We’ve rounded up seven of the best 360 cameras available on the market today. They range from the Insta360 X5 to the Ricoh Theta Z1. Read on to find out which one of these cameras is the best fit for your needs.
Our top pick has all the benefits of 360 shooting, a touchscreen, and is waterproof to 49 feet (15 m) without a case.
What is the Best 360 Camera?
The best 360 camera overall is the Insta360 X5, Insta360's current flagship, thanks to its 8K resolution, FlowState stabilization with 360° Horizon Lock, PureVideo low-light mode, and waterproofing to 49 feet (15 m) without a case.
Before we look at the detail of the cameras we’ve chosen, here’s a summary of why we like them.
Now let’s look in more detail at our recommendations.
1. Insta360 X5
| Brand |
Brand
Insta360
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
8K
|
| Phone Support |
Phone Support
Android/iOS
|
| Memory |
Memory
MicroSD
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
208 minutes
|
| Water Resistance |
Water Resistance
49 feet (15 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Replaceable lenses and PureVideo low-light mode
|
| Best For |
Best For
Sharp 360 footage with strong low-light performance
|
The Insta360 X5 is Insta360's current flagship 360 camera, built around dual 1/1.28-inch sensors that capture 133% more light than the previous X4.
That larger sensor is the point: the X5 has a dedicated PureVideo low-light mode with AI noise reduction, so night and indoor 360 footage stays clean instead of grainy — a common weak spot for 360 cameras.
It shoots 8K 360-degree video, runs up to 208 minutes on a charge, and is waterproof to 49 feet (15 m) without a case. The lenses are also user-replaceable, so a scratch costs a $30 part rather than a new camera.
At around $549.99 it's the most expensive camera on this list. The trade-off is a steep learning curve — 360 footage needs a post-production reframing pass before it's ready to share, so it suits someone willing to edit, not someone who wants footage ready straight off the camera.
2. Insta360 X4
| Brand |
Brand
Insta360
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
8K
|
| Phone Support |
Phone Support
Android/iOS
|
| Memory |
Memory
MicroSD
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
135 minutes
|
| Water Resistance |
Water Resistance
33 feet (10 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Removable lens guards and Invisible Selfie Stick mode
|
| Best For |
Best For
Long-lasting battery life on extended 360 shoots
|
The Insta360 X4 shoots 8K 360-degree video using a 5nm AI chip, with 2.7K reframed output — a big jump over older 360 cameras that reframed at 1080p.
Battery life is the standout spec here: 135 minutes per charge, long enough to cover a full shoot without swapping batteries. It also has removable lens guards, so the fragile dual lenses survive a drop instead of the whole camera taking the hit.
You still get FlowState stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock, plus the Invisible Selfie Stick trick for drone-like third-person shots. A 4K single-lens mode is built in for when you just want normal footage without the reframing workflow.
The 8K mode does run into thermal limits — expect it to throttle after around 27 minutes of continuous recording in warm conditions, so drop to 5.7K for longer takes. At 203g it's also heavier than Insta360's smaller Go-series cameras, which is worth knowing if you're mounting it on a helmet for a full day.
3. GoPro MAX 2
| Brand |
Brand
GoPro
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
8K
|
| Phone Support |
Phone Support
Android/iOS
|
| Memory |
Memory
MicroSD
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
80 minutes
|
| Water Resistance |
Water Resistance
16 feet (5 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Tool-free replaceable lenses and Max HyperSmooth stabilization
|
| Best For |
Best For
Rugged action 360 footage with easy lens swaps
|
The GoPro MAX2 is GoPro's 360-degree flagship, built around dual 1/2.3-inch stacked sensors that shoot true 8K 360-degree video at 30 fps. It also captures single-lens HERO-style stills and video up to 4K60, so it works as a regular action camera on days you don't need the full sphere of image capture.
It's the strongest pick here for fast-moving action — skiing, mountain biking, skate parks — because GoPro's Max HyperSmooth stabilization with Horizon Lock is tuned for exactly that kind of motion, and the six built-in microphones give you directional 360 audio to match the footage.
The lenses are tool-free replaceable: twist off the rubber barrel with your fingers and swap in a new one for the cost of a lens rather than a whole camera. Battery life is 80 minutes at 5.6K30 360, it's waterproof to 16 feet (5 m) without a housing, and it charges over USB-C 3.0.
The trade-off is low light. GoPro's own materials flag weaker low-light performance next to rivals like the Insta360 X5, so if you're mostly shooting indoors or after dark, reach for the X5 or X4 Air instead. Some users also report the desktop editing workflow is fiddlier than Insta360's app, and moving the camera between hot and cold environments can cause condensation inside the housing — worth knowing before you take it snowboarding.
4. Ricoh Theta Z1
| Brand |
Brand
Ricoh
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
4K
|
| Phone Support |
Phone Support
Android/iOS
|
| Memory |
Memory
19 GB internal
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
1 Hour
|
| Water Resistance |
Water Resistance
None
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
RAW photo capability, 24 MP stills
|
| Best For |
Best For
Carry-anywhere capability
|
The Ricoh Theta Z1 is an excellent camera that specializes in 360-degree stills and video.
The Z1 has two 1-inch CMOS sensors that produce 360 photos with 24 MP resolution. That's getting close to DSLR quality. And it has a sensitivity of ISO 6400. That means you get great images in low-light situations.
The Ricoh Theta Z1 offers 4K resolution for 360-degree videos. It's not the highest on the market, but the quality is still excellent. The 3-axis rotational image stabilization maintains the quality, whether you're rolling or spinning!
You can capture images in RAW format for easy editing in post-production. And post-production is easy with the accompanying Ricoh Theta apps.
The battery life is very good for a camera with these specifications. It will take up to 300 stills or 60 minutes of footage. One downside is that the camera isn't waterproof.
5. Insta360 ONE X2
| Brand |
Brand
Insta360
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
5.7K
|
| Phone Support |
Phone Support
Android/iOS
|
| Memory |
Memory
MicroSD
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
80 minutes
|
| Water Resistance |
Water Resistance
33 feet (10 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Image stabilization and touchscreen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Stunning 360 footage across a range of situations
|
The Insta360 One X2 is an upgrade of the One X, and it's now the budget option in Insta360's lineup — the newer X4 and X5 have taken over as the brand's flagships, but the One X2's specs still hold up for the price.
The One X2 has a 360 image resolution of 5.7K. And it has a 6-axis "flow-state" image stabilization system.
The touch screen lets you see what you're shooting through the eye of the camera. So you can make sure it's the shot you want without having to consult your device.
You can charge the camera with a USB connection. And the battery life is solid for the price. It's also waterproof up to 10 meters straight out of the box.
One fun feature is the Invisible Selfie Stick mode. If your selfie stick is visible in the footage, the camera will automatically edit it out!
6. Insta360 X4 Air
| Brand |
Brand
Insta360
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
8K
|
| Phone Support |
Phone Support
Android/iOS
|
| Memory |
Memory
MicroSD
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
88 minutes
|
| Water Resistance |
Water Resistance
49 feet (15 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Ultralight 165g body with replaceable lenses
|
| Best For |
Best For
Lightweight travel-friendly 360 shooting
|
The Insta360 X4 Air is Insta360's lightest 8K 360 camera, weighing just 165g, built around dual 1/1.8-inch sensors that shoot a full 8K at 30 fps.
That weight makes it the pick for travel and everyday carry — it disappears into a jacket pocket in a way the bulkier flagships don't. The twin lenses are user-replaceable with improved drop resistance, so a knock on a curb doesn't mean a full camera replacement, and the companion camera app handles editing and upload on Android and iOS.
You still get 29MP 360 stills, FlowState Stabilization with 360° Horizon Lock, and native waterproofing to 49 feet (15 m) — the same rating as the X5 — plus a 2.5-inch touchscreen for framing shots without your phone.
The trade-off for the smaller body is battery: it's rated at 88 minutes, but real-world 8K recording runs closer to 74 minutes, so pack a spare for a full day of shooting. It also skips the X5's dedicated PureVideo low-light mode, so night and indoor footage is noticeably grainier — buy the X5 instead if low light matters more to you than pocketability.
7. Kodak PixPro SP360
| Brand |
Brand
Kodak
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
1080p
|
| Phone Support |
Phone Support
Android/iOS
|
| Memory |
Memory
Micro SD
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
1 Hour
|
| Water Resistance |
Water Resistance
Splashproof
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Use one camera or two for full 360 shooting
|
| Best For |
Best For
Entry-level immersive photography
|
The Kodak Pixpro SP360 is a basic action camera you can have fun with. It gives you great 360-degree images if you're on a budget.
For 360 image capture, you get a resolution of 16 MP and a frame rate of 10 fps. These stats aren't record-breaking by any standard. But this is not a camera aimed at pros. The SP360 is an entry-level camera for beginners and enthusiasts.
There is only one spherical lens. If you do want full-sphere capture, you'll need two cameras back to back.
You can control the camera from your smartphone using the Kodak app. It's quick and easy to share your images online. One problem is the lack of internal memory. You'll need to buy a memory card separately.
We also like the compact and portable design. But the model is not completely waterproof, so you'll need to be careful around water.
Why Choose a 360 Camera?
360 cameras are all the rage with influencers and vloggers. Facebook and Instagram are ablaze with 360-degree photos and videos. The panoramic views you get from a 360 camera make them great for landscape photography. And now real estate photographers are getting excited about 360 cameras too.
They’re fun and easy to use. And they’re becoming an essential tool in many areas of photography.
How Does a 360 Camera work?
The basic elements aren’t so different from a traditional camera. You have a sensor and a lens that work together to create an image.
As with any DSLR, the 360-degree camera has a flat sensor. The difference is that it uses two back-to-back spherical lenses. Each lens provides a 180-degree view. And the processor puts these together to make the 360-degree image.
360 photos give you the freedom to navigate left or right. Or sometimes up and down. But to do this, you need a digital device. A computer is great, but a smartphone also works. Some cameras will link directly to your phone when you use their mobile app.
Conclusion: The Best 360 Camera
The Insta360 X5 is our top pick on this list. It has the strongest all-round feature set here — the largest sensors, the sharpest low-light performance, and 8K 360-degree footage — and it's the perfect choice for anyone who wants to capture stunning 360-degree photos and videos.
The dual 1/1.28-inch sensors and PureVideo low-light mode mean your footage stays clean even indoors or after dark, and the replaceable lenses mean a scratch costs a $30 part rather than a new camera. The Insta360 X5 is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a top-of-the-line 360 camera. We highly recommend it.
