unit compared to 1,950mAh — and those batteries are interchangeable between cameras.
3. DJI Osmo 360 II vs DJI Osmo 360: Image quality
- Same 1/1.1-inch sensors and f/1.9 lens
- Osmo 360 II ups 8K frame rates to 60fps, improves slow motion recoring, and shoots HDR photos
- Dynamic range has been upped one stop to 14.5EV
- Timelapse mode upped from 8K to 16K
Besides the major improvement in the quality of underwater footage, the Osmo 360 II is a modest upgrade regarding image quality. The boost in dynamic range from 13.5EV to 14.5EV stands out, while 8K frame rates have been upped from 50fps to 60fps for smoother motion. The maximum resolution for the 360-degree timelapse mode has been doubled to 16K, too.
Photo resolution remains the same at up to 120MP, but the latest model adds HDR capture to the mix. Ultimately, despite DJI touting a ‘major leap’ in 360 image quality, for land-based recording, there’s not much to choose between the two cameras.
4. DJI Osmo 360 II vs DJI Osmo 360: price and availability
- Osmo 360 II Standard Combo costs £509 / AU$921, while the Adventure Combo costs £639 / AU$1,096
- The original Osmo 360 was £409.99 / AU$759, but its price has come down further a year later
- No US availability for the Osmo 360 II, but the Osmo 360 can be had for $549.99
With those new features comes a price hike. DJI has upped the price of the Osmo 360 II significantly compared to the original — it’ll cost around 25% more when it’s launched on September 15. It’s also not available in the US.
Meanwhile, the Osmo 360 has come down in price since its launch and in some regions can be had for almost half the price of its successor. It’s also available in the US, albeit for a higher relative price compared to other regions.
GoPro’s Max 2 can be found for less than either DJI model, while Insta360’s X6 is the priciest pick of the lot, by some margin.
DJI Osmo 360 II vs DJI Osmo 360: Early verdict
The Osmo 360 II is a minor update that addresses two major weak points of the Osmo 360; it introduces a replaceable lens design and improves the quality of underwater footage. These improvements alone will be worth it for those shooting underwater and action sports, but they result in a significant markup in price, especially since the Osmo 360 has also come down in price.
The GoPro Max 2 also costs much less than the latest DJI model, but the Osmo 360 II remains much cheaper than the Insta360 X6 and is, arguably, the most compelling of all 360 camera options (unless you’re in the US where it’s not available).
Ultimately, DJI has swiftly added the polish and durability needed to its original 360 camera with the Osmo 360 II, and it’s a top option in this market.
For further details about each model, to check out our in-depth reviews, linked in the introduction.
