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The 360 camera market just had its biggest week of the year. Insta360 launched the X6 on Wednesday, and DJI followed less than a day later with the Osmo 360 II. Both replace flagship models that have been at the top of the category, and both bring noticeable improvements in image quality.
This doesn’t mean you should ignore the older models, though. If you’re on a tighter budget, the previous-generation cameras are still very capable and should be available at a discount too.
The biggest advantage of a 360 camera is simple; you don’t have to worry about framing while recording. Just hold the camera up, hit record, and choose the best angle later on your phone or laptop. You can capture everything around you and decide what the final shot should look like afterward.
Here are the best 360 cameras for panoramic shots that you can get in 2026.
1. Insta360 X6
The X6 is now Insta360’s flagship offering, and it’s a major upgrade over the X5 rather than a small refresh. It uses two Sony 1/1.1-inch square sensors that deliver full 1-inch-equivalent 360 imaging. The sensors also offer 33% more area than those in the X5 and can capture much more light for brighter shots.
The X6 can record 8K video at 50fps, up from the X5’s 30fps at 8K, and can also capture 120MP photos. For processing, it has a triple-chip system built around an 8-core, 4nm processor. Insta360 says the X6 has about five times the computing power of the X5.
Other features include 10-bit color, Dolby Vision, an improved PureVideo low-light mode, and the new Replaceable Lenses 2.0 system. It also has 47GB of usable internal storage, which is a first for the X series and means you don’t always need a memory card.
The camera uses a 2,600mAh battery and is rated for up to 140 minutes of continuous 8K recording. The X6 starts at $699.99 for the Standard Bundle and $799.99 for the Essentials Bundle in the US. That’s $150 more than the X5’s starting price.
2. Insta360 X5
If $699.99 is too much, the X5 is still a very good option. It uses two 1/1.28-inch sensors and can record 8K video at 30fps while capturing 72MP photos. You also get Insta360’s PureVideo low-light mode, replaceable lenses, a built-in wind guard, and waterproofing down to 49 feet without a case.
The X6 has the advantage in sensor size, frame rate, and processing power. But for travel videos, vlogging, and everyday action footage, the X5 still does a good job.
At $549.99, it also offers better value now that the X6 is available. Insta360 also sells a BMW Motorrad edition of the X5 aimed at motorcycle riders. It comes with features such as handlebar controls and an extended battery.
3. DJI Osmo 360 II
DJI responded to Insta360 less than a day later with the Osmo 360 II. The camera uses the same 1/1.1-inch sensor class as the original Osmo 360 but increases 8K panoramic video to 60fps. That gives it a slight advantage over the X6’s 8K50 recording.
DJI has also increased dynamic range to 14.5 stops in D-Log M, compared with 13.5 stops on the original model. The camera still captures 120MP shots, but the II adds HDR and RAW photo capture.
The battery is larger at 2,150mAh, compared with 1,950mAh on the first model. It also supports 27W USB-C fast charging. Another important upgrade is user-replaceable lenses.
The Osmo 360 II also has NFC for quick pairing and 105GB of internal storage, which is carried over from the original model. In China, the standard bundle costs around 3,299 yuan, or roughly $460.
The biggest problem right now is availability. DJI has only confirmed the China launch so far, and there is no listing for the Osmo 360 II on DJI’s US store. With the restrictions affecting DJI products in the US, it isn’t clear when the camera will officially arrive there.
4. DJI Osmo 360
The original Osmo 360 is still available and is now cheaper in markets where the II has launched. It offers dual 1-inch square sensors, 8K video at 50fps, 13.5 stops of dynamic range, and up to 100 minutes of 8K recording on one charge.
The camera also uses the same battery and magnetic mounting system as the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. That is useful if you already own DJI action-camera accessories.
The original Osmo 360 is also officially available in the US, making it the more practical DJI option for American buyers right now. It costs around $549.99.
5. GoPro MAX2
GoPro stayed out of the 360 camera race for years while Insta360 and DJI moved ahead. The company finally returned with the MAX2 last year.
GoPro calls it the only “True 8K” 360 camera, based on how it calculates resolution. The MAX2 records 8K 360 video, as well as 5.6K at 60fps and 4K at 100fps. Its biggest advantage over the newer Insta360 and DJI models is built-in GPS.
The MAX2 also brings back GoPro’s replaceable lens system and uses a 1,960mAh Enduro battery designed to work in cold weather. It’s rugged, waterproof, and supports 16 mounting accessories made specifically for the camera. At $499.99, it has the lowest starting price among the flagship-level 360 cameras on this list.
The MAX2 has also expanded into markets such as India, where it launched alongside GoPro’s new AI-powered gimbal.
6. Ricoh Theta X
Not everyone shooting 360 content needs video, and for stills-first work like real estate listings and virtual tours, the Ricoh Theta X is the camera most professionals reach for. It pairs dual 48MP sensors to produce spherical stills at up to 60MP, or 11K resolution, well beyond what any of the action-camera-style 360 shooters above offer for photos. The video tops out at 5.7K at 30fps.
What sets the Theta X apart is how it’s built to be used on its own. It has a 2.25-inch color touchscreen that lets you preview shots, adjust settings, and review captures without pulling out your phone, and it’s the first Theta model with an interchangeable battery and a microSD card slot instead of fixed internal storage.
It also has built-in GPS that geotags your shots automatically, and the camera runs on Android, so it accepts third-party plug-ins for things like automatic face blurring or wireless livestreaming.
Ricoh also added HDR RAW capture in DNG format for professionals who edit files afterward instead of working from flattened JPEGs. Its pricing starts at $649.
7. How to pick the right 360 camera
To get the best 360 camera for your needs, start with your budget and think about what you plan to shoot. If you want the best overall image quality and don’t mind spending $699.99 or more, the Insta360 X6 is the easiest recommendation. The DJI Osmo 360 II is also very competitive on paper, especially with its 8K60 recording, but its availability is still limited.
If you want to save money, the Insta360 X5 and original DJI Osmo 360 are still strong choices. Both can record 8K video and offer enough quality for travel, vlogging, and everyday shooting.
The GoPro MAX2 is the cheapest flagship-level option. It’s also the obvious choice if built-in GPS is important to you or you’re already using other GoPro products. And if you’re shooting stills for real estate rather than video, skip the action-camera crowd entirely and go with the Theta X.
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