DJI Osmo 360 Leak: Can It Finally Top the Insta360 X5?
The rumor mill exploded this week when an accidental YouTube review of DJI’s first 360° camera—the Osmo 360—briefly went live and then vanished. In those few minutes, DJI fans got a full look at a device with jaw-dropping on-paper specs, a fresh new design… and a few surprising shortcomings. Here’s what we know so far, and how DJI’s newcomer stacks up against the reigning champ, the Insta360 X5.
Bold Specs Behind Closed Doors
- Sensor: 1/1.1″ (bigger than the X5’s 1/1.28″)
- Video Resolutions:
- 360°: 8K @ 30 fps
- Single-lens “Boost Mode”: 5K @ 60 fps, 4K @ 120 fps
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- Photo: 120 MP stills
- Color & Bit Depth: 10-bit color
- Stabilization: GyroSteady 3.0
- Storage: 128 GB internal (no microSD slot)
On paper, these numbers look like a knockout blow to the X5. But as every pro creator knows, real-world performance is what counts.
First Impressions: Image Quality & Color Science
Sharpness & Detail
- Insta360 X5 still pulls ahead on fine details. Even with a slightly smaller sensor, its PureVideo mode delivers crisper edges and cleaner shadows, especially in low light.
- Osmo 360 shows softness around textures and less micro-detail—despite 120 MP photos, small features can appear a bit mushy.
Color & Contrast
- The X5’s color palette is punchy and vibrant, with solid contrast “out of camera.”
- DJI’s footage looked flatter in the leak, requiring more post-production tweaking to restore punch and depth.
Low-Light Performance
- Surprisingly, the larger sensor didn’t translate into a decisive low-light advantage. Insta360’s noise control and dynamic range still deliver cleaner night footage.
Workflow & Accessories: The Creator’s Ecosystem
Mounts & Flexibility
- Insta360 X5 boasts a robust ecosystem: waterproof dive housings, quick-release 360 mounts, GPS remotes, and modular lens swaps.
- Osmo 360 at launch appears limited to “standard” stick mounts and fixed lenses—no easy path to repairs or upgrades if you crack that glass.
Software & Post-Production
- Insta360 Studio offers deep reframing tools, AI-powered flow tracking, keyframe editing, and creative templates.
- DJI’s new 360 Studio app and Mimo integration promise basic reframing and subject tracking—but the leak shows it’s not yet on par with Insta360’s mature, pro-level workflow.
Where DJI Could Still Win
Despite its early shortcomings, the Osmo 360 has promise:
- Smaller One-Lens “Boost Mode” for high-frame-rate POV clips with an ultra-wide 170° FOV.
- Built-in Memory eliminates worries about card failures.
- Selfie-Centric Modes that automatically frame you in 4K @ 60 fps could appeal to vloggers and social creators.
If DJI leans into those strengths—while improving color profiles, sharpening algorithms, and accessory support—it could close the gap.
Verdict: Specs Aren’t Everything
The leaked footage reminds us that camera performance is more than just spec sheets. It’s about end-to-end workflow—from shooting to editing to sharing. Right now, the Insta360 X5 still holds the crown for image quality, accessory flexibility, and polished software. DJI’s Osmo 360 showcases impressive engineering and a bold debut, but it has work to do before challenging the reigning champion.
Stay tuned: Official launch details are coming soon. We’ll be first in line to test retail units, update our hands-on reviews, and see if DJI can truly dethrone Insta360 in the 360° camera arena. Until then, keep those leaks—they’re the best window into tomorrow’s gear!
