China’s DJI, the world’s leading consumer drone company, has released the Osmo 360 camera globally. The move comes as Shenzhen-based camera company Insta360 announced it is entering the drone business with a 360-degree consumer drone. DJI says the Osmo 360 raises the bar on surround imaging as “the first 360 camera to shoot ultra-high-spec 8K/50fps 360-degree video and is the only 360 camera that can shoot continuously for 100 minutes in 8K/30fps.” While both the Insta360 X5 and KanDao’s QooCam 8K cameras match the resolution, neither model features the 50fps capability.

“The DJI Osmo 360 action camera features a square HDR image sensor with the same image field as traditional 1-inch sensors for native 8K/30 video capture with 13.5 stops of dynamic range,” the company notes in an announcement.

“Essentially, while most 360 degree cameras project the fisheye image circle onto a 4:3 sensor and ignore the edges, DJI has used a custom square sensor to waste less space,” writes ProVideo Coalition, adding “this would be a 1-inch sensor if it was 4:3, though it’s actually a 1/1.1-inch sensor.”

Other distinctive features listed by DJI include:

• Dual- and single-lens modes allow you to toggle between 360 degrees and first-person action camera capture up to 5K/60fps with a 155 degree wide angle viewing.
• Boost Mode expands the field of view to 170 degrees and records 4K/120fps footage.
• Single-lens mode allows you to swap between the front and rear camera lenses without pausing the recording.
• Still images of up to 120MP
• Internal storage of 105GB
• Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.1 transfer

Engadget notes the Osmo 360 has a “smaller, lighter body” than competing models, while “it also matches or beats its rival in other areas, with similar battery life and superior low-light capability.” After testing the camera “in various scenarios like riding around on an e-bike,” Engadget was “impressed,” but adds that “like other 360 cameras, though, the Osmo 360 sacrifices video quality for the convenience of unlimited angles,” adding that “its editing app still needs some work.”

DJI also markets the more traditional Osmo Action sports camera.

Although Digital Camera World reports that the Osmo 360 “will not be available through official DJI channels in the U.S.,” B&H Photo Video issued its own press release and has it available for preorder for $550 on the B&H website.

Last month, Mashable wrote of U.S. market stressors on DJI, which could see its drones banned here by the end of year as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and its mandate of “a formal national security review of Chinese-made drones.”

Insta360, also based in China, recently teased its upcoming Antigravity 360-degree drone, without excepting the U.S. market.