A 360-degree camera isn't a must-have device for
everyone. But if you've had an itch to create some VR-friendly video,
or simply want to add a new gadget to your camera bag, it can be an
enticing proposition. Although we're very much in the early days of VR,
there is now an entire range of options from entry-level to professional
With services like Facebook and YouTube adding
360-degree photo and video support, maybe it's time you became the envy
of your social media circle.
Ricoh Theta V
Ricoh's Theta V is one of the most well-reviewed cameras on the market, and can capture full 360-degree 4k video at 30 fps. It's The Wirecutter's top choice
as best overall 360-degree camera, replacing Ricoh's older Theta S. At
around $400, it's one of the more expensive models before you start
climbing into professional rigs, but it's by far the best of the bunch.
Garmin Virb 360
Love by The Wirecutter and Tom's Guide
for its high-quality video packed inside the most rugged casing of the
bunch, the Virb is more of a 360-degree action cam than just a normal VR
camera. It can shoot video in 5.7k quality and it's even waterproof up
to 30 feet.
Of course, all of this quality
comes with an equally high price, but if you're interested in exploring
the new frontier of VR action shots, you won't find a better sub-$1,000
camera for getting the job done.
360fly 4K
If you're looking for something comparable to the Theta V, the $500 360fly 4K
could be a better fit. Its rugged and waterproof ball-shaped design
means it can be withstand some punishment, and as the name suggests, it
captures full 4K video, which you're going to want if you have
aspirations beyond sharing on social media.
Unlike
the Theta S, however, the 360fly relies on a single lens that doesn't
quite capture true 360-degree video; you'll get a full 360-degrees
horizontally, but only 240-degrees vertically. Tom's Guide was especially pleased with its easy of use and video quality, but notes that both the battery and storage are non-replaceable.
Samsung Gear 360 (2017)
The second generation of Samsung's Gear 360
works with newer Samsung phones and iPhones, but it's an option worth
seriously considering if you happen to have one of those. You'll get 4K
video and full 360 images, which can also be used individually to simply
capture wide-angle images. The Wirecutter found it wasn't quite as good as the Theta V, but it's also going at a fraction of the price.
There are ways to make this camera work for
non-Samsung Android phones, but it requires some APK sleuthing. If
you're rocking a Pixel or some other Android device and are looking for
maximum convenience, this camera isn't the choice for you.
Insta360 Nano S
For iPhone users, the Insta360 Nano S
is one of the more compact and truly mobile options out there. At $240,
the Nano S has a nice big viewfinder when the camera is connected to
your phone (it can also be used on its own). The S also upgrades to 4k
resolution, which helps with the Insta360 Nano's original image quality
problems.
Notably, the Insta360 has its own battery, so it
won't drain your phone, and it's really the best option if you won't
want to lug around an entirely separate camera to grab some 360 shots.
Going Professional
Intent on going all out
and creating professional-grade VR content? You'll need to forego all
the previously mentioned consumer 360-degree cameras, and be prepared to
pay some brand new car prices, like the $45,000 Nokia OZO.
That eye-popping amount of money buys you eight synchronized 2Kx2K
cameras that can capture stereoscopic video, plus an array of eight
microphones to record spatial audio for a truly immersive experience. If
you're still feeling pro-grade but not that pro, you might give the GoPro Omni or Panono a chance.
It's a dizzying amount of money to drop on some
gear, so it's worth checking to see if some camera shops offer rentals
for these pro-level pieces of equipment so you can give it a test run to
know if its works for you. Hey, worst comes to worst, you can always
wait a couple of years for the same specs to trickle down to something a
little more affordable.
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