With the best 360 cameras, you can capture images and videos that are quite unlike anything else. You can capture video which can be explored edited down to "flat" 2D or explored in full by dragging on a screen or deep-diving using AR glasses. Understanding it fully can be a little technical, but you probably won't need to – the best cameras have apps which help you side-step this.
The files created by 360-degree cameras record the whole scene, so it's the camera's job to see everything and, ideally, ignore any device you use to hold the camera – this is why selfie sticks (or 'invisible selfie sticks') are common.
It is also why the positioning of the lenses opposite each other matters in the design, and the camera software's ability to both stitch the image from the two together and, ideally, to compensate for the camera's movement – stabilization, just like other action cameras. This is less relevant in stills, of course!
Atop that there are a lot of cool effects you can apply by changing the framing; zooming in and out beyond common sense to create 'tiny planets' and the like. This is where a good ecosystem – and good apps – put some cameras ahead of others. Keyframing is one way, but AI to track people really helps, and makes the apps quicker. As well as separate apps, plugins for leading editing programs can speed things along. Ultimately you have tremendous versatility with a 360-degree camera; it almost doesn't matter where you point it.
If you're feeling lost, don't worry – jump to our section on how 360 imaging works, which will get your head around the basics. Thankfully, though, several of the cameras have helped out here a lot too, as you'll see. The cost of entry is a lot less than you might expect, too. And on that note, let's dive in and count off the best 360 cameras you can buy right now.
Adam Juniper
Adam has been obsessed with looking at cameras and gadgets for his whole life, and has written several bestselling books including The Drone Pilot's Handbook (he is our resident drone expert too). He owns and travels with a 360-degree camera, and tests as many as he can get his hands on.
The Insta360 'X' series has been refined over several generations, and now is sharp with 8K resolution, snappy and responsive, plus – crucially – easy to use with excellent software that'll suit fun users and serious creators. Read more below...
With impressive hardware specs and especially good low-light performance, this is a great choice at a relatively low cost. The software offers fewer choices, but enough possibilities for exploration. Read more below...
With high-res 60.5MP still images, a 1/2-inch sensor, and 5.7K 360º video, the Ricoh Theta X's specs are up there, but the auto HDR feature makes it ideal for virtual tour photos. Read more below...
The Insta360 X3 dropped in price when my new favourite the X4 came out, but this is still a very powerful device with great features and the benefits of Insta360's class-leading apps. Read more below...
The GoPro Max 360 camera set an exciting simplistic standard for 360-degree cameras in 2020, and while newer cameras offer more, it still has charms and GoPro's robust design. Read more below...
If you're looking to work in low light, or just need better specs, then this is the more serious contender that you need, backed up by the quality software of Insta360. Read more below...
This camera is so limited that it can’t shoot regular stills or 360-degree video – but that’s the point. With a rotating mechanism and one-click operation, it’s designed for effective and foolproof capture of virtual panoramas. Read more below...
This is one of the best 360-degree cameras around for overall image quality, with a relatively large image sensor, 10-bit color and that mighty resolution. And the color and contrast you get are really something special. Read more below...
The best 360 camera in 2024
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Video resolution: 8K 30fps / 5.7K 60fps / 4K 100fps
Memory: MicroSD
Battery life: 75 min at 8K / 135 min at 5.7K
Waterproof: Yes 10m (dive case for 50m)
Reasons to buy
+
Really easy to use
+
2.5-inch touchscreen
+
4K 60fps Single Lens action cam mode
+
Shot Lab feature for the adventurous
+
Mic compatibility features
Reasons to avoid
-
Warms up fast in 8K
-
8K mode not well suited to low light
Buy it if:
✅ You want sharp 360 video: The 8K makes for much more flexibility than most other
✅ You want a great all-rounder: The camera is powerful enough to turn itself to nearly any task, including one-camera action camera modes.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You are on a tight budget: There are cheaper options (including the previous generation X3) which still provide a lot of quality.
❌ You want top-notch low-light: With 1/2-inch sensors the HDR is good, but low-light performance is only so-so.
When I tried this camera, I knew immediately it would find itself at the top of this buyer's guide. It's a great choice for people like me (owners of the X3 looking for more resolution and processor power) and an equally sensible choice for anyone getting into 360-degree photography for the first time, whether their goals are serious content creation or fun.
A couple of things set the camera apart. A big one is the Insta360 software, which is comfortably ahead of the offerings from others at the moment. As well as an excellent phone app (iOS/Android), there is an Insta360 Studio for Mac/PC and plugins for Premiere and Final Cut Pro so creating content can happen almost immediately for social, or in careful detail later. The AI subject tracking is excellent too, saving hours in manual keyframing compared to GoPro's offering.
That, though, is available with the X3 too. The headline feature here is the 8K resolution, and the processing power which delivers it. The boost makes for significantly better quality, especially when zooming into video in the edit. It also provides a lot of other upgraded resolutions, like single action camera mode at the crucial 4K60fps threshold, as well as features like bullet time now at 5.7k/120fps.
Other refinements exist too, like the removable lens covers which make the device extra rugged and the ability to connect microphones. All seem to result from a company listening to its customers and making improvements over generations. Whenever improvements suit the users like that things are good (and a word to the wise – this camera's 5-star review was earned in 2024, not 2020).
With the best resolution and feature set in the business, there is little to complain about here.
★★★★★
Design
With a big, usable screen, robust housing, and removable lens guards this surprisingly robust as well as supremely practical.
★★★★★
Performance
While the system is responsive, and the images are great in good light, the sensors are no bigger than the previous generation so 360 video isn't really a low-light game for the X4.
★★★★☆
Value
While there are cheaper cameras (not least this camera's predecessor) the X4 can also serve as a good 4K action camera, so the price is hard to complain about, especially with the leap to 8K 360.
✅ You want to try 360-degree photography: With a low cost of entry the QooCam is a great way to experience 360-degree video.
✅ You want decent low-light performance: The wide aperture sensors don't do a bad job at all.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to transfer beyond your phone: No Mac/PC apps were on offer when I tested it.
❌ You want a long battery life: I found the battery didn't manage half an hour.
This simplistic-looking 360-degree camera is very appealing because of its price. The dual 1/1.55-inch sensors and ƒ/1.6 apertures collects a good amount of light and not only captures good-looking 5.7K video but up to 62-megapixel stills, putting it close to the Insta360 X3 or the GoPro Max it seems to draw some appearance cues from.
It looks and feels good, and can be held on a selfie stick for vlogging or capturing immersive panoramas. Hardware quality extends inside too – I have found no issues like early overheating, though admittedly the battery life is surprisingly short, at about 30 minutes.
Compared to the leading brands, though we've not had time to be sure whether Kandao's new software suite quite matches up to the others. There certainly isn't the same level of support – no Mac/PC app – but the phone app connects to the device and allows transfer to social in a way which means you can have fun experiencing 360-degree.
Kandao is clearly on a good trajectory (and it doesn't hurt that company produces high-end pro 360-degree cameras and owns a good chunk of the 360-degree conference room camera market too). Pricing, though, is where this camera really shines.
That's also interesting because the camera has an 8K sibling, now available, called the QooCam 3 Ultra – which is similar looking, but taller. This suggests a decent level of confidence in the series from Kandao, which feels well-earned based on this. The Ultra is in the honourable mentions here because (at launch anyway) the value is open to doubt, but do check it out.
While you're "restricted" to 5.7K, that is fine; you will be more dependant on platforms like YouTube's ability to display 360-degree video though as, aside from the phone app, there isn't a lot from Kandao.
★★★☆☆
Design
The camera housing feels high quality, and the aesthetics work well.
★★★★☆
Performance
There is a slight sluggishness to the system, but if you keep your phone with you you'll have no problems.
★★★☆☆
Value
The lower cost of entry makes this a very appealing choice, though it is now in some contention with the price-reduced Insta360 X3 which can bring better software to the table.
✅ You want to shoot for virtual tours: The auto HDR and built-in GPS features are ideal for this
✅ You want good low-light performance: Again by automating the shooting of HDR images, good resolution is achieved in low light
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to shoot action: Frankly the insta360 X4 is better and cheaper.
❌ You're looking to keep costs down: The price is definitely high based on the spec sheet alone.
I've got to be clear straight away: this is very much a niche choice – but 360-degree photography serves niches, and virtual tour content is an important one.
Whether the Ricoh Theta X is going to appeal to you will depend on what kind of content creator you are. If you're looking at this 360° camera as an alternative to an action camera like the Insta360 X series, then bear in mind that its image stabilization just isn’t as good. Vloggers should also look at the Theta X with suspicion purely because you can’t use an external microphone with it.
So who is the Theta X actually for? It's for people who need to shoot a virtual tours fast. It can be placed on a monopod with tripod feet in its automated HDR mode and capture a 62 megapixel image which can be placed into a tool like Matterport to create a virtual tour – handy for realtors.
This is a feature that put it along way ahead of the competition when it launched, but to be fair its pricing and limited powers in the broader feature scope do put it at a bit of a disadvantage; for many virtual tours it is possible to use the technically slightly higher resolution images from an Insta360 X3 or X4.
When combined with its excellent coloring and low-light abilities, though, the Theta X’s abilities do look good even in average looking apartments. Its lack of RAW capture slightly undermines that option for some, but the realtor on the go may feel this is a wise choice.
The automated HDR stood out at launch, but now this camera faces stiff competition from generalists. The lack of a smartphone download feature feels historic.
★★☆☆☆
Design
Styling and plastic edging might not be rugged, but there is a certain chic
★★★☆☆
Performance
It is dated, and lacks RAW functionality, and – while it can shoot video – the stabilization isn't up to modern standards.
★★★☆☆
Value
Unless you've got a specific purpose in mind, this feels like dubious value compared to more feature-rich alternatives
✅ You want a good all-rounder: The Insta360 X3 still has great software and good features despite a few extra months!
✅ You want to save a bit of cash: This might not be the cheapest option here, but it's great value because of the apps and quality.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the latest and greatest: The newer X4 has 8K resolution and an improved battery.
❌ You want the most rugged option: If you need lens guards for the X3, they need to be stuck on.
The Insta360 X3 was the ultimate immersive and versatile video camera until the X4 came out, trumping the X3's 5.7K capture with 8K. Nevertheless the camera still captures everything around you, enabling you to create 3D VR content easily or use its software-based reframing tools to edit your scenes as regular ‘flat’ video, where you can track subjects, create panning shots, and basically point the camera where you like AFTER you’ve shot your video, albeit at slightly lower resolution.
For most quick action shots, and things you throw onto social, you will likely find the extra resolution isn't essential, while the lower price of this now older model is appealing – and it's still newer and more powerful than the GoPro Max!
The Insta360 X3 itself was an evolution of the concept (yep, it was called the X2) rather than a giant leap forward, so it already has some improvements that makes it user friendly. It can be held in one hand, though I usually prefer to user it on a selfie stick – which becomes an 'invisible selfie stick'. thanks to the device. All the key features are available via the touchscreen, and the device is waterproof for a few meters even without a housing.
At the moment, Insta360 seems to be leading the game, and that is evidenced by their software – just about the best, friendliest, and most exciting on the market, and the software tools on phone, Mac & PC (as well as plugins for the likes of FCPX and Premier Pro) have come a long way.
I tried the X3 on a real vacation successfully, and another benefit of this camera's dominance is the range of accessories, including dive cases and more.
✅ You love the GoPro ecosystem: The Insta360 X3 still has great software and good features despite a few extra months!
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the latest and greatest: GoPro is way behind now — and there are rumors of a new model.
❌ You want the best resolution: The Insta360 X3 comfortably surpassed the Max; now the X4 has 8K.
There's no denying that my colleague who reviewed the this 360-degree action camera was impressed – rightly given the fact it harks from 2019 and remains an impressive piece of hardware. The image and video quality of the GoPro Max are good enough to make this list, and in some aspects can compete with the Insta360 X3 even now, though that device (let alone the X4) are definitely more advanced in many respects.
GoPro fans, however, can still enjoy the swathe of intuitive features that mean pretty much anyone can get loads out of it, even if they have little interest in 360-degree imaging. GoPro has also gone to a good deal of effort to create an editing app to allow easy "Shoot first, frame later" editing, but it relies on keyframing rather than automated subject tracking.
The Max does boast an excellent six-mic setup, making it a highly credible vlogging camera, and the 1600mAh battery means you'll have enough charge for a day's shooting.
On the other hand, it's a fairly pricey option and lacks a dedicated 4K video capture that you'll find on some rivals like those from Insta360. If you like the GoPro 'feel' then while I'd still urge you to try Insta360 Studio before you make your mind up, you'll certainly find the polish you like here.
Our advice, though, for devoted GoPro fans unable to convert to the clearly better alternatives on this list is to wait a little longer – there have been rumors of a Max 2.
GoPro is well behind the game on resolution, but at least they've got stabilization and other action camera functionality.
★★★★☆
Design
An elegant square affords a more natural screen alignment for many. Nicely robust.
★★★★☆
Performance
As well as being behind in the resolution game, the stitching could be better.
★★★☆☆
Value
With a newer model expected, it doesn't feel like the best time to invest in the Max unless you're a die-hard brand loyalist or there is a good deal to be had.
✅ You want good low-light: The large image sensors offer impressive low-light abilities even now
✅ You love Leica: The co-engineering with Leica on the lenses seems to pay off!
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to keep the cost down: Expect to pay more then even the higher-res X4
❌ You want good battery life: The battery block of the system is only 1350mAh
The Insta360 ONE RS 1-inch 360 edition is aimed at the serious filmmaker who is after the best image quality and low-light performance. It might be twice the price of the regular Insta360 One X2 but we think considering how much better it is in terms of low-light performance, dynamic range, and clarity it's definitely worth it.
As we noted in our hands-on review, It feels very well made, uses a 6-gyro FlowState stabilization for super-smooth video, and has a touchscreen which is great for previewing footage but not so easy to use if you have big hands. It's considerably cheaper than the Ricoh Theta Z1 and offers a big step-up in quality so perfect for those needing really professional-looking content.
When I got to grips with it myself, what I noticed was that it still feels like a consumer product, but there is something magical about the size of the image sensors. Having more recently reviewed the X4, I do realise that this camera is now in a very small niche; you need to want less noise in lower light or the X4 will seem a more obvious choice.
To be honest I also found the 1-inch display a little compact compared with newer devices like the X3 and X4.
Good range of features like star lapse, and Ista360's excellent editing software make this versatile.
★★★★☆
Design
Simple – can be held and used without a stick. You can't say it's not innovative, but the screen is a little small and the 'some assembly required' approach isn't especially helpful.
★★★★☆
Performance
The bigger sensors do afford better low light, like indoors
★★★★☆
Value
This is definitely not this camera's strong point; it's a lot more expensive than the more modern X4 for a marginal improvement in some conditions.
✅ You want to shoot stills: This is all about shooting detailed images, perhaps for virtual tours
✅ You need to avoid stitching marks: By rotating the camera, there aren't two images to stitch
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want video: The technology prevents it
❌ You want to shoot fast: You need to wait while the motor turns the camera
Designed for businesses that have a need to produce a lot of static virtual tours, the Trisio Lite2 is a very simple device that’s incredibly easy to use. Its 360º photos are excellent and easily good enough for use on virtual tours and for showing off event spaces and hotel rooms online.
The 8K boast is less impressive than its ability with HDR, which helps create vibrant and dynamic spherical images that excel in high contrast environments, but also in low light.
It’s no 360º action camera, with VR-style video off the table. Patience is required, too, since it takes the Trisio Lite2 30 seconds just to light-meter and take a single 360º photo. However, used slowly and carefully the Trisio Lite2 is one of the most limited, and yet the most capable, 360º cameras around that does one thing very well indeed.
The camera got a big boost when a PC & Mac app finally came along after launch, so USB – not just phone – transfer was possible.
Not many stars here because there aren't meant to be – this is a one-job device.
★★☆☆☆
Design
A little meh, to be honest, but a simple one-touch approach means you can entrust it to realtors.
★★★☆☆
Performance
After a software update to 1.2, it takes surprisngly good smooth-stitched images without excessive saturation.
★★★★☆
Value
To my mind, even with the improved app capable of batch processing, it's still had to justify compared to the prices of generalist 360-degree cameras like the X3.
✅ You want quality: Though there is now a new consumer 8K cam from KanDao, this broadcast tool is actually a value proposition against very high-end gear.
✅ You want to live broadcast: With a built-in ethernet socket, you can stream with no interruption.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want an 8K camera as a consumer: To be honest, Kandao – not to mention Insta360 – have cheaper options!
❌ Battery life is important to you: Frankly, it's not great.
The QooCam 8K Enterprise is very much a niche product; Kando themselves now offer a more 8K-friendly consumer product (which effectively replaces the QuoCam 8K for most). This, however, is listed in their professional section and remains one of the best 360 cameras right now for image quality because it has a massive (by 360 standards) 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, 10-bit color, and, of course, the 8K resolution.
It's expensive, but it isn't the 5 figure sum that some of the pro 12-megapixel gear is, so if you're looking for photos that have plenty of colors and contrast (like nothing we’ve seen before from a camera like this when the camera was launched) and are prepared to put up with the less-than-slick software that Kandao offer, this is a good choice.
The ability to spit out a great-looking photo from a 360º video is welcome, while the detail, sharpness, and smoothness of video – whether in 360º or cut down to widescreen – itself makes the QooCam 8K a giant leap forward for creative filmmakers.
We did list some negative points in our review, most notably that it does have an audible fan, however, the battery life isn't great and it's not waterproof without a housing. It was also pretty expensive, and we'd suggest that this probably isn't the right device to buy if you can wait until the QooCam 3 Ultra (see QooCam 3) starts shipping.
When launched, the highest resolution was THE feature, though 10-bit color didn't hurt.
★★★★☆
Design
Nice big screen, though somehow the styling more or uess entirely fails to please the eye. That's hardly an issue with broadcast geatr though!
★★★☆☆
Performance
Decent app with SmartClip tools / 'ExpressEdit' – don't expect to run off the battery long.
★★★★☆
Value
Value has taken a kicking thanks to the Insta360 X4 for most users, but for pros the Ethernet port is what you're paying for and the usability is something you'll work around!
The Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra is the 8K version of the Kandao QooCam 3 (on this list). At its launch price (which, we suspect, might come down a bit) it doesn't offer excellent value in comparison to the Insta360 X4, but it still has some nice touches, including 96-megapixel stills, and is will worth checking out.
FAQs
How does 360 imaging work?
When visualizing how 360-degree images are captured, imagine someone photographing a sphere from the inside, making sure they get every contour of its inner surface. That’s essentially what 360-degree cameras do – place you in the centre of a sphere, and use extremely wide-angle lenses to capture everything around that point.
The sensors are ordinary ‘flat’ types, but the key is in the lenses, which are extreme fisheyes capable of capturing a 180-degree view, placed back to back. This captures two hemispherical images, which are then merged to produce the final 360-degree image. A viewer can then explore this image with a mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, or VR headset, depending on how they’re viewing the image.
Taking 360-degree videos is, naturally, more complex than stills, as the action all around the viewer will continue even if they’re not looking at the portion of the image where it’s happening. As streaming platforms get more sophisticated, live 360-degree broadcasts are also becoming more common, which is an unparalleled way to immerse yourself in an unfolding event (short of, y’know, actually being there).
Editing 360-degree imagery can be a daunting task, though it is possible to divide them up into smaller ‘windows’ to handle individually, giving yourself a bit more control. In stills, you can crop out one of these windows entirely and export it as a ‘flat’ image. In the video, this flexibility allows you to essentially simulate camera movements like tracking, panning, and zooming, even though your shot was captured from a fixed position. Handy!
There is one thing to be aware of when dealing with 360-degree imagery, which specifically is resolution. As the surface area of a 360 image is much larger than a conventional one, 12MP on a 360-degree camera means something pretty different than 12MP does on a DSLR, and you can’t crop in as close expecting the same level of detail.
We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio.
Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts and quoted in line widths/picture height, which is independent of sensor size. Dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and the results are expressed as EV values. DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range, with results quoted as a signal-to-noise ratio. We typically choose three competing cameras to offer a performance comparison and some context.
More importantly, we get out there in the world and shoot some 360-degree video. This gives us the opportunity to experience the stitching – do the lenses line up and create a spherical view, or are there lens problems? Is it easy to manipulate the preview?
It is also the only way to experience a type of cameras which depend, as 360-degree photography does, so heavily on software to offer the best feature set. Effects which might seem a novelty can actually be the basis of great social video (not to mention the beginning of a whole world of goggles-friendly AR content.
We also test significant accessories – for example 360-degree cameras require special cases for underwater photography, so we did a full real-world review on the Insta360 X3 Invisible Dive Case.
Amazon Prime Day is taking place on July 16-17, and the best Prime Day camera deals can be very tempting, but we don't see the same scale of discounts as Black Friday. Some camera companies don't offer Prime deals at all, and even exclude Amazon from their own rebate schemes. With stock being volatile, our advice is that if you're ready to buy a product then jump on it now – prices probably won't fluctuate much, but stock levels will!
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With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones.
Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones.
