Discover the Best 360 Cameras for Every Shot in 2024

The most powerful 360-degree cameras allow you to take absolutely unique pictures and films. You can record video that can be fully examined by dragging on a screen or by deep diving with AR glasses, or it can be trimmed down to "flat" 2D. It can be a little complicated to properly understand, but most cameras and apps avoid this.

The entire scene is captured in the data produced by 360-degree cameras. Since 360-degree cameras almost often combine numerous camera photos into one, collecting various views that are then stitched together in software, they are somewhat large and appear awkward when lying flat.

The best 360 camera in 2024 are:

Insta360 X3

Specifications:

• Weight: 180g

• Dimensions: 114.0x46.0x33.1mm

• Stills resolution: 72MP

• Video resolution: 5.7K

• Memory: MicroSD

• Battery life: 81 minutes

• Waterproof: Yes, plus dive case available for 50m

Pros:

• Slim, pocket-sized dimensions

• Really easy to use

• Bigger touchscreen

• 4K Single Lens action cam mode

• Shot Lab feature for the adventurous

Cons:

• 5.7K doesn’t go far when you reframe video

• Active HDR can look washed out

The Insta360 X3 is the ultimate immersive and versatile video camera. It records everything around you, making it simple to produce 3D virtual reality content. Alternatively, you can edit your scenes as standard "flat" video using its software-based reframing tools, which let you track subjects, create panning shots, and essentially point the camera anywhere you want after the video has been recorded.

That being said, the Insta360 X3 feels more like an idea progression than a revolutionary leap ahead, even with all of its fantastic new capabilities. That will probably only be available to us in 12K capture format, with 4K movie export and resizing capabilities. However, most of the time, 360 is more about action than ultra-resolution, which most people may find difficult to process.

In that sense, the X3 remains among the most excellent, user-friendly, and thrilling 360-degree cameras available, and the software tools for PC, Mac, and phone—as well as plugins for programs like FCPX—have advanced significantly.

GoPro Max

Specifications:

• Weight: 163g

• Dimensions: 64 x 69 x 40mm

• Waterproof: 5m

• Stills resolution: 16.6MP

• Video resolution: 6K/5.6K stitched

• Memory: MicroSD

• Mount: Flip-out mounting feet

• Battery life: 78mins (5.6K)

Pros:

• Creates great-looking, dynamic clips

• Multi-function capabilities

• Solid app experience

Cons:

• No traditional 4K video capture

• No PC editing app (as of Nov 2019)

• App experience needs work

An excellent piece of gear is this 360-degree action camera. The GoPro Max has sufficient image and video quality for them to get it here on its own, but it also has a ton of user-friendly features that allow almost anyone to get a ton of use out of it, even if they are not really interested in 360-degree photography.

With the help of this fluid program, you can edit clips from 360-degree footage with relative ease, allowing you to capture excellent shots from any angle and quickly switch between them. The Max also boasts outstanding specs elsewhere, as we mentioned in our entire review. Its six-mic configuration makes it a very respectable vlogging camera, and its 1600mAh battery ensures you'll have enough energy for a day’s shooting.

Ricoh Theta X

Specifications:

• Weight: 170g

• Dimensions: 36.2 x 51.7 x 29mm

• Stills resolution: 60.5MP

• Video resolution: 5.7K 30fps

• Memory: MicroSD, plus 32GB internal storage

• Battery life: 30mins (5.6K)

Pros:

• 2.25-inch color touchscreen

• 60.5-megapixel still images

• Low light performance

Cons:

• Can’t capture in RAW

• Visible stitching lines

• Very short battery life

Depending on the type of content creator you are, the Ricoh Theta X may or may not appeal to you. Though it operates at greater resolutions than a GoPro, this 360° camera's image stabilization simply isn't as good if you're considering it as a GoPro action camera substitute. Theta X should be viewed suspiciously by vloggers just due to its inability to use an external microphone.

So, for whom is the Theta X designed? We are confident that the Theta X, with its numerous integrated and practical functions, will be a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for a high-quality, user-friendly, and versatile 360º camera, even though it is somewhat expensive.

Insta360 ONE RS 1-inch 360 Edition

Specifications:

• Weight: 239g

• Dimensions: 53.2x49.5x129.3mm

• Stills resolution: 21MP

• Video resolution: 6K

• Memory: MicroSD

• Battery life: 62 minutes (6K@30fps)

Pros:

• Really easy to film with

• Mobile app’s ShotLab and FlashCut

Cons:

• Screen a bit small for touch control

• Those 1-inch sensors hike the cost

The Insta360 ONE RS 1-inch 360 version is designed for serious filmmakers seeking the finest performance in low light conditions and image quality. Although it costs twice as much as the standard Insta360 One X2, we believe it is well worth the extra money given how much better it is in terms of clarity, dynamic range, and low light performance.

It feels really well-made, features a touchscreen that is wonderful for previewing footage but difficult to operate if you have large hands, and uses a 6-gyro FlowState stabilization system for incredibly smooth video, as we mentioned in our hands-on review. It's ideal for people who require truly professional-looking material because it's far less expensive than the Ricoh Theta Z1 and offers a significant quality improvement.

Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition

Specifications:

• Weight: 135.3g

• Dimensions: 70.1 x 49.1 x 43mm

• Stills resolution: up to 48MP

• Video resolution: 6K, 4K

• Memory: MicroSD

• Battery life: 75 / 82 mins

Pros:

• 4K and 360º lens options

• Unique modular design

• 6K widescreen mode

• Impressive ‘FlowState’ stabilisation

Cons:

• More expensive than first version

• Needs a carry case or bag

• Editing and exporting takes time

• Hi-res files require desktop software

Its ONE RS 360º lens remains the same as the first-generation model, which is consistent with our observation that the format has become a decent choice for infrequent use but needs a lot more work. Though most users will rely on its 4K Boost Lens, the lens does offer a lot of creative options, and we enjoy how the Insta360 app provides templates to build stylish 360º sequences from clips.

Although this is more powerful than the first model, we are not sure the 6K widescreen feature is truly helpful. The ability to record in stunning 4K, which is always incredibly smooth and sharp-looking, is far more helpful.

Kandao QooCam 3

Specifications:

• Weight: 189g

• Dimensions: 71 x 83 x 27mm

• Stills resolution: 64MP

• Video resolution: 5.7K

• Memory: MicroSD

• Battery life: To be confirmed

Pros:

• Detailed 64MP stills

• Promising phone app with tutorials & reframing

• Attractive price

• Good build quality

Cons:

• 5.7K loses detail when reduced

• Capturing with DNG8 introduces a workflow

• Desktop studio is a bit basic

It's comfortable to hold on a selfie stick for vlogging or taking immersive panoramas, and it looks great. The internal hardware is of high quality as well; the picture sensors are larger than those of the top-ranked Insta 360 X3 and there are no problems with early overheating.

In comparison to the top brands, Kandao's pricing is also quite reasonable; nevertheless,  its new software package is on level with the others. Although the company's 360-degree advancement has seen some setbacks, it is now on a positive trajectory and holds a sizable market share for 360-degree conference room cameras, so it is not to be thrown off.