Best 360 Cameras 2024: view from every angle and note every detail

I’m much more creative now that I use the best 360 cameras. They let me take photos and videos that really make my content stand out. I can make interactive experiences that people can control with a swipe of their finger or a click on their screen thanks to these killer gadgets. This immersive method has changed the way I paint, especially when I’m trying to capture the stunning beauty of nature, the lively energy of busy cities, or the thrill of my exciting bike rides.

The files that 360-degree cameras make are big and hard to work with. This is because 360-degree cameras are often made up of several cameras in one, which take pictures from different angles that can then be put together in software. But many 360 cameras also let you zoom in and choose a flat “slice” of a scene to turn into a more traditional “flat” movie. This means that you can use a 360-degree camera in a lot of different ways. It almost doesn’t matter where you point it.

There’s nothing quite as captivating as 360-degree images, whether you’re capturing an epic landscape, a bustling street scene, or even a breathtaking bike ride through thundering terrain. As the name suggests, a 360-degree camera records the entire world around it. For a short time, they were a big seller.

What is a 360 camera?

A 360 camera, also called a VR (Virtual Reality) camera or a 360-degree camera, is a special kind of camera that is made to take a picture that shows everything around it from every angle. Unlike regular cameras, which only take pictures from one angle, a 360 camera uses multiple lenses and sensors to take pictures and videos from every angle at the same time.

The content that comes out of it can be looked at and interacted with in different ways. When users look at the captured content on a computer, smartphone, VR headset, or other specialised platform, they can pan, tilt, and zoom to look around the whole scene as if they were there in person. This makes for an immersive experience that lets viewers look in any direction, giving them a sense of being there and getting them involved.

How do 360 cameras work?

360 cameras, also called panoramic cameras or virtual reality (VR) cameras, are made to take pictures and videos from every angle. This gives viewers a full, spherical, or immersive view of a scene. The way these cameras work is that they use multiple lenses and sensors to take pictures from different angles at the same time. Then, they put all of these pictures together to make a seamless panoramic view. Here’s how most of them work:

???? Multiple Lenses and Sensors: A 360-degree camera has several lenses and sensors strategically placed all over its body. These lenses can take pictures from different angles at the same time.

???? Image Capture: When you take a picture or record a video, each lens captures its own part of the scene. For example, if the camera has two lenses on opposite sides, one lens might capture what’s in front of the camera and the other might capture what’s behind it.

???? Image Stitching: Once the pictures have been taken, the software inside the camera works on them to “stitch” them together. Image stitching is the process of lining up and blending the pictures you’ve taken to make a seamless panorama. This can be a complicated computer process that involves aligning things in the images correctly and fixing any distortions caused by the lenses.

???? The stitched images are put together to make a full 360-degree view of the surroundings. This final product can be seen on phones, tablets, computers, and virtual reality headsets, among other things.

???? Recording 360-degree videos: The same process is used to record 360-degree videos. Lenses and sensors in the camera record video from different angles at the same time. Then, the recorded video streams are matched up and stitched together to make a single, seamless video experience.

Best 360 Cameras

There were dozens of models, including add-on devices for trendy smartphones. The heyday of 360 cameras is now over, but there are still high-quality models on the market. The intended use has also changed. In the early days, it was all about delivering spherical video for VR headsets, which have since found a niche for gaming rather than media consumption.

Insta360 One X2

The Insta360 One X2 is one of the best 360 cameras for most people. In fact, like its predecessors, the Insta360 One X2 has the most innovative software and features, as well as being a great piece of hardware. The One X2 is larger than the Insta360 One X, but it is now a waterproof camera up to 10 meters deep and has a circular touchscreen display that allows you to preview video and change settings while recording. It also has a longer battery life of up to 80 minutes.

The One X has an updated image stabilization feature that makes even the shakiest videos smooth and can record 5.7k (5760 x 2880) video at 30 fps and 4K video at up to 50 fps. The FlowState image stabilization algorithm keeps footage smooth, and the TimeShift function lets you slow down or speed up specific sections of videos.

GoPro Max

If you want to capture immersive videos of sporting endeavors or outdoor adventures, the GoPro Max is a good alternative to the Insta360 One X2 close. It is waterproof to a depth of five meters without the need for a case, and the editing process is simple and elegant. If you want to convert the 360-degree video to a traditional 2D movie-one of the main advantages of 360-degree cameras-you can easily do so with the app’s OverCapture software, as long as you are satisfied with the final Full HD footage.

The Max also offers many of the features found in GoPro Hero action cams, including superior HyperSmooth stabilization and 360-degree TimeWarp sequences. The slightly inferior 2D video (which is the result of converting fisheye images) means that the Max is not the ultimate GoPro for 360-degree and standard shooting. But it is a fantastic option for those who want to shoot action sequences in all directions without having to decide where to point the camera, and then quickly edit them later. Still, it is one of the Best 360 Cameras that you can consider.

Ricoh Theta Z1

Ricoh’s Theta Z1 is the flagship model for 360 shooting. It is capable of 4K UHD30 spherical shooting and captures 360 photos at 23 MP. The 1-inch backlit CMOS sensor produces minimal noise in low-light outdoor or indoor conditions, perfect for virtual tours. The newly developed lens improves optical clarity and is designed with an aperture range of f/2.1-5.6 to reduce flare, chromatic aberration, and ghosting and increase the depth of field.

The Theta Z1 captures images in raw (DNG) and JPEG formats for flexible post-processing and features a four-channel microphone for realistic audio recording. The Theta Z1 can shoot both video and stills and also serves as a 4K live streaming device. Easily one of the Best 360 Cameras available on the market.

Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition

With the Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition, you get two cameras in one. Switch between the new 4K Boost Lens for stunningly detailed wide-angle video and the 360 Lens for endless creative possibilities. Buttery-smooth image stabilization no matter which lens you use. The powerful RS Core now offers in-camera FlowState stabilization when combined with wide-angle lenses. No processing is required.

with the 4K Boost lens, you can shoot 4x more megapixels of photos and ultra-detailed 6K widescreen video thanks to the new 48MP sensor. Invisible Selfie Stick. Don’t spoil the view with an ugly selfie stick. With the 360° lens, the invisible selfie stick completely disappears from your shots for impossible drone-like shots. Thus, this product is one of the Best 360 Cameras available right now.

Ricoh Theta X

Ricoh Theta X, to be launched in the first quarter of 2022, is Ricoh’s new 360-degree camera. It follows the Theta Z1, which has become a benchmark for creating virtual tours. The first thing that jumps out at you is the presence of a touchscreen on the camera, which sets it apart from its predecessors. It is large and responsive, allowing you to control the device and preview images/videos without having to connect it to the device.

The battery is also now removable, making it easy to solve long work sessions, but we would have preferred a larger capacity, as 1350 mAh is a bit low (about 30 minutes of video or 200 photos). As for storage capacity, the camera finally has a MicroSD card slot to add to the 46 GB of internal memory. This shows that Ricoh, which previously focused on photo quality, is making the Theta X more versatile and better equipped for video.

The Theta X has two sensors of 1/2 inch each, thanks to which it can take 360° Sphere photos with a resolution of 60 MP, much more than the competition. Overall, this results in good quality, sharp and dynamic photos. Indoors, the camera can reduce overexposure and capture a lot of detail with the auto-HDR mode. On the other hand, colors can sometimes appear dull and, unlike the Z1, the Theta X does not have a RAW mode to correct these color errors. However, you can manually adjust the bitrate, ISO, shutter lag and exposure via the touchscreen.

Matterport Pro2 3D

The Matterport Pro2 3D is an indispensable part of any real estate photographer’s arsenal. Thanks to its built-in motorized mount, it captures 360 images of a room and then delivers a full-resolution virtual tour directly to your smart home devices. Follow the simple set-up instructions to capture interiors and automatically get a floor plan and 3D model to navigate through. After editing the room, you can even go into the model and label or measure objects – ideal for renovations and online marketing.

The camera has 134 MP resolution, GPS, and can scan for up to 8 hours on a single charge (with a 4.5-hour charge time). It’s a bit larger and heavier than others on this list, and taking photos can take a bit longer (up to 30 minutes for a 100 square meter area), but that’s due to the 3D scanning and modeling technology. Currently, this is one of the Best 360 Cameras that you can buy right now.

Kandao QooCam 8K

A whopping 8K video resolution is a huge achievement for a 360° camera of this size. It is capable of downscaling to 4K and can record at 120 FPS for ultra slow motion. The 6-axis gyroscope combined with the IMU sensor and built-in technology provides in-camera stabilization for smooth shooting. Selfie shots from a monopod or selfie stick are also easy, as the camera automatically removes the stick for clean results. This Kandao QooCam 8K camera fits easily in a jacket pocket, making it ideal for use on the go. So, if you want one of the Best 360 Cameras, we highly recommend this product.

Samsung Gear 360

Samsung was one of the first companies to create a truly usable 360-degree camera, and although it has been a few years since the company released anything new, the 2017 Gear 360 camera is still a pretty useful and functional device. The Samsung Gear 360 has a fun, lollipop-like shape that makes it easy to hold in one hand and can even withstand some splashing. It also comes with a tripod mount, in case you want to attach it to your bicycle or something else.

The Gear 360 takes good photos and videos (up to 4K) and also allows live streaming on Facebook and YouTube. There are some major limitations, however. It only works with Samsung smartphones (Galaxy S6 and later), and although it works with iPhone 7 and later, not all camera functions are supported. However, if you have a Samsung smartphone, the Gear 360 is a great accessory. Easily one of the Best 360 Cameras available on the market.

GoPro Fusion

GoPro’s highly innovative camera has dropped significantly in price since its launch, so it’s worth considering if you can’t afford the newer GoPro Max. The GoPro Fusion can shoot 360-degree video in 5.2K resolution at 30fps (or 3K at 60fps), which is great, but the real trick was the introduction of Over Capture mode. Like the GoPro Max and Insta360 One X, you can use it to capture 360-degree footage and create a standard 16:9 video from it. Overall, it is one of the Best 360 Cameras that you can buy.

Along with GPS, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3D audio, and compatibility with existing GoPro mounts, the waterproof (to a depth of 5 meters) Fusion is a powerful camera at this price. The newer GoPro Max offers a front-facing screen, a more compact design, six microphones (up from four), and better image stabilization. It’s also been over a year since Fusion’s last software update. If these issues don’t bother you, it’s definitely worth considering if you need a waterproof 360-degree camera.

Rylo 360

Capture everything around you in 5. 8K 360 video. Create a normal HD video by selecting a traditional framing view within the 360 movie, or share a fully immersive 5.8K 360 video. With advanced stabilization and automatic horizon balancing, Rylo 360 makes your videos look like they were shot with professional stabilization equipment. Put yourself in the center of the action with a picture-in-picture that shows your facial expression as you capture a moment.

Control the camera perspective after the fact by tapping specific points of interest in your video. Ryle magically creates a fluid video that connects each of your points. create time-lapse videos in motion by speeding up the stabilized video in Ryle S. Determine how fast the video plays back (up to 16 times the normal speed) and create a professional-looking time-lapse. Thus, this product is one of the Best 360 Cameras available right now.

What are the benefits of using a 360 camera?

There are many reasons to use a 360-degree camera, especially for photography and videography. Here are a few of the main pros:

???? Immersive Content Creation: 360 cameras give you a full view of your surroundings, so you can make photos and videos that feel like you’re there. This content can be experienced in virtual reality (VR) or seen in an interactive way on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, making it feel like the viewer is really there.

???? Better Storytelling: 360-degree cameras give creators a more complete view, which lets them tell stories in new and interesting ways. Whether it’s a travel vlog, a tour of a house, or a report on an event, being able to show the whole environment gives the story more depth and context.

???? Setup is easy: With a 360 camera, you don’t have to set up multiple cameras or stitch together separate shots to get a wide view. This saves time and effort both during filming and in the editing process.

???? User Interaction: 360-degree content that is interactive encourages users to get involved. Viewers can choose where they want to look and from what angle. This makes the experience more personal. This can be especially useful for marketing, since people are more likely to be interested in content they can explore.

???? 360 Photography and Video: These cameras often let you take traditional photos and videos in addition to 360-degree content. Because of this, they can be used for many different projects and situations.

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