Best 360 cameras: why the Insta360 X6 is my top pick
By Ryan Robert Rice · 
If I were choosing a 360 camera right now, the Insta360 X6 would be at the top of my list. The newest X-series flagship is my pick for someone who wants to explore what this style of filming can do. But the accessory I would put beside it immediately is an invisible selfie stick. To me, that is the best part of the whole experience.
You can capture yourself moving through a scene and choose the angle afterward. For travel, outdoor stories and everyday moments, that opens up a different way to shoot. This is my editorial shortlist based on published features and the kind of footage I want to create—not a hands-on test of every camera below.
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My 360 camera shortlist
| Camera | My reason to consider it | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Insta360 X6 | My top overall pick; 8K50 360 capture | Complete kit cost and editing workflow |
| 2. Insta360 X5 | 8K 360 capture with replaceable lenses | Value depends on its price against X6 |
| 3. GoPro MAX2 | 8K 360 capture and replaceable glass lenses | Whether you prefer the GoPro workflow |
| 4. Insta360 X4 | 8K30 360 capture; an older option to price-check | Buy for a meaningful saving, not just because it is older |
1. Insta360 X6 — my top pick
Insta360 announced the X6 on August 12, 2026. Its launch information lists dual Sony 1/1.1-inch square sensors, 8K50fps 360 video, 10-bit color and I-Log. The company calls the combined imaging approach “1-inch 360 imaging”; that does not mean each sensor is a conventional 1-inch sensor. Read the official X6 launch announcement.
The combination of capture flexibility and editing options is what puts it first for me. Newer alone does not automatically mean better for everyone. I would choose it if I wanted the latest X-series platform and expected to spend time learning reframing instead of treating it like an ordinary point-and-shoot camera.
Insta360 also lists replaceable lenses, 47GB of usable internal storage and direct flat-video output through InstaFrame 2.0. Those are useful options, but the 360 recording mode is where I would start for creative camera movement. See X6 features and specification notes.
The linked Amazon listing is the X6 Essentials Bundle. Check its current accessory list before ordering so you know which stick, batteries and storage accessories are included.
2. Insta360 X5 — worth comparing on price
The X5 offers 8K 360 video, replaceable lenses, PureVideo for low-light shooting and the Insta360 reframing workflow. If its complete kit costs meaningfully less than the X6, it deserves a place on your shortlist. I would compare the actual bundles rather than assuming last generation always means a bargain. Explore the Insta360 X5.
3. GoPro MAX2 — the GoPro alternative
GoPro’s MAX2 offers 8K 360 capture, 10-bit color with GP-Log, and lenses designed to be replaced without tools or calibration. I would look at it if I preferred GoPro’s editing approach or already used its gear. Check your exact mounts and software needs rather than assuming everything carries over. Explore GoPro MAX2.
4. Insta360 X4 — an older model to price-check
The X4 records 8K30fps 360 video and supports reframing and the invisible selfie stick effect. It is worth considering for someone who wants to learn 360 filming without necessarily buying the newest flagship. My condition is simple: the savings need to make sense against the X5 and X6 kits available when you buy. Explore the Insta360 X4.
Do not skip the invisible selfie stick
If you buy a 360 camera, I highly recommend getting a compatible invisible selfie stick. Those floating third-person angles are what make this kind of camera so much fun: a walk along the beach can look like someone else is following you with a camera.
The stick is not physically invisible. With the appropriate camera, mounting alignment and 360 mode, stitching removes it from the finished view. Keep the camera in line with the stick, avoid bent or offset mounting arrangements and check a short clip before filming a whole sequence. Do not expect the same result in ordinary single-lens mode, and remember that shadows or your hand may still be visible. Insta360’s invisible selfie stick guide.
A shorter stick is easier to manage in tight spaces. An extended one creates more distance and dramatic perspective, but requires more care around people and obstacles. Choose a mount and stick intended for your activity. A walking setup and a high-speed action setup are different jobs.
What I would check before buying
- The finished video: 8K describes the full 360 image. A reframed flat view uses only part of it; do not expect an 8K close-up from every crop.
- The editing experience: try the software workflow before committing to a large project.
- The whole kit: compare the camera, compatible stick, storage, lens protection and spare power together.
- Storage: keep space for original files and exports, plus a separate backup.
My choice
The X6 is my number-one pick on this list. Pair it with the right invisible stick, learn a few reframing moves and use it to tell a story rather than spin the view just because you can. For me, that is where 360 video gets interesting.
For a different approach to portable filming, read my Luna Ultra vs DJI Pocket 4P comparison. For managing your footage, see my portable SSD guide.