Ricoh’s Theta Z1, announced in early 2019, has two 1.0-inch back illuminated CMOS image sensors. These are significantly larger than the sensors in other consumer 360-cameras. In theory, these will produce images with greater dynamic range, and lower noise in low light situations, than other 360 cameras. Still images have a respectable 6720x3360 resolution, but video resolution is only 4K at 30fps. At around $1,000, it is likely beyond the scope of this guide. We’ll keep an eye on it in though, in case it turns out to have a significant leap in performance to justify its much higher price.

Insta360 also announced a new 360 camera in early 2019, though it doesn’t replace our top pick. Called the Evo, it is a bit different in use and design, looking more like two GoPro cameras mounted back-to-back. In addition to being able to take 360 photos, the two halves are connected via a hinge. Pivot them out so the lenses are side-by-side and the Evo can take 180-degree 3D photos and videos. Resolution and framerates are the same as the One X, with 6080x3040 photos and up to 5.7K video at 30fps. The Evo will be slightly more expensive than the One X, at about $420. It won’t be a pick for now as we don’t think the 3D aspect is necessary for most people. However, if 3D is something you’re interested in, the Evo should otherwise perform similar to the One X. It’s also worth checking out the Vuze XR, which does a similar 360/180 3D trick, and is mentioned in the comments.

We liked the 360fly 4K last round, and still do, but as a single-lens camera it can’t do a full photo sphere (there’s a blank area below the camera). We think better options are available now that offer similar performance and a full 360-by-360-degree image/video.

The 360fly HD shares many of the same features (and limitations) of the 360fly 4K camera but with a lower-resolution sensor, a single microphone, and 16 GB of internal storage.

The Giroptic 360cam uses three lenses to capture the scene, although it still omits a lower section where the lenses can’t get around the camera’s base. It started as a Kickstarter project that was set back by manufacturing troubles; some backers waited for their cameras for more than two years after the campaign concluded, and many others required warranty replacements.

We had high hopes for the GoPro Fusion. It’s a great piece of hardware that goes head-to-head with the Garmin Virb 360. However, buggy software, limited mobile compatibility, and exceptionally slow and buggy desktop software mean that this camera still isn’t quite ready for prime time. It produces probably the best video quality of any 360 camera, but it is so frustrating to use that we can’t recommend it for most people.

The Ion360 U works similarly to the Insta360 products, in that it works using your phone as the “brains.” In this case, only six phones are compatible: Samsung S8/S8+ and iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8, and 8 Plus. The Ion360 actually has two parts. There’s the camera itself, which is removable, and a case for your phone with an integral 1,260 mAh battery. It makes the phone a bit bulkier, but not outrageously so. Once you install the app, the Ion360 works smoothly. Videos are a bit washed-out, but otherwise seem fine. Photos are likewise “fine.” At $300, though, it’s a bit expensive, lacking the features of the Insta360 One (stabilization, notably) and the remote usage of the Theta V. If you like the idea of combining an external phone battery, hard case, and 360 camera, the Ion360 U does let you put together all three rather seamlessly.

The Insta360 One was a former pick. It’s a good camera, but the One X surpasses it in every way. It’s worth spending a bit more on the One X.

The Insta360 Nano and Nano S are more compact and affordable than our main pick, and connect to an iPhone’s Lightning port. You can capture shots and videos manually without the phone by pressing its single button, but with no built-in wireless networking in this model, you need to connect it to the iPhone to view or access the images. The Insta360 Air is a similarly equipped camera that connects to a limited selection of Android devices. These cameras are fine for what they are and for their price but are limited compared with what a “real” 360 camera can offer.

The KanDao QooCam is an interesting 360 camera that can also take 3D 180-degree photos. Reviews have been mixed. If you want to take 3D photos, though, it’s worth checking out. Also consider the Vuze XR, mentioned below.

The Kodak Pixpro SP360 4K and Pixpro SP360 limit the image to a 235-degree vertical field of view due to a single-lens design, just in 4K and 1080p respectively. To get the full 360, the Dual Pro Pack pairs two of the cameras using a bracket that holds them back-to-back, but this nearly doubles the price, putting it well above that of the easier-to-use competition. Plus, once you’ve captured that two-headed footage, you need to use software on a Mac or PC to stitch it together.

The Rylo is a great camera produced by a team that worked at Instagram and Apple. They recently updated the camera, via a firmware update, to record 5.8K video. The app is slick, and features many of the same cool editing features we like in the Insta360 One X. The Rylo has the best image stabilization of any 360 camera and the camera is tiny and feels exceptionally well-made.

However, at its current price of $500 it’s way more expensive than other options that offer similar features. Also, as of this writing, you can output 360 videos at 5.8K only if you have a Mac computer; no PC software and no mobile app can output that resolution in 360 (no camera’s app can, to be fair). The image quality and stabilization are so good that this trade-off might be worthwhile for some. If its price were $400 this would be a worthy alternate to our main picks.

VSN Mobile’s V.360º camera looks like a handheld coffee grinder, with a single embedded lens surrounded by a clear plastic chamber that we worry is a magnet for scratches. This camera is waterproof down to 1 meter for 30 minutes (IP67), but its 60-degree vertical viewing angle makes it more of a grand panorama than a 360-degree immersive experience.

The Vuze and Vuze+ are a slightly different product compared with our main picks, in that they create a 3D 360 video. For VR headsets this is especially cool, and if that’s what you’re looking to do, check them out. However, they’re big and expensive, and not quite the same category as our main picks.

The Xiaomi Mi Sphere is an excellent camera and could easily be considered as the runner-up to the runner-up. Its photo quality is a bit better than that of the Theta V, but the Mi Sphere’s video quality is a little worse. The app works well enough, has some of the features we like in the Insta360 app, and overall is very easy to use. I brought it with me during my travels this past summer and got many great Tiny Planet photos. If $400 for a 360 camera is too steep for you, this one performs better than its current $300 price would imply. If its price drops below that—which it has before—it’s a bargain. The Madv Madventure 360 is the same camera in a different color and with a selfie stick.

The Yi 360 VR is an interesting camera, with 5.7K video resolution, stabilization, and more. However, reviews have come away fairly mixed. The 360 Guy liked the video quality and value for the money, but found photos to be just okay and the stabilization to be fairly poor. Ben at Life in 360, on the other hand, basically couldn’t get it to work, finding the mobile app mediocre and Mac compatibility nonexistent. If Yi upgrades the firmware and software, we’ll take another look, but for now there are better options.

We also tested the Acer Holo360, Kodak PixPro Orbit360 4K, LG 360 Cam, Nikon KeyMission 360, Ricoh Theta S, Ricoh Theta SC, Samsung Gear 360, and Vuze XR, but these cameras either had bad apps, lack features we deem necessary (such as a tripod mount), were otherwise awkward to use, or had image quality that couldn’t measure up to that of our picks.