Is DJI Getting into the 360 Camera Market?

It sure looks like it.

DJI recently filed a 360 camera with the FCC, making it look likely that it plans to wade into that market soon.

Last but not least there is a new camera on the horizon. Say hello #Osmo360. Good to see DJI finally stepping into the 360 camera market. FCC filed today.

Thanks for the heads up @UKDroneClub. pic.twitter.com/qUZdMTqmxY

— Jasper Ellens | X27 (@JasperEllens) October 18, 2024

The 360 Camera Landscape

DJI is already a strong GoPro competitor, with its Osmo line of action cameras providing solid alternatives to GoPro’s Hero line.

GoPro also has a strong presence in the 360 camera space—a fact that could have enticed DJI to want to make its own version.

And the timing for a potential DJI 360 camera would be pretty great.

GoPro’s current flagship 360 camera is the GoPro MAX, which came out five years ago. The company has been working on a MAX 2 for over a year, but its launch keeps getting pushed back.

The GoPro Max | Credit: GoPro

If DJI can get to market with its own option that beats the MAX, it has a good chance of scooping up some of GoPro’s 360 camera market share, especially given that it’s already wooed some Hero users over to the Osmo. And according to this FCC filing, it looks like that’s exactly what might happen.

But GoPro isn’t the only player in the 360 camera market. One of the biggest competitors by far is Insta360, a company that is synonymous with 360 cameras, and that has been getting into the action camera space as well.

Insta360’s X4 came out just six months back, in April of this year.

Given how few real competitors there are right now in the 360 camera space, if DJI can come out swinging with a solid Osmo360 option that can compete with the X4, it could have a strong chance to carve out a big piece of the 360 camera pie.

And it could well do this. DJI’s Osmo cameras have proven to be high-quality, reliable action cameras, and its Osmo Pocket line has become a go-to option for vlogging.

Companies typically file with the FCC shortly before a launch, so we should know what DJI is up to soon—most likely, DJI’s 360 camera will launch before the end of this year.

What Is a 360 Camera?

A 360 camera is a specialized camera designed to capture a complete 360-degree view of its surroundings in a single shot.

Credit: Insta360

360 cameras work by using two or more wide-angle lenses to capture the entire sphere around the camera.

After capturing images with multiple lenses, the camera’s software combines or “stitches” them into a seamless 360° sphere, with advanced processing compensating for camera movement and ensuring a stable horizon.

A 360 camera drone can be used in a range of ways, including for:

• Agriculture. Comprehensive crop monitoring and analysis.
• Infrastructure inspections. Detailed views of structures from all angles.
• Environmental monitoring. Capture wide-area views for ecological studies.
• Search and rescue. Provide rescuers with complete situational awareness.
• Immersive aerial footage. Create engaging content for virtual reality experiences or immersive documentaries.
• Simplified flight planning. With a 360° view, there’s less need for precise camera positioning during flight.