Beyond Action Shots – Exploring the Versatility of 360 Cameras

When I first learned about 360 cameras, I hadn’t even scratched the surface of what they could do. It was 2016, and I was working in the creative department of a small-town television station in Medicine Hat, Alberta. I had just bought the PS VR system and was totally pumped about exploring video production for the medium. Then I heard about 360 cameras—and I was hooked.

Back then, my understanding of 360 cameras was limited to two things: real estate tours and immersive VR experiences. My first 360 camera was the Vuze 360 3D. It wasn’t cheap, and it definitely wasn’t as portable as today’s slick little action cams.

Fast forward to today, and 360 cameras have evolved into the top choice for extreme sports enthusiasts. Why?

A little thing called reframing.

With the ultra-high resolutions now available, you can shoot footage in all directions and then edit it after the fact—zooming in, following a subject, and choosing your angles later. This gives you incredibly smooth footage that stays centered and steady, even if you’ve literally tossed the camera off a cliff to follow a diver into the water below.

Pretty amazing.

But here’s the thing: I’m no adrenaline junkie. The most extreme sport I do is carrying laundry up the stairs without tripping. So why are 360 cameras good for someone like me?

Interviews

The Insta360 X4 and X5 shoot in stunning 8K. That means you no longer need a multi-camera setup to record a simple interview. You can place a single 360 camera between your subjects and get three clean angles:

1. Host
2. Guest
3. Wide shot of both

Some models even support audio accessories like DJI lavalier mics, so you can have a complete, professional setup using just one compact device.

 Vlogging

One of the coolest features of Insta360 cameras is “Follow Me.” You can hold the camera out on a selfie stick, and it’ll automatically keep you in frame as the main subject—no need to adjust or aim. Even better? The “Invisible Selfie Stick” feature makes the stick disappear completely from the footage. Magic!

 Fake Drone Shots

Thanks to the “magic” of the Invisible Selfie Stick, you can create footage that looks like it was captured by a drone—without ever leaving the ground. No drone license, no flight restrictions, no stress. Some selfie sticks extend up to 9.8 feet, so you can simulate sweeping aerial shots that make it look like you’re flying with the birds… without the risk of your camera being carried away by one.

Neat Little Tricks

360 cameras shoot video and take photos in a new and totally unique way. Because of this, they can create shots that would be nearly impossible with traditional cameras. One of the coolest examples? Tiny planet shots. There’s a whole creative culture around this style—it literally looks like you’re walking or running around a tiny planet.

You can also clone yourself in a single shot to appear as though you’re doing multiple activities at once, or play with hyper-speed and slow-motion effects to make fun transition shots.

It might sound gimmicky at first, but trust me—it’s worth it. Especially the moment you stick the camera in your mouth (yes, really) and capture some hilariously warped perspectives.

360 Photos

Here’s something a lot of people overlook: 360 cameras can take amazing still photos, too.

Insta360 offers a mode called “PureShot,” which takes three exposures of the same photo and blends them together to create one perfectly balanced image. These 360 photos can be uploaded to Facebook, where viewers can scroll around and explore the full scene.

You can also upload them to websites like Kuula to create virtual walkthroughs. And it’s not just for real estate anymore—you can use your creativity to tell immersive stories or even build an entire interactive website that lets people “walk” through your business or location. You can even add links, images, and other interactive elements inside the 360 environments.

360 VR Video

Let’s go back to why I fell in love with 360 cameras in the first place: immersion.

On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, I set my 360 camera up on the beach. Now, anytime I want, I can slip on my VR headset and be instantly transported back to that warm, sandy paradise. and the best part? You don’t even need a VR headset to experience it. YouTube supports 360 video playback on a regular screen. Just click and drag to look around.

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 The Downsides of 360 Cameras

Now, before you get swept away by all the influencer hype, let’s talk about a few things they often skip over:

1. Not really 8K

Many of these cameras advertise “8K video” and “1-inch sensors,” but let’s be real—360 footage splits resolution across a full sphere. In practical terms, it’s more like 4K per side. Still impressive, but if you’re comparing it to a dedicated HD camera, traditional footage often wins in clarity.

2. Still struggles in low light

The Insta360 X5 claims to have better low-light performance, and it is a step up from the X4. But fast-moving objects in dim lighting? Still problematic. Ghosting and blur can ruin your shot.

3. Reframing has a learning curve

I’ve been editing video for over 20 years, and I’ll admit—reframing took some time to get used to. First, you have to download and stitch the footage, then work within the editing software to “point” the virtual camera the way you want. It’s powerful, but not exactly plug-and-play.

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Final Thoughts

360 cameras absolutely have a place in a videographer’s toolkit. They’re often marketed as the ultimate action camera—and for good reason. But even if you’re not scaling cliffs or jumping out of airplanes, they’re worth considering. For interviews, travel, creative vlogging, or immersive experiences, a 360 camera might just be what you’re looking for. And if nothing else, they make your laundry-hauling efforts look epic.