What is a 360 camera?
A 360° camera is a device that uses two or more lenses and image sensors to record a 360-degree sphere around the camera.
What can you do with 360 videos and photos?
There are two main options for the content you can capture with 360 cameras. The first, and most common, is to edit the videos and photos into “flat” versions that can be published on any media platform social. So, for example, you record a 360° video of your hike, then you edit that video in 9:16 format for TikTok or Instagram that only shows the highlights of your hike. The video will be highly stabilized (no shake) and will be able to feature much smoother, professional-looking pans and zooms than is possible with a traditional camera. Since the camera captures everything, you don’t have to worry about where it’s pointed.
The other option is to use the 360 degree content as 360 degree content. This is more limited as to where you can post and share it. Facebook and YouTube are the largest platforms supporting 360 content. Photospheres and spherical videos can be viewed on any phone, often by moving the phone like a viewfinder “inside” the image. Or, they can be viewed using a virtual reality headset where you can “look around” as if you were there. Google’s Street View uses an advanced 360 camera mounted on a vehicle, but anyone can upload 360 photos to add to coverage.
Are 360 cameras difficult to use?
In some ways, 360 cameras are easier to use than traditional cameras. There is no “aim”. You don’t “point and shoot” so to speak. You hold the camera up and it records everything. That’s not to say there isn’t a learning curve to get the best results, but anyone can start taking 360° photos and videos right away. Insta360 and Kandao offer tutorials in their apps to help you get the most out of their cameras.
Why is the video resolution so high? My TV is only 4K
Since the camera records everything, the extra resolution is essential for the result to look good. Look at it this way: your TV offers 4K to reproduce a window-sized image. The 360 camera records this as well as everything above and below the TV, as well as everything else around it, so it needs a lot more pixels. Typically, this recording is edited in the camera app and can be viewed on any phone or TV. The 16:9 portion of an 8K 360 video may be 4K, or it may be even less so, depending on how you choose to edit the video.
Is a 360 camera required for virtual tours?
No. A 360° camera is an option for Matterport-style virtual tours of real estate. Because they are able to capture everything around the camera, they are generally faster than using a motorized mount for your phone.
Is it easy to damage lenses?
Yes! I’ve destroyed several 360 cameras with small scraps that wouldn’t have bothered a phone or action camera. Due to their operation, lenses protrude from the camera body. So if it falls on a hard surface, there is a good chance that you will damage or scratch the lens, which will show up on all your photos and videos as a dark spot or stain or worse , essentially ruining everything you capture.
Some models, like the Insta360 X4, offer removable lens protectors. It’s worth it if you want to protect your investment or are clumsy sometimes. Most come with soft cases, but it’s worth finding a hard case if you want to throw the camera in a backpack.
When is the best time to buy a 360 camera?
Like many products, cameras are typically discounted for Black Friday and Amazon Prime Days (even if you shop at other stores like Walmart and Best Buy). Usually, cameras also get cheaper later in their life, so six to eight months after release you’ll start getting bigger discounts. Insta360 also has a history of keeping its older cameras in its lineup at lower prices. For example, the X3 which is our current budget pick was released in 2023 and is still a great camera at a lower price than when it was originally released.
What are the best 360 camera companies?
The 360 camera market is very small. There are in fact three main companies: Insta360, Kandao and Ricoh. Ricoh essentially invented the category but has lagged behind Insta360 and Kandao in recent years. Kandao has made some interesting cameras over the past few years, but it wasn’t until the QooCam 3 Ultra recommended above that all the pieces fell into place. Insta360 is by far the leader in the category and has been for many years.
Other companies jumping into the space include Nikon, Kodak, and action camera heavyweight GoPro with the Hero Max.
What about 360 cameras with more lenses and sensors?
The cameras we recommend are all consumer cameras. There are professional models with additional lenses and sensors that deliver higher resolution photos and videos. All of this is much more expensive and beyond the scope of this guide.
