DJI and GoPro delivered stunning 360 cameras this year that both shoot 8K video with full 360-degree coverage and present a serious challenge to the Insta360 X5 – the top pick in our best 360 camera guide. While the X5 remains the best camera of its kind overall, DJI’s Osmo 360 and GoPro’s Max 2 have certain advantages of their own, and now they are arguably better picks given that they just received huge price cuts (depending on where you live).
There are currently no deals on the Insta360 X5, which means it is considerably pricier than rivals. But which of the two excellent value 360 camera alternatives would I pick? If we’re purely talking price, it’s a win for DJI right now – the DJI Osmo 360 costs $410 at Amazon (was $549.99), while it’s £298 at Amazon in the UK (probably the best deal of all).
• Shop all early Amazon US Black Friday deals
• Shop all early Amazon UK Black Friday deals
The GoPro Max 2 remains at full price in the US – $499 – while it sinks to a record low in the UK: $349 at WEX (was $449). I’m keeping an eye on prices, which could change at any point over Black Friday.
So surely it’s a home run for DJI then? Not precisely, because prices only tell one side of the story and they do regularly change…
Best deal or best value?
GoPro’s Max 2 has a trick up its sleeve that DJI’s Osmo 360 wishes it had – cost-effective replacement lenses. Yes, should you damage either of the bulbous lenses in the Osmo 360 – which is quite likely depending on what kind of use it gets – it’ll need to go in for repair or get replaced.
Not so with the Max 2, because you can easily remove a damaged lens should your camera take a particularly nasty tumble and swap it out with a low-cost replacement. The Insta360 X5 has this feature too, by the way.
On this basis and with the slight price difference in the UK, I’m tempted to recommend the Max 2 to UK shoppers right now. There’s a bigger price difference in the US currently, so it’s a closer call.
And then there’s the matter of when you are likely to use each camera. In our in-depth reviews, we said the Max 2 offers the best ‘true’ 8K image quality in bright daylight, but that the Osmo 360 is a low-light champion. So again, the choice comes down to how you’ll use a 360 camera.
Here are how each camera’s key specs square up:
|
GoPro Max 2 |
DJI Osmo 360 |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Type: |
360 camera |
360 camera |
|
Video |
‘True’ 8K up to 30fps, 10-bit |
8K up to 50fps, 10-bit |
|
Photo |
29MP |
120MP |
|
Sensor |
Twin 1/2.3-inch |
Twin 1.1-inch |
|
Max aperture |
f/1.8 |
f/1.9 |
|
Waterproof depth: |
5m / 16ft |
10m / 33ft |
|
Screen: |
1.82-inch touchscreen |
2-inch touchscreen |
|
Replacement lenses |
Yes |
No |
|
Storage: |
microSD |
128GB internal, plus micro SD |
|
Dimensions: |
2.4 x 1.4 x 3.2 inches / 64 x 70 x 49mm |
2.4 x 1.4 x 3.2 inches / 61 x 81 x 36mm |
|
Weight: |
195g / 6.88oz |
183g / 6.45oz |
Either way, it’s a great time to be shopping for a 360 camera. For years, there was only one choice – Insta360 – but now we are spoiled with alternatives from GoPro, DJI, and even budget brand Akaso with the Akaso 360 (just $199 / £199, plus there has been deals for it every seasonal sale so far, so I expect a price cut is coming).
Prices change regularly, so I’ve included live prices below for the best deals for all of these 360 cameras, wherever you live.
Today’s best DJI Osmo 360 and GoPro Max 2 in the US
The Osmo 360 wasn’t initially available at launch in the US when it was announced in July this year, but it can now be picked up at the likes of B&H Photo and Amazon, and it’s already on sale. The Standard Combo was $550 and can be had for as little as $410, while the Adventure Combo costs $524.99 at B&H Photo (was $699.99), which adds two extra batteries, a charging hub, a selfie stick, and a mount.
Price check: Osmo 360 Standard Combo for $412.50 at B&H Photo View Deal
Not a sale in sight yet at GoPro, Amazon, B&H Photo, and others – the Max 2 remains at $499 for the base bundle. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a price reduction over Black Friday, especially since the DJI Osmo 360 is available in the US and now costs less. Still, the Max 2 costs less than the Insta360 X5.
Price check: Max 2 $499 at B&H PhotoView Deal
Today’s best DJI Osmo 360 and GoPro Max 2 deals in the UK
The Osmo 360 launched as recently as July this year, costing £409.99 for the standard bundle, or £549.99 for the adventure bundle. Now, just a few months later, we have the first major price cuts. For reference, the Insta360 X5 standard bundle costs £519.
Price check: Osmo 360 £299 at WEX Photo VideoView Deal
Not to be outdone by DJI, GoPro has also slashed £100 off its 360 camera, and it arrived even later, just two months ago, in September. You can grab that deal at WEX but also at GoPro’s own site, where there is also a deal for the GoPro Max 2 + Accessories Bundle, which was £499 but now costs £399. With items totalling a combined value of over £540 – that’s the camera, 2x Enduro batteries, memory card, and 1.2m selfie stick – this accessories bundle is arguably an even better package.
Price check: Max 2 £349 at GoProView Deal
Shop more of today’s best US Black Friday sales
- Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
- Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
- Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
- Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
- Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
- Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
- Lowe’s: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
- Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
- Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
- T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
- Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
- Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor
Shop more of today’s best UK Black Friday sales
- Amazon: up to 66% off tech & essentials
- AO: up to £500 off Dyson, Bosch & Hisense
- Argos: up to 50% off appliances, tech & toys
- Boots: save on 1,000s of beauty products
- Currys: deals on Ninja, Shark & Lenovo
- Dell: laptops from £279
- Dyson: up to £550 off vacuums
- EE: Switch 2 bundles from £20/month
- John Lewis: up to 50% off tech & fashion
- Lego: sets & accessories from £2.99
- Samsung: deals on appliances & phones
- Very: up to 40% off tech, toys & fashion
