The Insta360 X4 Air has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting 360-degree cameras on the market, and this latest deal makes it even harder to ignore.

The 8K Insta360 X4 Air Starter Bundle has dropped to just £289, down from £389, saving you £100 off the usual price for this kit that includes the all-important invisible selfie stick, a silicone lens cap so you don't scratch the two fisheye lenses, and two spare batteries.

At the heart of the Insta360 X4 Air is its headline-grabbing 8K 360-degree video capture, which delivers noticeably cleaner detail, stronger reframing flexibility, and more cinematic results than earlier generations. Whether you’re shooting action sports, travel content, or immersive social clips, the extra resolution gives you far more freedom in post without sacrificing image quality.

The X4 also shines as a dual-purpose camera. Switch out of full 360 mode and it becomes a capable single-lens action cam, complete with excellent stabilization, punchy color, and impressive low-light performance for its class. It’s a genuinely versatile tool for creators who want one camera that can do a bit of everything.

What really sweetens this deal is the Starter Bundle itself. It’s designed to get you shooting straight out of the box, with essential accessories that make the X4 easier to use – and saves you having to buy all these extras afterwards, when you realize you needed them in the first place.

In typical Insta360 fashion, usability is a strong point. The touchscreen interface is intuitive, the companion app is one of the best in the business, and features like invisible selfie stick effects and AI-powered reframing make complex shots accessible even if you’re new to 360 video.

With a £100 saving, this is the best ever price we’ve seen on the Insta360 X4 Air Starter Bundle to date. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to jump into 8K 360 capture, this deal makes a very compelling case to do it now.

See our full guide to the best 360 cameras

Insta360 has launched a clever new accessory that could change how people use 360 cameras – a grip that lets you shoot like a traditional compact, while capturing cinematic 2.35:1 widescreen shots.

The new accessory, sold as the X5 Photography Grip but also compatible with the X4 Air, is available from Insta360's own store or major retailers like Amazon.

It places the hand and grip near the base of the device, connecting to the same point that the Invisible Selfie Stick would. That means that although the design isn't completely invisible to the camera's lenses, it is still able to perceive a significant part of the imaging sphere without interruption, and capture wide panoramas.

The idea solves one of the biggest usability quirks of 360 cameras: awkward handling. By making the camera feel more like a familiar compact, Insta360 could make the X5 and X4 Air feel more accessible to casual creators.

The shutter button has been designed to be "satisfyingly tactile" (as Insta360 puts it), while the control and power is drawn via the camera's USB-C port, making the device effectively lag-free and not in need of separate batteries.

You might argue that Insta360 has missed a trick in not making the device, with dimensions of 84 x 62.6 x 33.8mm (3.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in) into a battery accessory too. That said, the aluminum alloy housing with silicone outer – shipped with a wrist strap – is still 135g (4.8oz) and compact camera users also value low weight.

While battery life is a serious concern for one of the best 360 cameras, if you're using it mostly for panoramic stills, it will certainly keep you busy for a day without needing a boost.

If you are thinking of video capture, your hand is so far out of the shot that single-lens vloggers should also see the advantage of this device – there is plenty of room to crop down to normal 16:9 or other video formats.

The X5 Photography Grip is on sale now for $49.99 / £47.99 and is compatible with the X5 and X4 Air (but not the X4). It is available in black and white colors (to match the different camera variants Insta360 has shipped).

According to online leaks, the Insta360 X6 has been registered by the 360-degree camera market leader, so delivery of the new top-of-the-range camera – the sequel to the X5 – should be expected soon.

The leaker, Mauro Tandoi, posts about drones and cameras, and seems to have some good evidence at times, so I am not ignoring what he has to say here.

But what features would a new X6 offer that the X5 – already our top pick for best 360 camera – offer? Well, in truth, the X5's advantage isn't as clear now as it was when that camera launched. Since then, both the DJI Osmo 360 and the GoPro Max 2 have come along with new features and sensors making the X5's position a lot more precarious.

Many might suggest that a bump in image sensor size – to at least match the DJI Osmo 360's 1/1.1-inch sensors – would be the obvious one.

8K60fps would also be a significant step up. The X5 (and indeed the Antigravity A1 drone) are both 30fps in 8K, dropping to 5.7K for single lens 120fps.

A newer camera should offer 10-bit color and better HDR in order to compete with DJI's offering, and larger image sensors in order to tackle the low-light complaints.

Boosting the battery and internal thermals could help with the necessary processing. If 8K60fps is a little way off, then higher imaging resolutions seem even further away, so don't expect to hear anything about 16K!

The other aspect of 360-degree imaging which gives a company an edge is the post-processing software, and there Insta360 has long held an advantage thanks in large part to its head start, but both DJI and GoPro have been catching up, as evidenced by their recent releases. In fact, this is essentially how the X5 clings on our list – that and availability issues surrounding DJI in the USA.

In DJI's case, that was the company's first 360-degree drone, the Avata 360, and – while I still found aspects of the Studio app clunky, especially around saving and exporting – it definitely afforded a lot of possibilities.

None of this can be known for sure from the information currently available, but the leak from certification suggests that the spring launch window is likely, as it has been in years past. Both the X4 and X5 launched in mid-April.

Interestingly, prices have also crept up over time, the X4 launched at $499, while the X5 was generally $549. Now, there is no information on a new price, but with tariffs and semiconductor limitations, it seems very unlikely a new device will cost less to buy.

On the other hand, traditionally the previous year's model has often gotten cheaper...

The DJI Osmo 360 Standard Combo has just dropped to its lowest-ever price, and if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to step into immersive content creation, this is it.

Now sitting at just £292.50, down from £409.99, you’re saving a very respectable £117.49 on a camera that’s built for capturing the world in full, dynamic 360 degrees.

The Osmo 360 offers a far more engaging way to tell stories. Whether you're shooting travel, action, or even behind-the-scenes footage for social, the ability to reframe your shots after capture is a genuine game-changer and adds real creative flexibility.

What makes the Osmo 360 particularly appealing is how accessible DJI has made the entire experience. This isn’t a complicated, pro-only bit of kit. It’s compact, intuitive, and designed to slot seamlessly into your workflow, whether you're a seasoned creator or just getting started. The stabilization is what you’d expect from DJI, meaning smooth, usable footage even when things get a little unpredictable.

At this price, it becomes even more compelling. A £117.49 saving isn’t just a minor discount, it’s the kind of drop that makes you reconsider what’s possible within your budget. For under £300, you’re getting a highly capable 360 camera from one of the most trusted names in imaging, and that’s not something we see every day.

If you’ve been curious about stepping into 360 video or want to expand your creative toolkit, this deal makes a strong case for itself. It’s one of those rare moments where price and potential align perfectly, and given it’s the lowest we’ve seen, it may not stick around for long.

Check out our full guide to the best 360 cameras

DJI, the largest and most successful consumer drone company, is not often second to any sphere, but Insta360’s drone arm Antigravity got its ‘A1’ 360-degree drone out late in 2025. The two drones, however, are very different.

While the A1 is all about folding, the Avata 360 is bigger, heavier, and seems to be built with creators in mind. It has a frame – and a name – inherited from DJI’s series of FPV drones (which require goggles to fly), but that is only an option here; pilots can choose to navigate with a ‘traditional’ stick controller and enjoy the advantages of post-flight video manipulation.

That offers a cost-saving as well as a creativity alternative, but despite a lower cost of entry, DJI has not skimped on specs – this drone has an 8K video system, collision sensors, and is capable of some pretty nifty speeds. Is this the new king of 360-degree drones? I tested it, and this is what I thought...

Price

At launch, the DJI Avata 360 can be picked up in a number of different bundles, all of which help make it surprisingly accessible and good value – especially if you’ve already got some experience with DJI.

The drone alone is £409 / AU$799 (about $550).

With the most basic remote controller, the DJI RC2, the drone is £639 / AU$1159 (about $855)

The Fly More Combo pushes that to £829 / AU$1619 (about $1110), and there is a version of the combo with the DJI RC2 or one with the motion (wand) controller.

Specs

Build and handling

On unboxing, the first thing that I noticed was that the Avata 360 is a surprisingly big drone. That’s partly because, given the “cinewhoop” styling (guards around the propellors) the natural comparison is the popular, cheap, and VERY small DJI Neo as much as it is the Avata 2, but this is bigger than both of those drones.

DJI has opted for a rotating camera mechanism, so, when on the ground the drone, has a front-facing camera (one of the two 4K fish-eye cameras that make up the 360-degree camera). Once aloft, the entire block on which it sits rotates 90 degrees, so one lens points down and the other points upward, together functioning as an 8K 360-degree camera.

This rotation is essential as otherwise the delicate lens would need to rest on the ground during take-off and landing, and is arguably a more elegant solution than the A1’s landing legs.

There is also the option to fly with one camera facing forward and the block will then act as a 1-axis gimbal to stabilize the video.

Both of these cameras have a 1/1.1-inch image sensor (DJI is calling them ‘1-inch equivalent’) with a 200˚ field of view (specs which might be very familiar if you’ve seen DJI’s land-based Osmo 360 action camera.

The front of the drone also has two collision sensors that are part of an omnidirectional collision sensing system.

The control mechanism will be familiar to anyone who has already used a DJI drone, since it uses the RS2 or the floating joystick/wand-like ‘Motion Controller’, which I find makes FPV a joy.

Refined over time, the DJI control system displays a live view on the screen or in the goggles, with data like the remaining batteries and other essentials displayed graphically.

There is a slight change, though. Where in the past you might have seen a 1x 2x 4x ‘stepped’ zoom, there is instead a FOV option which even lets you explore a ‘small world’ view, such is the capability of a 360-camera. The dials can also be used to do this smoothly, but the result is the same (I let my junior ‘reviewer’s assistant’ try this and he found it a bit strange, but enjoyable).

Software

The real difference between shooting in 360 using a traditional camera is the export process, since most of the time you’ll need to share the video or photo as a traditional ‘flat’ image.

DJI provide a tool called DJI Studio for Mac or PC, which can be downloaded and handles this task – it looks a lot like a video editor and adding keyframes is not too difficult.

Personally, I found it a bit clunky compared to Final Cut Pro, my editor of choice, but to some extent, this is a matter of getting used to it. The app does feature a good implementation of after-the-fact subject tracking, so you can do a fly-by at speed, then later make it seem like the camera followed the person as you flew by (DJI liken this to having a second camera operator on the DJI Inspire 3 cinematography drone).

Performance

For my first flight, I opted to stick to the standard RC-2. (In the UK, where I was testing the drone, it’s legally required to have a ‘spotter’ with you to use goggles, so feel free to read ‘opted’ and ‘had no friends’ however you choose there)

I was impressed with the drone’s speed and manouverability given that the build is a little bit bigger, and a little less dense, than the Avata 2.

At first I was a little nervous about flying the drone near obstacles, but the cinewhoop design meant I was able to bump it into trees with reasonable confidence that the drone would survive. The lenses are another matter, but DJI has thought of that too, and they are replaceable.

The drone's battery life seems pretty good by old-school FPV standards (though might trouble some videographers, used to drones with over 30 minutes. Thrash it around for a bit of drama, though, and the nominal '23 mins' will drop a lot faster (as is always the case). Nonetheless I think the balance is about right; I didn't feel unduly restrained by the battery.

Sample Images

Sample Video

You'll see some stitching issues when the drone gets close to trees, but for the most part the video is of impressive quality. It is edited entirely within DJI Studio, in a bit of a hurry I have to admit.

If you're unaware of the term, stitching refers to the joining of the two half-world images that go to making the drones spherical world view from the two separate cameras – the cameras do vibrate a little, so the stitching line appears when objects are close. This seems to have been well-managed with this device, but not perfectly.

Overall verdict

Thanks to the various leaks and spoilers, it’s been easy to anticipate the form a DJI 360-degree drone might take, but even without them, this is exactly the right approach for the established market leader. It caters to its broad creative base.

The fact is confident in its weight and size suggest that DJI knew all along that high-quality visuals – the content – mattered more in the design of the Avata 360 than hitting legal thresholds for certain consumers.

The result is a more obviously professional-friendly drone that is perhaps the YouTuber or TikToker’s perfect upgrade from the DJI Neo, with the capability to dramatically change the tone of aerial shots, and get more work done in less time.

It’s not perfect. 8K is adequate, but as a long-time reviewer of 360-degree cameras and (more recently) drones, I can’t help but hope that more detail comes. It’s the best any consumer device offers now, looking very good thanks to those big sensors, and surprisingly reasonably priced. If portability and hobby flying are your goals, perhaps look back at the A1, but otherwise, this is a very tempting proposition.

Alternatives

How I test drones

I am a drone expert, with years of experience flying drones – when I started you more or less had to build them yourself, though the consumer era was just beginning. I have operated drones commercially for TV, as well as for pleasure, and I also take a 'young apprentice' with me where I can to get the view of the youthful generation, as I did with the Avata 360. In other words the one thing I've learned over the years – and the thing I put into practice is this: you need to experience the drone in real-world conditions yourself. So that's what I do. As you'll see from the pictures, I flew the Avata 360 with different controllers in different lighting conditions.

360-degree cameras have been around for several years, but while cameras that can see in every direction are easy to find, some of the accessories feel a bit more limited. Case in point? Most video lights only put light out in one direction, creating a spotlight effect when used with immersive cameras. But lighting brand Harlowe’s newest light is made for use with 360 cameras.

The Harlowe Omni 360 2W is a compact, constant LED light designed to work with 360 cameras. Unlike traditional lights, the Omni sends out light to the front, back, and sides, lighting the immersive view captured by 360 cameras.

The company says that the light is designed for “balanced, wraparound light” in order to keep footage looking consistent. The light was originally teased at CP+, but launched on March 17.

The 360 light also has a mode for 180-degree shooting, a mode that still packs in the light’s full 2W. The Omni also has a boost mode for up to 4W of light output. The light also adjusts to different color temperatures, as well as brightness.

But, most lights have a back panel that houses the different settings. The Omni can’t use that traditional design since it sends light out the back. Instead, the light has buttons at the top – but it even has gesture control built in.

Many 360 cameras are built with action camera-level durability and waterproofing, so Harlowe built the light with an IP54 rating. That’s good for withstanding dust and splashes, but it isn’t meant to go underwater.

The light’s cold-shoe mount is also magnetic for quick mounting. The light can be purchased on its own or in a bundle with cages made for the Insta360 X5 or DJI Osmo 360.

The light starts at $95, higher for bundles with a camera cage. International pricing hasn’t yet been announced, but that’s about £71 / AU$134 / CA$130. A number of retailers have the new light listed in stock, including B&H in the US.

When I was at my last photography show last year, one of the small brands that had me instantly charmed was Harlowe, with its display of retro-looking lighting gear. The Omni looks like a welcome addition, particularly since 360 lighting is hard to come by (though it looks like there’s a small assortment of other options, like this one).

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Browse the best 360 cameras or the best video lights.

The Insta360 Titan, an 11K 360 camera that is the cinematic equivalent of consumer Insta360 X5, was adapted for spaceflight by the Canadian space agency and everything was going well – until it wasn't. Today a film is released explaining how the mission was recovered after contact was lost...

The Insta360 Titan is an 11K camera but it was designed for cinematographers to use down on Earth, where there is enough atmosphere for traditional fan-based ventilation systems to keep the device cool, and traditional materials can be used for the shell.

The idea of capturing 360-degree video showing the path of the moon over the surface of the planet below was tempting, though, and the idea of using the best resolution device available was appealing to the Dorothy Project – a Canadian group which set out with the goal of helping everyone get the "edge of space feel" that astronauts experience.

There is much to be said for that, too, if we want our planet to survive – some of the best quotes about humans needing to live in harmony come from those who have seen Earth from beyond, experiencing what is known as the overview effect.

Before this mission could be ready for spaceflight, taking the device 35km above the surface of the Earth, a lot had to happen, including protection against the intense solar radiation, and preparation for the experiences of forces up to 7G – even though balloon rather that a rocket was to be used.

After launch, the camera was sending back live footage, and recording – perhaps for the first time – a high-resolution stereoscopic 3D 360 footage – so understandably it was wanted in full but, soon after the mission reached full height, the camera stopped transmitting a signal.

Happily, though, the mission was built with the ability, if all else fails, for a robotic arm to extend and press 'the button' – the story of which is explained in the movie being released today.

So, instead of a total loss, just 40 minutes of panic ensued.

You might not take a camera into space, but it is reassuring to know that it is a lot easier to turn a regular Insta360 camera off and on if it's that little bit nearer.

To be fair, I've rarely experienced any kind of crash in my testing, which is why they do so well in my guide to the best 360 cameras – but then I must admit neither I nor Digital Camera World yet has a space program.

The GoPro Max 2 is a brilliant, rugged 360-degree camera with all the features you could want and 8K resolution to boot. It's the top of the GoPro line, the cernterpiece of the company's last launch event, and now it's available for a massive £120 off at Wex

I'm the 360-degree camera expert at DCW, and, honestly, I was lamenting GoPro's gradual slipping behind in the 360-degree action camera race – until, that is, the brand shot back with the spectacular Max 2.

This camera matches all the other premium cameras from competitors by recording 8K (in fact GoPro even call it 'True 8K' for reasons of their own), and it also boasts the company's reputation for a rugged build.

In my review of the GoPro Max 2, I noted how far the company had come with this device – it features sensible design improvements over its predecessor, like back-to-back lenses for better image stitching (how the cameras make a single 'spherical' image that you can then re-direct in an app on phone or computer later).

What makes a 360-degree camera is as much the software as the device, and GoPro has also done a brilliant job of this, meaning re-pointing the view, and changing the perspective after you have made your video is simple.

Out of a possible 20 stars in the review summary, this got 18 – and one of those was for value. This deal definitely resolves that!

Now there is absolutely no need to consider the out-of-date GoPro Max (2025) – you can have the latest and greatest without compromise.

DJI's new teaser doesn't explicitly confirm the long-rumored Avata 360, but it comes as close as possible to doing so, and it has immediately set the drone world alight.

It's unusual for DJI, the biggest brand in consumer drones, to be behind the game but, in 2025, the Insta360-incubated brand Antigravity launched the first consumer 360-degree drone, the Antigravity A1. Since then the entire industry has been waiting to see how DJI would respond.

I've seen leaked images from various sources – some reliable, some not-so reliable, but until now, there has been nothing from DJI themselves. But there is no way this social post can be misinterpreted.

Not only does the first line, "An all-new dimension," allude to the idea that the camera tech is going to change, and the hashtags confirm that we're looking at a DJI drone – not one of the company's many other product categories, but the intense video edit itself features the 'small world' effect associated with 360-degree cameras.

That's because you need a 360-degree camera to see the whole world around the camera while the camera is still moving like this. Indeed, the effect is one you can create using DJI's own land-based Osmo 360 camera, as well as the Antigravity A1 (not to mention the Insta360 X-series cameras and the GoPro Max 2)!

Not only that, but the camera capturing the video in the clip is clearly flying the kind of path you'd associate with the best FPV drones, hence my concluding 'Avata' is likely the name here.

I am definitely not alone in this assumption. Perhaps the biggest DJI leaker, Igor Bogdanov, who posts on X, has been suggesting this will be the name of the future DJI 360 drone for some time, too:

So, what specs would I anticipate? Coming late to the market, DJI has to at least match the Antigravity, so I'm expecting to see:

• 8K (total between two back-to-back cameras) at 60fps
• 4 blade props (seen in some leaked pics)
• Propellor guards
• Collision sensors

At the moment there is no reliable news on pricing, though we can assume as FPV drone so there will likely be packages from $500 to well over $1,200 depending on the need to acquire the drone only or controllers, and what level of compatibility there is with DJI's existing controllers and FPV goggles like the Goggles 3 from the existing Avata 2.

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Check my guides to the best action cameras and the best 360 cameras, as well as my guide to the best FPV drones and the best camera drones.

DJI fans will be interested to know we're also seeing a lot of talk about other upcoming DJI products, and deals on current FPV drones.

As the old adage goes: Never work with children or cheeky little sled dogs. A video from AP Archive documents AP journalist Emma Burrows' account of the moment she and her colleague, Zhenya, realized their $700 360 camera was missing, while filming dog sledding in Greenland.

Both jumping to the same conclusion that a cheeky dog had pinched the device, they trudged through the snow in near darkness to visit the dogs’ location and soon found their half-chewed camera.

“There, amazingly, on the ground, was lying the 360-degree camera," said Emma. “And what’s even more amazing is that the dog had hit record.” In the video that the journalists retrieved, the cheeky canine can be seen chewing its expensive ‘toy’ before hot-pawing it over to a sled, which it then hides beneath, suggesting it knew exactly what it was doing.

The footage of the dog trotting off with the Insta360 camera is rather hilarious, with the wide-angle perspective forming a caricature image of the pawpetrator. Make sure you watch the video (above) to see the canine filmmaker in action.

Despite a few seconds of footage showing the chewed-up camera, there’s no mention of it no longer working. Visually, it seems to have held up rather well, with most of the visible damage affecting the case. What’s most surprising is that the lens looks to have remained relatively unscathed.

So, there you have it, if you’re working with sled dogs any time soon, make sure you keep an eye on your camera equipment, lest a plucky pup decides it’s time for their star turn.

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If you're into 360 degree cameras, check out the Insta360 X5. You might also be interested in the best action cameras. Plus, here's what happened when a 360 camera was strapped to a British Superbike.

While 360 cameras have been around for a hot minute, arguably the technology only properly found its feet for most people with the release of the Insta360 X4 in 2024. So why did it take another year? Let me explain...

Until the X4, 360 cameras were already pretty much there. I'd already written about how cool the tech was for consumers – something you could take on a family vacation.

GoPro had come along with the Max camera and shown the possibilities, then Insta360 refined the concept with the X series – and it was, essentially, established at the point the company's X4 upped the video resolution to 8K.

That means 8K across the dual fisheye cameras that record the spherical view of the whole scene, so we're still not talking masses of resolution – especially if you need to crop into a specific region of the view – but it was still a significant and visible jump up from the 5.7K that leading predecessors the X3 and the GoPro Max offered.

So it sounds like 2024, not 2025, was the year of 360?

Yes, sure, one company gave consumers a great option last year (and it was still Insta360's flagship product coming into this year), but one camera does not an industry make.

Why 2025 is different is because there was suddenly a lot of 360 cameras offering 8K resolution and a variety of features. Suddenly, consumers thinking of entering the market are spoiled for choice – and not just from suspect value brands, either.

DJI and GoPro were among the big names offering a bigger, better selection – while Insta360 had new offerings for consumers, too.

GoPro Max 2

GoPro Max 2: Actually worth the wait

Those of us who had been watching the action camera industry for a long time had started to get a little frustrated by GoPro. The company has brilliant products, but also kept openly hinting that it would replace its 5.7K 360 camera.

After nothing happened for a long time, something arguably even more frustrating happened – the original camera got a very minor update that gave it a USB-C socket so you could at least charge it in this day and age. Fine, but not what we'd been hoping for.

Then… Ta Da! When the Max 2 did arrive for a review in late 2025, it boasted not just 8K but something GoPro called 'True 8K' (spoiler: it's still 8K). Compatible with GoPro's new Enduro batteries and mounts, the camera has impressive image quality and looks thoroughly 'GoPro'.

The company has also mastered replaceable lens glass – very in-keeping with its reputation for ruggedness (it's an important issue for 360 cameras, which took Insta360 several iterations before mastering with the X5).

DJI Osmo 360

DJI Osmo 360: Amazing resolution and features from a newbie

Some might say that DJI – having seen Insta360 building a drone company and already in a battle with GoPro for the best action camera – decided that this battle couldn't be avoided.

Arguably, it's been the most interesting for a lot of reasons. No question it's a great camera. DJI opted to use square imager sensors, which are more capable in lower light. The flipside might be that you'd expect to see a more pronounced blur (thanks to a wider aperture) but I found it did well in my testing.

On the other hand, DJI's reframing software was more obviously a first-generation product – capable but a little less polished, especially compared to Insta360 Studio. Still, with 120MP stills and some surprising discounts early on, DJI shouldn't be discounted.

The other reason the company may be of interest has to do with some rumors about a different 360 camera device… but we've got something else to discuss first.

Insta360 X5

Insta360 X5: Premium camera from the market leader refined

The Insta360 X5 didn't boost the resolution from 8K, but it did make a number of refinements – the principle one being the ability to shoot without using lens guards.

Until this point, using an X-series camera in rougher situations had usually meant protecting the lenses with guards, which in turn tended to affect the shot (especially visible where the image was stitched). The X5 had both replaceable lenses and twist-on/off guards, meaning that the camera could be used in a lot of contexts without too much worry.

With battery life at up to 185 minutes in 'Endurance mode' (though more realistically around an hour and a half), the camera was also just better in terms of processing than its predecessor. And 5.7K can also be shot at 60fps, though at 72MP the stills resolution woudln't match the DJI Osmo 360 that would come later in the year.

Then again, it wouldn't be the last Insta360 camera of 2025…

Cheaper choices

Insta360 X4 Air: Two 8K choices from one company!

Insta360 did release another camera in 2025, but not the (presumably under development somewhere) X6.

No, it was the X4 Air, which cut the camera down to the bare bones, made it even smaller and less powerful than the X4 itself, but crucially kept the 8K video – which it seems Insta360 now feels is a competitive essential.

Akaso 360: A budget brand enters the 360 market

It used to be that the cheapest way to get a 360 camera was to see how far back you could go in the Insta360 X series, but for other action cameras there were always brands out there dedicated to creating specific lower-cost models.

As of this year, one of those brands – Akaso – has delivered a 360 camera, so there is no need to hope someone is still keeping stock of an old Insta360 X3 and that it's being heavily discounted. Instead, you can go straight for the (admittedly also 5.7K maximum) Akaso 360.

360 camera drones

Antigravity A1: The flying 360 camera launched in 2025

I thought it wasn't going to happen. I was even told it wasn't going to happen, but in the end it did. The Antigravity A1 – a drone built with a 360 camera using Insta360 technology – was launched before the end of 2025.

In other words, 360 camera tech has not only taken off with the major action camera brands – it has now literally taken off, too.

Flying the drone requires wearing FPV goggles, so you can turn your head and sensors detect the movement, showing you the view as if you were looking there. That's great, like being a pilot in a cockpit, and takes advantage of FPV technology better than many drones before it – but that's only half the brilliance.

You also get the true advantage of 360 filming: that you can re-direct the camera after the flight, in the edit. Put these two things together and you can fly a difficult and exciting flight through obstacles, but then in the edit keep the view on the subject as you swoop past it.

Having flown this and edited using the software – which is Insta360's – I found it surprisingly easy. This tool has been more refined over time than GoPro's or DJI's. The only real problem (other than the fact that any editing does add a little time) is that it's a bit too fun. This was always a problem with drones, but definitely more so now!

And in 2026?

It's impressive that Antigravity – not market leader DJI – is the company that got this drone out first, but rumors suggest that there might be an Avata 360 from DJI before the end of 2026. And it does seem unlikely that a company so far ahead in other areas of drone tech could be so far behind here.

Otherwise, like many 360 camera users, I'll be hoping against hope that the battery and heat management tech can come along to afford even higher resolution – or, failing that, 60fps at 8K. I suspect something like 11MP sampled down for a sharper 8K than the X5, but still a 7680 x 4320 output limit.

Insta360 has, historically, released a new X series camera around April, so it's not impossible that we'll see a new device then. I can't imagine GoPro will have a new device that quickly, given it took half a decade last time, while DJI is much harder to anticipate.

Other than some optimistic online chat, I've read nothing about either, so I suspect 2026 will be a year of wait and see (or, in other words, now really is the time to join the 360 market because the tech has just climbed a good step and is catching its breath.

Should you buy a 360 camera?

Personally, I think it's a great time, and for creatives with a social and video focus – or with mapping / recording – it's a great way to get ahead. It's just early enough that effects like 'small world' and manipulating framing don't seem overused, which means for a now relatively inexpensive device you can get a lot of impact.

As mentioned above, it seems unlikely that a significant tech change can come. But there is one thing that all the main brands can improve: their software, which comes in the form of phone apps and editing apps for the computer.

In every case (at the moment) these are provided as free downloads, so having the camera won't actually slow you down – it'll get you ahead of the competition when it comes to practicing!

It's also true that the 8K resolution standard means most 360 cameras are effectively good enough to be used as 4K action cameras. So while they might seem a little costly, it might be a cost you don't need to spend twice.

All the key brands also have compatibility with low-cost Bluetooth microphones, keeping editing quick for socials.

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Take a look at the best 360 cameras, along with the best action cameras and the best 8K cameras.

Trying 360 photography is a lot easier than you think. In fact its easier than ordinary photography because you don't even need to think where you're pointing the camera.

For those of you asking where the fun in that is, hold on – there is a lot more creativity available – you just need to be open to thinking in a slightly different way. You'll be fine. I believe in you! But a lot of people are put off by the idea of having to invest in a new piece of camera equipment and, right now, that is much of a worry than ever with some spectacular deals this Black Friday.

The thing is, it has been a very busy few months in the 360 camera world, with three companies all releasing major products within a very short space of time. They are the DJI Osmo 360, the GoPro Max 2, and the Insta360 X4 Air.

The latter is especially interesting for those looking to keep costs down because it's the first lower-price version of a previous model – at least in name; there was an X4 (not Air) that was slightly bigger and lacked some of the same features.

What's really interesting though, is that even though this camera has just come out, Insta360 has bowed to the pressure of the season and made a massive price cut – at least for direct sales.

It's also possible to pick up great prices on the company's other 360 cameras through Amazon or other retailers. The Insta360 X4 (without 'Air' at the end) was the first mainstream consumer 360 camera with 8K resolution, and this feature is more significant than any other upgrade that others have offered since. Because it's now effectively an older model – with the X5 or the X4 Air as the newer ones – it can be found for some pretty interesting prices despire being well equipped.

Insta360 has been established in the field for a few years now, and has also built a good range of software. Software is important because it allows you to 'point the camera' after the fact. If, for example, you want to export your video in a traditional format

But they are not the only company that has done so. GoPro has spent some years selling a 360 camera called the Max, and in the last year announced a minor update, commonly called the 2025 edition, and finally – just a few weeks ago – an all-new Max 2 which is also 8K. There isn't a lot of discounting to be found yet, as you might expect, for a brand new top-of-the-line product, but I've still seen $50 off at Amazon:

The other big name in the action camera space, DJI, also took 2025 to throw its hat into the 360 camera ring with its own all-new camera, the Osmo 360, which has also been discounted impressively for a few months.

DJI's own software isn't quite as mature, but works on phones and on Mac and PC and is able to identify and track subjects so it covers all the key bases, while the camera features impressive image sensors that achieve some of the highest image resolutions.

So, in essence, what I'm saying is that I'm the expert here and I love this tech but there has never been a better time to get in at the top end – with the kind of resolution that you won't need to replace with a new model anytime soon.

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Check my guide to the best 360 cameras to see where all these models sit.

I've been covering 360 cameras for years now, and I won't tell you the GoPro MAX360 (2025) is the latest and greatest because we all know the MAX2 just came out. That, I'm sure, is why this is so cheap. But that doesn't mean this isn't a decent working 360 camera – plus you get access to GoPro's software and the 2025 version was updated so (while it is mostly the older model) it charges & connects with USB-C so it should work for years to come!

A 360-degree camera like the MAX360 and its sibling the Max 2 pick up video from all around the device, so a lot of the technology on offer is available in the app which accompanies it.

For the 2025 release of the MAX360, as well as updating the connectivity to USB-C on its 360-degree camera, the company also improved the app, Quik, to add features like automatic subject tracking. That means that you just need to keep the camera in roughly the right place and tap on a subject later and the app will keep them in frame if you want to export your video – in any shape (horizontal, vertical).

GoPro, of course, can extend this further with cloud-based services if you choose, but there are plenty of cool effects available, like Spin, Flip, Roll, Wobble, Tiny Planet, and you can plot your own exports precisely using keyframes if you choose.

The MAX can be controlled remotely from your phone, and images and creations can be shared straight from there or edited and shared from there. It can also live stream at 1080P. There is a lot of potential here for vloggers!

The camera has an array of six microphones and is able to either detect spatial sound or use the extra data to minimise wind noise. Despite this, the whole camera is is also waterproof to 5m (around 15ft).

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Would I buy this camera, even at this price? Sure, as a gift! I don't think people appreciate how much fun a 360-camera is, or how useful it is.

That said, I also think as soon as you get one, you want a better one, so I do tend to point people to the guide to the best 360 cameras.

A new free firmware update for the GoPro Max 2 has unleashed some significant updates that improve camera quality – and if you're brave enough the GoPro Labs update turns the device into a real pro system.

Some of these will make a notable difference to the camera's performance, meaning the GoPro Max 2 that already impressed in reviews might be even better with expanded Protune controls that allow adjustment of Blur Reduction and Noise reduction by the user.

• See the latest Black Friday GoPro deals

If you have a GoPro Max 2, you'll be invited to update to the 1.20.00 version of the firmware.

This will also bring you POV Preset – a feature that offers on-screen guidance to help you capture shots, and Selfie Preset to help creators get their selfies right. New modes for slow motion, everyday social media and long recording are included too. All in all, the feature set has been expanded.

The Quik app also gains some features to match, including after-the-fact dynamic speed controls and "360 HyperSmooth Stabilization Control" which will, apparently, allow creators to decide whether to dial back vibrations further or embrace a bit of shake for effect.

The GoPro Labs process is for slightly braver camera owners prepared to try experimental features, but is carefully explained on the site. I was able to download and install the firmware for the Labs, though I didn't actually have time to get the features up and running before sharing with you.

Perhaps the most exciting pro option that are tucked in this experimental phase are 300Mbps Bitrate, offering pro editors better quality video out

The obvious compromise is that files will be significantly larger – the 'high' bitrate in. standard mode is 120Mbps and the camera defaults to lower. I'm not sure, as I've not tested it yet, but it might also get warmer.

Another is High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI) merge – a simple one-click process that can merge 8 to 11 bracketed exposures, all taken around two stops apart, into a single image with highlight and shadow detail which could be hugely useful for 3D, VFX and virtual production professionals.

The Labs features will also include low-light optimization features and the option to tune the image stitching, which is interesting.

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Check my full review of the GoPro Max 2 and see if it made it to the top of the best 360 camera guide.

Insta360's range of 360 cameras now offers both a premium 8K camera and this newer, lighter version of the X4. Usually, when companies offer a lesser camera in this space it is the resolution that suffers – GoPro's old Max (1) being a case in point, or the X3 – but here the X4 Air has the same 8K as the X5 and, in fact, bigger imaging sensors than the original X4.

Where, then, is the compromise? Well, it is lighter, so rest assured that I'll be looking quite closely at the battery life (which officially caps at 88 minutes in the lab at 8K)

The stills resolution seems to be capped at 29MP so this is definitely more of a video camera, though if you're an action enthusiast also looking to get traditional video, there are still one-lens modes. Some of the low-light modes for the X5 aren't included too, so I'll just try the camera in a dark room and we'll see how it does!

The key principles of 360 photography are still very much respected. The camera has a screw hole for the Invisible Selfie Stick, it has "FlowState Stabilization" and HorizionLock, noise cancellation. There are also plenty of cool effects in camera thanks to InstaFrame, including subject tracking.

Insta360 X4 Air: Specs

Insta360 X4 Air: Pricing

• Camera only $399.99 / £359 / AU$639.99
• Starter Bundle (Selfie stick, lens cap, extra battery) $439 / £389 / AU$699.99

At the worldwide launch on October 28 2025, the price was over $100 less than Insta360's premium device, the X5 (which was $549 / £519 at launch), yet still boasts 8K resolution. The X4 Air also has a lens replacement system – very handy on a 360 camera as we'll see, and not ubiquitous.

Insta360 X4 Air: Build and handling

At first glance, I didn't immediately appreciate the difference between the Insta360 X4 Air and its siblings, the X4 and X5. When they're not actually next to each other, they're not massively different in size – though the X4 Air is noticeably smaller and thinner. Moreover they adopt exactly the same design language; they're rectangualar, with a portrait touchscreen on one side.

Of course there are back-to-back fish-eye lenses; together they give the camera a spherical all-around view of the world which it can stitch together for that 360 view. These are both near the 'top' on the flatter sides, while the edge of the camera has a textured grip that still feels to be a quality component despite the lower cost.

A notable difference is that below the touchscreen there is only the shutter button on the X4 Air, whereas the X5 has a shutter and a menu button, as well as a power and a QuickShot button on the side. Clearly, Insta360 has decided there isn't the space for as many physical buttons (personally, I don't mind as they can be more confusing than helpful on a 360 camera anyway).

There is still a QuickShot button though – to begin shooting from standby mode – on the side, on the side, next to the power button.

I did notice that the plastic on the front next to the name seemed a little scratchy when compared to the X5, even if all the edges felt of good quality. Overall, though, I had no concerns about the robust nature of the camera and the most important thing is that it is possible – with a $30 kit and included tool – to replace the lenses without sending the camera away or paying someone to do the job. That is excellent news, and a great bit of design (which explains the three blades around the rim of the lens that are faintly reminiscent of a radiation symbol).

Power comes from a detachable battery, which has waterproof latches, in a similar design the camera's bigger brother. A smaller flapped door with a waterproof latch exists on the opposite side (beneath the buttons) with a USB-C port beneath it. The upshot of all this is 15m (49ft) waterproofing. This can charge the battery present in the camera though files can also be downloaded by Wi-Fi / Bluetooth and one of the first things the camera will try and do is encourage you to download the app.

Insta360 is well established in the 360 camera game and has an app for iOS and Android, as well as for Windows & Mac, and plugins for FCPX and Premiere which means that at the moment Insta360 probably has the edge over its 360 hardware competition in terms of software.

Insta360 X4 Air: Performance

In simple operation as a 360 video, the camera is straightforward to use and responsive, which is a very good start. The power switch gives you a power on chime and has the active preview screen ready in a couple of seconds, from where you can swipe to any angle on the admittedly compact but crisp 2.5-inch touchscreen without worrying about any lag, or access the modes menu.

Insta360 keeps the screen tidy with features like tucking the battery percentage away under a graphic, but flying it out if you tap on the battery. I was worried about the battery, but actually it lasted longer than I anticipated when I took the device out on a job.

The selfie view did a good job of keeping me in shot, a bit like a smart gimbal, making traditional cameras seem a little old-fashioned, too.

Image quality in good light was difficult to dispute, and in lower light stills look OK (so long as you're not planning to zoom in too far to a specific point). Camera movement in low-light video, however, isn't especially well forgiven so while I got some nice videos with the camera on a support, when only people were moving, giving speeches or eating (it was a wedding), the shots on the classic invisible selife pole were more prone to exaggerated vibration.

Sample Video

Insta360 X4 Air: Overall Verdict

I used the Insta360 X4 Air in the same kind if locations that I'd use any other 360-degree camera, indoors and out, and I found that the video looked good and was just as easy to work with.

Despite the lack of a specific low-light mode, I got decent footage recording speeches from the camera on a fixed post at a wedding in a dark venue, so there are possibilities. The system's smarts are even more impressive in good light, though, as the InstaFrame feature revealed to me, when it had no problem keeping my face in shot. (I also liked the fun stuff like the barrel roll feature).

Insta360 has been generous with the feature list – road mode, star lapse etc. – which is not always true of action cameras and their cheaper models (loud cough and looks in the direction of GoPro). The option of a Mini Remote that fits into the Foldable 2-in-1 Selfie Stick was also a nice plus (Insta360 lent me one of these to try with the camera) and the only thing I didn't like was that, by default, the camera loudly said "Start recording" when it did. Me, I'd have had this quiet unless enabled!

So, to answer the original question I had – is this camera the solution or should you still go for the premium options? For the answer to that I've got a full guide (best 360 cameras) but I honestly think that the TLDR is for video in the day, when most people capture their 360 action, this is a great solution – otherwise there are still good reasons to look elsewhere. But don't worry too much about the battery or the resolution.

Alternatives

Insta360 – known for action cameras and above all 360 cameras – had established a strong technical lead in the niche over GoPro until that company finally launched its GoPro MAX 2 a few weeks ago. Suddenly, GoPro had both a new 8K spherical camera and an older 5.7K one, which retailers could sell for a bargain price.

Where did that leave Insta360, which already had 8K as a feature of its premium X5 camera? Interestingly, it seems that the company has chosen, instead, to beef up its lesser offering with a new category, which it is calling the "X4 Air."

The new camera is being offered in both white and black housings, both featuring dual 1/1.8-inch image sensors. These sensors represent a 134% increase in pixel area in comparison to the original Insta360 X4 camera.

The "Air" refers to the body weight of the camera, at 165 grams (0.36 pounds), but the fact the camera is still an 'X4' means that it boasts 8K video recording when capturing 360-degree video. Camera can shoot using AdaptiveTone and Active HDR at up to 8K30fps, and has a 'Portrait Mode' which can detect faces and adjust the brightness to favour smooth natural skin tones.

The X4 Air has, despite the weight loss, seen a boost to durability, user-replaceable lenses with an ultra-hard optical coating which Insta360 doubles drop resistance compared to the original X4.

"X4 Air is about capturing life as it happens," said Max Richer, VP of Marketing and Co-Founder at Insta360. "It lets creators stay present while capturing everything around them. It's for anyone who wants to film real life without the weight or complexity — a lighter, simpler way to tell stories."

Later, you can easily reframe footage in the Insta360 app to uncover new perspectives and share moments you didn't even know you caught.

For a limited time, every X4 Air purchase includes a free one-year Insta360+ subscription with 200GB of storage.

The Standard Bundle retails for US$399.99 / £359 / AU$639.99, while the Starter Bundle, including a 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, Lens Cap, and extra Battery, is priced at US$439.99 / £389 / AU$699.99. Both also include a one-year Insta360+ subscription at launch, with cloud storage.

You might also like

Check my guide to the best 360 cameras.

When GoPro started experimenting with panoramic cameras, bolting together loads of GoPros in 2015, the world of surround imaging was barely even discussed. Now it's a very competitive place, and the legendary action camera brand has been seen to be slipping behind. Will the long trailed and delayed GoPro Max 2 deal the company back in the game of photography's future?

Who are these two competitors? Insta360 is now the biggest brand in 360 imaging, bringing out a new X-series camera every year, now on the X5, while the Chinese giant best known for its drones, DJI, that has also been pushing hard against standard GoPro cameras launched its first Osmo 360 just a few weeks ago.

GoPro, however, hasn't been down and out. The original GoPro Max, with it's 5.7K resolution, has still been around and that means GoPro has also kept its eyes on the other crucial aspect of 360 imaging – the software.

Because if you have a camera that can see in every direction at once, you're going to need it to be easy and fun to cut that down to something you can view and share afterward. It also helps to have a very good image to work from because, in all likelihood, you'll be cropping and discarding a good portion of the resolution.

The GoPro Max 2 promises 8K, which matches its competitors – but it also promises more in terms of real imaging resolution on-chip. Does that make for better video? And is the user experience up there? I've been waiting a long time to find out...

GoPro Max 2: Pricing

The GoPro Max 2 launches at $499.99, announced on September 23 2025 and shipping a week later. That's a competitive price for an 8K 360 camera from a premium brand, and given the standard of image and software, it seems fair. You will need a MicroSD card.

GoPro Max 2: Specs

GoPro Max 2: Build & handling

First impressions of the Max 2 are very good indeed, it has the reassuring look and feel of a modern GoPro camera with the radiator like grille styling built out of durable matte black plastic, which has a reassuring weight in the hand.

At the front – in so far as a 360 camera has a front – is the GoPro logo while at the 'back' – or the operator side – is another lens, this time arranged in back-to-back form (which should help ensure better stitching than previous cameras), and a touchscreen.

At the top of the camera is the shutter button (which can be set to start recording even when the camera is off), and on the side is the power switch – a button pairing which is likely familiar to users of most GoPro devices. The shell also conceals an array of microphones.

A hinged door on the side, with firm sprung clip, reveals all in one access to the battery compartment, micro SD card slot and USB-C socket. I was worried at a glance that the battery might fall out as I charged it this way, but it didn't happen.

The menu system will not be a surprise for users of other GoPro cameras, and begins with a straightforward tutorial. It is filled with tool tips in easy to understand language, and I also found the process of picking between resolution and frame rate pleasingly straightforward (pick 8K from the default 5.7K and the frame rate drops to the best available, move up to 90fps and the resolution drops accordingly – the trade offs are made easy to understand.

At the base of the camera is a version of GoPro's versatile magnetic folding-flaps mounting system with a screw hole in the centre to which the principle accessory for any 360-degree camera – the invisible selfie stick – is placed.

I must admit that I found the rubberised grip to the selfie pole to be of a very high standard in my testing, too. The telescopic design isn't visible to the lenses – in an approach long established on 360-degree cameras – so is relatively easily removed when the images from the back-to-back lenses are stitched together to make a single spherical image.

The camera also features GPS, voice control and a variety of other features which can be enabled or disabled through the settings menu. The option to record 10-bit video, however, is more easily accessible from the main menu. This does feel designed with creators in mind, never more complicated than necessary.

The lenses are twist-off removable and replaceable, meaning the GoPro Max 2 can be taken into the field and – should the worst happen – repaired in the field too. With the necessity of a lens on both sides, that's a consideration that every pro creator needs to consider, and GoPro's approach is in line with the company's image.

GoPro Max 2: The app

Setting up the camera required me to connect it to the app, which was also able to recognise it. Like its key competitors, the app is then able to offer remote control, and provides an easier and clearer way to navigate the settings.

The other aspect of the Quik app is the editing functionality. There were a few quirks that frustrated me – when I was trying to use subject tracking the first time (so that AI would follow someone in my video) the camera wanted to load the AI features. Not only was this weird to me (why wasn't it loaded with the rest of the app?) but even more frustrating because the camera and app were connected using my phone's wi-fi connection so the app couldn't then download the extension it needed without breaking that connection.

Once solved, though, I generally found that editing in the phone felt like a reasonably polished experience. Features like the ability to tilt the phone to re-point the camera retrospectively make the 360-degree photography experience feel intuitive.

GoPro Max 2: Performance

The first thing I noticed about the Max 2 was how painless the setup process was, connecting to the Quik app was very easy on my iPhone, and that was the device I used to download sample images and to edit video with during my testing.

Something I noticed immediately was the detail the app was able to find in the image, even stills I took on a cloudy day. The 8K resolution clearly improved matters, but that wasn't all.

I'll upload a few more sample images when the clouds leave my area, but some indoor testing was encouraging too – I just don't want you to see that I've not tidied the house first :)

GoPro Max 2: Overall verdict

Going into this review, I was really hoping that GoPro could pull something out of the bag to revive its reputation in 360 cameras, because, frankly, it is a tech I love and it was definitely beginning to belong to other companies. Now I can safely say that the GoPro Max 2 has hit the bar I needed it to clear, which (in a much more crowded market than before) is saying something.

For one thing, it is simply delightful – in a rugged serious feeling way – to hold and handle. It feels just right, inspiring exactly the confidence the brand GoPro should.

I am not without reservations. The screen is not a crisp as it might be, and it is easier to tap and drag around preview images on competing devices (especially the DJI Osmo 360) if you want to. Most of the time, though, this is something you'll do on your app or computer, so it's not a big issue.

But, overall, the image quality impressed me, and though I've not yet tried the camera in the full variety of conditions I'd like, I feel confident in saying that it is better able to capture the scene than I had anticipated. GoPro has clearly invested time and effort in the image processing – and of course Quik also lets you add your own tones too. (Pro processing lets you turn to LUTs too)

In other words, in most conditions, I think most people would find the Max 2 is the 360-degree camera that meets their needs, whether pro recording capability or mere ease of use. Things will only get better, too, with software updates.

Alternatives

How I test 360 cameras

As someone who enjoys 360 degree cameras, it's my belief that the best way to test them is to use them in the real world repeatedly. I like to cycle, walk, and take photographs with friends and family, so that's what I do – and that means all those people also offer their thoughts on the experience, adding to the depth of the review.

For many, the GoPro Max 2 was the highlight of the three products launched today by GoPro – those of us watching the company have expected it for a long time, and now the new features and boosted resolution are there to be explored.

GoPro watchers will know that the action camera creators has, in fact, experimented with panoramic cameras a long time, but momentum has been lacking a little recently, with the GoPro Max – the previous 360 camera – receiving only a minor refresh since

The new GoPro Max 2 brings 21% higher image resolution than competing 360-degree cameras, according to GoPro, which they are labelling "True 8K". This refers to the number of photosites on the active area of the camera's two image sensors, before the video is processed internally to the 8K (two 4K circles) which are output as a 360-degree video image.

The GoPro Max 2 also captures stills at 29 megapixels, significantly higher than the 16.6 megapixels of its predecessor.

Creators will also be excited by the ability to capture video in 10-bit color, and the option of the same GP Log color as other GoPro cameras for consistency in grading, smoothing post-production for GoPro regulars. Pros can also unlock a 300Mbps bitrate and other advanced options via 'GoPro Labs'.

In keeping with the brand's reputation for ruggedness, the camera has replaceable lenses made of water-repelling glass; they can be swapped without tools ("twist-and-go").

A stand-out feature of the Max 2 is the addition of six microphones which GoPro says delivers an "Audio Field-of-View" as well as advanced wind reduction. It will be possible, with a software update, to redirect the focus of the volume in any direction and I saw this '360 ambisonic audio' demonstrated.

"This year’s new products diversify GoPro’s lineup like never before, delivering exciting new capabilities to today’s demanding content creators, adventurers and enthusiasts," says GoPro Founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman.

It is genuinely a big change for action camera experts like me. I love 360-degree cameras and have watched GoPro bring out similar 'GoPro' like cameras (the Hero Black cameras, like the GoPro Hero Black 13) every year, while its 360 has seemed to languish against competition like the Insta360 X5. This year GoPro has focussed its big September release on this camera, and a couple of interesting new plays for GoPro – it will be exciting to see what happens.

The GoPro Max 2 will retail for $499.99 / £449 / AU$849.95 and is available for pre-order today, with expected availability from September 30.

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You should check out my guide to the best 360 cameras – will this be at the top soon? – and the guide to the best GoPro cameras and the best GoPro alternatives.

If you ask me, you shouldn't be buying another ordinary compact or mirrorless or DSLR camera. New ones don't change the game that much. If you're out to take advantage of the bargains, you should extend your repertoire with something genuinely creative and different. There are two key options – drones and 360-degree cameras.

This is a great deal on what was, until very recently, the best 360-degree action camera you could buy. and It's still the highest resolution... costing just £349 at Wex Photo Video, the lowest UK price we have seen yet.

I love 360-degree cameras. I wasn't sure that I would at first, so I took one on a family vacation and it ended up going really well, capturing some images I didn't think possible.

Another brilliant trick is putting the camera on the end of the telescopically extendable "invisible selfie stick" and putting it out of the window for a very impressive selfie.

Even better, the app – which works on my phone, my Mac or a Windows computer – can edit from a still photo into lots of cool photo or video effects like "Small World".

You can use the device, in other words, to make video from stills without it being boring, which is cool (it even has some presets with audio to help with this). Your socials will thank you.

Why is the X4 version of the camera so heavily discounted, you ask? Well there is now an Insta360 X5 out, and I've reviewed that camera too and done a thorough X5 X4 versus comparison.

I did that before the discount was this big, though, and I have to admit that, right now, I might think a little differently. The thing is the most important feature that came in the X series was probably the jump from the X3 to X4 which came with 8K resolution and that really is a significant improvement. The X4 also brought with it removable lens protectors, meaning you could more comfortably use the camera in rough-and-tumble scenarios.

The X5 has some additional improvements, as you'd expect. The battery lasts longer, and there are other improvements to the way you can replace the lenses after an accident.

Neither is quite as significant, I'd argue, though. Which means that if you can get not only the camera but also the crucial selfie stick (it makes so much difference to the variety of images / video you can get) and a memory card for quite a bit less money than the standard asking price then it might well be worth thinking about the X4 deals.

To get the latest model you can expect to part with a fair bit more money:

Insta360 teamed up with adaptive athlete and racing driver Lance Fenderson (@lancefenderson23) as he took on the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, navigating his BMW M2 CS through the 12.42-mile course and 156 turns, using only his upper body.

Lance, the only para-athlete and youngest driver on the track, used the Insta360 X4 in his training, with the 8K 360 camera helping to analyze runs, identify improvements and share his perspective with followers across the world.

ABOVE: Watch Lance's journey to the top of Pikes Peak

Lance was paralyzed from the chest down in 2019, following an incident during a game of lacrosse. But Lance didn’t let the injury stand in the way of his degree in Mechanical Engineering or his passion for motor racing.

Five years of physical and occupational therapy and strength training ensued, and in October 2024 Lance was back in the driving seat. On his debut race weekend, he won all four BMW CCA races and was awarded the Spirit of Club Racing Flag. But this year, he set his sights on one of the world’s most dangerous courses, Pikes Peak.

Insta360 proudly sponsored the young racing driver as he attempted his rookie ascent, but the partnership wasn’t just financial. Lance would document the race using the Insta360 X5, providing a unique perspective both in and out of the cockpit as he defied the odds, finished the course, and delivered a competitive time.

"The mountain wants you to mess up," Lance said of his historic climb. "But for me, overcoming adversity – that’s what’s made me who I am."

The collaboration marks the beginning of a relationship between Insta360 and the High Fives Foundation, a nonprofit organization within the adaptive sports space. The pairing is now exploring new ways to empower adaptive athletes and deliver their stories to the world.

Insta360 co-founder, Max Ritcher, said: "Insta360 is honored to sponsor Lance in his return to Pikes Peak. If there's one thing we love doing, it's backing people with powerful stories to tell, and this is certainly one."

Make sure you watch Insta360’s documentary (above) that charts Lance’s incredible Pikes Peak story.

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Check out the best 360 cameras and the best action cameras. If you're into motorsport, here's how to capture perfect panning shots.

Insta360's flagship 360 camera is now available in white, as well as the standard white. The limited edition Insta360 X5 Satin White is available for sale immediately and will undoubtedly give those wanting to buy one of these highly-popular content cameras a difficult decision to make.

The all-white casing will prove popular with some wedding photographers, where the color will blend in with the traditional dresses worn by Western brides. And there is also a case for opting for white if using 360 cameras in hot climates, where the black version would be more liable to get uncomfortably hot. But then again, some may just prefer the arctic look. 

As you would hope, the new colorway is accompanied by the launch of an all-white invisible selfie stick, which will be included with some of the Limited Edition's bundles.

Launched earlier this year, the Insta360 X5 is currently our pick as the best 360 camera available. The recent arrival of the DJI Osmo 360 will give it more opposition in countries where you can buy it, however. Meanwhile, we are still awaiting the already-teased GoPro Max 2, which is promised for later this year.

The Insta360 X5 offers 8K video shooting by default - offering the quality that videomakers when shooting all-around footage. Using a significantly larger pair of 1/1.28-inch sensors, this latest Insta360 model offers much improved lowlight performance compared to its predecessors.

The standard Insta360 X5 Satin White Limited Edition sells for $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99. But we would recommend going for one of the bundles that include the white 114cm invisible selfie stick, which start at $581 / £554 / AU$994.

It cannot be a coincidence that a load of pictures of the long-teased – and seemingly delayed – GoPro Max 2 360-degree camera were revealed to the world the same day that DJI launched its first 360-degree camera.

What can be learned from these images? Well we can see the camera looks the same as in the more official leak with the sky-dive, so there is a decent chance its real, for a start!

Secondly the device clearly has the newest version of the classic GoPro mount system at the base, with the folding grips and what appears to be a quarter inch thread in the middle for an invisible selfie stick of some kind. No big surprise.

The battery appears to be the previous enduro battery with the white back, but this might be a test version. Interestingly, the new DJI Osmo 360 uses the same 1950mAh batteries as the company's Action 5 Pro 'GoPro-a-like' camera, so cross compatibility is with the newest devices. Perhaps the difference in battery here is because GoPro have been developing the camera for so long that it's based on the older battery type, not the Hero 13? Or perhaps this is a new battery for the Hero 14?

According to a lot of rumor sites, September is now the expected launch time for this device – comfortably in time for the holidays.

In the US there is still no official launch date for the DJI Osmo 360, though you can already pre-order it via many retailers, and it was launched in the rest of the world already.

GoPro's other key competition – the Insta360 X5 is already shipping, and that camera has a series of predecessors (X4, X3) which are also on the market and selling at lower prices too. That said, GoPro also have the original Max – recently updated – as the GoPro Max (2025).

Check my guide to the best 360-degree cameras for more detail.

With the US government threatening DJI with obscure import restrictions, it wasn't a surprise that the new Osmo 360 wasn't immediately available though all the usual retail channels the same day it was the rest of the world. But, if you want the camera I call the "new king of 360-degree cameras" in my review, it seems there are some places you'll be able to get hold of it, even in the USA.

Major camera retailers seem to have listed the Osmo 360 for sale, including B&H and Adorama:

• DJI Osmo 360 Action Camera Adventure Combo at B&H 🇺🇸 $549.99
• DJI Osmo 360 Action Camera Adventure Combo at B&H 🇺🇸 $649.99
• DJI Osmo 360 Action Camera Adventure Combo at Adorama 🇺🇸 $649.99
• DJI Osmo 360 8K Action Camera Standard Combo at Adorama 🇺🇸 $549.99

When there have been previous difficulties getting hold of DJI products, those lucky enough to live in northern states have simply driven across the border to Canada, where the launch took place with no issues.

The reasons that DJI products aren't entering the USA, and pricing is uncertain, are threefold.

Like all Chinese manufacturers, DJI face much higher tariffs since the Trump administration started taxing imports.

More specifically, though, DJI faces a ban which will come into force on new products in 2026 unless the government takes action to review the company and clear it.

In the meantime, the US Customs and Border Protection are detaining shipments at ports, citing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).

This law allows customs officials to say that goods came from China’s Xinjiang region – which is under international scrutiny for forced labour.

The customs officials need no evidence whatsoever, and can and do stop goods "unless proven otherwise".

DJI has repeatedly disputed any forced labour ties, and there is no evidence. Previous DJI products – notably the Air 3S, but also the whole range have been affected; the Mavic 4 Pro never officially launched in the USA, and now it seems the Osmo 360 may be suffering the same fate.

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See DJI's launch video in the Osmo 360 launch news story, and read my full review of the DJI Osmo 360.

A 360-degree camera lets you capture the entire view, then worry about which bit of it to look at – or to frame your view on – later! That means the best 360-degree cameras need both technical brilliance to align the images from more than one lens (and somehow ignore the presence of the camera itself) AND apps / software that makes it simple to reframe what you capture.

DJI is a newcomer in the field, but the brand brings with it high expectations. As well as dominating the drone world, the company’s more traditional action camera – the Osmo Action – brought a larger image sensor that took on and beat the GoPro for best action camera because a bigger sensor means better quality in lower light. And that's exactly what DJI has done here with its first 360-degree camera – 1-inch image sensors.

DJI has also looked to stretch a lot of the specifications for the leading consumer camera – battery endurance, color depth, stills resolution, and built-in memory – so this new device certainly has the specs needed to win the first part of the battle. The only real question remaining is what is the whole experience like? Is the software ready to take on the established contenders yet?

I've been out with a pre-release OSMO 360, testing it on my bike and the selfie stick in different weather and locations to try and answer that question...

Specifications

Price

The OSMO 360 is launching at a RRP of £409.99 / AU$759 for the Standard Combo, or £539.99 / AU$989 for the Adventure Combo. The standard combo includes little but the camera, battery, USB-C cable, and rubber lens protector, while the Adventure Combo adds a battery charging case and an invisible selfie stick – arguably an essential.

There is no official price in the USA on day one because it will not be available through official DJI channels in the USA.

That Insta360 X5 is slightly beaten on specs, yet the asking price is lower – plus the OSMO 360 works just fine without a MicroSD card (an essential for the X5). Comparing prices with a selfie stick and the X5 is cheaper on the day I submit my review, but the RRP is higher...

Build and handling

At first glance, the Osmo 360 is a very plain-looking device, with none of the showy design elements of the Insta360 X5 which will be its key competitor at launch. Instead, it seems to borrow a more squat, square-ish shape reminiscent of the ageing GoPro Max. The Osmo 360, however, has back-to-back lenses, on one side a simple DJI logo and LED light, while the other is home to a wide touchscreen.

Looking from the user side (the touchscreen) there is a rubberised power button on the right, and two buttons beneath the screen – the shutter (with a circle) and another which can switch the lens view among other things.

There are also water-sealed doors for the battery (and memory card) and the USB-C charging port (which supports fast charging). That's your lot in terms of features, really. It's a quality but very plain design, though I will say that the doors feel more robust than on many recent cameras I've tested, including DJI's.

At the base is DJI's now familiar one-way magnetic quick-release connector, with a screw thread hole in the middle as an alternative means of attaching accessories. You'll need to use accessories a lot, too – the selfie stick (made invisible when straight) is fundamental to getting the best of a 360-degree camera.

In operation, swiping up from the bottom accesses a range of settings for your chosen mode and I have to admit I was very impressed with the thought put into this. When shooting stills, the option to choose from a larger range of options than other cameras was very gratefully received because in the world of 360 you’ll be using the shutter timer a lot before getting the camera into position and the last thing you want is to have to wait too long repeatedly while you get the shot. Nice one DJI.

The phone app

The option to control the device via the DJI Mimo app is there too, and perhaps this is something many will find themselves doing – the camera syncs painlessly with your phone, after which the phone acts as a viewfinder and remote with the pinch-zoom and drag-panning options you’d hope for.

When I went cycling with the camera attached to the front of my bike, this is how I activated and stopped the camera and changed the settings without having to disturb the mount.

Mimo is arranged (in portrait format) with a homepage, album, editor, user profile and a camera connection page (it is the same app used to link to and remotely control DJI’s other OSMO cameras like the Action series).

The app is also the means for software updates and is an option for editing your video after creation. I don’t know what it is, but Mimo feels a tiny bit more professional (a bit serious and even professorial?) than other apps, but it still manages to hide a few fun features in there.

Highlights include the templates to edit quick social media-friendly videos using a ‘one tap edit’ and the selection of at least 5 clips from your collection. The app also features filters, text, stickers, and even some limited "glamour effects" – though believe me, Facetune and FaceApp fans are going to be a bit disappointed. I genuinely couldn't see the difference between the 'Brighten', 'Lighten', 'Chin', and 'Enlarge Eyes' effects.

There is a lot to learn, but you don't have to do so all at once to export fun clips, and it's nice to have access to the powers. Advanced features include the ability to add GPS data from your phone or a Garmin to overlaid graphics.

There are some moments where the flow feels a little awkward to me; you need to press the tick to move on. But I'm just as irritable about the very inflexible workflow of TikTok compared to the relative flexibility of a 'real' computer. Luckily, DJI has me covered there too...

DJI Studio: The Mac/Windows app

As well as editing on your phone, DJI provides a tool for keyframe editing on your computer called DJI Studio. I tested this on my MacBook Pro M3 which is comfortably specified, and as a regular user of Final Cut Pro I found the styling pretty familiar.

It’s possible to create edited videos, add music from a selection, and of course add keyframes, with more or less the same features found in the Mimo app, but a lot more space to explore them.

For someone who has invested in a 'proper' computer, this is a joy; the freedom to work at a pace you like and to review the output quality on a decent-sized screen is great.

You can still choose, of course, to reframe the video to any dimensions you want – 360 can be 16:9 or 9:16 or 1:1 – very useful for social creators. I couldn’t find a lot of AI support, but subject tracking is available, if a little irritating to apply – you need to select the object or person (it can handle both) at the first frame you want the track to work from.

Tools like the filters did seem happier if there was a network connection, and occasionally asked me to 'click to retry' even in a stable connection. Nevertheless, the process is relatively painless, has a lot of options and the app is able to export in a range of formats, retaining the 10-bit color if you want to take it to another editing tool.

Camera performance

In use, I found the Osmo 360 to be snappy and responsive. The design makes it very simple to start producing results, while there is a surprising level of depth available too.

The processor is enough to make the menus prompt and quick to navigate from the OLED touchscreen, and it'll be very familiar to anyone who has already used the DJI OSMO Action or OSMO Pocket cameras. It also struck me just how familiar it was in parts to Insta360's X series cameras – even to the point of yellow for selected items and white for others.

The built-in microphones record pretty clean sound, but the convenience of DJI's Osmo system is handy too.

In both photos and video in all the modes I was impressed with the dynamic range, and had no problem believing DJI's 13.5-stop claim. It was clear that there was detail across the range, in dark areas and light. Perhaps more noteworthy if you're used to other action cameras is that – unless you choose it in the app – nothing was excessively saturated which, personally, I prefer. Detail is recorded but relatively subtle.

Sample video

My first sample video, edited in the DJI Studio, was a little rudimentary, and not helped by the weather in the UK where I was testing, but it revealed a lot of detail and showed the camera's competence in relatively disappointing light and indoors in poor lighting.

Video footage seemed to me to be of high quality, though not as saturated or as crisp as that from some competing products. That, though, is about the on-camera's default processing. It was very clear that more detail and more dynamic range was being recorded and the option of LUTs in the app meant that the final output was more impressive.

The SuperNight mode – which works in 8K – also did an impressive job at picking up detail without falling foul of noise.

Using the camera for vlogging with the DJI Mic Mini was very straightforward too – it paired with a button press in a couple of seconds, then I could monitor the levels with a bar at the top of the screen. Doing a walk-and-talk was straightforward and the results looked impressive in 5K and 4K – though I was a little disappointed I couldn't switch cameras as I walked in 5K, only 4K.

Sample images

The samples I took, of which this is just one, showed detail across the image range.

Overall verdict

I've been shooting 360 photos and video for some time now with a variety of cameras, but this is perhaps the most impressive – and by a long way the most impressive entrance into the marketplace. DJI are clearly very conscious of the need to make an impact against Insta360's established products (and the long-trailed, but still not actually here, GoPro Max 2).

Everything about the device impresses, and the software is up to scratch too. There are a few niggles, for sure, but DJI also have a reputation for continuing to deliver updates, so I wouldn't be very worried about minor irritations. Perhaps we'll even eventually see the plugins to Final Cut and Premier, which are about the only things Insta360 still have over this – pretty amazing for a first-generation product!

My main concern is that the cheapest bundle – which is very aggressively priced – doesn't come with a selfie stick of any kind. Because the battery is so good that the three batteries of the next bundle up aren't needed for everyone (especially if you carry a power pack) then it seems a bit of a hike to the next pricing tier.

Even then, though, the Osmo 360 comes in at a price which makes it a serious alternative to owning an action camera and (with the right length selfie stick) might even challenge a lightweight drone in some situations. The quality is more than striking and usability means a deep dive isn't essential. This is the new best 360-degree camera.

Alternatives

How I test 360 cameras

As someone who enjoys 360 degree cameras, it's my belief that the best way to test them is to use them in the real world repeatedly. I like to cycle, walk, and take photographs with friends and family, so that's what I do – and that means all those people also offer their thoughts on the experience, adding to the depth of the review.

Teased and leaked though it was, the DJI Osmo 360 is now a fact, and with the final specs we know that it brings some serious firsts to the 360-degree camera market, driven by DJI's specifically designed 1-inch square imaging sensor.

“With the Osmo 360, DJI is challenging the status quo of the 360 camera market,” said Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at DJI, and that seems very true.

Both the size and the shape are firsts in the mainstream consumer 360-degree camera market. Most photographers know that bigger sensors mean better low-light performance. The shape is crucial because it means far less of the imaging area is wasted compared to the typical 4:3 sensor size – and that saves on power.

So the 1-inch imaging sensor is square (it's still a chip, after all) and the image from the fish-eye lens is round. There are two back-to-back. A way to measure the amount of light, and be extension likely low light performance, is to know the diameter of the panoramic imaging field – that is 9.6mm on the Osmo 360 and 7.2mm on the Insta360 X5. Both imaging chips are 9.6mm along the horizontal, but the one used in the Insta360 X5 is only 7.2mm tall, while the Osmo 360's is the same horizontally and vertically.

All this adds up to a 4000-pixel width at the widest diameter and a native 2.4-nanometer resolution for each block of four GRBG sensors. With the f/1.9 aperture, DJI say it's capable of a 13.5-stop dynamic range.

The new chip isn't the only noteworthy thing about the Osmo 360 either. The device also brings with it a higher resolution stills at 120 megapixels, alongside 8K video at 50fps. Video is also captured at 10-bit, and the apps allow for color grading with D-Cinelike.

Additionally, like many other DJI products, the device includes a lot of built-in storage so MicroSD cards are an option rather than an essential – there is 105GB of storage. The battery life is a category winner, able to shoot continuously in 8K at 30fps for over 100 minutes.

In common with other 360-degree cameras, it can also be used as a single-lens action camera – and includes the option to switch from front and back cameras without stopping recording – like a mini TV studio. There is also a 5K option, and a 'Boost Mode' offering a 170-degree field of view at up to 4K 120fps.

The camera features DJI's HorizonSteady and RockSteady image stabilization and horizontal levelling tech, though AI subject tracking and the ability to re-frame footage after the fact are there too. Gesture controls and voice controls are an option too.

The device weighs in at 183g (6.5 ounces), making it slightly lighter than key competition too. It is also compatible with the DJI Mic 2 and Mic Mini without the need to connect the receiver, and the Mic can be used as a remote.

In terms of software – crucial in the 360-degree world – DJI has built 360-degree remote control and editing features into Mimo, the app the company offers with other Osmo action cameras. In addition, DJI Studio offers a computer-based editing experience for Mac and Windows users.

The Osmo 360 is available to order immediately on launch today and is available in two combos: The 'Standard Combo' for £409.99 / AU$759 , which includes a single battery, a protective pouch, a lens cleaning cloth, a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and data transfer, and a rubber lens protector.

In addition, a 'Adventure Combo' , for £539.99 / AU$989, adds two more batteries, DJI's 'Multifunction Battery Case 2' which can charge up to 3 batteries at once, a tiltable Quick Release Adapter Mount and the Osmo 1.2m Invisible Selfie Stick.

Shockingly the global launch will not extend to the USA; in the words of a DJI spokesperson: "it will not be available for sale immediately in the U.S. market through official DJI channels. We currently do not have an estimated timeline for when it will be available, but we will keep you posted when we do'. So there is hope, but it seems politicians are having an effect on DJI for American consumers.

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I keep a guide to the best 360-degree cameras.

Check my review of the leading competitor – the Insta360 X5 – which DJI is taking aim at.

The Insta360 X5 is brilliant straight out of the box, but like most cameras, it really comes alive when you add the right accessories. I've been shooting with the X5 for months now, and there are five accessories that can genuinely transform how you use this camera—plus two budget alternatives that punch way above their weight.

Here's what actually makes a difference in real-world shooting…

1. Insta360 Mic Air: Wireless Audio Made Simple

Let's be honest—360 cameras have always been terrible for audio. The X5 changes that game completely with direct connection to the Insta360 Mic Air. No adapters, no receivers, no syncing nightmares in post.

The wireless microphone weighs just 7.9 grams and clips on magnetically to clothing. You clip the transmitter to your subject, it connects directly to the X5 wirelessly, and you're recording 48kHz/24-bit audio with built-in noise reduction. The 300-meter range, 10-hour battery, and remote control features for recording and audio adjustments make setup effortless.

This single accessory turns the X5 from a visual tool into a complete content creation powerhouse, perfect for interviews, vlogs, and action shots where traditional mics won't work. Firmware updates will hopefully make this compatible with previous generation X series products.

2. Insta360 Quick Reader: Speed When You Need It

The X5 shoots massive files—we're talking 8K 360 video here. Your laptop's built-in card reader isn't going to cut it when you're trying to offload 128GB of footage between takes.

The Quick Reader is specifically optimized for the X5's data transfer speeds. More importantly, you can offload files while continuing to shoot with a second card. This workflow game-changer means you never have to stop shooting to manage storage, which is crucial when you're documenting events or working with unpredictable subjects.

It might seem like a boring accessory, but trust me—the first time you're frantically trying to clear space on a card while missing the perfect shot, you'll understand why this made the list.

3. Power Handle: Triple Your Shooting Time

X5 cameras' compact size is both a blessing and curse. Great for portability, not so great for battery life. The Insta360 Power Handle solves this elegantly, giving you 3-4 times the recording time while adding a proper grip.

The built-in 1/4" tripod mount is genius—it turns the handle into a quick handheld stabilizer or lets you mount the whole setup to any standard tripod. The ergonomics are much better than holding the bare camera, especially for extended shooting sessions.

This isn't just about longer battery life; it's about confidence. When you know you've got hours of power, you shoot differently. You take risks, you experiment, you don't constantly worry about conservation mode.

4. Selfie Stick with Tripod Base: The Invisible Magic

Here's where 360 cameras get weird and wonderful. The right selfie stick essentially disappears in your footage thanks to the camera's stitching algorithms. But not all selfie sticks are created equal.

You want one with a stable tripod base—it's the difference between handheld shots that work and stationary setups that actually look professional. I've tried various options, and honestly, a good selfie stick with legs beats a GorillaPod for this application. More stable, more versatile, and usually cheaper. I use the 60-inch K&F MS07 Invisible Selfie Stick with the optional K&F MS05 mini tripod legs.

The invisible selfie stick effect never gets old. Your viewers see impossible floating camera movements, and you're just holding a stick that the camera erases from reality.

5. Falcam F22 or SmallRig Hawklock H21: Quick Release Done Right

Standard tripod plates are clunky with the X5's compact body. These dedicated quick-release systems are sized perfectly for the camera and offer tool-free operation that actually works under pressure.

The Falcam F22 is the premium option—beautiful build quality, rock-solid lockup, satisfying click when it engages. The SmallRig H21 does the same job for about half the price with slightly less refined materials but identical functionality.

Either way, you get the confidence to move quickly between handheld, tripod, and specialty mounts without fumbling with screws or worrying about drops.

Budget alternatives

Hollyland Lark M1: If the Mic Air is beyond your budget, the Lark M1 is a fantastic alternative. You do need the Insta360 USB audio adaptor though. The audio quality is surprisingly good for the price, and the tiny form factor makes it perfect for discreet recording situations. You can even find 3D printing files online for an easy mounting system for the receiver to the side of the X5.

Kingston Canvas Go Plus Cards (2x 256GB): Skip the single expensive 512GB card. Two 256GB V30/U3/A2 rated cards let you hot-swap between shooting and offloading, keeping you in action mode longer. It's also cheaper than buying one large card, and gives you redundancy if something goes wrong.

As a side note on audio, if you have the DJI Pocket 3 Creator Combo, you’re in luck. This ships with the DJI Mic 2 transmitter, which connects to the X5 via the Bluetooth headset mechanism. Now if only bluetooth allowed multi device connection to the X5 and the Pocket 3!

The X5 is already an incredible camera, but these accessories unlock its full potential. Start with the audio solution and battery life—those make the biggest immediate impact. Everything else can wait until you know exactly how you want to use this remarkable little camera. Some gear actually makes a difference. This is that gear.

DJI has released a teaser for a product launch that can only be the rumored Osmo 360 on July 31 – just a few days away. It looks as though the company is now definitely making the anticipated play for the 360-degree camera market.

What, though, can we learn – other than the launch date – from the brief video clip that the company has shared on social?

Something that at least confirms we're probably looking at a 360 device is that we see a flash of a square imaging chip just before the "camera" we're seeing it from moves back to reveal the two lenses.

Two fish-eye lenses, arranged back-to-back, should afford a 360-degree view, and this is the pattern we see on all the best 360-degree cameras. Some, admittedly, are not arranged precisely, but that's one of the reasons, historically, why the cameras haven't been quite as good – for example, the GoPro Max's offset arrangement seems slightly less able to get perfectly stitched spherical video than the Insta360 X series.

The sphere of video (or stills) is what the 360-degree content is recorded as, even if it is then presented in other ways.

That leads us to another point. Market leader Insta360 has an extensive range of software tools, and GoPro, too, has been extending theirs. If DJI is to enter the space, will the company bring their own, or rely simply on 3rd party applications out there already?

All of this remains to be seen, but software is a massive part of getting the best out of a 360 camera.

I'll also be looking, very closely, at whether DJI can meet or exceed Insta360's 8K spec (and if so, at what frame rate). If they do, how long will the camera be able to shoot for on one battery (or at a time without overheating)?

Perhaps – too – that proud flash of the sensor in the video clip might mean we ought to be paying attention to the size of the imaging chip? Certainly, DJI has done well with the Action 5 Pro and Action 4 thanks to their large imaging sensors that help get better results in low light – is this another opportunity to get one over on the established competition?

We don't have long to wait before we find out!

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If you want to check out the existing competition, the market leader is definitely the Insta360 X5 (which I also compared to its predecessor: X5 v X4).

We also keep hearing rumors and teasers – but seeing nothing concrete – about a new 360-degree camera from GoPro – the latest even seemed to show it in use dropping out of a plane!

The 360-degree camera market isn’t the largest, but it has its share of enthusiasts. Until recently, it seemed like Insta360 had achieved significant dominance, occupying multiple spots on our best 360-degree cameras list. However, a new challenger has arisen in the form of the Akaso 360.

Akaso is perhaps best known as a maker of cheap action cameras, offering basic but affordable alternatives to the GoPros of the world. The Akaso 360 is the firm’s first 360-degree camera. With dual 1/2-inch 48MP sensors on front and back, it can shoot stabilised 5.7K 360-degree video, from which you can use the Akaso app or Studio software to pull clips in a more standard aspect ratio. You can also shoot using just one of the lenses in 4K or 2.7K, for a more standard, action-camera look. It captures stills at either 72MP or a more manageable 18MP – and again, you can select your preferred composition from the full 360-degree frame.

To declare my priors up front: I have tested Akaso action cameras for DCW before, and honestly wasn’t hugely impressed. I found them too cheap for their own good – so compromised in quality that they didn’t justify their asking price, meagre as it was. The Akaso 360 looked and felt a little more premium from the moment I took it out of the box, so while I remained cautious, my expectations started to rise.

Akaso 360: Specifications

Akaso 360: Pricing

The Akaso 360 currently retails for $199.99 / £199.99, and even though I’m writing this a scant few days after release, I’m already seeing offers knocking £30 or so off that price in the UK. For context, the Insta360 X5 costs $549.99 / £519.99 before adding any accessories, and the refreshed 2025 GoPro MAX starts at $349 / £349. Even the three-year-old Insta 360 X3, which is probably closer to the Akaso 360 in terms of an alternative people would be considering, still costs more at $249 / £259. That’s quite the undercut.

The Akaso 360 requires a microSD card, maximum capacity 512GB, minimum speed UHS-I V30 / UHS-I Class 3. This isn’t included in the package, but there are bundles available where you can tack one on for a fairly trivial amount. All in all, Insta360 and GoPro (and DJI, if they ever do enter this race) have good reason to be concerned.

Akaso 360: Build & Handling

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Insta360 should be blushing – the Akaso 360 looks pretty much exactly like the X cameras have since the X3, with an oblong body, front and rear-mounted lenses, and a 2.29-inch touchscreen for composition and control. On one side there’s a power button that doubles up as a quick toggle between video and photo modes. On the other side is a USB-C port, and directly beneath the screen is a large, rectangular shutter release button. It’s all very simple – not that that’s a bad thing.

Despite professing on the box to be a ‘360 action camera’, the Akaso 360 is not waterproof, and won’t stand up to the same kind of punishment as the GoPro Max. With that said, and despite the plastic build, it’s reassuringly weighty and doesn’t feel flimsy. My gut says it would survive a drop on a hard surface, though I wasn’t brave enough to test this. There’s also a standard screw thread for attaching the camera to a tripod or selfie stick.

Most control is conducted via the screen. I tested the Akaso 360 on a bright and sunny day, and in such conditions, the screen is a little hard to see, even at maximum brightness. More than a few of my compositions amounted to ‘point-and-hope’, and I was scurrying to find shade when I wanted to change settings. I also found the touch functionality quite temperamental, often having to stab at an icon several times before the input was accepted. Ruinous? No. Annoying? Yes.

Akaso 360: Performance

Photographically speaking, I can happily report that I found the Akaso 360 to be very charming. Once you’ve captured 360-degree images, you can import them into the Akaso 360 app for editing. Using the touchscreen, you navigate around the 360-degree image to select your desired frame, touch up the exposure or colors if needed, and then simply export the file for sharing in 4K or FHD.

Images don’t stand up particularly well to zoom or cropping – detail is muddy if you look close. They’re not winning awards for quality. But the colors are punchy and vivid, and the images are certainly good enough to share on Instagram or similar platforms. This is the case in good light, a least; night shots are about as unappealing as you’d expect from a camera with such tiny sensors. Noisy, blurry, and indistinct.

Still, it’s very easy, and dare I say addictive, to create 360-degree snapshots of your travels, and then reframe on the highlights. The composition process takes getting used to – the huge width of the lenses means you have to get much, much closer than you think – but this is true of all 360-degree cameras.

Video-wise, in terms of quality, the story is much the same – footage looks pretty decent in good light, with pleasing colours. High-contrast situations tend to present a problem; on a day of bright sunlight, I found moving between light and shade would often result in blown-out highlights or muddy shadows. The stabilization, however, works very well – I shot some 5.7K footage while walking, using Akaso’s own selfie stick/tripod, and was impressed by how smoothly it came out (I know my hands aren’t that steady).

Above: 5.7K stabilised 360-degree video, reframed and exported in 16:9 using Akaso Studio

The workflow for editing video in the app is fairly intuitive, allowing you to select keyframes to focus on the part of the 360-degree video you want to capture – though this ended up being a moot point, as I simply could not get the app (on Android) to export any video from 360-degree footage. No matter how long I waited, the progress bar never moved above 0%. I could export footage from the single-camera 2.8K mode without issue, so hopefully this is just a fixable bug. On the Akaso Studio desktop software, things were better, and I was able to pull a 16:9 clip from 360-degree footage very easily.

Battery life isn’t brilliant. The first time I took the Akaso 360 out, I spent an hour and change by the riverside shooting video clips and photos, and the fully charged battery was ticking into the red just as I got home. That spare battery included in the box isn’t just a nice gesture from Akaso – it’s pretty much a necessity if you want to spend a reasonable amount of time shooting.

Below: 2.8K single-lens video, exported using Akaso 360 app.

Akaso 360: Overall Verdict

I think Akaso has played a bit of a blinder here. Sure, quality-wise the Akaso 360 is left in the dust by its rivals – but it’s so much cheaper than any of them. It nails the basics of 360-degree imaging, making it easy to capture, edit, export, and share imagery from its dual cameras.

Many cheap cameras ultimately fail by cutting so many corners that they don’t nail the basics. Well, the Akaso 360 has nailed the basics. It produces exactly the kind of fun imaging experience that’s going to tempt people who may not have dabbled much in 360-degree imaging before, and were perhaps always put off by the price. The box proudly touts it as ‘Your first 360 action cam’ – for more than a few people, I reckon it will be.

Alternatives

In a very literal bit of product news, GoPro seem to be telling us that the very long-awaited GoPro Max 2 – the next 360-degree camera from the famous action camera brand – is about 'to drop'. They've done this by showing photos of the new camera (with MAX 2 visibly written on the side) held in the hands of parachuters jumping from a hot air balloon – and gravity is definitely helping them drop!

So what can we learn from these images, shared on the company's Twitter/X account, and their distribution? Well, as you'll see, the word 'Dropping' was included too just to hammer home the point for those not spotting the visual metaphor. So what else do we know?

What we know is that GoPro is keen to re-establish itself in a market that it sees as growing. The company's CEO has talked about something called 'Total Addressable Market' in the past, and felt that a problem with action cameras like traditional GoPros was that the total number of people that wanted them had more or less flatlined (though other companies like DJI were still coming in with competing products).

That provides an incentive to move into other areas, and in the past GoPro has done that with drones (catastrophically), subscription services (successfully), a TV channel (also unsuccessfully).

360-degree cameras is an interesting field because GoPro had made a strong start in the space, with the Fusion (2017) and then the Max (2019) – before seeming to ceed it to other companies, especially Insta360. That company's X4 and X5 cameras have dominated our best 360-degree cameras guide because, among other things, they offer better resolution, what we call 8K.

(It's established practice, by GoPro in fact, to say that the resolution of a 360-degree image is the size of the pixel square area of both image sensors together, assuming there are two image sensors, but given the lenses are fish-eye you might argue that the images are circular and fewer pixels are actually involved.)

Sticking with convention for now, it is widely expected that GoPro will go with 8K for the Max 2 camera – though some commentators on social media seem optimistic that the extended delay might mean an even higher spec – 8K at 60fps, or 12K at 30fps – might be a possibility because there is an incentive to try and get ahead of both Insta360 and, it is widely expected, DJI – also rumored to have an 8K 360-degree camera in the works for the next few weeks.

GoPro re-launched its original Max camera earlier this year as the GoPro Max (2025) with a more appealing price and a new USB-C charging port, as well as refreshing the software. All of this puts the company in a good position for a new launch since GoPro can now offer a range of 360-degree cameras, cheaper and newer with higher spec, which is not coincidentally just how GoPro tends to sell its action cameras.

While we can't determine all the specs of the Max 2 camera from a few photos posted to GoPro's social media, it is clear that the lenses are central, so back-to-back, rather than in the corners like the previous camera. This should make for slightly better "invisible selfie stick" modes and potentially less work for AI algorithms when stitching the video from the two fish-eye lenses. That, in turn can improve battery life and keep the camera cooler.

A new 360-degree action camera is coming out today, with built-in image stabilization and back-to-back 48-megapixel sensors. It must finally be the long-awaited GoPro Max 2, the camera that the famous brand is expected to use to re-establish itself in this massive growth market?

Nope. Instead it’s Akaso, a brand known for its budget action cameras, bringing out its first 360-degree camera. It nonetheless manages to match the key specs of GoPro’s existing Max camera, while looking a little more like it’s key rival back in the day – the Insta360 X3.

In other words, we’re looking at a camera with back-to-back 1/2-inch image sensors, capable of producing a 72-megapixel 360-degree image or 5.7K 30fps 360-degree video, which has been the accepted standard since the original GoPro Max launched in late 2019. (Now the Insta360 X4, and more recently X5, have established ‘8K’ as a higher standard, but, of course, it also comes as a higher price as my best 360-degree cameras guide will reveal).

The camera also has the other key features associated with consumer 360 cameras; digital image stabilization, AI subject tracking, horizon levelling, and an “invisible selfie stick” effect. Operation is principally via a touchscreen which seems at a quick glance to owe something to the 2.29-inch portrait-format design of the market-leading devices from Insta360, including their 5.7K camera the ‘X3’.

Most interesting, though, as you might expect for a budget brand, is probably the price. This camera launches at $199.99 / £199.99, comfortably below the established alternatives (there are also a few other bundles with microSD cards on Amazon, all very financially efficient).

Launched July 7, this new camera comes at an interesting time for the 360-degree market. Many are holding their breath waiting for DJI to release a 360-degree camera, while GoPro has been teasing the idea of a new 8K camera for at least a year now, while Insta360 seems to have been cruising ahead. There is also already one relatively inexpensive camera on the market – the KanDao QooCam 3 – but now Akaso has claimed the best budget offering, at least on price and spec grounds – we will be posting our review in a few weeks.

The company makes clear that customers can include content creators, the tech-curious, outdoor enthusiasts, and daily/travel vloggers. All, they say, will be able enjoy the "Shoot first, frame later" approach.

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The Insta360 X4 v X5 and I took a 360-degree camera on my family vacation and it didn't ruin it!

The perpetual problem for any jobbing photographer, or even amateur enthusiasts keen on documenting their process, is how to capture images of yourself at work. I’m sure there are agency photographers out there who have behind-the-scenes (BTS) videographers working to drive the social media machine for them and their clients. Most of us don’t have the budget for such a luxury. 

So what is the perfect behind-the-scenes content creating solution? After trying a few  different solutions, I now have the perfect camera for the job…

First of all, I tried using my backup Fujifilm camera on a tripod with an older Sennheiser ENG lavalier radio microphone set. It’s just too cumbersome. I even made the mistake of doing a 2017 Kickstarter for the Removu K1, thinking a compact, with face tracking, would help. It wasn’t terrible, but the company folded leaving the device short of a few necessary firmware updates. 

I have had a few different action cameras – in fact my Akaso Brave 7 LE is currently sitting on a 5-meter light stand for a scout camp timelapse, but they all have foibles that make it not worth the effort. 

Cue the Insta360 X series, currently basking in the release of the X5-only months after I got the X4. While I’m speaking from the experience of the Insta360 X4, this applies to the Insta360 X5 which is not as stark a jump as between the X3 and the X4. I actually started on the X3, which began my love for these.

What makes these X cameras special? Well it’s not the sensors. Action camera sensors are better. It’s not their long recording ability – as these can overheat. It is simply that they capture everything. And? Well, Insta360 Studio software that comes with these devices makes reframing shots an absolute breeze. I can choose my subject, track it if need be, or move the frame around as I please. I can zoom in and out, including dewarping the scene for a more natural view. 

For a portrait session BTS, the X5 could be set up between the camera and the subject, out of camera view. From the footage, I can easily pan from myself to the subject and then zoom and pan out to have both in frame. 

Using a mic such as the DJI Mic 2, I can get pristine audio to capture the interaction and atmosphere. Not only that, Insta360 just announced a new dedicated Mic Air microphone for the X5. As if that wasn’t enough, I can even start and stop recording with just my voice. 

The scene could be cut as a 16:9 for YouTube, and then resized to a 9:16 for Shorts, Reels and TikTok. Each transition could be changed to suit the output. Cool edits like speed ramping can be used to change the flow of time. You’re also not stuck with real-time. You can speed up footage using the Time Shift option. 

For those more into the outdoors, and are walking with the X5, the invisible selfie stick is a godsend. As the software eliminates it, you can create fake drone follow shots, or even cool interaction shots with your environment, making for more interesting video. 

Combine the selfie stick with a mini tripod and you have a fast fixed camera to walk up to or away from. In fact, with the X5, you can walk up to the camera, walk past it and carry on, and seamlessly flow the shot in the edit! My personal wish is for someone to make one of these that has one reliable, extendable leg for uneven ground (like how the Manfrotto 5002BL Nano Plus stand has one for lights). 

Even if you’ve decided to carry the camera on a bracket on your bag, you can apply the horizon lock option to keep the view steady and just use the forward view. All in all these features make the X5 a great addition to any photographer's or content creator's kit bag. 

Check out our Insta360 X4 vs X5 comparison, and our complete guide to the best 360 cameras

DJI leaks seem to be arriving thick and fast this year, not least from the two most trusted sources. And there are three devices that, according to Jasper Ellens, we can now expect as soon as next month – including the Osmo 360 (as it'll probably be called). The video was seen on Igor Bogdanov's X feed @Quadro_News, which is embedded below.

The arrival date is July 15, to be precise, as Ellens claims in his DroneXL article, in which he also continues to express his doubts about the product line.

That's fair enough. By taking on the best 360 cameras, DJI is entering a space in which GoPro has suffered a number of embarrassing public delays – and where there is an established competitor in the form of the Insta360 X5.

The next new device expected by Ellens is a replacement for the DJI Action 2, which he predicts will come the following week, July 23. Unlike the 360 camera this has not been the subject of a lot of online speculation (or at least, not when it comes to leaked images), but the name Ellens cites is 'Nano'.

Traditionally, small action cameras have faced the need to compromise on image quality because of the need to fit a relatively small sensor in the housing and because of the risk of overheating. GoPro plays in this area – and my first drones had GoPro cameras (DJI, of course, might well be making a nod to its own history by making a play to the self-build market).

Finally there is also the rumor that a DJI Mic 3 is on the way as soon as July 29. This does not feel long after the DJI Mic 2, let alone only 6 months after the DJI Mic Mini. Presumably, though, the desire to keep releasing in the American market while access to the FCC approvals process remains (six and a half months, unless the review takes place) is a driving factor.

No drones, you ask? Well, there are several months left in the year and I've already heard rumors of a DJI Mini 5 Pro, but there aren't any dates associated with that yet…

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Take a look at the best DJI drones and the best camera drones from across the market.

At WWDC 2025 this week, Apple announced that Insta360, GoPro, and Canon had been partnering with company to develop native support for their cameras for the next version of VisionOS, visionOS 26. Insta360 has clarified what that actually means for creators using the X5 or Ace Pro 2 cameras.

Apple has developed new parts of the QuickTime file, which it is calling an APMP (Apple Projected Media Profile), which can be used to describe the lenses and image produced by non-traditional cameras, including cameras with stitching, like the Insta360 X5.

“Apple’s support for native playback of 360-degree and wide field-of-view video on Apple Vision Pro is a game changer that brings immersive storytelling full circle,” said Max Richter, VP of Marketing at Insta360. “Soon, with visionOS 26, you’ll be able to relive these awesome moments from Insta360 X5 and Ace Pro 2 like you’re there all over again.”

Apple's Jon Logan provided a detailed explanation of APMP for developers and video tech geeks at WWDC which can be seen here. It provides a clear explaination of the difference between rectilinear (flat) video formats and the alternatives that exist out there.

Apple's improved software, as the company puts it "has built-in support for popular camera vendors' lens projection parameters and field of view modes" – that's not just my pick for best 360-degree camera, the Insta360 X5 but the GoPro Max (when it comes to spherical 360).

More than spherical 360 – in which you'll be able to look around the room (or outdoor space) after the fact, there is also support for the wide-angle lenses of popular action cameras – again the Ace Pro 2 (and, inevitably, GoPro Hero 13 Black).

Insta360 has a tradition of cooperating with Apple, from being the first 360 degree camera that made it to Apple Stores, to the Flow 2 Pro's support for Apple's DockKit, meaning iPhone users had on-device access to the gimbal's features.

visionOS 26 is not expected to be fully available until this fall, though Apple developers can access early versions now and traditionally the iOS beta comes out about a month after WWDC.

Insta360, creators of the popular X5 360-degree camera, the Ace Pro action camera series, Flow gimbals and more besides, have floated on the Shanghai stock exhange – or 'STAR' – market, earning a valuation of around 71 billion yuan ($9.9 billion), making the founder, Liu Jingkang, a billionaire at age 33.

Insta360 is, like a number of Chinese tech companies, based in Shenzhen. Liu told Forbes that "Ten years ago, we walked out of the dormitory of Nanjing University, with just very few resources and very big dreams."

Since then, the company has established itself at the top of my guide to best 360-degree cameras with the X series – which went from a quirky product with circular display to a practical device with impressive software with it's third-generation Insta360 X3 generation.

Now the Insta360 X5 has addressed most of the users issues with that already impressive device, and comfortably overtaken the famous brand GoPro. That's awkward for CEO Nick Woodman, who has made no secret of the company's plans in the 360-degree space, and has even waived his own salary as an acknowledgement of the cost-cuting pain at America's home-grown action camera company.

It can't help that Insta360 has also produced its own action camera, the Ace Pro 2, which boasts a larger image sensor and higher resolution than the legendary GoPro, as well as a number of other innovations. Rumors suggest that thing might not have stopped yet, either.

On Chinese social media site Weibo, a post from @CameraBeta seems to show celebrating members of the Insta360 team wearing a camera we've not seen before...

Does this mean that we're looking at a potential replacement or sister product for the Insta360 Go 3S thumb camera? It seems odd that it should be bigger (or at least to different in shape), so perhaps it'll be a new product line entirely?

Ricoh's new Theta A1 announcement promotes ruggedness, connectivity and speed in the field. It looks a lot like the brand, with over a decade's heritage in 360, is making a play against the action camera brands Insta360 and GoPro that are topping the best 360 cameras guide at the moment!

The new Theta A1 was rumored recently, with discussion of a new battery being a key part of the leaks. A long-lasting replaceable 1,485 mAh battery is now a highlight of the official announcement, as is an optimized video codec that will further improve battery performance.

UPDATE: We now know the price of the camea will be €799 (approximately £675 or $912, though US pricing will depend on tariffs at the time). The time in question will not be until September this year.

"We’re meeting the expectations of field professionals: robustness, speed, and integration," said Thomas Servan, managing director of Ricoh Futures EMEA. "It embodies our vision of useful, connected technology that aligns with the operational needs of our clients.”

It is interesting that Ricoh seems to pitch the camera more toward professional customers, even though we've seen so much growth in the 'action camera' end of 360 cameras. Oddly, though, the needs seem to coincide: "rugged, waterproof, dustproof and extreme temperature-resistant casing" says the press release!

The camera's spec sheet promises 60MP (11,008 x 5504) stills and has some interesting video formats, up to 8K (but at a maximum of 10fps) but also including 5.7K and 4K.

There is even a 2fps option for the 8K, at a choice of 8, 16 or 24Mbps data rates – a lot of potential flexibility for any professional concerned with managing the data as much as quality. There is also the option of 2K or 4K live streaming.

The Ricoh Theta A1 now sits in the company's lineup alongside the Theta Z1, which offers the highest resolution for precision scanning, and the Theta X with its integrated screen for versatility. That screen, by the way, makes it a more obvious contender for the consumer space than this business-like piece of kit.

You will notice that the Theta SC2 no longer appears in what Ricoh calls its "newly restructured 360° camera lineup, focused squarely on professional use cases."

All models, including the new Theta A1, are based on Theta Twin architecture, so compatibility with other Ricoh systems should be straightforward. The APIs and SDKs for this system have been public since 2013, and the Ricoh360 application will work with this camera as well as the others.

The device is approximately 225g, IP64 dust and waterproof, and 142mm high (5.9 inches). The 7-element lenses are f/2.4 and the nearest focusing distance is 40cm.

Each 1/2-inch sensor is approximately 48MP though, of course, because of the shape some of this data is lost, hence the 60MP files. Files are saved to the 27.5GB internal storage.

As noted, the pricing information for Europe is set at €799 and the date is no more precise than "set for September" – we'll keep you posted.

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Check our guide to the best action cameras to get an idea what kind of thing a more rugged camera is expected to face. If you're interested in 360, don't just check the best 360 camera guide – we also have an Insta360 X4 vs X5 comparison. And have you heard the latest DJI Osmo 360 rumor?

A leaker has shared some images of the rumored DJI Osmo 360 camera, giving us some very interesting talking points.

Firstly, they give the impression that the device itself might be very small. And another very interesting comment – which appears to have been deleted – adds that "the technical specifications are almost the same as the X5."

The original poster's X (Twitter) account, @Quadro_News, has a good reputation when it comes to advanced information about DJI products – and, unlike my other most frequented source of DJI leaks in recent years, this poster doesn't laugh about non-drone products.

It seems plausible that the image, at least, is accurate. And, given that I've seen design sketches on an FCC submission for an "Osmo 360" as far back as October, this would seem to confirm it.

That said, in the era of AI image creation, it is impossible to be certain of anything. But these are all promising signs for those looking for more competitors in the 360 camera space.

However, the reliability of Güçlü Atamer – the source of the comment suggesting that the DJI's specs are the same as the best 360 camera currently on the market, the Insta360 X5 – is much less certain. Especially in an era where anyone can buy a blue tick.

Supposing it is genuine, it again seems plausible. The image in the leaked devices looks to be a little smaller, yet if it were also capable of 360-degree video at what the industry calls 8K then it is likely to have the same processing and power requirements.

(There is a bit of a debate as to whether 8K's worth of pixels are actually seeing data, because of the shape of the sensors and the lenses, but that's a discussion for another day – it is an acknowledged standard for comparison.)

The design in the images seems to feature similar back-to-back lenses, of a broadly similar physical size to the one on the X5, which lends credence to the idea. Though some commentators (with no obvious source) seem to be hoping for a 96MP image size.

We may find out soon, though there is also no date…

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Take a look at my Insta360 X5 review to see my full thoughts on that camera, and what the Osmo 360 is up against. And for its core range, check out the best DJI drones and my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 review.

The 360-degree camera market has taken some twists and turns, but lately undisputed king of the mainstream, Insta360, still sits atop the best 360-degree camera table despite facing competition from some established names trying to bring their old models back for one last try!

First there was the almost entirely unchanged GoPro Max 2025 – still a 5.7K 360-degree camera with lenses that don't sit back to back, still with more or less the same internals, but now boasting a USB-C charging socket after six years. Now

Now imageshave circulated online showing both a possible manual and a new battery for a "RICOH360 THETA A1" – a camera which isn't yet on sale in the real world (even though some images are circulating... what can this mean?)

Rumors have been openly circulating about the device since September 2024 when Ricoh registered a "a wireless communication-enabled digital camera with the code name R07010" in Korea.

It appears to use a new TB-1 battery part, but, according to some, will not have a large touch panel, so will potentially be price competitive with other 360-degree cameras.

Could this herald another entrant into a rapidly exploding market? We're also seeing rumors suggesting that DJI (yes, the drone company that also does action cameras) has a 360-degree camera in the works. I only recently reviewed the latest Insta360 X5, too.

The original Ricoh Theta, on the other hand, harks back from 2013 so is more than ten years old and, though it has seen some revisions (like the Theta X in 2016), the brand has not given its 360-degree camera range the same level of love that Insta360 gives to stay top of the market with annual updates.

Ricoh's design features back-to-back fish-eye lenses which work together to capture a full sphere view. The X and Z1 are the existing models, the latter boasting what were relatively large 1-inch sensors, well suited for low light, while the 'X's claim to fame was its 2.25-inch touchscreen. Currently, the company's cheapest offering is the SC2, which is all about simplicity (though comes in a variety of colors).

From what we've seen thus far, it's hard to identify which is the immediate target for replacement, or if this will join the range.

Kids are creative and inventive. It's a good rule that if you want someone to try something or think of something you hadn't thought of, get the kids involved.

On the other hand, it's another unbreakable rule that if you want the thing you give to the kids to emerge unscathed… well, don't give it to them in the first place.

That leaves a bit of a dilemma, but one that was quickly resolved as I paused for thought with the new Insta360 X5 – the freshly established best 360 camera. How?

Well, call me a chump, but my son just really wanted to play with it and I thought (as I so often do) that I could successfully explain to him how to be cautious with it. Moreover, he has mastered the art of flying drones. How hard can it be for him to take control of a camera at the end of a stick?

To be honest, I am a little nervous about this kind of camera because of the way they are built – two fisheye lenses back-to-back (literally, in the case of the Insta360 X series) on a fairly narrow frame. That makes them very vulnerable to dropping and scratching, and on most cameras that'd be the end of the glass.

Technically things are a bit different with the X5 – the lenses are user-replaceable – but my loan model didn't have any spares in the box, so any damage would be the end of my experience with the device.

Still, well, he's my son, and he really wants a go, and he's very, very good at making that point. Over and over if necessary. Why fight it?

I didn't. I handed over the X5 attached to the end of the Invisible Selfie Stick as we stood next to the ponds in Hyde Park, London, and fish bobbed up near the surface to see what was going on.

At first, my son showed me that the telescopic pole could serve as a wizard's staff or some other magical weapon (not filling my hopes for the future of those delicate glass elements with confidence). But shortly afterward he switched on the camera and used the rod to plunge it into the pond.

That, as it happens, is far less of a problem. The camera is waterproof to a depth of 15m (nearly 50ft) and the ponds are certainly not that deep. Inside the ponds, the algea and weeds are likely softer than the surrounding concrete – plus the water prevents quite such speed of motion.

Was my son able to achieve his goals in the water, though? Well, yes and no.

Insta360 offers probably the best subject tracking in the business. But through murky British pond water tracking a non-human (and indeed non-mammalian) subject, things aren't easy.

I had some success being very cautious with my movements, but my son (who was a little more, let's say 'enthusiastic' with his grip on the selfie stick) did seem to pose more of a challenge. In both cases, though, the fail point was the join between the lenses.

When you're above the surface and the device is dry, there isn't a lot that seems to disappear from the sphere. When you're underwater and using a dive case, things can be okay. But if you're popping in and out, and staying near the surface, light will bend in a way that the camera doesn't quite cope as well with.

That, in combination with a less 'recognizable' subject, means that the fish didn't stay in view quite as consistently as you'd hope for a camera that can, theoretically, see in every direction.

That, though, is a small niggle. We were still able to lift the camera in and out of water with no worries about affecting the recording, and stick it off the side of bridges to capture special images that others couldn't.

And I managed to get a few fish on video by being a little more cautious than my son was (though it still took a while for the selfie stick to dry off afterward).

On top of that, the second I finished writing this story, a firmware update to "optimize the image in certain underwater scenarios" emerged.

Hmm, I wonder…

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Wondering what's new? Take a look at my Insta360 X5 vs X4 comparison to see how they differ.

Leakers have shared FCC filings for the rumored DJI Osmo 360 – a new 360-degree camera from the leading drone company.

At first a lot of the leaks came from a lesser-known leaker – @Hakasushi (see below) – but this source has been backed up by one of the most reliable.

So it's fair to say that between that, and the fact these do look like FCC listings, we might be looking at something close to a final product. So will it make my guide to the best 360 cameras?

The spec sheet suggests that the new device will be reasonably rugged, able to operate in temperatures from -4° to 113°F / -20°C to 45°C, and will boast WiFi and Bluetooth.

Not, admittedly, enormously surprising – these technologies are present on the DJI Osmo Action cameras, too. Other details include a 1950mAh battery that can charge at a rate up to 30W.

DJI will have two competitors in its sights. One is GoPro, which registered a success with the GoPro Max back in 2019 and has managed nothing more than a refresh ever since (except for some big talk).

While the world waits for a newer GoPro Max 2, which has been teased to the shareholders, the 2019 model has been re-released with a software update and universal 1/4-20 screw mounting.

The main competition, though, is the dominant brand in 360 cameras (and especially rugged ones) Insta360. That company has refined its main offering to a near-annual release, having just refreshed it with the Insta360 X5 that I reviewed last month.

Just as DJI dominates camera drones, Insta360 has come to dominate this niche of cameras – and DJI will need to challenge hard.

What makes 360 cameras an especially difficult area to move into is that, unlike traditional cameras, a complete offering includes software (ideally in app and computer form) that enables the user to re-frame video after the fact.

Insta360 has versions for phones, Mac and PC, and plugins for Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, while GoPro is catching up with object tracking and keyframing features in the Quik app.

DJI will need to address this somehow, or find itself some way behind.

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If you've been wondering what is a 360 camera, hopefully our explainer will help. But if they're not quite right for you, perhaps the best action cameras are a better fit.

The Insta360 X5 was released last week and is the latest in the brand's lineup of action cameras. One of the standout features of the X5 is its rugged nature, which includes the ability to replace the lens if it becomes damaged. To further protect the camera, PGYTech has just launched a dedicated slimline camera cage.

The PGYTech Insta360 X5 Camera Cage is designed to enhance the versatility and security of one of this year's most anticipated action cameras. Whether you are carrying it with a selfie stick on a trip, mounting it to a bike, or capturing a panoramic seascape, the cage allows for the addition of further accessories and rigs.

Constructed from durable aluminum alloy for added protection, the cage fully encloses the camera with tailored cutouts to ensure complete access to the interface, including buttons, microphone holes, and the battery.

Additional protection is provided by a silicone lens cover, shielding the lens from scratches, dust, and bumps. Although you may have seen promotional or review videos where users literally take a hammer to the lens, smashing it to demonstrate its replaceability, it’s advisable to avoid a broken lens!

Above: An introduction video of the PGYTech Insta360 X5 Camera Cage

In addition to protection, the cage also provides users with the opportunity to expand the X5 into a more versatile filmmaking rig. The camera cage includes two 1/4" screw mounts (one on the bottom and one on the side), two cold shoe mounting points, and an Insta360 quick mounting point, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of action cameras and filmmaking accessories.

Other notable features include a rotary knob for securing the cage, an inner rubber pad, two microphone windshield mounting notches, and six foam microphone windshields.

Priced at $65 / £64 (Australian pricing to be confirmed), the PGYTech Insta360 X5 camera cage is available for preorder now, with shipping scheduled for early May.

The Insta360 X5 is already proving to be a favorite among content creators, and I imagine this new cage from PGYTech will only serve to enhance that!

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If you're interested in finding out more about action or 360 cameras, do check out our guides to the best action cameras and the best 360 cameras.

360-degree cameras are here to stay, and the biggest player – Insta360 – seems to be mostly competing with itself. Confusingly the new X5's biggest feature – 8K resolution – is the same as its immediate predecessor – the X4 – so what, if anything, is the difference?

I've owned the X4 for a year, and have been trying and testing the X5 for a long while – admittedly at first on beta software as a reviewer, but now with the full final retail package.

I've also tried and tested many of the rest of the best 360-degree cameras, including the X3, so I'll offer my thoughts on that too.

Insta360 X5 vs X4 vs X3 at a glance

Insta360 X5 vs X4 vs X3: Price

Insta360 X5 vs X4: Image Quality

The key resolution figures are the same, but in reality the cameras are significantly different because the X5 boasts two key improvements which I found very noticeable in everyday use – the 144% bigger 1/2.8-inch image sensors pick up a lot more detail in lower light and, in general, the image looks better.

8K 360-degree video is already about as good as it comes in the consumer market, and comfortably ahead of the 5.7K that the GoPro Max can manage. In terms of stills, the 72 megapixels is ideal most of the time.

The X3 is the serious laggard here, limited to a maximum of 5.7K, which does look worse, but still catches the action, especially if you like to stick to wide-angle and 'small world' shots.

Insta360 X5 vs X4: Durability

The X5 is a more durable device in several respects. Firstly, you can replace the actual lenses if you damage them, though the optional removable lens guards ($24.99) mean that you shouldn't have to do that. This is new with the X5 – any damage to the older lenses meant returning your camera for a costly repair.

The IP68 waterproofing has also been boosted to 15m / 49ft from the X4's 10m / 33ft, meaning you can go further underwater without buying a dive case.

The X5 also has a bit of an advantage because it has a replaceable microphone cover (and recorded sound is better too, though the AI may play a part in that).

However, the X4 includes removable Standard Lens Guards in the box, which does improve value, and they're conceptually identical to the ones X5 users need to pay extra for!

In this area, the X3 is some way behind – it is waterproof to 10m, but the only way to fit lens guards is to glue them on. This is not ideal as they do compromise image quality. That said, I was still able to take the X3 out on vacation several times just with the travel case and get plenty of cool 360-degree videos and pics, so as a baseline standard it's not as vulnerable as you might imagine!

Insta360 X5 v X4: Usability

In my experience, both cameras are very similar because they are arranged the same way, but the X5 edges this in a few ways. For one thing, it's noticeably quicker (Insta360 say 140%) than the X4.

The touch screens offer a lot of functionality, which means you'll find it easy to explore the device's capabilities at your leisure. Or, of course, there is the app remote control.

The simple improvements, like the rotate gesture to start recording, do make the X5 better to use, but it's an incremental improvement, so I definitely wouldn't upgrade for this alone.

One very useful feature on the X5 that can save a lot of time for those that find editing 360-degree video to other formats a time sink is 'InstaFrame'. This lets you define a frame – say 16:9 or Portrait format for social – and highlight a person to track as you shoot.

The camera can then record a (5.7K) 360-degree video AND a pre-cropped video which will use AI to keep your selected person in the center of the image.

Insta360 X5 v X4: Mounting

A clear win for the X5 here.

Insta360 X5 v X4: Battery

Battery life is better, but perhaps not as much better as the stats suggest. Heavy users will still be a lot happier with a spare even with the new X5, and it's worth noting that the endurance mode is 5.7K rather than 8K.

It's also true that even the X5 does feel physically warmer after shooting in 8K for a time.

One thing that is notable is that the X5 seems to be learning from the world of phones with faster charging, though whether this is as significant in reality as the stats is a moot point. All this feels incremental and while it is undoubtedly better, is definitely not enough to warrant an upgrade in one go for me at least (though a heavy user of the X3 would certainly spot the difference in battery life).

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Check my full guide to the best 360-degree cameras, or, if you prefer keeping things flat, why not look at the guide to the best action cameras?

Please read my full Insta360 X5 review and Insta360 X4 review for sample images.

I love this kind of camera, and here's why: A 360-degree camera is one which can see the entire scene from the point the camera is held. Typically that's on the end of a pole which it is able to ignore using AI – so it's called the "invisible selfie stick".

The magic of this is that you don't need to point the camera when you're capturing any action, and – depending on the app – you can either edit the pictures or footage to crop in on part of the scene (yes, point the camera later) or view it using something that lets the viewer click and drag / turn their head and see the entire world.

Insta360 has risen to become the dominant force in 360-degree cameras. We keep hearing that GoPro is working on a new 360-degree action camera, but we've not seen any evidence of it. In that time, though, Insta360 have made three crucial leaps. The X2 then X3 not just matched the resolution of the 'GoPro Max' but brought a back-to-back lens design that more successfully stitches the imagery from two fish-eye lenses. Then last year's X4 brought a higher video resolution – 8K total – as well as a number of other refinements, including removable lens guards. (GoPro are still promising, but has yet to deliver, a newer 360-degree camera.)

The X5, then, is already standing on the shoulders of the best 360-degree camera out there for most people. That leads to two questions – "Is this new version actually any good?" In other words, did something go wrong at Insta360? The second question is more significant for many than it used to be, though, because this is an established technology: "Is the Insta360 X5 worth upgrading to?" As a longstanding personal owner of Insta360 cameras (I had the X3 and have the X4), as well as a review of others, I'll be answering both questions!

Insta360 X5: Specifications

Insta360 X5: Pricing

The Insta 360 X5 comes in at $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99 – that $50 more than its predecessor the X4, which isn't a surprise given the hike in import taxes. There is also an Essentials Bundle including 'Extra Battery, Utility Fast Charge Case, 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, Standard Lens Guards, Lens Cap, Carry Case' which will set you back $659.99 / £609.99 / AU$1109.99.

The Lens Guards, are $24.99 or Premium versions for $34.99 / £34.99 / AU$63.99, while the new Bullet Time Selfie Stick 2.0 (covered below) is $54.99 / £54.99 / AU$96.99.

Insta360 X5: Build & Handling

At first glance you see that the Insta360 X5 has gained a cool angular facelift on the 'front' – the side without a screen, which also has a grille for the main microphone in a large irregular hexagon just below the lens. This is multi-layered to reduce noise. The angular design is stylish, and serves to draw attention from the necessarily inelegant fixing points around the lens where you can attach and remove the lens guards.

As on the previous models, the access points for the battery and SD card on one side and sealed door for the USB-C port on the opposite side are cut into a rubberised edge which runs around the outside in textured dark gray. The device is now waterproof to 15m (45ft) without a case. The texture breaks for the power and 'Q' buttons. This is a practical design, which makes it perfectly possible to grip and use the camera without needing the selfie sticks.

If you are using one, though, this screws into the standard mount at the base, which also offers Insta360's reversible magnetic mounting system, so there is now a choice. This has appeared on the company's AcePro action cameras before (check my review of the Ace Pro 2), but not the 360-degree ones.

Incidentally, Insta360 offer several mounting options – my personal favourite, as a cyclist, is the pole which lets you float a camera magically infront of your handlebars, but that's a whole other story.

Camera controls are via the 'rear' – the shutter is beneath the touchscreen. There is also the option to use surprisingly effective gesture controls, including not just the now commonplace 'palm' and 'peace sign' but a simple 'twist' of the camera. Smart.

Insta360 has gone back to the drawing board and created a new 'Bullet Time Selfie Stick 2.0' released alongside this camera. I've taken shots with the Insta360 X3 and X4 using the previous version of this – the idea is you swing the camera around yourself at around 1 rotation a second and the software does the rest to make it seem like you're in The Matrix (or, younger folks, just on pause in a video game world).

It works by pulling the 'selfie stick' section from the thicker grip, then folding it at the joint. Other than just feeling a little more natural as a standard 'selfie stick' because it's fully round. The crucial improvement with this model is that the new locking system (between my thumb and forefinger in the photo) can be popped into different angles between 65˚ and 90˚ which is enough to make using the thing feel a lot safer than its right-angled predecessor. Since it extends to a full 47.5 inches (1.2m) and you're meant to turn it at about one revolution a second, that's a reassuring improvement (and I say that as fan, if occasionally a nervous one, of the old one too!)

On the 'invisible improvements' list, Insta360 has addressed the battery, promising up to 185 minutes in Endurance mode. I wasn't (quite) able to get that, but it was very apparent that the charging was faster – theoretically about 20 minutes to get over 80%.

The app has seen extensive improvements (though there were a few features, like GPS overlay, I couldn't immediately locate as a user of the old one).

Impressive tools are the ability to track subjects and to make complete AI video edits from, for example, a cycle ride.

The lens guards are an innovation from the X4, and the X5 versions work brilliantly. The much more significant improvement here, however, is that the lens beneath is not only made of tougher glass but replaceable too – without needing to be sent back to Insta360. Instructions are provided in the pack. I'm sorry to say I didn't break mine yet, so I've not yet hat to replace them – and that is despite a one meter drop test onto a hard floor!

Insta360 X5: Performance

I think it's fair to say that for the first time in a consumer 360-degree camera the camera performance is truly good. Detail is visible and, more importantly, detail is picked up across light and dark areas even where the light isn't great.

That's significant because it means you could think about using the camera as you only action camera (you can use it in single camera mode) without being disappointed, which makes it a much better value proposition than in the past.

In wider terms the camera's performance gave me no issues. Menus were responsive, and the extra processing power is clearly available and used to make navigating menus more responsive as well as help produce better images. The camera also powers up in only about 4 seconds, even from a fresh battery insert, which is a lot better than some action cams, let alone 360-degree devices.

Low light is the big beneficary of the extra processing ooompf though, with the option of the 'PureVideo' mode. This is chosen separately in the menu, though personally I was often pretty happy with the way the camera handled lower-light scenarios in the standard mode.

I'd suggest first-time users spend a little time exploring the system because there are a lot of choices in each mode, similar to any action camera.

Things are still not perfect. In the 72 megapixel still images I was barely able to discern the join between the two fish-eye cameras, but when reviewing the video footage I took when cycling it you can see some evidence of that in the cycling clips just below my left arm.

Still, this auto-generated edit is pretty cool, and it's only very detailed areas where you see the slightest issue and even then it only looks like a compression artefact.

Overall Verdict

The Insta360 X5 holds very firmly onto the 360-degree camera crown, that's for certain. This is an excellent device and it has only got better while the competition has offered nothing (except promises, of course).

Looking at pictures taken indoors – even on the London Underground – the camera copes significantly better in low light, while the Dolby video I caught with my cycling mount is impressively engaging.

Whether there is enough by way of improvement to tempt me to dip my hand into my pocket as an X4 user is another matter; the X4 already brought 8K and lens protectors to the table so, personally, I think I might keep my hand in my pocket. The X4 also included them in the Standard Bundle (but that was before the tariff war).

That said, the 60fps option at 5.7K looks great too and the camera doesn't get as warm as fast – that might justify the investment. Similarly, the better low light is very notable so, if I was doing more pro work, I'd be tempted.

If, however, I still had the X3 (and certainly if I had any other 5.7K alternative – yes, I'm looking at the GoPro!) then I think that – for a serious user – there is enough here to make the jump. That's why I've awarded 4.5 stars to a camera much better than last year's 5-star device. Because some more causal X4 users won't need the upgrade.

For everyone else, this is easily the best 360-degree camera out there.

Alternatives

1 Minute Test

My experience

I have been shooting with 360-degree cameras for years, having tried more than ten different models on hundreds of shoots. I don't just do it for reviews, but because I enjoy it. I'm especially familiar with the Insta360 series, and the software required to turn 360-degree images into traditional image or viewable video – a critical part of the experience in my view. As a professional drone operator, and the expert behind the best camera drone guide, I have also used 360-degree cameras as an alternative when regulations prevented flying.

Insta360's announcement of the new X5 360-degree camera is a massive step, not just because it's the company's best yet – but because it propels the company further into the lead in this massively important emerging market.

As an experienced 360-degree camera expert, Insta360 has allowed me a sneak peak, and you can read my thoughts in a full Insta360 X5 review.

The X5 brings bigger imaging sensors for better low light, more rugged design, and new "Triple AI Chip" smarts which, in practical terms, means AI can identify events for quicker auto editing and 'PureVideo' can deliver improved output in low light (that's ontop of the 144% bigger imaging sensors).

Feature highlights of the new model are:

• 1/1.28-inch image sensors – 144% larger seonsr size compared to the X3 and X4
• 140% more computing power
• "The Toughest 360° Camera Ever" with replaceable lenses
• 8K 360 degree video – the same as the X4
• 5.7K HDR video at 60fps – double the frame rate
• Improved wind guard and noise reduction
• Longer battery life (up to 185 mins in 5.7K in 'endurance mode')
• 15m (49ft) waterproof without a dive case – beating the 10m waterproof of the X4

For industry watchers like me, though, what is really interesting is the position that this release leaves GoPro. The company made a move into 360-degree cameras way back in 2019, but ceded ground to Insta360. Since then, shareholders have been repeatedly promised there will be a new higher-spec camera but there has been nothing but a minor revision to the ageing original.

Pricing and availability

The Insta360 X5 Standard Version is available immediately from Amazon and Insta360's direct retail at $549.99 / £519.99 / AU$929.99. The US price represents a $50 increase from the previous version. There is also an Essentials Bundle including 'Extra Battery, Utility Fast Charge Case, 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, Standard Lens Guards, Lens Cap, Carry Case' which will set you back $659.99 / £609.99 / AU$1109.99.

The Premium Lens Guards, are $34.99 / £34.99 / AU$63.99 while the new Bullet Time Selfie Stick 2.0 (mentioned in my review) is $54.99 / £54.99 / AU$96.99.

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Check our guide to the best 360 degree cameras.

Here's the new teaser, just released, which confirms the rumors that a new 360-degree camera is coming from Insta360, presumably to replace the flagship X4 I reviewed only last year.

Now I might be reading this completely wrongly. No product is actually mentioned in the video. But, to me, the heading "All day. All night. All angles." tells me – an experienced reviewer of 360-degree cameras – this:

All Angles = We should be expecting a 360-degree camera, so, by extension, a successor to the X4. The one before was called the X3, so... X5 anyone?

All day = My guess is this in't literal, but hints at better battery life. Probably not literally 'all day', but longer. 360-degree cameras have traditionally not had as long a battery life as comparable single-lens action cameras because, well, they're doing not just twice the work but stitching processing too. That has made more battery desirable.

All night = Again just supposition, but the video has some pretty slick-looking low-light images, and one area that Insta360 has really stood ahead of other action camera companies (yes, I'm looking at GoPro) is with low-light capability. We've already seen that with the Ace Pro and Ace Pro 2. Why not bring low-light improvements to their flagship 360-degree camera?

If that's not enough, we learned there will be an event next week (on April 22), which will include a pop-up at Vanderbilt Hall®, Grand Central Terminal for those of you who can get to New York City – check out the Insta360 New Camera Pop-Up Event details page at GC.

One other suggestion we might be looking at an X4 replacement? There are discounts to be had on the X4 right now and low stock at some retailers.

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The Insta360 has long been at the top of our best 360-degree camera guide, which is well worth a read. You might also find the stories of the ongoing pains of GoPro, as it attempts to catch up to the X4's 8K cameras, interesting. These are well covered in our latest news, including that GoPro claim an 8K 360-degree camera of its own is coming (though Insta360 is now the world's bestselling), and the delay is partly why the GoPro CEO has refused his salary.

After a 5-year run, Darkfest bids farewell to GoPro devices and has teamed up with Insta360 for this year’s thrilling event at Hellsend Bike Park, hosted in the Stellenbosch mountains of South Africa. Now, Insta360 stated on its blog that Darkfest will use the cutting-edge Insta360 X4 and Ace Pro 2 cameras to document the jaw-dropping stunts and breathtaking speeds.

With these two Insta360 cameras, fans can expect stunning 360° views, POV onboard footage, and even drone-like footage from Darkfest. Max Richter, Vice President of Marketing at Insta360 said, "The riders are defying gravity, and our cameras are here to defy the limits of traditional sports coverage.

"This partnership will allow fans to experience Darkfest like never before – from multiple perspectives, including angles previously reserved for drones or specialist filming gear."

The Insta360 X4 is well-known for its ability to capture 360-degree footage in 5.7K resolution at 60fps, powered by a 5nm AI chip, providing astonishing detail with a single lens.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2, co-engineered with Leica, boasts an 8K AI-powered action cam with a 1/1.3” 8K sensor and Leica Summit Lens, promising superior image quality thanks to its dual AI chip. The Leica Summit lens has an aperture of f/2.6, allowing it to capture more light.

While we could keep gushing over the technical details, the bottom line is that both cameras are packed with amazing technology that will wow viewers at Darkfest 2025. Millions of fans will be tuning in via social media, YouTube, and live broadcasts, and this technology might even draw those in who may not usually follow free riding.

Insta360 expressed on its blog, "We’re proud to be an integral part of the Darkfest family and can’t wait to share the thrills with fans around the globe. Expect exclusive 360° race footage, creative behind-the-scenes content, and epic rider moments that capture the true spirit of this wild event."

For more information on Darkfest, visit its official Instagram page, and check out the video below.

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If you are into action photography and videography, check out our guide about the best action cameras, the best budget action cameras, or the best 360 cameras.

Many of us, especially as photographers, will go above and beyond for the perfect shot. But some encounters are too close for comfort.

Diver Andrea Ramos Nascimento was involved in feeding tiger sharks in a dive off the coast of Freeport in the Bahamas on February 09. While filming the encounter, another diver was throwing small fish into the mouths of the swirling sharks, when one particular creature decided to take a bite out of the Insta360 X4 camera in its Invisible Dive Case underwater housing.

In the viral video, we can see the tiger shark approach the camera, and as the diver tries to pull the camera away, the shark appears to swallow the camera, offering us a toothy view of the inside of its mouth.

In an incredible, if unexpected shot, the divers can be seen looking at the shark chomping on the camera, perfectly framed by the shark's jaws from inside its mouth.

According to Fox 13 Tampa Bay, Nascimento explained to Storyful that after the shark eventually spat out the camera, a dive guide chased the shark to catch it. The diver was able to grab the camera before the shark took another bite.

Tiger sharks are common in the Bahamas, and are the largest species in the country and can grow up to 16 ft long, and weigh over a ton.

This is not the only time recently a photo opportunity with a shark has come too close. Earlier this month, a woman in Turks and Caicos had to have both her hands amputated after getting too close to a shark.

Tiger sharks are “among the largest of the sharks,” with the largest recorded at 18 ft. long, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History (FMNH).

Despite their size, they are also referred to as a “slow-moving shark,” according to the Florida Museum of Natural History, who also says they are part of “The Big Three” when it comes to shark attacks, alongside great white sharks, and bull sharks.

If this hasn't put you off wildlife photography, why not check out our guides to the best waterproof cameras, and the best underwater housings for cameras and phones, or play it safe with the best trail cameras.

More than five years after introducing an immersive 360 camera, GoPro is bringing back the Max. On Tuesday, February 18, the action camera giant launched the refreshed GoPro Max 360, an immersive action camera that updates the mount and battery but also drops the price. The launch comes along with updated software as GoPro pushes the concept of using the 360 action camera to shoot first then crop and reframe later – including using AI to follow the subject and resizing to both vertical and horizontal video.

As we already knew from GoPro's previous statement to investors, a quiet re-release of the GoPro Max was due this month. What we didn't know was the price.

We now know it is being called the 2025 GoPro Max 360 – the same name as the 2019 version). In fact, the blog post announcing the new camera has just two sentences to say about the camera itself: “The 5.6K spherical camera now comes with a MAX Enduro Battery and an upgraded mounting system, making it compatible with all standard 1/4-20 tripod mounts. All for only $349.99 MSRP.”

As that two-liner suggests, much of the hardware on the 2025 GoPro Max 360 remains the same as that introduced in 2019, including the 5.6K resolution. But the 2025 version has the folding mounting fingers, although they don't appear to be magnetic like on the GoPro Hero 13 Black. Under those folding mount fingers is a standard tripod mount. GoPro says the updated mount supports the invisible selfie stick effect, where the selfie stick is automatically edited out of the footage.

The update also comes with the removable Enduro battery for a longer shoot time; however, GoPro doesn’t list a specific battery time frame in the camera’s specifications.

Perhaps the biggest change is the price – the 2025 camera lists for about $350 / £350 / AU$600 when the previous version originally sold for about $500 / £479 / AU$799.

The bigger changes come from software through the GoPro Quik app. A key feature that GoPro is pushing is the ability to just mount the 360 camera and shoot, worrying about framing later. That could be particularly helpful for content creators that need both a vertical and horizontal video, as creators will be able to get both from the footage.

Another key software feature is the ability to follow the subject, automatically cropping to keep a person in the frame using AI. That’s likely to be a useful way of recording yourself without a serious reduction in resolution when cropping the video as with a non-360 camera.

The Quik app will also introduce special camera effects. The GoPro 360 Max can use the immersive view to crop down to a standard aspect ratio while using that extra data to add creative effects, like camera backflips and barrel rolls.

The 2025 GoPro Max 360 has few hardware changes outside of the battery and mount, but the lower list price means fans may be less likely to complain about the minimal refresh. Still, the GoPro Max 360 will need to compete with others like the Insta360 X4, which already offer similar software editing capabilities, including using AI to follow the subject.

The refreshed 360 camera is already listed as available at GoPro's official store.

GoPro has previously confirmed that it will launch a brand new Max 2 model later this year.

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Browse the best 360 cameras or the best action cameras before you make a decision on the new GoPro.

There was a surprise in GoPro's Q4 earnings announcement CEO Nick Woodman indicated that – before the long-awaited Max2 360-degree camera would come out – there will be a repackaged Max this month.

That's right, new packaging for the 2019 360-degree GoPro camera which Woodman described as having "pioneered and led" the 360-degree market. Even though he was only talking for a few minutes, he also made clear to note GoPro's "category defining IP" – very noteworthy given that GoPro has recently started to become quite active in the protection of its patents.

Overall GoPro's Q4 earnings call yesterday had positive news for investors, with Woodman suggesting it had broadly hit expectations over the holidays.

He also seemed to appreciate the scale of the difficulty in the 360-degree camera market; the unsaid side of claiming that GoPro 'had' led the market is the very obvious acknowledgement that someone else now does. That is Insta360, and specifically the 8K-capable X4 which now very clearly dominates the best 360-degree camera space, and it's also clear that GoPro's board have identified this as a "robust growth segment in the broader digital imaging category."

Since 'traditional' action cameras like the GoPro Hero Black 13 are seen to have more or less plateaued – but face more competition – reaching growing markets is important to GoPro.

That means that, especially with the delays to the Max 2, it makes a lot of sense to attempt to more broadly own the space. The company has already updated software, and having a lower-priced and a premium 360-degree model would be a similar approach to the one GoPro takes with other products.

It makes sense that a new SKU – essentially new packaging – to reflect that dichotomy could be brought out to market even faster, with the Max 2 being the premium version when it eventually arrives (still no date was given!) Woodman said as such, saying the (old) Max would be "Entry level."

Woodman did note that the new Max (1) would be "slightly refreshed" but also benefits from significant enhancements to the free GoPro Quik app. It also seems from his remarks that keeping it out there – keeps GoPro in the space (it had previously started clearing the channel for the now-delayed Max2). Woodman also indicated "The software experience [in 360] will continue to expand."

Perhaps, too, GoPro will acknowledge the soon-to-be entry-level GoPro Max is significantly higher in price than the Insta360 X3 it is nominally comparable to. The X3 is typically $399 to the old Max's $499; surely we'll see a change there? We'll know that by the end of this month.

It's also noteworthy from the results that GoPro is continuing to improve subscriber retention rates, reaching 69%, suggesting the 2.52 million users who do pay value their subscription services – which bring in $107m in revenue per year. The company also sold 775,000 units in Q4. Finally Woodman also suggested 2026 would be a 'bright spot', product wiss, for GoPro.

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Of course the world doesn't stand still for GoPro OR Insta360 – it is now also rumored that DJI are preparing a 360-degree camera.

Check our guide to the best GoPro alternatives for cheaper – and better – action cameras.

Insta360 is one of the most exciting brands in photography, especially, of course, if action cameras and 360-degree photography is what you're interested in. Now their latest teaser is promising a new product on January 16th and there are a lot of possibilities.

The emphasis on the term "Locked In" opens up a lot of possibilities. When I've reviewed the best 360-degree cameras, a list currently dominated by Insta360's X4, one of the aspects that has kept the company ahead isn't just the evolving camera tech, but the software. If you're looking at 360-degree video from a device like the Insta360 X4, then using AI to "lock in" on a subject later is a useful feature.

But, well, you can already do that – and across plenty of platforms. So that's probably not something to make a bit launch event for. Also it looks to my eye like we're seeing some hardware – a new device? – in the teaser video, which makes it more exciting...

You can, of course, sign up for an email of the launch event to find out on the day via Insta360.com. But why wait?

So, let's quickly rule some out. The Insta360 X4 is still under a year old – having launched in April – and still faces no serious competion (though we've heard rumors of a DJI 360-degree camera, and GoPro keep saying they've got a Max 2 coming this year). That seems unlikely to me.

My reviews of the Ace Pro 2 8K action camera and even the Go 3S body-worn action camera also still seem quite fresh, though the company does move fast. Still, I'd be inclined to rule these out. And the Insta360 Connect conference camera is a very fresh launch and unlikely to be associated with soccer/football – as seen in the teaser.

The only other consumer category the company already plays in I can see is the Flow Pro phone gimbal – now that, too, doesn't seem very old. I've been testing one myself and it's a great device. But the necessities of folding mechanics mean you get voids in designs – a potential explaination for

It is also an area where tech could improve and grow – if there isn't a limit to the number of people prepared to carry the devices. Perhaps a more "pro" line could develop? Maybe they're even after the best mirrorless camera gimbal market?

All I can tell you is I'll be watching and we'll be covering it – when an ambitious company makes a statement of intent, why not?

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Insta360 appears on my guides to the best GoPro alternatives, the best action cameras, and as I already said, the best 360-degree cameras. Check too out guide to the best smartphone gimbals.

The high-speed, fast-paced world of the SuperMotorcross World Championship League (SMX League) has decided that the only camera that can keep up with it is Insta360 – which has become the official sponsor of the competition.

SuperMotorcross is a motorcycle racing championship that combines the technical skill of stadium racing with the speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Riders can reach speeds in excess of sixty miles per hour, soar as far as seventy feet forward, and fly as high as a three-story building off jumps.

The race consists of 31 laps around the track, with $10 million (around £8 million / AU$16 million) worth of prize money to be won.

The partnership will be christened at the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season on January 11. With Insta360 as the official and exclusive sponsor, the best Insta360 cameras will be employed – so fans of the high-speed motorcycle race can expect to see the sport like never before, as the innovative cameras capture the intensity of the race, on and off the track.

Insta360’s cutting-edge technology will play a key role in capturing the danger, intensity and raw drama of the event, with cameras like the Insta360 X4, Ace Pro2, and Go 3S providing first-person views of the action. Fans will be brought right into the race like never before with cameras mounted on handlebars and chestmounts, and with Insta360’s FlowState Stabilization the footage will be steady.

"Insta360 is beyond stoked to partner with the SMX World Championship and redefine how fans experience the sport," said Max Richter, vice president of marketing at Insta360. "Our cameras capture every angle of the action, offering fans a visceral, immersive view of SMX's fast-paced, high-stakes racing."

The partnership will showcase Insta360's cameras from California to Florida, both through live broadcasters and exclusive social media content. Everyone involved will have access to truly incredible footage that encapsulates the excitement of dirtbike racing.

"We're excited to welcome Insta360 as the official and exclusive action camera sponsor of the SMX World Championship," said Dave Muye, vice president of global partnerships for Feld Motor Sports, Inc. "Insta360's cutting-edge technology provides the league with additional creative options to showcase the sport and provides fans with a whole new way to experience the drama and thrills of race day."

The 2025 season will also feature events with on-site booths, where fans can experience Insta360 products first-hand and try out the latest cameras for themselves.

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