Best 360-Degree Cameras for 2021. The Users’ Verdict.

What is a 360-degree camera?

When most of us first heard about 360-degree cameras, we could be forgiven for automatically assuming that they only took still images. After all, a camera is a camera and a video camera, which captures moving images, is a video camera. The distinction is clear and obvious – it is all in the name. And here comes the big surprise. More often referred to as a 360 camera or a 360-degree camera, it is predominantly a video camera, but with still image capability.

In short, 360° camera would let you take
this kind of (strange looking) photos and videos:

Photos by Bob Dass

And view them in any direction, like this:
(drag image to see more)

The basic principle of the camera is its ability, through having two directly opposing ‘fish-eye’ lenses that capture imagery in front of and behind the camera. Because the lenses are wide angle, the image captured is greater than 180 degrees, which means that when the front and rear images are connected, there is an overlap. That overlap is eliminated when the two images are ‘stitched together’ to create one flowing 360-degree image. Where video is concerned, 360-degree image capture has helped us create videos that, when looked a through a virtual reality (VR) headset, create a remarkable immersive experience.

Why 360-degree camera reviews from consumers matter so much

There is no shortage of top 360-degree camera reviews around, but have you spotted one of the biggest problems with most of them? They are written by so-called ‘experts’ and camera buffs who, undeniably, have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of cameras and photography. Curiously, you might think that is a good thing, but for most of us, it isn’t.

Why are ‘expert’ 360-degree camera reviews not ideal? Because what is important to experts, what appeals to them, and what gets them excited, is the technical stuff. Many of the reviews are written to impress us not about the 360-degree cameras being discussed, but to impress us about the reviewer’s knowledge and understanding of technical photography-related matters.

Sure, in some ways we value their opinion as to whether or not we should avoid or buy a particular camera, but their decision-making process will be based on details that, for most of us, aren’t entirely relevant. How many of us will choose a 360-degree camera because it has a QLED instead of standard LCD touchscreen – how many of us either know or would recognize the difference on such a small camera screen?

With 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) imagery now an (impressive) industry standard for digital video cameras and 5.7K the optimum for 360-degree images, do we need, or could we tell the difference if either resolution was increased to 8K or 9K – especially when the majority of us don’t have a computer screen or virtual reality (VR) headset capable of displaying 8K images, or even 4K UHD images for that matter?

Top 360-degree cameras — WYSIWYG

Another point worth mentioning is that 360-degree cameras are not ‘all singing and all-dancing’ cameras either. Their role in the whole scheme of things is to take 360-degree panoramic images and videos of a sufficiently good quality – end of story. The best way to describe all the best 360-degree cameras is ‘what you see is what you get’ or WYSIWYG. There is no focusing, no depth of field alterations, no f-stop to change, no shutter speeds to alter exposure levels – the list of things a 360-degree camera doesn’t have is appreciably longer than what it does. But isn’t that the real beauty of such a camera? To simply be able to take cool videos and great images, guaranteed, time after time, without having to read an instruction manual the thickness of a New York telephone directory is a joy.

So, who has been buying 360-degree video cameras?

• Those of you who love gadgets that do something different to the norm.
• Those of you who enjoy creating and sharing ‘immersive’ VR experiences.
• Those of you who have an artistic nature and want to create exciting new images.
• Those of you who can see a practical use for such a camera — e.g., realtors.
• Those of you looking to buy someone a present that is guaranteed to make the recipient smile (a lot).

What you believe is important in the best 360-degree cameras

There are also five principal characteristics of a 360-degree camera that will generally influence your decision-making process, the importance of each of varying depending on your reason for buying a 360-degree camera:

• Price
• Quality of imagery
• Ease of use
• Extras included, e.g., software
• Availability

Of course, there is one other factor that will have an influence on your choice of 360-degree camera, and that is camera reviews left by those of you who matter the most, the consumer.

Why now is a great time to buy one of the top 360-degree cameras

When a new and innovative product comes to market, there will always room for improvement and invariably the first versions are basic, to say the least. First-to-market 360-degree cameras were cashing in on the novelty factor and were never going to be the best 360-degree cameras. Additionally, the price of first-generation products tends to be extremely high, but over the period of a year or two, drops dramatically. Finally, when a new and exciting product hits the market, and especially a high-tech product, a group of the ‘usual suspects’ will rush to bring out similar products, but over time attrition will see several fall by the wayside as they have not succeeded in developing a product that is either good enough, or which meets most of the five characteristics mentioned earlier.

Here, you may be surprised to learn that Nikon, a name instantly associated with quality cameras, was one of the casualties in the 360-degree camera wars after it ceased production of its KeyMission 360 three years after its launch. However, what was bad news for them is good news for you. Why? Because while you may now have a reduced number of 360-degree cameras to choose from, they have stood the test of time, are now second-and third-generation cameras which have overcome problems/shortcomings identified with first-generation models, and are backed by many (hundreds of) thousands of happy purchasers, so you are choosing a 360-degree camera from ‘the best of the best’ options.

GoPro 360 Max

When it comes to negative reviews, it’s hard to find anyone who has anything particularly negative to say about the GoPro 360 Max. In virtually all 360-degree camera reviews the GoPro 360 Max comes out as one of the top 360-degree cameras which, put simply, means you can buy one in total confidence.

UHD image quality

So, what is it about the GoPro 360 Max that makes it one of the best 360-degree cameras available today? The answer comes specifically in the name – GoPro. Having established a fantastic reputation for action cameras, and especially the GoPro Hero9, much of that capability has been transferred to the 360 Max. What reviewers particularly like is the fact that in 360-degree mode you can stream live at 1080p and record 360-degree video at 5.6K ultra-high density (UHD) at a 30-frames-per-second rate, while in Super Photo mode, it can take amazing photographs at 16.6MP resolution, or 5.5MP in Hero photo mode.

Three high-quality cameras in one, with four digital "lenses"

With the GoPro 360 Max 360-degree camera you can also use it as two other camera types. You can shoot standard Hero-style video or capture static images, while you also have the option of narrow, linear, wide, or Max SuperView lenses.

Amazing audio

When it comes to 360-degree videos, if you are going to watch these on a virtual reality (VR) headset, then audio quality is also of great importance to enhance the ‘immersive’ experience. GoPro have all bases covered here with six microphones contained within the casing of the camera. Audio capability is also directional, which means this is a great camera for vlogging.

Insta360 One X2

For those of you who already know that you can make great use of a 360-degree camera, the Insta360 ONE X2 is going to take a lot of beating. 360-degree camera reviews for this particular model reveal it to be one of the best 360-degree cameras available that focuses heavily on 360-degree capability and at an affordable price point. That’s not to say that it doesn’t also take great photographs – it does – it just takes 360-degree photography to a new and exciting level.

Impressive specifications

It seems you like the slim and compact design of the Insta360 ONE X2, especially as it means this is a ‘take it with you, anywhere’ camera. Measuring 4.4” in length, 1.82” in width and only 1.17” thick, it’s remarkable to think that something so small can do so much. It captures 360-degree video at a cool resolution of 5.7K at 30 frames per second, while the stills camera captures 360-degree images at 18.4 megapixels.

Great sound for vloggers and for creating an immersive VR experience

Great images aren’t enough for vloggers, great sound is also critical, and Insta have included four microphones within the casing of the ONE X2 to capture ambisonic sound. As you can imagine, this also helps to create a wholly immersive experience when 360-degree footage is watched using a virtual reality (VR) headset.

Multiple image options in all modes

For stills, the ONE X2 takes 360-degree 18.4-megapixel photos and also has InstaPano mode that can create a 3:1 aspect ratio, 6-megapixel (4,320x1,440) shot from any photo. As a camera the One X2’s modes include HDR, Burst, Interval, Night Shot and PureShot (an AI-powered low-light mode), while also shooting in raw DNG format. Additional video modes include Standard, HDR, Timelapse, TimeShift (a time/perspective changer), Bullet Time (this effect slows down time during an action scene and pans around a subject) – all in Insta360’s INSV format – and Steady Cam (which is a new ultra-wide one-lens mode that captures regular GoPro-style footage) in MP4.

Smartphone compatibility

The ONE X2 is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones, though you will need to have one of the more recently released smartphones rather than older versions. As examples, these include the iPhone 8 or above, Samsung Galaxy S9 or above, or Huawei Mate 20 or above.

Ricoh Theta SC2

Unlike GoPro and Insta, Ricoh is a name that one already associates with high-spec SLR cameras – it is a tried and tested, trusted brand that shouts quality. This goes a long way to explaining why the Ricoh Theta SC2 is almost twice the price of other top 360-degree cameras. Is the higher price point worth it? Well, based on the number of people who have bought the Theta SC2, it would seem so and after you have read through our assessment below, you will have a clearer idea why this particular camera made it onto our list of the five-best 360-cameras currently available. Ricoh and quality are two words you will frequently find used in the same sentence when it comes to the Theta SC2.

Memory upgrade

Released in 2019, you might think that by now this model might have been upgraded, but as the expression goes, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it.’ In other words, what it could do in 2019 has stood the test of time and allowed this 360-degree camera to remain competitive. There has, however, been one important upgrade, and that relates to the camera’s memory. One complaint of the originally released Theta was the rather meager 19GB of storage. Today’s model should come with a far more practical 51GB of storage, so best to double-check in advance.

Good image stabilization, but not waterproof

The Theta Z1 uses three-axis rotational stabilization to provide smooth, judder-free video. The camera comes with an organic EL panel so you can check your settings at a glance, such as F value or ISO value. While the camera may not be waterproof, the casing is extremely well made from an extremely robust magnesium alloy. It doesn’t just look good; it feels good to the touch as well.

Behaves like an SLR still camera

There is a wealth of functions associated with video imagery for the Theta SC2. It operates using an Android-based system to which you can add a variety of functions by installing plug-ins. Ricoh has a dedicated Theta SC2 open plug-in AP. In still camera mode, camera-like features include the ability to save RAW(DNG)+JPEG and JPEG formats, while RICOH Theta Stitcher, a plug-in for stitching in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC, is provided free of additional cost. After developing RAW files, you can also create smooth spherical images.

Insta360 One R Twin

With the name Insta attached, it doesn’t take much to work out this is going to be one of the top 360-degree cameras out there. Where the camera name suggests, the Insta360 One R Twin is two cameras in one: A video camera for incredible 360-degree 5.7 K video, and an action camera that records at an impressive 4k resolution. The really good news is that the camera has also undergone a recent upgrade, which has added a few extra, useful features, such as Horizon Lock for the action camera and Loop Recording for when you are expecting something to happen, but you’re not 100% sure when. You can set up the camera on a 30-minute continuous recording loop.

It is perhaps a little unfair to say that this is only two cameras when, in reality, it is really three, because it takes brilliant still photographs with a resolution up to 19 megapixels, depending on the mod lens you are using.

Why 360-degree camera reviews are always positive for the 360 ONE R Twin

Getting as much ‘bang for your bucks’ is always the quest, and the 360 ONE R Twin doesn’t disappoint. While waterproof to 16 feet, that isn’t enough for Insta and in addition, inbuilt software includes the Aquavision 2.0 algortihm which dramatically improves the colour of underwater images which can invariably become saturated in green. Beyond this, the camera comes with two new features for its Shot Lab templates – Car Multiview, which displays both the road ahead and the interior of the car, while Overtaker enables you to have fun by overlaying the number of cars, trucks, or bikes you pass, similar to the affects you get in a video game. Of course, we mustn’t forget Horizon Flip which automatically mirrors your surroundings in the sky, creating a brilliant futuristic effect.

Vuze XR

There is something eerily familiar about the Vuze XR 360-degree camera. For those of you of a certain (vintage) age, if we said “Number 5 is alive!” that may give the game away. For those of you slightly younger, check out the robot in the film Short Circuit and you will instantly realise what we are talking about. The twin ‘bug-eye’ lenses give this camera a distinct character, and that’s before you discover why this is one of the best 360-degree cameras around at this price point, and why it has always received favorable 360-degree camera reviews across the board.

In-camera stitching is a huge bonus

As makes logical sense, when you capture images from two lenses whose field of view exceeds 180 degrees each, you will get an image overlap. The process to remove that overlap is called ‘stitching’ and is usually done using software and your smartphone or PC. With the Vuze XR, that stitching can automatically be done within the camera.

Image quality up there with the very best 360-degree cameras

The 360-degree camera records 360-degree video at a 5.7K resolution at 30 fps, while still photography resolution is an impressive 18 megapixels. While not the best post-production app in the world, the editing software which comes with the Vuze XR is still more than adequate. If there is any drawback, 360-degree video footage taken at 5.7k resolution can’t be viewed or edited on your smartphone, so you have to wait until you have access to your laptop or desktop PC before you can fiddle with those images.

360-degree video stitching

As previously mentioned, 360-degree cameras create one single image from two lenses which face in the opposite direction and which each capture an image, usually at a wide angle of 190 degrees or greater. As there are only 360 degrees in a full circle, this means that the two images captured by the two lenses overlap. As a consequence, those images require trimming and then connecting to create a seamless 360-degree image. This process is known as stitching.

Of the five cameras we have highlighted, only the Vuze XR has the capability of performing this stitching ‘in camera’, after which that video is exported in MP4 format. For most other cameras, the stitching process is done after the video files have been exported from the camera, and usually on a PC or laptop, to create an MP4 video. For these cameras, you have to download apps or appropriate software in order to carry out the editing and stitching processes on your smartphone or PC/laptop.

Another two 360-degree cameras which can perform in-camera stitching include the Labpano Pilot One IP65 and the Kodak Orbit 360, both which we mention in our “Worth considering” compilation at the end of this article.

Because so many of us have different reasons for wanting a 360-degree camera, what may be the best 360-degree camera for you may not be a top 360-degree camera for someone else. While you may want one you can take underwater, someone else may want one which can be attached to a drone. The choices are almost endless.

Creating a list of the top-five best 360-degree cameras runs a high risk of excluding a camera that could still be the #1 choice for somebody. As a consequence, we have three additional cameras you may want to consider, briefly listed below: