Everyone is talking about 360 cameras these days and for a good reason. They offer an immersive experience that nothing else can match. The best part? You don’t have to break the bank to get one! In this article we will explore some of the top options on the market now, all in different price ranges so you can find what’s right for you.
Which is the Best 360 Camera?
I have tested ten 360 cameras. They are all good, but each has its own positives and negatives. Look at the list to see which is best for you.
1. Insta360 ONE R
Meet one of the most adaptable cameras ever made. Insta360 One R not only has 360 videos but also 4K videos. Switch between lenses to instantly change your shooting style and be ready for whatever comes your way. Whether you want to shoot life-like action or fantastic wide angles, this camera can handle it all! Plus, thanks to their excellent app that prioritizes the best parts of your videos automatically, there’s never been a better time than now to get started with virtual reality content creation.
Pros:
- RAW images and 100 Mbps video
- Many accessories, modular design
- Very light and compact
- Slow-motion recording
Cons:
- Works only with a smartphone (activation)
- Small touch screen
2. GoPro MAX
Introducing the new GoPro Max—the perfect action camera for capturing life in 360° video and amazing standard 1440p video too. With its durable body and high-quality stabilization, the Max is perfect for capturing exciting action footage. Plus, with its user-friendly touchscreen interface and wide range of creative photography options, you can easily create stunning videos that will impress your friends and family.
Pros:
- High Quality
- 5.6K 360 Video
- Waterproof
- Touch Screen
- Hero Mode
Cons:
- Poorer Photo Quality
- No HDR or RAW
- Desktop Software Lacking
3. Ricoh Theta Z1
Introducing the Ricoh Theta Z1, the most advanced 360 camera on the market. With its one-inch sensors, this camera captures stunning images and videos, even in low light conditions. If you’re looking for a replacement for your DSLR, look no further than the Theta Z1. With its quick and easy shooting capabilities, you’ll be able to take high-quality 360 photos with ease. But be warned – this camera doesn’t come cheap! So if you’re ready to make the investment, the Ricoh Theta Z1 is the perfect choice for any 360 photography enthusiast.
Pros:
- Good image quality in low light
- Stable and easy to use
- High-quality videos
- Third-party extensions increase functionality
Cons:
- Price
- Memory not expandable
- Requires two applications for video editing
4. GoPro Fusion
GoPro is back with their newest camera that can shoot 360 videos as you’ve never seen before. The 5.2K resolution offers amazing colors and dynamic range, so your footage can be edited at near-professional levels before being shared on social media. Don’t stop there though, the Fusion also comes equipped with an over capture software to create all sorts of movie magic without leaving behind the VR format!
Pros:
- 5.2K 360 Video
- Dynamic Range
- Overcapture Software
- Stabilization
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Complex connection
- Requires 2 MicroSD Cards
- Expensive
5. Garmin VIRB 360
We all go places where conventional cameras don’t belong, but now you’ll never miss out on the view. Dive into the VIRB 360 for super-ultra immersive video at 5.7K or slow it right down with full speed lapse mode, which captures every second of your adventurous day unfolding in super smooth time-lapse clips at 1080p.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Resolution up to 5.7K/30fps
- Resolution up to 15 megapixels for spherical photos
- Video stabilization
- Re-framing software
Cons:
- Poor battery life
- Expensive
6. Rylo 360 Video Camera
The Rylo is the best 360 camera for shooting moving video. With its powerful software stabilization, you can create cinematic videos with just a few taps of your screen. Shoot in 4K 360 and re-frame your videos into any format you desire.
Pros:
- Works with iOS + Android phones
- Accessories
- 5. 8K 360 video
- Breakthrough stabilization
- Time-lapse
Cons:
- No live preview
- Need to plug into the phone to download images
7. Samsung Gear 360
The second-generation Samsung Gear 360 is a great portable, easy-to-use camera. It can shoot 4K high-quality video and capture still images with one lens. With the free app, you can connect your phone for 360 live streaming or upload your favorite moments directly from your device. You’ll be able to share immersive memories anywhere!
Pros:
- 4K 360 video
- 15MP photos thanks to dual 180° lenses
- Сomfortable handle
- IP53 water-resistant rating
- Uploading Photos or Videos to Samsung VR
Cons:
- Poor 360 photos
8. LG G5 Friends 360 CAM LG-R105
The LG 360 cam is the perfect choice for those who want to dip their toes into the world of 360° media. This camera is easy to use, produces decent quality images and video, and is one of the cheapest options available. So whether you’re looking to capture your travels in 360° or just want to experiment with this new type of media, the LG 360 cam is a great option.
Pros:
- 5.1-Channel Surround Sound
- microSD Compatible
- Upload to Google Street View
- YouTube360
- 1200mAh Battery
Cons:
- Cannot be activated without external memory inserted
9. 360fly 4K VR
The 360 Fly 4K is for those who love adventure. Water, dirt, or snow can’t harm this tough little camera! Take it anywhere and activate the tracking mode so viewers will be able to see what’s happening all around them as if they were there. Special features include an 8GB memory card that records up to 45 minutes of footage at a time, durable nature-proof housing, an extra safety strap included with purchase and a convenient lens cover that protects the lens during storage.
Pros:
- 360° to First-Person POV Recording
- High-Resolution Camera
- Social Media Connectivity
- Virtual Reality Ready
- 16-megapixel image sensor
- 4K video resolution 2880 x 2880 pixels up to 30fps
Cons:
- Blindspot below the camera
10. Ricoh Theta S
Imagine a device that lets you shoot professional-quality photos and videos from any angle, from anywhere. The Ricoh Theta S is an innovative way to capture the world as it really is, with its 360 degrees spherical panorama images and spherical videos up to 25 minutes. And now you can do more than just be the cameraman because the Live View function allows you to control your camera wirelessly from a mobile device or computer so capturing those perfect moments has never been easier.
Pros:
- High movie quality
- Dedicated application
- Improved UI with more functions
- Cheap
- Excellent photo quality
Cons:
- No external memory
- Only 8GB of internal memory
- Recording time-limited
The 360 Degree Camera Test
When testing 360-degree cameras, you won’t feel as many eyes on you as you used to. By now, people are used to seeing such cameras, such as a GoPro. To test the 360-degree cameras best, you need a selfie stick. With it, you guarantee the distance of the camera to your body and you have more flexibility in perspective. Each of the listed 360-degree cameras works in a similar way to a smartphone. Once you turn on the camera, it creates a Wi-Fi hotspot for your phone. From there, you open the camera’s corresponding app and use your smartphone as a control panel.
What is a 360-degree Camera?
A 360-degree camera is an omnidirectional camera that can capture images or videos in a 360-degree range, both horizontally and vertically. This provides an all-around view, which was originally used for surveillance purposes and military operations, but is now mainly used in the field of action cameras and also in online apartment ads.
How Does a 360-degree Camera Work?
There are different ways to capture 360-degree images or videos. Among the most common are fisheye objects and mosaic-centric cameras. In the fisheye variety, 360-degree viewing is accomplished using two wide-angle lenses, one on the front and one on the back of a mount. Both cover a range of 180 degrees – both vertically and horizontally. Thus, the camera actually shoots two photos, but these are then stitched together into one large 360-degree image using the software. This method is called “stitching.”
Another variant for 360-degree images is so-called mosaic-centered cameras. Here, many individual images are stitched together using artificial intelligence to create a large all-around view, just like a mosaic. The quality is higher than with fisheye cameras.
Furthermore, the camera can also have a lens with a mirror. This directs light rays onto the lens from all directions, i.e. both horizontally and vertically, and creates a 360-degree view.
Conclusions
The best 360 cameras are the ones that allow you to capture beautiful photos and videos. They should be reliable, durable, easy-to-use, and provide high image quality while maintaining a compact form factor. The top ten products on this list fit all of these criteria (and more), making them the best options currently available for consumers looking to buy an entry-level product or pros who want to upgrade their equipment. If you’re still not sure which option is right for your needs after reading through our recommendations above, feel free to ask us questions in the comment section below!
