Best 360 Degree Camera And Equipment For Virtual Tour Creation

So you’ve decided to jump into the spherical video market. It’s fantastic! But where do you start selecting a camera and format? There are dozens of cameras to choose from; What should you look for? We will look at the most important factor when choosing a Best 360 Degree Camera at the end of this article. But first, let’s take a look at our favorite cameras currently on the market.

Here are the 10 BEST 360° CAMERAS in India.

Let’s take a look at the BEST 360° CAMERAS!

Finding the best was next up on our list of challenges. After several hours of testing, we decided on a few models that we think are suited.

Here are the Top 10 & BEST 360° CAMERAS in India in 2021

How do you choose?

The first thing you’ll need to consider in order to choose the most appropriate camera is where and how your video will be viewed. Ask, “How is this video going to be seen?” Currently, YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook are simple and popular choices for distribution. However, there isn’t yet a standard format for these videos, like NTSC, HD or UHD.

In addition to deciding where your video will most likely be posted, you’ll also need to think about how you expect your viewer to watch your 360 video. Will they use a headset or simply watch on a desktop display, clicking and dragging to pan around the image? These are two different viewing experiences that have different requirements in terms of image quality and sound design. The less immersive desktop viewing experience is more forgiving. However, you’ll want the best possible quality for both audio and video if your viewer will use a headset.

Stitching and sharing 360 video

Most cameras will interface with an app on your smartphone for operation but will require a desktop for post-processing. A growing number of smaller dual-lens cameras have internal stitching, so you won’t have to mess with any external software. Current models also typically allow you to live stream to Facebook and YouTube. But while internal stitching is convenient for social sharing, stitching on a desktop will almost always give you better results.

Digging into your workflow and distribution needs will establish a starting place for your 360 video camera search. Knowing what you want to do with your 360 video will give you a more informed perspective when considering other factors like resolution and form factor.

369 camera resolution

Resolution is a rather straightforward concept in traditional video, but in 360 video, having multiple sensors capturing a complete image sphere that will often be viewed at very close proximity makes the issue of resolution a bit more complicated.

Spherical cameras use two or more independent lenses to create the final image. Obviously the higher the resolution quality for each camera, the better your final image will be. There are a number of units out there that boast 4K, 6K and 8K resolution. That may be partially a misnomer. As you combine images in the process called stitching, you are naturally creating a larger image. What’s called a spherical 4K image is not the same as a 4K flat image since at any given time, your viewer will only be able to see part of the 4K image sphere.

Stitching and sharing 360 video

Most cameras will interface with an app on your smartphone for operation but will require a desktop for post-processing. A growing number of smaller dual-lens cameras have internal stitching, so you won’t have to mess with any external software. Current models also typically allow you to live stream to Facebook and YouTube. But while internal stitching is convenient for social sharing, stitching on a desktop will almost always give you better results.

Digging into your workflow and distribution needs will establish a starting place for your 360 video camera search. Knowing what you want to do with your 360 video will give you a more informed perspective when considering other factors like resolution and form factor.

369 camera resolution

Resolution is a rather straightforward concept in traditional video, but in 360 video, having multiple sensors capturing a complete image sphere that will often be viewed at very close proximity makes the issue of resolution a bit more complicated.

Spherical cameras use two or more independent lenses to create the final image. Obviously the higher the resolution quality for each camera, the better your final image will be. There are a number of units out there that boast 4K, 6K and 8K resolution. That may be partially a misnomer. As you combine images in the process called stitching, you are naturally creating a larger image. What’s called a spherical 4K image is not the same as a 4K flat image since at any given time, your viewer will only be able to see part of the 4K image sphere.

Considerations when choosing 360-degree cameras

Image quality

Although inexpensive cameras work on lower resolutions, 4K resolution is common with 360-degree cameras. That’s the equivalent of roughly 8 megapixels (MP), which sounds like a lot. On a TV, that would be ultra-high definition (UHD). The difference here is that those pixels aren’t on a flat screen. Instead, they go all the way around — so you’ve got less pixel density, or in other words, a lower resolution.

Without going into lots of complicated math, let’s just say that 4K is generally pretty good. You could get better — 5.5K is not unusual, and up to 12K is available — but those are pro-level cameras that are very expensive.

The other main component that impacts video quality is frame rate. A frames per second (FPS) keeps file sizes down so they upload quicker to sites like YouTube, but they might give some flicker. You’ll get smoother playback at 30 FPS. Higher frame rates are possible on some models. Gyroscopes and other sensors are sometimes added to minimize camera shake, and software can also enhance playback.

Other features

The way in which a 360-degree camera

handles the images it captures

is important. Most use two cameras, though as many as eight are possible. They then “stitch” the different recordings together to provide one finished video. This is done automatically, but software offers various levels of user intervention. If you’re just uploading to social media, you’d probably be OK with what the camera produces. If you’re getting creative with it, you might want to check out the post-production features. With all-around views, it’s nice to have all-around sound. Numerous microphones may be included with the camera to achieve an omnidirectional effect. That said, there may be times when you might want to focus on sound from a particular direction. Having that ability is a useful addition. Camera compatibility is also important. Their built-in screens are small or non-existent. At the very least, you’ll want to view the output on a phone. Some apps make that easier than others. The ability to capture stills is invariably offered, but image resolution varies. Digital lens enhancements might also be included. Wide-angle is a common addition. Cloud storage for your files might be an option. The ability to upload wirelessly and then clear your camera for more filming is certainly convenient. However, a subscription may be required. If you’re using a 360-degree camera as an action cam — as many people do — ease of use will be important. If you’re white water rafting, skiing, or off-roading, you don’t need distractions!

Price

Although the cheapest 360-degree cameras cost around $100, image quality and reliability may be disappointing at this low cost. Expect to pay between $200 and $300 for a popular mid-range camera and in the region of $500 for the best. Professional equipment can easily cost several thousand.

Time to buy

The spherical video market is just exploding with possibility but it’s always best to do your homework before you buy. Look at test videos online for each camera and search YouTube 360 to see what other people have done. Look before you buy, and if possible, give a camera a test drive in the conditions that you’ll be shooting.