The launch of the new DJI Osmo 360 has sent ripples through the action camera worldโand for good reason. With its industry-first square HDR sensor, 8K video at 50fps, and impressive low-light capabilities, this camera could be the turning point underwater 360ยฐ content creators have been waiting for.
Until now, popular 360 cameras like the Insta360 X3, X4, and GoPro Max have promised immersive footage but often fall short once submerged. Many users report disappointing underwater resultsโsoft focus, colour distortion, and noisy shadows that make the footage feel murky and flat. These issues typically stem from smaller sensors and insufficient low-light optimisation, which struggle in the diffuse, shadow-heavy conditions underwater.
DJI has taken a bold step forward with the Osmo 360, incorporating dual 1/1.3-inch sensors with an f/1.9 aperture, allowing significantly more light in than the competition. According to Tomโs Guide, this results in noticeably better clarity, especially in low-light environments like those encountered underwater.
The sensors use an innovative square HDR design, which offers up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range and larger 2.4ฮผm-equivalent pixelsโideal for capturing detail and colour in dim, shifting light. TV Technology explains that this design increases usable light-capture surface area by up to 25%, a major advantage for underwater scenarios where lighting canโt be controlled.
In a side-by-side breakdown by ThreeSixtyCameras, the Osmo 360 outperforms Insta360โs flagship X5 across several categories: video resolution, colour depth, sensor size, and low-light performance.
Meanwhile, users of the GoPro Maxโwhich hasnโt seen a major upgrade in yearsโhave long voiced frustration about its limited underwater use, mostly due to its older sensor design and lower video resolution.
With 8K at 50fps, 5.7K at 100fps, and in-camera stitching, the Osmo 360 sets a new benchmark. The 360ยฐ video looks cinematic, sharp, and stableโsomething that has been elusive in underwater content until now.
While many creators have used 360 cameras on land or aerial rigs for immersive storytelling, few have ventured into underwater 360ยฐ production due to hardware limitations. The DJI Osmo 360 changes that equation.
With proper housing and mounting, the potential is enormous:
As noted in TechRadarโs review, the Osmo 360 isn’t just a camera – itโs a tool that could reshape how creators capture the underwater world.
While itโs still early days and full underwater footage examples are just starting to surface, the Osmo 360 already shows signs of being a major step forward. DJI has raised the bar not only for 360 filmmaking in general, but specifically for those capturing content in low-light, underwater environments – a field that has long needed better tools.
If youโve been waiting for a camera that can bring your underwater 360 vision to life, this might be the one to watch.