I'd never worked with a 360-degree camera before, but after testing out the AKASO 360 Action Camera, I can see what the hype is about. By utilizing two ultra-wide fisheye lenses, one on the front and one on the back of the camera, the AKASO 360 films seamless videos in a 360-degree field of view. In real time the camera records everything in its sight. Then, software allows you to reframe the shot in post before exporting a clip that looks like it was recorded with a more traditional setup. What this means for a snowboarder is that it's nearly impossible to blow the shot on a POV line or follow cam.
Because this is the first 360 camera I've worked with, my review won't necessarily be about breaking down the differences between the AKASO 360 and offerings from other big-name brands. Rather, I’ll answer if the AKASO 360 is worth the price tag and experience it provides.
The AKASO 360 Action Camera in the wild, ready to shoot 5.7K at 30fps in a 360-degree field of view with horizon stabilization.
The short answer–yes.
The AKASO 360 is a great choice for an entry-level action camera. Compared to its competitors, the AKASO 360 is considered a budget-friendly option for jumping into the 360-cam realm. Despite its relatively reasonable price point, for a couple-hundred-dollar 360 action camera, it packs a powerful punch. It works reliably in the field, shooting video footage that looks clean when light is ample. The specs boast 5.7k video at 30fps, 4k at 60fps, 72MP photos, a 2.29” touchscreen and more in a 180g body. In post it operates in conjunction with a fairly user-friendly proprietary app.
One drawback of the AKASO 360 compared to its competitors is that it is not waterproof. That said, it has proven to be weather resistant and durable enough for use while snowboarding. Just know that (without a specialized, third-party case) it can’t double as your camera for snorkeling during summer.
A follow-cam shot using the AKASO 360 Action Camera. Rider: Logan Petrie. Video: Evan Fabrello.
I had the pleasure of shooting with the AKASO 360 at Mount Baker, WA, on a beautiful sunny day in February. I screwed the camera into the AKASO Invisible Selfie Stick, pressed record and extended the pole. As I held the camera in front of me, scoring some nice snow, I hoped I was doing it right. Neither of the camera lenses were pointed towards me, but I assured myself that didn’t matter.
That afternoon, with the sun beat down in the parking lot, I fired up the AKASO App. I was genuinely giddy to relive the laps. To my surprise, the clips were indeed bangers. On the selfie side of things, AKASO touts an AI feature which magically erases the selfie stick from the video. This is pretty universal for 360 cams and it’s nice to see it implemented in this more budget-friendly option.
So, the videos captured me in the center of the frame without an awkward stick leading back to my hand. Pretty cool, to say the least. Using the app on my smartphone, I trimmed and edited the segments of the runs I wanted to record. I found myself tweaking the angle, zooming out, zooming in, panning slightly to the left or right to maximize the sickness of my pow turns. To my surprise, it worked, which made me look cool, and of course made me feel cool. A few clicks later, I had the videos saved to my phone’s photo library.
The reviewer ripping around Mt. Baker Ski Area, WA with the AKASO 360 mounted on the AKASO Invisible Selfie Stick. Software within the camera detects the selfie stick and automatically removes it from the shot.
Given the fun I’ve been having with it, I would recommend the AKASO 360 to snowboarders looking for an action-cam—especially those who might not want to shell out top dollar for similar products from bigger-name brands. Although an action camera like this will never rival a big body camera and detachable lens when it comes to sharpness and quality, having an action camera in your arsenal is ideal for certain situations. And these days, you might as well make it a 360-cam.
AKASO 360 Action Cameras can be found on the AKASO website and retail starting at $199.