{"id":39489,"date":"2026-03-26T20:52:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=39489"},"modified":"2026-03-26T20:52:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:52:38","slug":"360-video-hits-new-highs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=39489","title":{"rendered":"360 video hits new highs"},"content":{"rendered":"


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After achieving action camera success, Insta360 invaded DJI\u2019s turf with the first mass-market panoramic drone, the Antigravity A1. It had instant appeal for drone pilots, offering 8K 360 video and features like subject tracking, obstacle detection and FPV flying.<\/p>\n

Though beaten to the punch, DJI has responded quickly with the Avata 360, aided by its drone experience and camera tech from the new Osmo 360 action cam. It has a lot in common with its rival, but it\u2019s safer to fly around people and offers single camera 4K footage on top of 8K 360 video.<\/p>\n

To find out how the Avata 360 stacks up against the A1, I tested it both indoors and out, around people and even \u201cstunt\u201d horses. The Avata 360 isn\u2019t perfect, but it is far more polished than its rival. As with other DJI drones of late, though, US availability remains unclear.<\/p>\n

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DJI\/Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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DJI\u2019s Avata 360 marries the company\u2019s Avata 2 FPV drone with its Osmo 360 camera. The 360 video it shoots offers incredible flexibility in post, but overall quality is lacking compared to DJI\u2019s other drones.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/default:svg>Pros<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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  • 8K 360 video lets you reframe shots in post<\/li>\n
  • Excellent subject tracking and obstacle avoidance<\/li>\n
  • People-safe propeller guards<\/li>\n
  • Single-camera shooting available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    <\/default:svg>Cons<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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    • 360 camera lacks video quality<\/li>\n
    • Not great in low light<\/li>\n
    • Single-camera mode shoots tilted video<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      How the Avata 360 works<\/h2>\n

      The 360 camera makes the Avata 360 different from any other DJI drone. It features two ultrawide cameras with f\/1.9 lenses and 1.1-inch 64-megapixel sensors, with one pointing up and the other down for unobstructed 200-degree views. Those are then stitched together by software to create 360 degree video at up to 8K 60 fps.<\/p>\n

      This setup fundamentally changes the way you pilot a drone and capture video. Since the 360 camera records everything around it, you can focus on flying and reframe shots later in DJI\u2019s Studio app. That 360 view is also handy when piloting in FPV mode. With the head tracking on DJI\u2019s Goggles N3, you can look all around you simply by turning your head.<\/p>\n

      Unlike the Antigravity A1 that only shoots 360 video, the Avata 360 supports regular single-camera shooting as well. When you switch to that mode, the camera rotates forward and shoots 4K video at up to 60 fps with a 28mm field of view. DJI\u2019s drone also works with a regular controller, which isn\u2019t an option on the A1. You have to use the Insta360\u2019s goggles at all times.<\/p>\n

      Design<\/h2>\n

      Because of the chunky 360 camera, the Avata 360 is slightly bigger than the Avata 2. It\u2019s also quite a bit heavier at 455 grams (one pound) and so, unlike the 249-gram Antigravity A1, you\u2019ll need a permit to fly one in most regions.<\/p>\n

      The Avata 360\u2019s propellers are shielded to protect the drone and keep it safe indoors or around people, unlike the open-prop A1. For additional protection it has two omni obstacle sensors on the side, a Lidar sensor up front, landing sensors on the bottom and, of course, a camera that points in all directions. To keep the lenses off of bare ground, it comes with a foldable 18×18-inch landing mat.<\/p>\n

      DJI\u2019s Goggles N3 (available with the RC Motion 3 controller as an option) are comfortable and allow you to wear eyeglasses. Unlike the Goggles 3, though, there\u2019s no external camera to see outside. If you\u2019d rather pilot conventionally, you can get the Avata 360 bundled with DJI\u2019s RC 2 screen controller in another kit.<\/p>\n

      Performance and features<\/h2>\n

      As an FPV drone, the Avata 360 is fast and agile. It can hit speeds up to 40 MPH in sport mode (without obstacle avoidance) or 35 MPH in normal mode. When used with the optional FPV Remote Controller 3, you can do flips, rolls and other \u201ccinewhoop\u201d style maneuvers. Once you get used to flying it that way, it\u2019s incredibly fun.<\/p>\n

      The 38.7Wh batteries have 26 percent more capacity than the Avata 2\u2019s cells, but rated endurance is about the same at 24 minutes. I never got more than about 18 minutes in real-world flying though, so it\u2019s a good idea to buy the Fly More kit with three batteries and a fast charger that can replenish them all in about 100 minutes.<\/p>\n

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