Insta360 X6 vs DJI Osmo 360 II: 8K 360 Camera Face-Off

The Insta360 X6 and the DJI Osmo 360 II are the two best 360 cameras you can get right now, but only one of them is actually for sale in the United States. The X6 launched globally on August 12, 2026 at $699.99 and shoots 8K50 video. The Osmo 360 II followed a day later, on August 13, at roughly $460 in China, with a slightly stronger spec sheet that peaks at 8K60. The catch is that DJI’s camera has not launched in the US at all, and probably will not any time soon. If you are shopping from North America, that single fact settles most of the decision for you.

I have used every generation of the Insta360 X series since the X3, and I went in expecting the DJI to run away with this. On paper it nearly does. In practice, availability, software, and a few workflow details make it closer than the numbers suggest.

Insta360 X6 vs DJI Osmo 360 II: quick comparison

Why the DJI is not sold in the US

This is not a rollout delay. In December 2025 the Federal Communications Commission added all foreign-made drones and drone components from certain manufacturers, DJI included, to its Covered List. That move blocks new equipment authorizations, and without an FCC authorization a radio-transmitting device cannot be legally sold in the US. DJI’s drones are the obvious casualty, but the rule sweeps in cameras like the Osmo 360 II that share the same radio hardware and corporate parent.

DJI has kept selling existing inventory of older products while it fights the designation, but new launches are the problem. When I checked DJI’s US store shortly after the reveal, the Osmo 360 II page returned a 404. A European release is expected around late September based on how DJI has staggered past products, so buyers outside the US have a clearer path. Americans do not, at least not through official channels, and grey-market imports come with no warranty and no guarantee of app support.

Where the Osmo 360 II is genuinely better

Give DJI credit: the hardware is ahead. Native 8K60 versus 8K50 sounds like a rounding error, but the extra frames matter for reframing fast action into smooth slow motion, which is most of what people actually do with a 360 camera. The 4K240 panoramic mode has no equivalent on the X6. Dynamic range at around 14.5 stops is a real step up, and it shows in high-contrast outdoor shots where the X6 clips highlights sooner.

Storage is the other quiet win. Over 100GB built in means you can shoot a full day and dump to a card later, where the X6’s 47GB fills up fast at 8K. And DJI’s 22-minute fast charge to 80 percent beats anything Insta360 offers. If you live somewhere the Osmo 360 II is on sale, it is the better camera for the money.

Where the X6 still wins

Software is Insta360’s moat. The editing app, the auto-reframe AI, the desktop Studio tool, and the sheer volume of tutorials and mounts make the X6 far easier to live with, especially if you are new to the format. DJI’s 360 editing pipeline is improving but still trails.

The X6 also has the longer battery life at 8K30, roughly 140 minutes to the DJI’s 100, and Dolby Vision plus a proper I-Log profile that colorists will appreciate. Its dive case rating of 60m is deeper than most people will ever need but useful for serious underwater work. And of course, you can buy it, today, with a warranty, wherever you are. For a lot of shoppers that is the entire argument.

Which one should you buy?

If you are in the US, buy the Insta360 X6. The DJI is not a real option, and the X6 is an excellent camera regardless. If you are in a market where both are sold and you care most about image quality, slow motion, and storage, the Osmo 360 II edges it. If you value software, battery life, and the accessory ecosystem, the X6 holds up well even against the better spec sheet.

Either way, this is the strongest year 360 cameras have had. Both jumped to 1-inch-type sensors, both do real 8K, and both finally have enough processing power to make the footage usable without a computer. If you are still deciding whether a 360 camera belongs in your kit at all, our guide to the best cameras for beginners in 2026 puts the category in context, and our explainer on whether more megapixels mean a better camera is worth a read before you get too fixated on the 120MP photo numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy the DJI Osmo 360 II in the United States?

No. As of late August 2026 it has only gone on sale in China, and DJI’s inclusion on the FCC Covered List blocks new equipment authorizations in the US, which prevents an official launch. A European release is expected around late September.

How much does the Insta360 X6 cost?

It starts at $699.99 for the base model, with bundles that add an invisible selfie stick and accessories running closer to $899. It went on sale worldwide on August 12, 2026.

Is 8K60 really better than 8K50 on a 360 camera?

For most people, marginally. The extra frames help when you slow footage down or reframe fast movement, which is common with 360 clips. For static or slow scenes the difference is hard to see.

Do these cameras need a phone or computer to edit?

Not strictly. Both have on-device AI that can auto-reframe and export flat video. But you get far more control from the companion apps, and Insta360’s editing software is currently the more polished of the two.

Which has better low-light video?

They are close. DJI’s AI SuperNight 2.0 works up to 8K60 and the wider dynamic range helps, while Insta360’s PureVideo mode at 8K30 is very effective. In a market where you can buy both, DJI has a slight edge outdoors at night.

The bottom line

The Osmo 360 II is the better 360 camera on paper, and the X6 is the better 360 camera you can actually purchase if you live in the US. That split is entirely down to regulation rather than engineering, and it is a frustrating place for the category to be. For a full spec rundown, RedShark News has a detailed breakdown of the Osmo 360 II.