The Best 360 Camera of 2025

What is a 360 camera?

A 360 camera is a device that uses two or more lenses and image sensors to capture a 360-degree field around the camera.

What can you do with 360 videos and photos?

There are two main ways you can shoot with 360 cameras. The first, and the most common, is to convert videos and photos into “smooth” images that can be posted on any social media site. So, for example, you record a 360 video while walking, then you convert the video to 9:16 TikTok or Instagram format that only shows the highlights of your trip. The video is very stable (no shake), and can have pans and zooms that are smoother and more professional looking than possible with a traditional camera. Because the camera captures everything, you don’t have to worry about where the camera is pointed.

Another option is to use 360 ​​degrees as a 360 degree. This is a small way to send and share. Facebook and YouTube are the main platforms that support 360. Surround images and videos can be viewed on any phone, usually by moving the phone around as if the viewer is “inside” the image. Or, they can be viewed using a headset that you can “peek” into if you’re there. Google’s Street View uses a high-quality 360 camera installed in a car, but anyone can upload 360 photos to enhance it.

Are 360 ​​cameras difficult to use?

In some ways 360 cameras are easier to use than traditional cameras. There is no “goal.” “You don’t point-and-shoot” so to speak. You pick up a camera 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 this video so high? My TV is only 4K

Because the camera records everything, additional adjustments are necessary to make the results look good. Look at it this way: Your TV offers 4K to reproduce the screen image. A 360 camera captures everything above and below the TV, and everything around it, so it needs more pixels. Usually, this recording is converted in the camera software into something that can be displayed on a phone or TV. The 16:9 aspect ratio of an 8K 360 video may be 4K, or it may be less, depending on how you choose to convert the video.

Is a 360 camera necessary for a virtual tour?

No. The 360 ​​camera is a great way to create Matterport-style tours based on location. Because they can capture everything around the camera, they’re faster than using a camera mount on your phone.

Is it easy to damage glass?

Yes! I’ve damaged several 360 cameras with small drops that wouldn’t affect a phone or action camera. Because of the way they work, the lenses protrude from the camera body. So if it falls on a hard surface, there is a good chance that you will tear or scratch the lens, then this will show up in all your photos and videos as mud or dark spots or worse, ruining everything you have captured.

Some models, like the Insta360 X4, offer removable protectors. This is perfect if you want to protect your money or sometimes you are in a pinch. Most come with soft cases, but it’s best to get a hard case if you want to throw the camera in a bag.

When is the best time to buy a 360 camera?

Like most products, cameras are often discounted on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Days (even if you shop at other stores like Walmart and Best Buy). Generally, cameras depreciate later in their lives, so six to eight months after release, you’ll start to see deep discounts. Insta360 also has a history of keeping older cameras in its lineup at lower prices. For example, the X3 is our current pick that was released in 2023 and is still a great camera at a lower price than when it came out.

What are the best 360 camera companies?

The 360 ​​camera market is very small. There are three major companies: Insta360, Kandao and Ricoh. Ricoh started this 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 the leader of the group and has been for years.

Other companies have stepped in instead, including Nikon, Kodak and camera heavyweight GoPro with the Hero Max.

What about 360 cameras with multiple lenses and sensors?

The cameras we recommend are all consumer cameras. There are professional models with additional lenses and sensors that provide high-quality photos and videos. This is all very expensive and beyond the scope of this book.