Table of Contents
1. Samsung Gear 360
The Samsung Gear 360 allows you to take 360? videos and photos. This is made possible by its 8.4 megapixel back-to-back fisheye cameras that give that immersive view.
Its ease of use, portability, and quality make it a good choice if you are looking for the best VR camera or if it is your first time taking VR footage.
It also comes with 4K video capabilities to ensure that you get high-quality crisp videos. This is particularly a plus for those who love to broadcast live content.
All you need is to pair with your smartphone or PC, choose a streaming platform and broadcast live videos in 4K.
You can also share your experiences on popular social applications such as YouTube, Facebook, and Samsung VR.
After you have taken your videos, you can connect your smartphone with a VR headset
to get the full experience.
Being smaller than a baseball, the Gear 360 is easy to handle. Besides, you can also mount it on the included tripod. The best part is that it is dust and splash resistant since it comes with protective housing guards.
Additionally, you can record and take photos for long due to its long battery life. There is also the option to add a micro SD of up to 256GB giving it more storage.
To connect to your Mac or PC, just install the Gear 360 software. For smartphones, it comes with apps for both Android and iOS.
Pros
•Easy to handle
•Lightweight
•Dust and splash resistant
•Easy to share
Cons
• Non-removable battery
2. Rico Theta SC 360
The Rico Theta SC 360 VR camera comes with two cameras, one facing forward and the other backward. Using its internal processor it merges photos and videos taken using these two cameras into a single 360? image/video.
Its image sensor capacity is 14 megapixels while videos are captured at Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 30 frames per second.
Internally, it comes with 8GB of storage. This translates to about 63 minutes of video taken in Full HD and 1600 still images.
It also comes with a bright F2.0 lens for intuitive operation. To streamline the controls on this device, Ricoh added a switch on the side that allows the user to switch between still images and video.
It is compatible with iOS and Android apps through the Theta app which allows for manual exposure control of the camera. The app can also be used for editing of 360 images and video.
Once you have captured your moments, you can either upload them to your smartphone or computer. You also have the option to share images and video on social media platforms or post them directly to the Theta website.
Pros
• Easy to operate
• Sharing is easy via apps
• Reasonable price
Cons
•8GB internal memory
3. Insta360 One X
The Insta360 One X, comes with dual fisheye lenses that capture 360? images and videos for that VR experience.
It has 5.7K video capability with up to 50fps which makes your videos more crisp and vivid. Images have a resolution of 18 megapixels and it boasts HDR for JPEG and DNG raw images.
The One X also has FlowState stabilization which enhances video and picture quality even if you shake your hands a bit.
Also, it is loaded with some unique features such as time-shift, scene-freezes, slow-mo, and perspective manipulation.
These are made possible since you can also record video in 3K at 100fps which allows you to slow down or speed up moments in your video. Indeed, these functions may just make it the best VR camera in the market.
To add, you also get drift shots when you use the drifter accessory. This allows you to get airborne and shoot slow-mo videos in breathtaking angles. To share the videos and images the One X is live stream capable plus it has WiFi preview and transfer.
It is also easy to use and integrate with your Android or iOS device via their respective apps. Edit your videos and images easily on your smartphone with a number of edits and special effects loaded on these apps.
Pros
• HDR images and video
• Very good stabilization
• Slow-mo
•WiFi compatible
Cons
•No desktop editing software
•Not waterproof
4. Yi 360 VR
This VR camera also boasts of 5.7K resolution at 30fps. Already, the message is quite clear that when it comes to VR cameras, 4K isn’t just enough.
However, for a higher frame rate, the Yi 360 VR can take 2K videos at 100/120fps. This device also captures stunning images at 16 megapixels.
The Yi 360 VR comes with exposure control that allows the user to determine the amount of light wanted in photos/videos.
As with most VR cameras, it has 2 220 degree lenses that capture images and videos separately and then merged by internal processing.
Unlike other VR cameras in the market, the dual lens setup produces zero blind spots and double images. More features include advanced Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) that helps to keep your footage stable.
It also allows for 4K live streaming that makes it a good option for those who want to upload real-time 4K moments to their YouTube channels.
To add, it comes with an Android and iOS app that will enable you to connect the device with your smartphone. The app makes it easy to view your footage in different modes and to download and share content on various social media platforms.
Besides, there is the Yi 360 Studio desktop application for Windows computers.
Pros
• Image stabilization
• Excellent mobile app
•No blind spots and double images
Cons
•No Mac OS desktop editing software
• Not waterproof
5. GoPro Fusion
If you are out in the wild yearning for adventure and want a VR camera, GoPro has got something for you. Undoubtedly, they make some of the best sporting cameras common with skydivers, surfers, and other athletes.
The GoPro Fusion comes in a rugged design to withstand all the punishment of outdoor adventure. For instance, it is dust resistant and the lenses are scratch resistant.
Additionally, it is waterproof up to 5 meters. Clearly, no other VR camera is as tough and more outdoor-enhanced as the Fusion. As with other VR cameras, it has a dual lens setup with wide angles.
These work by merging the photos/videos captured and combining them into one spherical view. Despite other VR cameras having blind spots and double images, the GoPro Fusion does not produce such footage.
Instead, its intelligent processing compares images and video from the two lenses and synchronizes them for a flawless image.
It is capable of capturing 5.2K videos at 30fps and still images are at a stunning quality of 18 megapixels. For a higher frame rate, it takes 3K videos at 60fps.
It also has OverCapture software that transforms 5.2K footage into conventional 1080p videos from all angles. You also have the ability to crop 18-megapixel photos to your liking so as to create standard resolution photos that can easily be saved and shared.
The Fusion comes with the GoPro mobile app where you can preview and edit photos and videos. You can also upload them to social media via the app.
Also, unlike other VR cameras, the GoPro Fusion is loaded with sensors. For instance, it comes with voice control to help you in operating the device while you concentrate on capturing those thrilling outdoor moments.
Pros
• Rugged design
• Waterproof
• OverCapture software
Cons
• No live streaming
• Large size
6. Garmin VIRB 360
The Garmin VIRB 360 has it all. To begin with, it can capture 5.7K footage at 30fps with desktop stitching. 4K videos can also be taken at 30fps. Besides, it can take 15 megapixel still images.
Its VR capability is made possible by two 201.8 lenses that work together to give a spherical view of the scene.
The videos and photos taken are stitched in-camera. This means that you can share them instantly from the device or edit them using its mobile app (Android and iOS).
Additionally, it comes with spherical stabilization that ensures that your footage is smooth and stable.
There is also the option of live streaming to Facebook and YouTube via the mobile app. Its dual lens setup enables the RAW mode where 200 videos are captured.
These are then stitched using software by Garmin resulting in a crystal clear 5.7K video. Depending on whether the objects to be captured are near or far, the Garmin VIRB 360 VR camera allows you to change the stitching distance.
The VIRB 360 is also waterproof up to 10 meters. This makes it a good choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Moreover, it can be used as a standalone camera through a small display or via the mobile app.
To add, it comes with HyperFrame Director mode that enables you to reframe content after it has been captured. And since Garmin products are part of a larger ecosystem, this device has built-in GPS.
This helps to provide the user with customizable data such as GPS, elevation, hang time, altitude, speed, RPM, vertical speed, rotations, distance, and other useful information.
Clearly, going by these features, the Garmin VIRB 360 VR camera can be considered as the best VR camera for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pros
• Waterproof
• HyperFrame Director mode
• Rugged design
Cons
• Costly compared to other VR cameras
• 5.7K video stitching requires a computer
7. Nikon KeyMission 360
This VR camera by renowned camera makers Nikon comes with two image sensors and two NIKKOR lenses that capture the view in front of you, and what is behind you including yourself.
The end product is 360? footage that is life-like and immersive when played using VR equipment.
The key mission 360 is capable of shooting 4K Ultra HD video.
For still images, the lenses have a 23.9-megapixel capacity. Evidently, the videos and photos taken in such high-quality formats are no match to other VR cameras.
Its image stabilization is also so sophisticated. It works by recording the horizontal, vertical, and other movements of the camera and then using this information to cancel out vibrations and blurry exposure. This produces smooth and steady videos.
Besides, you can capture moments in slow-mo and can create time-lapse sequences. After taking your photos and video, you can easily preview and edit them using the SnapBridge 360/170 app for Android and iOS devices.
Since it is WiFi compatible, you can live stream and upload videos and still images to popular social sites. To add, the
mobile app can also be used to change the settings, set up the device, and shoot remotely from a compatible smartphone.
To top it up, the Nikon KeyMission 360 is waterproof up 98 feet (approximately 30 meters). Also, it is shockproof up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) drop and is freezeproof with a capacity of withstanding temperatures of up to 14?F (-10?C).
Pros
·Waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof
· Lightweight
·Rugged design
Cons
· Expensive
· No 5.7K video resolution
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