Latest news with #360camera
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Gizmodo
The Best 360 Camera Maker Is Making an ‘Immersive' Drone and DJI Should Be Very Worried
DIY flyers have been slapping 360 cameras onto drones for years now. But what if said 360 camera did more than film sideways, slantways, longways, and backways? Insta360, maker of some of the most popular 360 cameras, has declared it's now making a drone that promises 'immersive' flights thanks to a camera apparatus with two fisheye lenses. If the stars align, this new drone will make its debut next month. These new drones will sit under the canopy of the 'Antigravity' brand. It's not as if these drones will hit suborbital flights. Instead, they're meant to pack a full 360 camera. Insta360 says this will allow for 'immersive' flights, which suggests users will be able to use a kind of AR goggles—like the DJI Goggles—to interact with the 360 camera. We can already imagine if your drone flight offered the same degree of view as if you were standing in front of the glass at the top of the Seattle Space Needle. The typical 360 camera works by filming a sphere centered on itself—with the two lenses filming 180 degrees each. With this variety of cameras, it doesn't matter how you orient the lenses to grab a shot. That could prove a benefit to filmmakers looking to capture footage on a banking or twisting drone mid-flight. The footage is often cut into a regular 2D aspect ratio you'll watch on YouTube, though modern AR devices like the Apple Vision Pro can also play back 360-degree footage in an immersive way thanks to head tracking. The Antigravity drone may simply offer that capability in real time. The drone itself will weigh in at below 250g, or 0.55 pounds. That's about the weight of a DJI Mini 3S, which I've found is light and packs up well enough to take out into the field. The first Antigravity drone is designed to 'replace the technical complexity inherent in both drone flying and 360-degree videography,' according to Insta360. That implies Insta360 is planning on some kind of immersive motion controls akin to a DJI motion controller. Insta360's press release still leaves a heap of unanswered questions buzzing in our heads. We don't know if this 360-camera drone will be as capable as the company's latest X5, though it should be able to shoot in 8K resolution. Insta360, the company most known for its 360 camera gear and its action cameras that compete with companies like GoPro, is planning for a coup of the largest drone maker in the world—DJI. That China-based company has been caught up in international sanctions that keep it from selling all its flying cameras in the U.S. In the last few months, DJI has reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been banning imports of its drones. DJI hasn't been hit with any official ban, though that could change just before Christmas this year. Last year, Congress passed the Countering CCP Drones Act that required the government to review DJI drones for any national security risks. If it doesn't happen before the end of the year, we may have a full-on ban of what's still the most popular drone brand. While competitors like HoverAir have faced less scrutiny, Insta360 would still have a little more room to make something that really stands out. The last groundbreaking drones from DJI were lightweight, portable designs like the ultra-small DJI Neo and the DJI Flip that folds up to look like a unicycle. Since the soft ban on U.S. imports, DJI has reportedly sold very similar drones to its own DJI Mini 4 under a different brand name, SkyRover. Despite DJI's regulatory woes, the entire drone industry could use a bit of a wake-up slap. Insta360 has a track record for experimenting with established tech, like the Go 3S with its magnetically attached lens pod, which offered a whole new use case for the typical GoPro-like camera. We'll just have to see if Insta360 can avoid the same scrutiny as its fellow China-based dronemaker once we take to the skies in August.
Motor 1
22-07-2025
- Motor 1
‘Thinking About Sending the Footage to the Police:' Man Drives BMW Bike on Highway. Then He Films a Kia Soul Committing a Crime
In a viral video with more than 419,000 views, motorcycle content creator @r6kidd shared the startling incident he experienced on the road. @r6kidd explained that because he has a 360 camera recording on his motorcycle at all times, every moment, whether good or bad, is captured time forever. 'While this does make for some very embarrassing moments for myself, I think most embarrassing is when other people do stupid stuff and they don't realise they're being recorded,' @r6kidd stated. He shared that he was on the road recently, 'minding my business as motorcycle riders do,' when he vaguely heard a man in a red Kia Soul screaming at him at the stoplight. Since @r6kidd had his helmet on with music, he didn't hear exactly what the man said. When he pulled up near the car, @r6kidd was surprised to see it was a man in his late 50s to early 60s with what appeared to be his wife. They were both staring straight forward and avoiding eye contact with @r6kidd. That's when he saw the man do something truly terrifying. He reached over to the side of his waist and grabbed something (which in the video appeared to be a gun) and 'waved it around in the air.' 'Do you think it's fair for someone to scream something at a motorcycle rider and then start making death threats whenever the motorcycle comes up and confronts them?' @r6kidd asked. In the caption, he shared that he's considering sending the footage to the police, but he has yet to make an update on the matter in a video or in the comment section. Is Waving a Gun Illegal? Yes, in some states. The technical term for this crime is called brandishing, and it's specifically when a firearm is displayed or its presence is made known to intimidate, threaten, or coerce a person 'regardless of whether the firearm is directly visible to that person,' according to the federal law . Each state has different laws regarding whether brandishing a weapon is a misdemeanor, a felony, or a crime at all. Some states don't even have laws specifically addressing brandishing, U.S. Law Shield reported. In some states, brandishing could be a wobbler offense, which means that it could be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony. However, this is not to say that you can't ever legally draw your weapon without firing. This is considered legal use of force if someone is attempting to cause you or another person bodily harm, you reasonably believe you or another person is in immediate danger of death or bodily harm, and you did not provoke the attack. 'You can be charged with a crime even if you are not seemingly acting in an angry or threatening manner. However, if you make sure that you always use firearms as a last resort when there are no other available options—and only at the level of force the law allows—and familiarize yourself with your state's use of force laws, you'll be less likely to ever be charged with 'brandishing,'' U.S. Law Shield states. Commenters React 'Glad you're safe homie, but as comfortable as he was with drawing that weapon, you're not the first person he's done that to, and won't be the last either. Need to turn him in so he doesn't cause harm to anyone, whether accidental or intentional,' a person said. 'Never confront a road rager,' another advised. 'You should show the license plate, to the police. You need to think about other cyclists out there. This was a random event, the next rider might not be so lucky,' a commenter wrote. Motor1 reached out to @r6kidd for comment via Instagram and TikTok direct message. Now Trending 'I'd Call the Police:' Woman Stops at Stoplight. Then She Notices Something Unusual About the Trunk in Front of Her 'Thanks to Whoever Showed Us How to Program Apple CarPlay:' North Carolina Driver Starts Chevy. Then a Custom Disney Sound Plays Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
CNET
01-07-2025
- CNET
Insta360 X5 360 Camera Review: Capture the World in One Shot
8.9 / 10 SCORE Insta360 X5 Pros Excellent image quality Easy to use Replaceable lenses Cons Expensive X4 is cheaper and almost as good Insta360 X5 8.9/10 CNET Score Insta360's X5 is easily the best 360 camera ever (for consumers, at least). It's even easier to use than previous models, has big (for an action cam) image sensors for better dynamic range and low-light performance, and best of all, it has user-replaceable lenses. It's also quite expensive. Its photo and video resolutions aren't any higher than its predecessor, the X4. So, in many situations, the image quality will be similar. So while it's not a huge leap for a new model, there are a number of worthwhile improvements that make it a better option if you can afford it. I gave the X5 a quick look when it first launched, but after spending more time with the camera, here's what I think as someone who has tested nearly every consumer 360 camera ever and uses them regularly. Specs and hardware Geoffrey Morrison/CNET If you've used or seen any of Insta360's recent 360 cameras, the X5 shares more than a passing familial resemblance. It continues their "candy bar" design, with a 2.7-inch touchscreen and four physical buttons. Generally speaking, in my experience at least, this shape and size make the X5 and its predecessors easy to use and carry when not in use. The large touchscreen makes navigating menus and settings a breeze while letting you get a sense of what you just shot without having to connect to your phone. Insta360 X5 specs Photo resolution 72 megapixels (11,904x5,952) Video resolution 8K30 (spherical) Sensor size 1/1.28-inch (x2) Lens 6mm (35mm equivalent) f/2 (x2) Image stabilization Digital Screen type 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen Storage MicroSD/SDXC Weight 200g The X5's headline feature is the larger image sensors compared to the X4 -- well, compared to the X4 and most other 360 and action cameras. The dual 1/1.28-inch sensors, 44% larger than the X4's 1/2-inch sensors, are also larger than the 1/1.7-inch ones found in the KanDao QooCam 3 Ultra and the 1/1.9-inch ones in the GoPro Hero 13 Black. While sensor size isn't a guarantee of better image quality, larger sensors theoretically mean greater dynamic range and better performance in low-light situations. Larger image sensors are certainly noteworthy, but the biggest improvement of the X5 is the addition of user-replaceable lenses. This is a big deal, and its importance can't be overstated. Like I said, I've used 360 cameras since the days when Ricoh was the only consumer option, and I've lost track of how many I've wrecked with a cracked or scratched lens. I'm typically extremely careful with my camera gear, but 360 camera lenses protrude from the body. A lot. You have to be really careful with them. Even if you're careful, accidents happen. Recently, I stepped into the shade while hiking at Arches National Park, and the camera, mounted on my backpack and slightly above me, brushed against an outcropping. Oops. That lens was toast. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET While you could send the camera for lens replacement, that would take time and cost a small fee. Lens guards are also available, but they could reduce image quality, and you'd have to remember to put them on. Which is to say, having the option to replace the lenses if you're an idiot like me is brilliant and a long time coming. There are a few more minor improvements still worth mentioning. The X5 is waterproof to 49 feet (15 meters), an improvement from the X4's 33 feet (10 meters. The mic has a built-in wind guard for better sound when recording outside. The battery is slightly larger, 2,400-mAh versus 2,290-mAh, but this will likely only add a few minutes of additional recording at the same resolutions and framerates compared to the X4. Still, more is more, and if it means getting a shot I would've otherwise missed, it's a good thing. Usability and photo quality A Tiny Planet photo, one of the ways you can edit a 360 image, taken with the X5. In this case not only showing yours truly but its immediate processor, the X4. Yes, I routinely look this cool when testing cameras. Images in this section are as close to "out of the camera" as is possible with a 360 camera, mostly with only Insta360's Color Plus active and just slight touches to contrast. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Using the X5 largely feels like using the X4 and other recent Insta360 cameras. Swiping the screen or pressing one of the buttons lets you select one of the variety of video and picture modes. A few more taps on the screen let you select resolutions and frame rates, and broadly speaking, that's all you need to do. There's no need to aim, as the camera captures everything. Framing remains the biggest challenge with good 360 photography and videography, in a fun way. You can get wildly different results with the camera above and behind you (like a drone following you), in front of you (your own invisible cameraman) and so on. Oh, to be as chill as this turtle. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET There are two new modes worth discussing: PureVideo and InstaFrame. One of the most time-consuming aspects of shooting 360 is editing to post it anywhere. However, the variety of possible results is 360's biggest strength, so it's a trade-off. The InstaFrame mode aims to address both of these aspects. It records two videos at the same time -- actually, one video that the camera crops in real time and saves as a separate file. The result is a 360 video you can edit as normal, but also a 16:9 or 9:16 1080p cropped video that either tracks a subject or shows a fixed view from the front or rear lens. So, for example, let's say you're hiking while recording in this mode. As soon as you hit stop, you'll have a video you can share on social media once you download it to your phone. Or, if during recording a bear jumps out in front of you to say, "Hi," you can edit the 360 file to show the bear and your reaction. Best of both worlds, especially if you regularly record videos that match one of the preset views. The only limitation is frame rate maxes out at 30 instead of 60. You can also just use one of the X5's lenses, taking 36-megapixel images or 4K60 video. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET PureVideo attempts to improve low-light video recording and largely succeeds. ("Largely" being the key word, as it's still not great.) Videos are typically brighter and often less noisy than previous 360 cameras, but there can still be some wobble in fine details if the camera is moving. Anything in motion can also blur, and there's a fair amount of processing artifacts. However, it's markedly better than most 360 cameras, and even the X5 itself in regular video modes, which is to say the results are actually usable. So it's definitely an improvement. Comparing low-light performance to the Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra, however, shows why sensor size doesn't tell the full story. Even though the 3 Ultra uses slightly smaller sensors, its lenses have a brighter f/1.6 aperture. That's two-thirds of a stop faster, which doesn't sound like a lot, but it means roughly 66% more light hitting the sensor. So while the 3 Ultra's video is still a little soft and not quite as bright, it's a bit of a wash as to which looks better. If what you want is a recording you can share and that will let people see what's going on, either will work. If what you want is great low-light image quality like what you can get during the day, neither will. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Overall, though, image quality is very good, among the best I've seen in a 360 camera. There's great dynamic range and detail, but it's not a huge improvement in normal lighting compared to the X4. Better? Yes, but if you already have an X4, the image quality alone (unless you shoot in low light a lot) shouldn't be why you're upgrading. If you're not a fan of doing a lot of editing, direct out of the camera, the photos and videos from X5 can be a little better, or at least more interesting-looking, than photos and videos direct from the QooCam 3 Ultra. However, if you don't mind a little post processing, the 3 Ultra gives you a little more room to get the result you want, not least for its ability to capture 96-megapixel images and 10-bit LOG video. A shot made possible by putting the X5 into some flowers to create a frame. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Speaking of processing, Insta360's color science has a distinct aesthetic, which you can see in the images in this section. It's extra vibrant and a little on the warm side. You can edit them in the app, or if you want to go a step further, you can also shoot raw and get them to look however you want. The app, conveniently, has all the tools you'll need to adjust the final result. Except for 72-megapixel images on Android, that is. You can crop them, but for other editing, you'll need a separate app or use Insta360's desktop app. Recent iPhones don't have this issue. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET In every one of the X5's modes, other than InstaFrame or Single-Lens, you're going to have to edit your photos and videos to be able to share them. Insta360 has had the best app for this for many years, and the latest version mostly improves on that. You can manually create videos fairly easily, cutting what's boring and focusing on what's interesting. You can combine multiple clips into a single video, speed up and slow down what you have, add royalty-free music, adjust color and other picture settings and so on. It's a full-featured video and picture editor. There are "AI" options as well that will attempt to create a video for you. My only complaint, and it's a weird one, is that there is a lot going on here. It's good that Insta360 regularly adds features, but with every new feature, the app gets bigger and more complex. There's a learning curve here, and anyone new to 360 cameras should factor in a bit of time to learn how it all works before they head out on an adventure. Thankfully, there are tutorials built into the app to help, and the first time you use it, you're led through the basics. You can see a few more images I took with the X5 in my first look: I Tried Insta360's New X5 360 Camera. It's Full of Impressive Upgrades. A 360 world Note the invisible selfie stick (you can see its shadow on the wall to my left). Most 360 cameras can do this trick, and when shooting video, it can make it look like you have a drone or cameraman. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET The bottom line It's odd that I can say something like "This is the best all-around 360 camera I've used" and still be somewhat reserved in my actual recommendation of it. Don't get me wrong, that is a true statement. This is a fantastic camera. It takes everything that was good about the X4, a brilliant camera in its own right, and improves in several key ways. Larger image sensors are almost always a good thing, the new InstaFrame mode is incredibly handy, and while the battery isn't that much larger, every bit helps. When I look at the price difference, though, $125 or 30% as of this writing, I hesitate. The X4 is a really, really good camera, and in many situations, the X5's larger sensors aren't going to be that noticeable. If you're taking the camera down to depths where the added waterproofing matters, you should probably just buy a dive case for either camera anyway. Since the resolutions and frame rates are the same, for most people, the results they'll get will be nearly identical for most shots with either camera. However, the replaceable lenses are a huge selling point, even just for the peace of mind. Even a minor scratch in the middle of a lens can and will ruin your shots. So that, plus significantly better low-light performance and all the rest, do make it a better option than the X4 if I were buying one today. So the X5 is the best 360 camera, but if you're unsure why sensors matter and you don't mind lens protectors, the X4 and some accessories will do just fine. In addition to covering cameras and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips and more. Also, check out Budget Travel for Dummies, his travel book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-sized submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube.
Geek Tyrant
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Corridor Crew Puts a 360 Camera Into a Clear Bowling Ball, Chaos and Cool Footage Ensues — GeekTyrant
Corridor Crew is back at it with another weirdly ambitious project. This time, they put a 360-degree camera inside a transparent bowling ball to see what kind of footage they could capture mid-roll and during its journey through the ball return. It's a fun idea that delivers some wild visuals, but there's one hiccup, they made the ball just 8 inches in diameter, which is slightly too small for regulation lanes, and as a result, the thing kept getting stuck in the return system. Not exactly ideal when you're trying to capture smooth shots, but hey, that's part of the charm. The video feels like a techy tribute to The Big Lebowski, if the Dude had a GoPro and too much time on his hands.
WIRED
10-05-2025
- WIRED
The Insta360 X5 Is the Best 360 Camera You Can Buy
Insta360's X-series 360-degree cameras have long dominated the market. They have great video quality, an easy-to-use interface, and simple editing software, which makes these the most beginner-friendly 360 cameras around. The latest version, the Insta360 X5, continues that tradition while bringing larger sensors with even better-looking video. The X5 is a worthy upgrade; video quality is better, battery life is improved, and new features like the PureVideo lowlight mode and replaceable lenses make the X5 the most compelling 360 camera on the market. What's New Photograph: Scott Gilbertson The big news in the X5, and the reason to consider upgrading even if you already have the X4, are the new twin 1/1.28-inch sensors. They're a considerable step up from the 1/2-inch sensors in the X4. At the same time, the video specs have not changed much at all, with 8K 30 fps and 5.7K 60 fps at the high end. A larger sensor with the same resolution means more detail in that footage, which is exactly what you get here. This is without a doubt the best-looking footage I've seen from a 360 camera. Keep in mind that the 8K refers to the overall 360-degree shot. When you actually frame that footage in the app, the highest resolution you'll be able to export is 4K. But the 4K footage you'll get is markedly better than what the X4 delivers. The footage coming out of the X5 is great for a 360 camera . Bear in mind, though, that almost any other newer action camera is going to have somewhat better video quality. The appeal of the 360 camera is that it can capture what's behind you, whereas Insta360's traditional action cam, the Ace Pro 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), cannot. This makes 360 cameras perfect for filming when you don't know exactly how you want to frame your shot, for example while riding a bike, skiing, skateboarding, and so on. In the past, to get this kind of shoot-everything, frame-later flexibility, you had to give up some video quality. While that's still true to an extent, with the X5 you're giving up very little in terms of video quality. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
