DJI Osmo 360 Review: First Impressions and Video Test
Published: 31 Jul 2025
Share Copy
Link
0
Readtime: 9 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
If you're reading this DJI Osmo 360 review, then you likely sit in one of two camps. You love 360 cameras like the Insta360 X5, GoPro Max and the Kandao Qoocam 3 Ultra, or you've never used one before.
The good news is that DJI usually does a great job of catering to both parties, but the introduction of a 360 camera could be the biggest challenge they've faced yet. The brand's devices are traditionally simple to use, but 360 cameras are not. While they film the whole world at once (hence the name), the post-production process for key-framing the clips can be complex. This is a problem that they believe they've fixed with a new DJI Studio desktop application.
Now fashionably late to the party, DJI reckons they've learned from their competitors and created the best 360 camera on the market. Have they done it? Let's find out.
High point Low point Native 8K/50fps 360 video and 120 MP stills from a 1-inch sensor with HDR, RockSteady 3.0 delivers smooth, natural stabilised footage, 100 min battery life at 8K/30fps. New DJI Studio app simplifies 360 edits with auto tracking. 360 video workflow still needs key-framing, image quality advantage over Insta360 X5 is marginal in most modes, and no removable microSD slot means files must be offloaded when the internal drive fills.
Scroll horizontally to view full table
DJI Osmo 360 Specifications
Feature DJI Osmo 360 Specification Sensor 1-inch square HDR CMOS, 2.4 µm pixels, 13.5-stop dynamic range, f/1.9 aperture Max 360-video Native 8 K / 50 fps; records 8 K / 30 fps for 100 min High-speed video 4 K / 100 fps (4× slow-mo) Still-photo resolution 120 MP 360° images Single-lens mode 5 K / 60 fps, 155° FOV; Boost Video 4 K / 120 fps, 170° FOV Internal storage 105 GB built-in memory (no card required) Battery life 100 min at 8 K / 30 fps; 180 min with Battery Extension Rod Fast-charge rate 50 % in 12 minutes Operating temperature Functional down to –20 °C Weight 183 g Mount system Magnetic quick-release plus standard ¼-inch thread Audio OsmoAudio Direct connects two DJI Mic transmitters without a receiver
Scroll horizontally to view full table
DJI Osmo 360 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
How Much is the DJI Osmo 360?
The DJI Osmo 360 is priced from AUD$759 (Standard Combo), making it significantly cheaper than its closest competitor, the Insta360 X5 (AUD$929).
Here's what you get for your money:
Osmo 360 Standard Combo – AUD$759 Osmo 360 Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus Osmo 360 Protective Pouch Osmo Lens Osmo Lens Cleaning Cloth USB-C to USB-C PD Cable (USB 3.1) Osmo 360 Rubber Lens Protector
Osmo 360 Adventure Combo – AUD$989 Osmo 360 Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus Osmo 360 Protective Pouch Osmo Lens Cleaning Cloth USB-C to USB-C PD Cable Osmo 360 Rubber Lens Protector Osmo Adjustable Quick Release Adapter Mount Osmo 1.2m Invisible Selfie Stick Osmo Action Multifunctional Battery Case 2
You'll also be able to purchase a range of DJI accessories from launch, including:
Osmo 360 Battery Extension Rod
Osmo Motorcycle Heavy-Duty Mount
Osmo Adjustable Quick-Release Adapter Mount
Osmo 360 Transparent Lens Protectors
Osmo Hanging Neck Mount Max
Osmo Third-Person Helmet Mount Kit
Osmo 70cm Invisible Selfie Stick
Osmo 1m High-Strength Carbon Fibre Invisible Selfie Stick
Osmo 1.2m Invisible Selfie Stick Kit
Osmo 1.6m Tripod Selfie Stick
Osmo 2.5m Extended Carbon Fibre Selfie Stick
Osmo Dual Heavy-Duty Clamp
Osmo Vortex Rotating Handle
Osmo 360 Carrying Bag
Osmo Bike Rear Mount Kit
Like all handheld tech products (and even cars) we recommend the DJI Care Refresh program, which is available for Osmo 360. If an accident occurs, damage is covered by the replacement service, including natural wear, collisions, and water damage. You can also pay a small fee to have a damaged product replaced, and the one-year plan includes up to two replacements and four replacements in two years.
DJI Osmo 360 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
DJI Osmo 360 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
DJI Osmo 360 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
DJI Osmo 360 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
How Does the DJI Osmo 360 Feel?
The DJI Osmo 360 feels very solid in hand. They've chosen to steer away from the thin, rectangular form factor of the Insta360 X5, but I don't think it's a problem, as it's still fairly lightweight at 183 grams. Importantly, I had no problem holding it up on the end of a 2.5-metre-long pole.
Looking around the camera, you'll find a covered USB-C (3.1) port in the bottom corner of the camera for charging and file transfers, an on/off/mode button on the left side of the camera, a standard screw-in fitting on the base, a DJI clip-in base that works with the same connections as the DJI Action 5 Pro, and a battery tray with a cover that houses a 1,950mAh battery.
Battery life is marked at 100 minutes in 8K/30fps, but we need to do further testing on this in different modes and with different settings.
Below the screen are two buttons, one for start/stop recording and another for switching the modes from video to photo, etc. Of course, when the camera is mounted more than 2.5 metres in the air, you'll want to start recording using the included gesture controls. Hold the palm of your hand in front of the camera, and it will start recording with a three-second countdown. Alternatively, use the voice commands.
What is the Video Quality Like on the DJI Osmo 360?
Starting with the hardware, the DJI Osmo 360 uses a 1-inch 360° square, HDR imaging sensor, with a maximum video resolution of 8K/50fps.
To put this to the test, I chose to shoot the test video above in low-light because 360 cameras usually struggle the most in these conditions. I was happy to see that it did very well in the Sydney afternoon dusk, with natural levels of sharpness, colour, and only a small amount of noise.
You'll also notice how smooth the image is with DJI's RockSteady 3.0, reducing shakes while retaining the dynamic impact of motion while walking around.
If you shoot a lot of low-light video, the Osmo 360 is still going to be limited by its hardware in darker conditions than those I tested above, but I can finally say that both the dual 1/1.28-inch sensors in the Insta360 X5 and the 1-inch 360° square in the DJI Osmo 360 do a fine job with only small amounts of noise.
You can take 120MP photos with the Osmo 360 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
I'm a bit of a framerate nerd, so I loved the ability to shoot in 4K at 100fps 360° video. When I wanted to slow things down even further, the 4x slow motion mode takes care of things.
I still have further testing to do with the DJI Osmo 360, but the differences between it and the Insta360 X5 are minimal at first assessment. Both cameras have 13.5 stops of dynamic range, the DJI Osmo 360 has an aperture of f/1.9, and the Insta360 X5 makes do with f/2.0. However, one main advantage of the DJI is its native video resolution capabilities, where the 8K/50fps 360° video outdoes the 8K/30fps 360° video in the X5. Still, most people will only shoot at 30fps, so the benefits are negligible.
When you're willing to sacrifice a little on the framerate end and turn it down from 50fps to 30fps, the native 8K/30fps 360° panoramic video has large 2.4μm pixels, which matches the Insta360 X5. However, my early assessments show that the DJI has a more natural feel to the image, whereas the X5 is overly sharpened.
I still have more testing to do, but I was really impressed by the 120 MP 360° photo quality. You can see from my test image above just how much you can fit in the shot when using a 360 camera, and it would be perfect for group photos and events.
DJI Studio | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
What Software Does the DJI Osmo 360 Use?
While you can connect to the DJI Mimo app like other DJI products, the DJI Osmo 360 takes advantage of the new DJI Studio desktop application (Windows and Mac), which is similar to CapCut but built for DJI devices, especially the 360 camera.
Here, you can take your 360 video and edit it down using 'key framing' to focus on the object of your choice. If that sounds too hard, automatic object tracking is available, where you draw a box around the object and the software tracks it for you. I used it to make the test video above.
Once you have your frame set, you can choose the perspective (Asteroid, Ultra Wide, Wide, and Dewarp) as well as the FOV, Correction Angle, Pan Angle, Tilt Angle, and Roll Angle, respectively.
These aren't related to the app, but these are the other software features built into the camera:
Invisible Selfie Stick : No editing needed for third-person views typically captured by a cameraman
: No editing needed for third-person views typically captured by a cameraman Gesture and Voice Control : Start or stop recording with a palm gesture, or use voice control
: Start or stop recording with a palm gesture, or use voice control GyroFrame and Intelligent Tracking : DJI Mimo's GyroFrame allows users to adjust the 360°
: DJI Mimo's GyroFrame allows users to adjust the 360° Multi-Platform Editing Support: Edit videos with DJI Mimo or DJI Studio
Ultimately, the learning curve for using the app was very small, and I think DJI has kept their promise in making a very easy-to-use 360 camera.
DJI Osmo 360 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
Should You Buy the DJI Osmo 360?
DJI delivers on its promise with the Osmo 360, creating an easy-to-use 360 camera that brings arguably the best image quality of any consumer 360 camera on the market.
The learning curve is small, the image quality is great, and the possibilities for what you can shoot are seemingly endless. I've only scratched the surface with my Osmo 360 test regime, but it's been a great device so far. If anything changes in the meantime, you'll be the first to know, and if you have any further questions, jump into the comments below, and we'll answer them!
Should you buy the DJI Osmo 360? Well, if you've been sitting on the fence, wanting to jump into the deep end and purchase a 360 camera, and you're already in the DJI ecosystem, then the Osmo 360 is a no-brainer. On the other hand, if you're in the market for a 360 camera and you're not loyal to any particular brand, the Osmo 360 has arrived at a very desirable price point, and it's worth taking a closer look at.
NOTE: The author of this article, Ben McKimm, was provided a DJI Osmo 360 for the purposes of this review. However, we need to stress that this is NOT a sponsored review.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Man of Many
21 hours ago
- Man of Many
Apple's Folding iPhone is (Probably) Coming Next Year: Here's What We Know
By Dean Blake - News Published: 4 Aug 2025 Share Copy Link 0 Readtime: 6 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Apple's foldable iPhone is rumoured to drop next year for USD$1,999 The phone will feature a 7.8' screen when unfolded, and a 5.5' external screen It'll be driven by the upcoming A20-series chip, and will likely be announced September 2026 With everyone focusing their attention on the heavily-rumoured iPhone 17 Air, you'd be forgiven for thinking that a slimmer iPhone is the main thing Apple's 'secretly' been working on in Cupertino. And yeah, that's big news, but you know what's going to be bigger news? All signs are pointing to Apple getting into the foldables game. The iPhone Fold, as we're expecting it to be called, will be a 7.8' foldable phone without a crease launching 2026, powered by Apple's A20 chip, and it's likely going to start around USD$1,999 (or AUD$3,099). That's obviously much more expensive than even the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but given this is Apple we're talking about, that shouldn't be all that surprising. Obviously, until we have official confirmation from Apple everything in this article should be taken with a grain of salt, but if you're keen to know more about what we know about the upcoming 'iPhone Fold', read on. What will the 'iPhone 18 Fold' Look Like? The Fold is rumoured to drop in September next year, and will deliver a 5.5' external display alongside a 7.8' foldable internal display–without a crease, if leaks are to be believed. If that 5.5' outer display sounds compact, that's because this phone will be quite a bit smaller than Apple's contemporary devices, with most now sitting somewhere between 6.1' and 6.9'. In fact, according to some fan renders that build out the device based on the rumoured sizing, the 18 Fold (when folded) will be closer to an iPhone 13 Mini than an iPhone 16 Pro Max in size. That should make it a more comfortable device to use in one hand while folded, funnily enough, with more of the screen within reach of your thumb. Credit to bob obba on YouTube/iZac on MacRumours' forums: these renders are great. When fully unfolded, however, the iPhone Fold will absolutely become a two-handed affair. The 7.8' size puts it smaller than the 8' screens of its main folding competition (the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold), and even puts it slightly shy of the current iPad Mini (8.3'), but it'll be quite a bit bigger than even the biggest iPhone on the market today (that's the aforementioned 16 Pro Max, which sits at 6.9'). Whether the currently-iPad-locked Apple Pencil will be able to function with the Fold isn't yet known, but it'd go a long way in helping the Fold fill the gap between the iPhone and iPad. How this device's existence will impact the iPad moving forward is anyone's guess, but I can't imagine the Mini would go anywhere considering it'll be a similarly sized option, running iPadOS rather than iOS, at less than a third of the price. What are the Specs of the 'iPhone 18 Fold'? While there's a lot that can be inferred about the iPhone Fold just based on what would it would require (at least 16GB of Ram, as a baseline), we're only going to focus on what's been backed up by multiple sources. Given the Fold isn't releasing until 2026, you can expect the device to be using the A20 processor, compared to the A19 we're expecting to see in the 17 series this year. We don't really know how much more powerful said A20 will be, but it'll likely focus a bit more on battery efficiency than outright power gains—if the Air and Fold are as thin as we're expecting, they're unlikely to have massive batteries inside. Here's everything we know so far. Rumoured iPhone 18 Fold Specs Price – USD$1,999 (~AUD$3,099) Display – 5.5' inner display, 2088 x 1422 – 7.8' creaseless foldable display, 2713 x 1920 – both are likely 'retina' displays Dimensions Folded: – 120.6mm x 83.8mm x 9.6mm Unfolded: – 120.6mm x 167.6mm x 4.8mm Operating System iOS 27 Internals – Processor: A20 – TouchID, rather than FaceID Camera Four cameras: – 48-megapixel wide-lens fusion camera – 48-megapixel ultrawide-lens camera – hole-punch-style front-facing cameras in both folded and unfolded states Scroll horizontally to view full table This table will be updated as more credible leaks and rumours surface. iPhone Fold Render | Credit to bob obba on YouTube Why Release a Folding iPhone? First off, it's worth noting that while sales of the iPhone make up the majority of Apple's hardware revenue each year, total iPhone sales have actually been slowing for the past few years. The brand did enjoy a pretty big jump in revenue in its most recent quarter, but the overall trend is still of an easing majority (at least here in Australia, where around 56 per cent of us use an iPhone in our daily livesm according to StatCounter). When you look at the pace of the iPhone's technological change, the overall design of the iPhone hasn't changed much in the past decade, and I think consumers are getting a bit bored of a simple black rectangle. That's not to say Apple's phones aren't getting better each year–of course they are–but consumers are increasingly looking for new, unique experiences with their everyday devices, and are beginning to see foldables, or even dumb phones, as a path forward. I wouldn't ever expect Apple to launch a dumbified iPhone, but a foldable is a very attractive way to revamp the iPhone lineup—as is the thinner Air model. In fact, Apple's been working on the Fold, in one shape or another, for almost 10 years. The tech giant patented a foldable design (something closer to a clamshell than the current book-style fold) back in 2016, and has iterated on it for some time. Apple's foldable hinge patent, from 2020 | Image: Google Patents The main reason why the brand hasn't released a foldable yet is simply because Apple's engineers didn't want to launch anything with a visible crease, so the rumours say. The brand had a breakthrough in 2020 and was granted a patent for a hinge mechanism that prevent the displays from creasing when folded and unfolded. We'll likely see how it works in practice next year. To me, having Apple's phone line-up move forward delivering a thinner Air model for most users, a beefy Pro model for people that need the extra oomph, and the larger Fold model aimed at content consumption and bridging the gap between the iPhone and iPad makes a lot of sense. When is the 'iPhone 18 Fold' Releasing? Rumours suggest the iPhone Fold will likely launch in late 2026, most likely in September. Granted, some leakers have also put the release date as far back as 2027, so we'll just have to wait and see.
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
More Aussies are using AI to plan holidays, from scoring deals to assembling itineraries
I'm planning a trip to Iceland, aka one of the most expensive countries in the world. Can I afford to go? What would a realistic budget look like for a two-week holiday? How can I cut corners to save some cash? I decide to do the 2025 equivalent of phoning a friend — I ask my buddy ChatGPT. My initial prompt is too vague and it gives pricing in USD, which isn't particularly helpful. I refine my criteria, asking for a rough total in AUD for a fortnight in September, departing from Perth ('please', I add, because manners are still important when talking to a robot). In the blink of an eye, Chat spits out a breakdown of average costs on everything from flights to accommodation, car rental, food and activities. There are three tiers for backpacker, mid-range and luxury travel and an option to split components if I have a travelling companion. It even offers suggestions for making my hard-earned coin stretch further, like buying groceries rather than eating out and opting to self-drive rather than joining a guided tour of the famous Golden Circle. All in all, Chat reckons I'll need to save $8500-$9000 to make Iceland happen. What would have taken me hours of research and a lot of math just to ascertain whether I can even consider the trip in the first place was reduced to mere minutes. While I want to give myself a pat on the back for being so resourceful — there's a certain smugness that comes with finding a sneaky shortcut — I am hardly the first to use ChatGPT for travel tips. In recent research conducted by Compare the Market, nearly a third of those surveyed admitted to using artificial intelligence to plan their holidays. These Aussie respondents said they outsourced a range of tasks to AI, with the most common being destination recommendations, hunting for deals, seeking activities and finding accommodation. Others reported they used AI to quickly create itineraries, scour flights or transport and understand currency conversion. The data also gave insight into how different generations are embracing the technology — or not. Perhaps unsurprisingly, gen Z and millennials are spearheading the adoption of AI when it comes to concocting their dream vacation, with 52 per cent and 44 per cent respectively utilising the tool to plan a holiday. Meanwhile, 93 per cent of baby boomers and 76 per cent of gen X respondents said they were resistant to bringing AI into their trip arrangements. Compare the Market's Chris Ford says the stats reflect how we engage with the ever-changing tech landscape. 'Our latest data highlights a shift in the way travellers are approaching their planning, with convenience, personalisation and speed driving the adoption of innovative AI tools,' he says. 'It's likely that travellers are using these tools in addition to chatting with travel agents, conducting desktop research or seeking ideas and inspiration from social media. 'AI is evolving at a rapid rate and as it becomes more accessible and intuitive, it's not surprising that travellers are relying on new technology to help shape their dream holidays.' But the insurer warns against taking AI's word as gospel. With nothing to validate the credibility of such recommendations, Ford says travellers need to practice due diligence. 'AI can be a great starting point when planning a holiday, but always ensure you're crossing your 't's and dotting your 'i's,' he says. 'Many of these tools and services are still in their infancy stage and may not be 100 per cent accurate, so do your own research to ensure you're equipped with the right tools and information for your trip. 'The last thing we want to see is anyone getting themselves into a potentially dangerous or unsafe situation based on the recommendations from AI.' Ford makes a crucial point here about our relationship with platforms like ChatGPT. Rather than approaching them as one-stop-shop to curate every element of our holiday, we should instead consider them as a starting point to kick off deeper research. After all, isn't that part of the fun with travel — the anticipation in the lead-up, the process of discovering a destination before we have arrived and assembling a bucket list tailored to our specific taste? By asking a computer to generate an itinerary based on what's popular, we are depriving ourselves of creativity, spontaneity and adventure. We must also remember that what the AI bot spits out is dependent on the quality of our prompts. The more we refine our request, the more likely we will receive helpful answers, but even then things can go wonky. Take this from my colleague Belle: 'I asked ChatGPT to give me a child-friendly restaurant in Ubud. It sent me to a weird health food restaurant with a koi pond where you couldn't wear shoes. My feral children cleared the room within minutes. Disaster.' Then there's the cognitive dissonance that comes with considering the environmental impact of AI versus the fear of being left behind if we don't get on board with this technology. Like it or not, it is shaping and re-shaping the future at breakneck speed. We all have to decide where our (virtual) line in the sand is: what is productive and 'mindful' use based on our needs and values. For me, I'm OK with employing ChatGPT to whip up a quick budget so I can take the holiday to Iceland I've always dreamed of. But when it asks if I want activity recommendations or a detailed itinerary next, I politely decline. I'd rather leave some room for mystery and exploration. 'Thanks', I farewell my cyber mate in my sign-off (because, manners). Our collective of writers just so happens to represent the four age demographics mentioned in the research above. So what's the hot take? Stephen Scourfield — b aby boomer Trusting someone – or, in this case, something – to book a holiday (particularly a family holiday!) requires a lot of trust. If some detail is missed in the booking process (a wrong date, a badly timed connection), it will be you standing there, somewhere, trying to fix it (possibly with the family 'on your case'). Would I trust AI yet? No – not yet. Of course, I think we all know that AI is good at doing grunt work and it is up to us to check details. So AI is already useful for the broad-brush, first sweep of mapping out a holiday. But AI won't then back itself by booking it all. (That will be the game changer.) So, at this stage, AI, for me, is still a basic tool of research – not a replacement for an experienced and knowledgeable travel agent. Leyanne Baillie — gen X Although my generation is confident when it comes to using tech (even if we're not digital natives), I think AI programs would be more effort than they're worth. I know it could be a time-saver in terms of journey-planning brainstorming and getting a rough guide of options, but I'd still want to tailor my itinerary to cater to my personal taste. I don't think I'm ready to hand over the reins completely to artificial intelligence just yet. Jessie Stoelwinder — millennial I love a good travel hack, and that's how I have been approaching my use of AI. Anything that makes life a little easier and frees me up to investigate the fun stuff — where to eat, hike, shop, people-watch etc. — and I am on board. I've used ChatGPT to quickly aggregate travel data for personal trips to assist with admin, logistics and practicalities, which I will then cross-check and verify to make sure the information works for me. Recommendations, however? Word of mouth and insider intel from a human being will always win, in my opinion. Megan French — g en Z I would be open to the idea of utilising AI when planning my travels but I'd take everything it recommends with a grain of salt while still doing my own thorough research. I think it's great for foundational information-based planning early in trip preparations, such as 'what holidays are on in India during July and how is best to navigate them?' But when it comes to booking flights and accommodation, I'd go nowhere near AI … yet .
Man of Many
3 days ago
- Man of Many
Man of Many's Staff Favourites—2 August, 2025
By Dean Blake - News Published: 2 Aug 2025 |Last Updated: 1 Aug 2025 Share Copy Link 0 Readtime: 7 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. With another week behind us, and a weekend to enjoy (even though it's very wet here in Sydney), it's about time for our weekly collection of Man of Many's favourite things! This week, we're celebrating being named as Media Brand of the Year at last week's Mumbrella Awards, highlighting a petition that could get you an extra day off each year, and showing off an easy way to try on some new sunnies ahead of summer. We don't want to waste any more time: here's our Staff Favourites for this week! Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 | Image: Nick Hall/Man of Many Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief If you have been following our Staff Favourites for a while, you might have noticed that I am a big fan of Sennheiser's wireless earbuds. I've used the True Wireless 2s for years and have always appreciated the noise cancellation features and clean, crisp audio. But after accidentally stepping on them and sending them hurtling into the ether, I've found myself in need of a new pair. Thankfully and somewhat unexpectedly, the team at Sennheiser hooked me up with a set of Momentim True Wireless 4 earbuds, and I have to say, they are out of this world. More structured and robust than previous generations, the True Wireless 4s take the much-loved design and elevate it in new and interesting ways. This edition is the first to feature Sennheiser's latest Auracast broadcast audio functionality, which essentially allows you to broadcast your audio content from the source to as many headphones as you like, protected by a password. It's a handy little addition that is great for travel, particularly when I'm trying to show a colleague or friend what I'm tuning in to. Aside from that, the True Wireless 4 model continues Sennheiser's top-tier audio functionality. The sounds coming out of these teeny, tiny earbuds are truly impressive, and I've been testing them out with a range of different genres, soundscapes, and films. Make no mistake, these are among the most versatile earbuds on the market, and I couldn't be happier to have a set of Sennheiser back in the rotation. Favourite Article of the Week: What's New on Netflix in August 2025 A Massive Thank You Scott Purcell – Co-Founder This week, my pick isn't a new product, tv series, or a cool discovery. It's you, our readers. I'm still trying to process last week's news that Man of Many was named the 2025 Media Brand of the Year at the Mumbrella Awards. Hearing our name announced was a surreal and unforgettable moment, and that initial shock has given way to immense pride, not just in our team but in the entire community we've built. It sort of goes without saying that Frank and I, and the team, very much built Man of Many as if we were our own audience. We want to feature and explore the things that we find interesting, but we also know that it's a pretty rare occasion that we ourselves will actively engage with, comment on or share an article we've consumed outside of Man of Many. Truth be told, we know much of our audience is fairly passive and private. But when we look at the stats behind the scenes, like the time spent on site, the categories engaged with, and the private letters or messages we received, we know there's a deep passion for what we do and the topics that we cover. So to all of the passive consumers, active readers, absolutely loyalists, this award truly belongs to you. Everyone who reads, subscribes, and supports our work. In an era where the media landscape is facing unprecedented challenges with the rise of AI, your engagement and support mean everything. It's what allows us to continue doing what we love, and hopefully what you love too. This journey began over 13 years ago as a passion project between two friends, Frank and I, who knew very little about the media industry. I came from a background in finance and Frank from industrial design. We started this from the ground up, fueled by late nights and a shared love for the things we were discovering. To see that simple idea grow into a brand recognised on stage is really a testament to the dedication of our incredible team that we get to work with. They are the engine and are a small but mighty group who consistently punch above their weight. It's their love and care that our readers so often tell us they notice in our work, and that feedback is what truly means the world to us. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for sharing this journey with us. We are incredibly excited about what's to come and about continuing to share our passions with you. Favourite article this week: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Review: A Massive Leap Forward for Foldables Favourite video this week: Cast of 'The Castle' on Aussie Mischief Mudgee | Image: Mudgee Region Tourism It's Time for an Extra Public Holiday in NSW Marcus Hurley – Sales & Partnership Manager Now, I was unaware that we New South Welshmen/people were being denied a full 48 hours of public holidays compared to our counterparts in the other states and territories. When I discovered this news, I was maybe not shocked, but certainly open to some Public Holiday equality. You can imagine my delight when I found out Mudgee Region Tourism is already on top of it. Its 'Mudgee Monday Petition' aims to get the attention of those in power and make equality a reality. To quote the tourism body, 'it's outrageous!'. Here at Man of Many, we have the privilege of leaving an hour early on Friday afternoons. Now, an hour may not sound like much, but the psychological impact is hugely positive, so imagine the benefits of 2 extra public holidays throughout the year: to reset, or finally head down to Canberra for the long weekend to visit my parents. Actually, maybe I'll just invite them to meet me in Mudgee. Either way, I am on board and you should be too! Favourite article of the week: ASICS' GEL-KAYANO 32 Harnesses Advanced Geometry to Deliver Maximum Comfort Favourite video of the week: Sydney Whiskey Month 2025 Wrap Up Vision Direct Sunglasses | Image: Supplied Vision Direct Sunglasses Harry Parsons – Head of Branded Content It was time I finally pulled the pin and grabbed myself a proper pair of sunglasses, a decision that will no doubt force me to change my care habits for the pile of cheaper pairs sitting on my bedside. As a time-poor individual who rarely gets the chance to head down to the mall, I jumped online and shopped via Vision Direct. I was honestly blown away not only by the range of sunglasses but, more importantly, by the sophisticated 'Try On' feature. Utilising my laptop's camera, I accurately lined up my face and tried on a wide variety of frames. Now, I know this isn't new tech, but Vision Direct's iteration is the most impressive I've used. The sizing was spot-on, it cleanly tracked head movements to show what the glasses look like from a side angle, and so on. It even served as a guide, telling me my face shape and suggesting the ideal glasses to suit. It felt as if I had a consultant sitting right next to me. If you're looking to upgrade your pair, whether you're time-poor or just not sure what suits you, I highly recommend giving this a try. Disclosure: Man of Many received a pair of sunglasses for free from Vision Direct for the purpose of review.
