This New 360 Camera Won’t Come to the US. I Went to Berlin to Test It

I journeyed to Berlin to evaluate DJI's latest 360 camera, the Osmo 360 II. Due to the US government's ongoing FCC block on DJI products, this advanced device may not make it to American shores. The new Osmo 360 II showcases top-notch hardware, with upgraded image sensors and a maximum resolution of 8K60, outperforming Insta360's X6, which caps at 8K50.

The enhanced 10 frames per second addition might seem minor, but it can mean the difference between viable footage and unusable clips. The standout upgrade is the inclusion of user-replaceable lenses, a significant boon for those who have faced lens damage and costly repairs in the past. While the camera's exterior remains largely unchanged, the most notable change is the shift to user-replaceable lenses.

The new square 1-inch sensors boast 14.5-stops of dynamic range, potentially providing better low-light performance than the previous generation. The 8K60 video capability sets it apart from Insta360's flagship X6, which tops out at 8K50. For the majority, the difference between 8K50 and 8K60 is negligible, but advanced users and sports enthusiasts will appreciate the extra resolution and frame rate for more flexible framing and smoother motion.

Although the app experience isn't as feature-rich as Insta360's, the DJI Mimo app still performs well for editing photos and videos. Competition in the 360 camera market remains crucial, with DJI striving for a strong contender to keep the industry innovating. The Osmo 360 II's release is a testament to this need, despite the bureaucratic hurdles posed by US regulations.