People starting their career on YouTube might just be on the lookout for the best 360 camera around them. If you’re a content creator or love action videos, then a 360 degree camera is just what you need to shoot your videos in the best ways possible. 360 degree cameras make for a panoramic experience and shoot immersive videos that cover almost everything around you.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Top | Insta360 ONE X2 360 Degree Waterproof Action Camera, 5.7K 360, Stabilization, Touch Screen, AI Editing, Live Streaming, Webcam, Voice Control | Check Today's Price |
 | GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Camera with Touch Screen Spherical 5.6K30 HD Video 16.6MP 360 Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization | Check Today's Price |
 | Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition – 4K Action Camera & 5.7K 360 Camera with Interchangeable Lenses, Stabilization, IPX8 Waterproof, Touch Screen, AI Editing | Check Today's Price |
However, the best 360 camera should allow you to pull another trick: smooth videos. This is because a good 360 camera should identify the horizon around you and automatically level the end result for a smooth watching experience. You can see the difference in a bumpy video shot through a normal action camera and a smooth video shot through a 360 camera.
360 cameras have come a long way during the past few years. From the first versions that we saw of them a few years ago to now, these cameras have grown by leaps and bounds and are now a big part of the YouTube and digital content strategy.
The 5 Best 360 Cameras for YouTube
In this article, we bring to you a list of some of the best 360 cameras for YouTube. This list has been designed after testing numerous models and identifying the best ones for the YouTubers of today.
1. Insta360 One X2
- The Pocket Camera Crew: With just one device, shoot first in every direction with super 5.7K 360 capture and then choose your favorite angle later. Or pick just one lens with Steady Cam mode for ultra-stable wide angle footage.
- FlowState Stabilization: Better-than-ever stabilization and horizon leveling algorithms keep your shots steady—no gimbal needed.
- Invisible Selfie Stick: Shoot with the Invisible Selfie Stick and then watch it disappear in your edit. Capture easy drone-like angles and third-person perspectives with the flick of a wrist.
- IPX8 Waterproof: Insta360 ONE X2 is waterproof to 10 meters (33ft). Take it out in a rainstorm or surfing without a case.
- In the Box: 1x Insta360 ONE X2, 1x Charge Cable, 1x Battery, 1x Protective Pouch and 1x User Guide.
The Insta360 One X2 comes with perhaps the most innovative software and hardware updates. This 360 camera is greater than the Insta One X and is known to have an excellent touch screen display. The camera is also water resistant for 10 meters and is meant for adventure sports.
The battery life of 80 minutes is amazing for people on the go as it can meet their charging expectations and requirements. The camera captures 4K video at 50 fps, which is amazing quality for a 360 camera.
2. GoPro Hero Max
- Three Cameras in One: Maximize your creative freedom. With MAX you can shoot traditional Hero-style video and photos or capture immersive 360 footage. Vlog to the max with shotgun-mic performance and a front-facing screen
- Max HyperSmooth: MAX gives you unbreakable stabilization by using 180-degree capture as the ultimate buffer
- Live Streaming in 1080p: Shoot in HERO mode and share while you’re there. Live stream in 1080p on social, get Max HyperSmooth stabilization as you broadcast via the GoPro app and save footage to your SD card to check out later
- Horizon Leveling: In HERO mode, game-changing horizon leveling gives you that silky-smooth cinematic look whether youre getting sideways, flipping through the air or chasing your kids
- PowerPano: Pano without the pan. Take incredible 270-degree distortion-free panoramic photos without having to scan the horizon. Take PowerPano selfies, action shots and vertical pics—all with a level horizon
- Premium 360 plus Stereo Audio: Six mics capture true-to-life 360 audio and deliver the best stereo sound ever from a GoPro
- Digital Lenses: Choose from four digital lenses in HERO mode to get the shot. Capture video and photos in Narrow, Linear, Wide and Max SuperView—our widest view yet
- Max TimeWarp: Capture super stabilized time lapse videos while moving through an activity. In HERO mode, automatically adjust speed based on motion, scene detection and lighting. Slow down to real time—savoring moments—and then tap to speed it back up
- Includes: GoPro MAX Camera, Rechargeable Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, 2 Protective Lenses, 2 Lens Caps, Microfiber Bag, Mounting Buckle plus Thumb Screw, USB-C Cable, Carrying C
The GoPro Hero Max is unlike all other 360 cameras you will find in the market. This camera comes with a small display located at its back, which helps you see the output that you are working on. The hyper smooth stabilization feature also adds to the smooth video experience.
You can also live stream videos using the GoPro Hero Max if you are into that kind of immersive experience for your YouTube fans.
3. Insta360 One R
- 5.7K 360 + 4K Wide Angle: ONE R Twin Edition transforms on the fly from a 360-degree camera to a wide-angle 4K 60fps action camera. Just swap out the lenses.
- FlowState Stabilization: FlowState achieves gimbal-like image stabilization without the gimbal. Thanks to a new scene-detection algorithm, your footage stays clear and steady even in low light.
- SUPER 5.7K: All pixels are not created equal. The Dual-Lens 360 Mod raises the bar with Super 5.7K resolution, leveraging H.265 encoding, advanced image processing and an AI-powered finishing algorithm to preserve detail and make your footage pop.
- IPX8 WATERPROOF: ONE R is IPX8 waterproof to 5m (16.4ft). Whether youre poolside or on a rainy-day ride, ONE R can handle it. !!! NOTE: ONE R is waterproof after being fully assembled and installed in the included Mounting Bracket.
- Invisible Selfie Stick Effect: Watch as your selfie stick automatically disappears in your edit! Capture easy aerial angles and unique third-person perspectives with a flick of the wrist.
- AI Editing: Just shoot and the AI edits your shot in minutes. Head to the apps Shot Lab and explore a range of ready-made editing templates like Clone Trail, Stop Motion, Dolly Zoom, Starlapse and more!
- In the Box: Twin Edition includes 1x 4K Wide Angle Mod, 1x Dual-Lens 360 Mod, 1x Core, 1x Battery Base, 1x Lens Cap and 1x Mounting Brack
The Insta360 One R is not only one of the best 360 cameras for YouTube, but is also known to be one of the best action cameras. The popularity of this camera model is owed much to its modular design and the 4K camera sensor.
The camera offers some additional features as well in the form of video stabilization, a 180 degree display and a comprehensive app on the go.
4. Ricoh Theta Z1
- With approximately 2.7 times larger capacity than the previous model. 51gb of internal memory allows for approximately 6350 JPEG still images, 900 RAW plus still images and 110 minutes for 4K video to be captured.
- Two 1 type back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a newly developed lens unit suppress ghosting, flare and fringing to capture the highest image quality in a Theta series camera.
- Natural 360° images can be captured at 23MP resolution (approximately, 6720 x 3360, 7K) taking advantage of a high-precision stitching process.
- Enhanced HDR image processing easily captures varying brightness levels such as interior and exterior scenes such as real estate. These images can be easily incorporated into virtual tours.
- Impressive 4k 360° video capture with smooth image stabilization and immersive sound via the 4 channel microphone.
- With a new image processing algorithm the New Theta Z1 achieves low-noise, high-resolution images in both low and high sensitivity settings. Dynamic range correction is performed automatically and overexposure is effectively suppressed even in outdoor places where there is a lot of variation in brightness.
- The next-generation USB 3.0 (Type-C) connection, achieves a more efficient transfer speed.
- RAW development of 360-degree images is now possible with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC. Stitching is also possible with the dedicated plug-in RICOH THETA Stitcher
- Share realistic 360 live streams that are focused on quality. YouTube livestreaming is also supported.
- A magnesium alloy is used for the body, which is durable while giving a premium fini
Most 360 cameras come with a small sensor size, which does not make them ideal for low-light photography. The Ricoh Theta Z1 cuts out on just that with an amazing sensor size.
The Ricoh Theta Z1 comes with two CMOS sensors at the back to shoot some of the best pictures and videos you would see from a 360 camera in less than ideal conditions.
5. Vecnos Iqui
The Vecnos Iqui is a pen-sized 360 camera made for YouTubers who want to take pictures and shoot videos at a moment’s notice. The camera is easy to setup and is quick to operate. It is easy to store in the pockets and carry around.
The Vecnos Iqui also comes at a convenient price, which is why it is good for beginners just starting out on their YouTube journey.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best 360 Camera for YouTube
There are numerous factors that need to be taken into consideration when you’re buying a 360 camera for YouTube. The better your understanding of these considerations, the easier it will be to find a camera that fits your needs. Read some of the things to consider when buying the best 360 camera for YouTube below:
Lens
The very first thing you should consider on your 360 camera is the lens. The lens is by far one of the most important aspects of the camera and shouldn’t be ignored at any cost. A 360-degree camera is likely to have at least two different lenses. Once you’re checking the lens, you should consider the ISO range that you prefer as well as the shutter time for that lens. The lens should be capable of meeting your filming requirements.
Image Quality
The next thing you should consider is the image quality of the camera. Image quality is usually determined by the resolution of the camera. A quality image is influenced by the number of pixels present within the picture. You should ideally look for higher resolutions as they are associated with better picture quality.
FPS
The frames per second on your camera can be another important factor. We do know that some of the best cameras in the world today capture output at some 60 fps. But if you’re starting your YouTube journey, your camera should do a decent job to clock some 30 fps.
Storage
The internal storage capabilities of your 360 camera should also be considered at the time of the purchase. The storage determines the capacity of the camera to be used on the go without having to be plugged into a laptop or external storage unit after every hour or two. The more the storage, the better it is for you.
Our Final Thoughts
The Insta360 One X2 is our best recommended 360-camera for YouTube videos. The camera comes with perhaps the most innovative software and hardware updates. You can look up reviews for all these cameras online to find the best one for your YouTube filmmaking experience.
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Insta360 ONE X2 360 Degree Waterproof Action Camera, 5.7K 360, Stabilization, Touch Screen, AI Editing, Live Streaming, Webcam, Voice Control | Check Today's Price |
| GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Camera with Touch Screen Spherical 5.6K30 HD Video 16.6MP 360 Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization | Check Today's Price |
| Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition – 4K Action Camera & 5.7K 360 Camera with Interchangeable Lenses, Stabilization, IPX8 Waterproof, Touch Screen, AI Editing | Check Today's Price |
