We all, at one point or the other, have experienced Virtual Reality. While the majority of the VR content we consumed were Games but a small portion of that was 360 videos too. While Gaming has always been fun, 360 videos are an entirely new and exciting aspect of VR. Who doesn’t love being able to watch a concert and feel as if they were present there? While most users will be content with watching other people’s footage, a few users would want to shoot their own footage. This is where a VR camera comes into play.
A VR camera works by using multiple camera modules. More often the setup consists of two wide-angle lenses that are connected back-to-back. The footage captured by these camera modules is then digitally combined together to form a standard two-dimensional video or they are converted into fully spherical videos. This can be done by you once you have finished capturing the footage.
What makes a VR Camera the Best
A 360 camera isn’t limited to just capturing 360 footage. There are many other features that these VR cameras have. These features are what make a VR camera better than the other VR cameras. Few of these features are
Automatic stitching: This is a feature that automatically aligns multiple captured shots and stitches them together. This saves you from the hassle of doing that manually.
Image stabilization: As the name suggests this feature stabilizes shaky shots and makes them more natural and balanced. This is helpful if you handheld the camera while shooting.
Live-streaming: Some cameras are also able to live-stream your footage while you are shooting them. So you can stream it on social media platforms.
Resolution: The quality of a camera also depends on the resolution it is able to capture. The higher the resolution, the better it. Some high-end cameras can shoot at up to 8k.
So keeping these things in mind, here are our top picks for the best VR cameras.
Our Pick for the best VR cameras of 2023:
- Insta360 One X (Editor’s Choice)
- GoPro Hero Max
- Insta360 One
- Vuze XR
- Rylo 360
- Samsung Gear 360
We will check out the Spec and the features each of these cameras provide. We will also look at the pros and cons. So let’s begin our list.
Best VR Camera
1. Insta360 OneX – Best VR Camera 2023
- Video Resolution: Up to 5.7K video and 18MP photos
- Phone Support: Supports both Android and iOS
- Water Resistance: No water resistance
- Size: 4.1 x 1.8 x 1.2 inches
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Battery Life: Anywhere between1 hour to hour 1.5
- Storage: MicroSD supported
5.7K Video + 18MP Photo: Insta360 One X is capable of shooting at up to 5.7k video resolutions i.e a total resolution of 5760 x 2880. It can shoot in 5.7k at up to 30 frames per second ( fps ). It can also shoot 4k at up to 50 fps. In addition to this, it can shoot pictures at 18 Mega Pixels (MP). If you want you can also shoot 3k video at up to 100 fps.
FlowState Stabilization: The Insta360 One X has an updated image-stabilization technology that can stabilize most shaking footages up to a great extent. The resulting video will be as smooth as it can get. This is a great feature if you are someone who doesn’t have a stabilizer or someone who mostly captures hand-held videos.
360º Capture: Its no surprise that like most other VR cameras the Insta360 One X can also shoot 360º videos. After all this is its main functionality.
Cinematic Slow-Mo: The Insta360 One X is capable of shooting at ultra-slow motion that has a very cinematic look.
Color Plus: With the Color Plus feature the Insta360 One X shoots and brings out vibrant colors in different tough lighting conditions.
Invisible Selfie Stick: The Insta360 One X also supports their own Invisible Selfie Stick accessory. Shooting with this stick makes the stick invisible an instant. This means that you will be able to shoot yourself in a third-person view and the selfie stick won’t be visible in the resulting footage.
Drift Shot: Talking about accessorise, you can also use the Drifter accessory to shoot “Airborne Slow-Mo “. This results in great looking video effects.
WiFi Preview & Transfer: With the Insta360 One X you can preview all your files through wifi. You can also transfer these files via WiFi.
TimeShift: You can also use the Insta360 One X to shoot a timelapse or a stabilized hyper-lapse. So you will be able to highlight all the key moments in a high-speed hyper-lapse.
HDR: The Insta360 One X can shoot in a High dynamic range (HDR). So your videos will remain “true-to-life and true-to-light” at all times.
True Audio: The Insta360 One X also has a True Audio feature that ” cuts the noise so you can hear the important stuff “.
- It has an Excellent image-stabilization technology
- Compact design
- Upgraded software features
- Can shoot HDR video and photos
- Poor battery life
- Expensive
- Not waterproof
2. GoPro Hero Max – Waterproof 360 VR Camera
- Video Resolution: Upto 5.6K video at 30 fps
- Phone Support: Supports both Android and iOS
- Water Resistance: Splashproof water resistance
- Size: 2.9 x 2.6 x 1.6
- Weight: 4.6 ounces
- Battery Life: Anywhere between1 hour to hour 1 and 15 mins
- Storage: MicroSD supported and 256GB storage
Max HyperSmooth: Max HyperSmooth is GoPro Max’s stabilisation tehcnology. It stabilizes the bumpiest of the videos and delivers a very smooth video. It also has a “game-changing horizon leveling” which makes sure the video is properly oriented. According to the company, this is the best ever stabilization from any GoPro ever.
Max TimeWarp: The GoPro Hero Max comes with a Max TimeWarp feature. Using this one can create smooth and stable motion time lapse videos. This can be done in both 360 mode and HERO mode as well. Hero mode also enables you to drop in and out of real time that too during recording.
18MP Source / 16.6MP Stitched: The GoPro Hero Max can shoot pictures upto 18 MP. Once the multiple frames are stitched together, the resolution can go as high as 16.6 MP.
6K Source / 5.6K Stitched: In terms of video footage the GoPro Hero Max can record videos at upto 6K resolution. This resolution can go as high as 5.6K once the footages are stitched.
Slo-Mo: The GoPro Hero is capable of shooting at upto 2X slow motion. This results in great looking slow-mo clips.
1080p Live Streaming: Using the GoPro Hero Max you can also livestream your footage. The HERO mode allows you to stream your to Facebook , YouTube and other social media platform and that too in realtime.
Touch Screen: GoPro Hero Max has a touch screen display. So using and accessing its differetnt modes and settings is a bit easier.
Waterproof: The GoPro Hero Max comes with protection from water. It is water resitant upto a depth of 16ft. So you can capture underwater footage without any worries.
Built-In Mounting: The GoPro Hero Max comes with a built-in camera mount. So you can easily mount it wherever you want.
PowerPano: With the GoPro Hero Max you can capture 270° panoramic shots at the click of a button. The resulting images are completely distortion-free. You can also click “PowerPano selfies, action shots and vertical pics —all with a level horizon.”
360 Spherical Audio: The GoPro Hero Max comes with six built-in microphones. These six microphones combine and enable you to capture a 360 immersive audio. You can also record directional audio that is helpful for vlogging. The camera also features wind-noise reduction.
Reframe: Using the GoPro app you can reframe the 360 footage that you click. This allows you to transform these 360 pictures into the normal videos and photos we are familiar with. So you can do Playback, editing and sharing of these footages straight from your phone.
- It has a very simple and intuitive editing process
- It has a Rugged and Waterproof build and doesn’t require any external cases
- It supports both Samsung Phones as well as iOS phones
- The camera can be used with needing a phone
- Sharp and Crisp photo quality
- Poor quality in difficult lighting conditions
- The 2D footage has a low resolution
- It is limited to only Samsung’s android phones
- The iPhone app has very limited functionalities
- The Desktop software has a very poor user experience
3. Vuze XR – Premium VR Camera
- Video Resolution: Upto 5.7K video at 30 fps
- Phone Support: Supports both Android and iOS
- Water Resistance: No water resistance
- Size: 6 x 2.2 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 7.5 ounces
- Battery Life: A little around 1 hour and 15 mins
- Storage: MicroSD supported and 128 GB storage
- Processor: Ambarella H2 video processor
Built-in Video Stabilization: The Vuze XR comes with a built-in video stabilization technology that is ideal in almost all conditions. It has a 6-axis gyro for its movement-tracking functionality that produces a very smooth and stable video footages. So shaky hands won’t be a problem fro you anymore.
5.7K Video at 30 fps: The Vuze XR is capable of shooting at upto 5.7k video resolutions which is equivalent to a resolution of 5760 x 2880. It can shoot in 5.7k at upto 30 frames per second ( fps ). It can also shoot 4K at 60fps as well as 4K at 30 fps.
Dual Formats: The Vuze XR is capable of shooting both 360 video as well as a 180 3D video. The Vuze XR accomplishes this with the help of its two parallel pop out cameras. These cameras can can take 180-degree stereoscopic video footages as well images. It can shoot in both 2D and 3d mode.
Vuze Magic Selfie Stick: The Vuze XR also has support for the Vuze Magic Selfie Stick. This selfie stick manages to disappear from the camera’s field of view and hence the stick won’t be visible in the final footage. So you will be able to shoot yourself in third-person view. The selfie stick has a very compact build that is very easy to carry.
Vuze XR Underwater Case: The Vuze XR also has an Underwater Case that you can opt for. It’s enclosure is made up from polycarbonate material that secures and protects the camera from water damage. It can operate at a depth of upto 30 meters (100 feet).
Vuze Cast: With Vuze Cast, the Vuze XR is capable of seamlessly casting and sharing the footage. You can stream it to a VR headset via DLNA or you can broadcast the footage live to your friends and audiences on Facebook and Youtube.
Powerful Editing Tools: The Vuze XR has a very feature packed editing tool. It has tools like:
- Fly Out: It allows you to zoom in or zoom out of a scene
- Look Here: Focus only on particular areas of interest
- Track This: Automatically follow a selected object
- Intuitive and Easy to use controls
- Can take both 180 and 360 photos
- Impressive build quality
- Excellent 2D and 3D footage
- Brilliant Design
- Poor quality footages in low lighting conditions
- No water resistance. Need to use an extra Waterproof Case for that.
- Slightly on the heavier side compared to other cameras
- Phone app has limitations
- Flawed desktop software that has limited features
4. Insta360 One – 360 VR Camera
- Video Resolution: Upto 4K video at 30 fps
- Phone Support: Supports both Android and iOS
- Water Resistance: No water resistance
- Size: 3.8 x 1.5 x 1 inches
- Weight: 2.9 ounces
- Battery Life: A little around 1 hour and 15 mins
- Storage: MicroSD supported and supports upto 128 GB storage
Features
FlowState™ Stabilization: The Insta360 One comes with what they call a FlowState stabilization technology. It stabilizes your video and makes it more balanced. This enables you to capture smooth video even in the toughest condition. This is great for those who shoot hand-helded.
SmartTrack: With the SmartTrack, the Insta360 One can follow any subject that you select. This will result in perfectly stable video where the subject is always in the center. So you can focus only on what matters the most.
Cinematic Editing: The Insta360 One has pro-level editing features that let you outline your story as you want. You just mark the interesting parts of the video and the Insta360 One will edit and generate a video with smooth camera transitions and movements.
360° Hyperlapse: Using the Insta360 One you can shoot stunning hyperlapses. You just need to choose the best view and press a button. The ONE camera can take care of the rest. This results in a very sharp and stable timelapse video.
Invisible selfie stick: Like the Insta360 One X, the Insta360 One also supports Insta360’s Invisible Selfie Stick accessory. This selfie stick disappears from the camera’s field of view and isn’t visible in the final footage. This makes it possible to shoot yourself in third-person view without the selfie stick coming in view.
360° Live-Streaming: The Insta360 One supports 360 live streaming. So you can cast your footage and stream it on Facebook , YouTube and other social media platforms.
- Doesn’t have to be plugged into a phone
- It has a “bullet-time” video mode
- It has companion app for both Android and iOS
- Has a Clip-on design
- It can also be controlled remotely
- FreeCapture support
- Its lightning connector is compatible with iOS only
- More suited for Videographers and not Photographers
- The Lightning connector is hard to remove
- The app can be used by only holding the phone upside down.
5. Rylo 360
- Video Resolution: Upto 5.8K video at 24 fps
- Phone Support: Supports both Android and iOS
- Water Resistance: No water resistance
- Size: 2.85 x 1.68 x 1.45 inches
- Weight: 3.8 ounces
- Battery Life: A little more than 1 hour
- Storage: MicroSD supported and supports upto 128 GB storage
Features
Cinematic Stabilization: Rylo comes with a very impressive image stabilization technology. It uses an Integrated horizon-leveling technology to keep the video steady in each and every frame.
5.8K Video at 24 fps: Rylo can capture videos at upto 5.8K resolution with 24 fps. It can also shoot 4K 360° videos as well as 180° front or rear video captures.
Intuitive Controls: Rylo has a very intuitive control system. Using Rylo to capture videos is as easy as taking a photo. All you need to do is press the record and its dual wide-angle lenses will capture and combine the footage automatically for you.
Dynamic Dual Lenses: Rylo is packed with two different lenses. This helps you to capture everything in every angle. Both the lenses can capture a 208° angle so you get a complete coverage. This is equivalent to a 7mm wide-angle lens that you can find on a traditional camera. Using Rylo you can seamlessly capture all your precious moments with the click of a button.
Durable Build: Rylo’s exterior is made of a durable aluminum material. This makes it sturdy enough for you to take it with you to all kinds of adventures.
Waterproof Case: You can add an extra accessory in the form of a water resistant Adventure case. This makes sure that the camera remains protected even when it is underwater. So you can easily take a dip underwater with the Rylo VR camera.
FrontBack: The Rylo Camera has a picture-in-picture view mode that can capture your reactions which you can view on the screen. This makes sure that you don’t miss any action that’s happening behind the camera.
Powerful Editing Tools: With its simple but powerful editing tools, the Rylo camera provides you with the perfect set of tools. Using these you can get the perfect footage as per your requirements. You can trim, crop clips and control the motion of the footage right from your phone.
6K Panorama: The Rylo camera supports wide Panorama shots at upto 6K resolution. It is equipped with super-wide lenses and a wide field of vision. So you can capture sharp and vivd wide range panoramas with the Rylo.
- Intuitive 360 functions for action sports
- Compact and slim design
- Great build quality
- Intuitive Controls
- Easy-to-use companion app
- Excellent Image Stabilization
- No water resistance
- Poor video quality in low lighting conditions
- Limited desktop app support
6. Samsung Gear 360
- Video Resolution: Upto 4K video at 24 fps
- Phone Support: Supports both Android and iOS
- Water Resistance: Splashproof
- Size: 1.8 x 1.8 x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 4.6 ounces
- Battery Life: A little around 2 hour and 15 mins
- Storage: MicroSD supported and supports upto 256 GB storage
Features
4K video at 24 fps: The Gear 360 can shoot capture videos at resolution of 4096 x 2048. It can shoot at 24 fps. It can also shoot HD videos with a 1920 x 1080 resolution at greater 60fps.
360° Live-Streaming: With the Gear 360 you can live stream your footage on Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms. This can be done straight from your smartphone or your PC.
Multiple View Modes: The Gear 360 has a total of five viewing modes that you can choose from. Choose any of these view modes to make your footage unique. These views include:
- 360° view
- Stretched view
- Round view
- Dual view
- Panoramic view
Splashproof: The Gear 360 is a Splash Proof design. It has very solid water protection. It is water-resistant up to a depth of 10ft. So you can take it underwater without having to worry about it stopping functioning.
Ergonomic Design: The Gear 360 has a very slick and ergonomic design. It is shaped like a lollipop. This makes it very easy to hold and control. It is also very easy to carry and can fit inside the pocket.
Easily shoot and share: The Samsung Gear 360 app allows you to convert your 360 footages into the traditional video or photo formats that are supported by the standard devices. You can then easily upload the content so that it reaches your target audience. You can do all this straight from your smartphone.
Dual Camera Lenses: The Gear 360 Pro is equipped with a two-lens camera setup. So you can capture multiple angles with ease. The lenses can capture a wide-angle so you get more area coverage than a traditional camera. Thus the Gear 360 enables you to capture all of your without missing any precious detail.
- Slick and compact design
- Faster and easier to use
- It is Splashproof
- Very lightweight
- Can be used without a phone
- Crisp photos and improved video quality
- Better ergonomics
- Works with both Samsung and iOS phones
- Not compatible with any other Android phones other than Samsung’s android devices
- iPhone app has very limited features
- Poor desktop software
- 4K videos aren’t very fluid
- Limited resolutions and frame rates
- Poor quality in low lighting conditions
These were our picks for the best VR cameras you can buy in 2023. All of these had their own advantages as well as their disadvantages. We discussed all these so you can make your own informed decision. Let us know in the comments if there were any cameras that we missed out in our review.
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Last update on 2023-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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