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The Whole World, in Your Hands
As the name implies, a 360-degree camera captures the entire world around it. The space has grown by leaps and bounds in the past year, with cameras coming in several shapes in sizes, and prices starting in the budget range and going all the way up to several thousands of dollars for pro-grade models.
If you're thinking about buying a 360-degree camera, you should first think about what you're going to use it for. Some models feature rugged, all-weather builds and also fit solidly in the action cam category. They're designed to be mounted on the top of a helmet, the front of a kayak, or the like.
![Streaming Streaming](/uploads/1/2/4/9/124990971/986797685.jpg)
If your needs aren't so outdoorsy, you can opt for a model that isn't rugged and likely save some money. The least expensive models we've tested are very small and plug directly into a smartphone, but quality isn't on the same level as cameras with large lenses and image sensors.
If your needs are more professional, you'll need to spend more than a couple hundred dollars. We haven't yet tested the Insta360 Pro, so it's not eligible for this list, but the $3,500 camera feature six lenses and captures video at 8K quality. The sample footage above, provided by Insta360, is the best we've seen from a 360-degree camera.
Beyond 4K
We're used to seeing small camcorders capture 4K footage, a format that squeezes 8MP of detail in each frame. Our favorite 360-degree cameras also shoot in 4K, but those pixels aren't limited to a 16:9 video frame. Instead they're stretched out across a sphere.
Because of this, we recommend you buy a model that can shoot beyond 4K if you've got the budget—the GoPro Fusion shoots at 5.2K and the YI 360 shoots at 5.7K. Our Editor's Choice Samsung Gear 360 is limited to 4K capture, but is one of the most affordable options on the market.
Models that shoot video at 2K resolution, typically 1,920 by 960 when stitched together for viewing, simply don't offer enough pixels to deliver the video quality that a generation of videographers weaned on HD capture are used to.
Post from RICOH THETA. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
There's also the question of whether you are more interested in still imaging or video. The vast majority of 360 devices are designed as video cameras that also shoot stills. If you're approaching things from the opposite perspective, consider a Ricoh Theta model. The Theta V offers 4K video capture, but older Theta models are limited to 2K recording.
Stitching and Editing
Because 360-degree cameras use multiple lenses to capture a scene, video must be stitched together in order to view it. Sometimes this is done in-camera, as with the Nikon KeyMission 360, and other times you'll need to use software to do so, as with the Samsung Gear 360.
Stitching can be a completely painless process, requiring just a little bit of CPU time from your computer or smartphone. But it's important to pay attention to the software. The now-discontinued first version of the Samsung Gear 360 (the new one is a lot better) came along with an absolutely painful software experience that made using an otherwise solid piece of hardware a major drag.
You should be aware that, even with the best models, there can be stitching problems when objects get too close to the camera. You'll have no problem with someone walking right up to the front of a lens, but the same subject getting close to the side may disappear into the ether. There is some overlap between multiple lenses to help blend the two halves of video together, but we've yet to see a device that can do it perfectly in all situations.
Once video is stitched into a flat equirectangular projection, you can edit it just like any other video file. The latest version of Adobe Premiere Pro CC handles 360-degree footage easily, and outputs it in a format that you can upload directly to YouTube or Facebook.
Viewing Footage: Screens and Goggles
The rise of inexpensive VR headsets has certainly driven the desire to capture immersive 360-degree footage you can view in a headset and navigate through by turning your head. It's too early to tell if this method of content consumption is here to stay, or simply a fleeting fad.
Immersive video and images can also be viewed on a traditional screen, be it phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. YouTube and Facebook allow you to embed videos and navigate through them with a mouse, or by tilting your phone in different directions. Facebook also lets you upload 360-degree pictures (YouTube doesn't), but if you want to share them without giving folks access to your Facebook profile, you can use a free hosting service like Vizor.
Right now, most 360 footage is simply viewed in this manner. But that limits what you can do. We've seen some players introduce software tools to crop footage to 16:9, taking advantage of the wide swath recorded by dual lenses. GoPro offers the feature with its 5.2K Fusion camera, and you also get it with the Rylo and Insta360 One, both of which record at 4K.
The trick is that the software scans the frame for you, highlighting important parts, and does so using some very slick pans and zooms, all while mixing up speed between standard and slow-motion. It's a glimpse into what 360-degree capture can really accomplish as a storytelling tool.
Featured 360 Camera Reviews:
Samsung Gear 360 (2017) Review
MSRP: $229.99Pros: Improved 4K video capture. Smaller and lighter than previous version. Supports live streams. Compatible with iOS and macOS. Affordable.Cons: Not submersible. 4K footage limited to 24p frame rate. 4K files are huge. Android support limited to Samsung handsets. Live streaming not supported on all platforms. Non-removable battery.Bottom Line: Samsung's second version of the Gear 360 improves on the original, delivering better video and a more refined user experience.Read ReviewGoPro Fusion Review
MSRP: $699.99Pros: Captures 360-degree video at 5.2K resolution. OverCapture brings life to 360 footage. Photo and time-lapse modes. Rugged build. Strong image stabilization. Compatible with GoPro mounting system.Cons: Pricey. Video stitching requires some serious horsepower. Mobile OverCapture editing tools need a little work. Huge file sizes. Gets very warm when recording.Bottom Line: The GoPro Fusion lets you do more with 360-degree video than other cameras, but its mobile software experience could use some refinement.Read ReviewKodak Pixpro SP360 4K Review
MSRP: $449.00Pros: Captures 360-degree video. Records in 4K. Wi-Fi with NFC. Standard tripod mount. Available with accessory bundle. Waterproof housing available.Cons: Disappointing smartphone and desktop software. Video edges are soft. Purple fringing in high contrast areas. 360-degree video has a long way to go.Bottom Line: The Kodak Pixpro SP360 4K is one of the first 360 degree cameras to add 4K support, but resolution is still a problem with the format.Read ReviewNikon KeyMission 360 Review
MSRP: $499.95Pros: Pre-stitched 360-degree 4K video. 29MP still capture. Waterproof to 100 feet. Wi-Fi remote control. Electronic vibration reduction. Mac and Windows desktop software.Cons: Doesn't double as a traditional action cam. Seams visible at close distances. Short battery life. Huge file sizes. 4K resolution at 24fps only. No mic input. Mounts aren't GoPro compatible.Bottom Line: The Nikon KeyMission 360 is the easiest 360-degree camera to use and delivers strong quality video, but the technology is still in its infancy.Read ReviewRicoh Theta SC Review
MSRP: $299.99Pros: Slim, compact design. 360-degree still and video capture. Manual exposure control. Easy operation. Stands up on its own. Tripod socket. Available in multiple colors.Cons: Underwhelming video quality. Splintered smartphone app ecosystem. Slow video transfer to phone. No live streaming support.Bottom Line: The Ricoh Theta SC camera offers a stills-first approach to 360-degree capture, bucking the trend of competing devices geared more toward video.Read ReviewRicoh Theta V Review
MSRP: $429.95Pros: Slim, handheld form factor. Dual f/2 lenses. 14.5MP imaging and 4K video capture. External microphone support. Live streaming support. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Works with Android and iOS.Cons: Video locked at 30fps. Waterproof case is an additional purchase. Internal, non-expandable storage. Expensive.Bottom Line: The Ricoh Theta V supports 4K 360-degree video and boasts a mic input, but it's more expensive than competing models and not waterproof.Read ReviewRylo Review
MSRP: $499.00Pros: 360-degree video capture. Slick software editing solution. Automated stabilization and leveling. Swappable battery.Cons: Pricey. Finished video could look better. Editing software needs some improvement. Cable required for file transfer to phone. No Android support at launch.Bottom Line: The Rylo camera captures 360-degree video, but with the intent of cropping and displaying it in a traditional manner. It's a great concept, but it needs more pixels to deliver clear results.Read ReviewVuze VR Camera Review
MSRP: $799.00Pros: Records 360 degree video in 2D and 3D. Compact design. Wi-Fi remote control via phone. Dust- and splash-resistant design. Multiple color options.Cons: Pricey. Editing software for Windows only. No exposure adjustment via phone app. Records at 30fps only. Footage is watermarked. No mobile workflow. Omits external microphone input.Bottom Line: The Vuze VR records 360-degree footage in 3D, but you pay a premium compared with other cameras.Read ReviewYI 360 VR Camera Review
MSRP: $399.00Pros: Strong 5.7K video quality. Supports 4K live streaming. Works independently of a phone. Standard tripod socket. Reasonable price.Cons: 5.7K video must be stitched using desktop software. Desktop software is Windows only. Not weather resistant. Can overheat at 5.7K.Bottom Line: The YI 360 VR Camera captures some of the best-looking 360-degree footage we've seen, but its desktop editing tools are limited.Read Review