Got a new 360 camera from the likes of Insta360 or GoPro? Here’s how to set it up to shoot great video from the off.
There was a time when 360-degree cameras seemed like a gimmick that’d never catch on; poor image quality and limited software were just two of the reasons why they seemed destined for fad status. But thanks to the likes of Insta360, the best 360 cameras are now some of the most versatile cameras you can buy. And if you’ve just received or bought one, you may be wondering how to get the best from it.
We’ve put together this guide to help you do just that. The key advantage of 360 cameras – being able to ‘reframe’ your videos during editing after they’ve been shot – is now pretty accessible and intuitive, thanks to the software and apps available from Insta360 and GoPro. ‘Reframing’ means choosing a video’s camera angle or field of view after you’ve got back home.
But something that’s less clear is how to maximize the image quality produced by these little cameras. Our tips below are a handy starter pack for anyone who’s new to 360-degree cameras. Covering all the basics from how to hold a 360 camera to the best times to shoot, they also include more advanced pointers like plug-ins you can use to get more fluid movement in your videos.
While 360-degree video image quality isn’t quite as high as the best action cameras, these cameras do open up lots of creative and fun possibilities that aren’t available anywhere else, even smartphones. And there are many ways you can make sure your 360 footage is the best it can be at the point of capture. Here’s how to do exactly that…
Just like phone cameras, drones and action cameras, 360-degree cameras have small sensors. This means the video they capture always looks much more vibrant when shot on bright and sunny days. You can, of course, shoot around golden hour for softer and warmer light that will look fantastic, but shooting on dull overcast days will often result in lackluster video footage.
This goes against the grain of what you might call ‘standard’ video and photography, where softer light around golden hour is often preferable. But you have to play to the strengths of the kit you’re using – and for 360-degree cameras, that means brighter conditions are best. This is often ideal, because it’s more likely that you’ll use a 360 cameras on days out or holidays when the weather is typically good.
One of the challenges in these conditions is moving between bright light and shadow, which can play havoc with exposure if you’re shooting in manual mode. Shooting in manual mode is generally recommended for video, but there are downsides for 360 cameras. For example, when you expose for direct sun the shadows will clip, while exposing for shadows and highlights can see the mid-tones blow out and lose detail.
If you find yourself moving between darker and brighter areas or the light is changeable, it’s best to set exposure to ‘Auto’ to allow the camera to adjust accordingly and maintain correct exposure. Some cameras will also allow you to lock the white balance when shooting in Auto – if this is possible with your camera, it’ll ensure color balance remains consistent despite shutter speed and sometimes ISO changing.
Shooting in manual mode is usually the best option for video because it maintains consistency by having all settings locked. This avoids changes in shutter speed, ISO and white balance. That said, if you’re moving through light and dark areas, ‘auto exposure’ with the white balance locked (if possible) is also a workable option.
One way to get a quick link to the correct settings for the conditions is to set the camera to Auto and then to Manual, which for most cameras keeps the Auto settings in place.
