Understanding How a 360 Camera Works: Insta360 X3 & 360 App Explained

How does a 360 camera work? If you've heard about 360 cameras, but you're not exactly sure what they are, this video is perfect for you. In this video, I'll explain it to you without any fancy words or complicated stuff. All the while, I’ll be using the Insta360 X3 as an example. By the end, you'll totally get what a 360 camera is, how it works, and why you might want to use one. If you're looking for things to do in Tokyo, you must not miss out on Sensoji Temple Tokyo in Asakusa. Check out my guide here on what to see and do at Sensoji Temple Asakusa, with a basic guide on how to worship there. Filmed using the Insta360 GO 3 and Insta360 Flow smartphone gimbal. --- Buy gear I use or recommend via my affiliate links, inc. Amazon --- 🛒 Insta360 X3: https://geni.us/fcvJ or Insta360 with occasional special offers (see link for detail) https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?insrc=INRFFN1 🛒 Insta360 GO 3: https://geni.us/FWFRLRH or Insta360 https://www.insta360.com/sal/go-3?insrc=INRFFN1 🛒 Insta360 Flow: https://geni.us/XDpT 🛒 Apple iPhone 13 Mini: https://geni.us/OsZzd 🛒 Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: https://geni.us/Wjkh 🛒 DJI Osmo Mobile 6 https://geni.us/Fa57f 🛒 Fulaim X5 Wireless Microphone https://geni.us/UB9QLB 🛒 Apple MagSafe Battery Pack: https://geni.us/J42fht Which Insta360 Camera To Buy: X3 vs ONE RS Twin vs RS 1-Inch https://youtu.be/Ilc2u2ysRwc Insta360 X3 Pre-recording: The NEW Feature that will revolutionize your video creation! https://youtu.be/W-p0kFsuak0 The SECRET Behind the Insta360 X3 Firmware Update Revealed https://youtu.be/U0KNGGyMT38 FINALLY: Insta360 X3 Unboxing & X2 Comparison https://youtu.be/umVmt4HjowE Products and services I have made and use Buy Insta360 products using my affiliate link 📸 🎥 https://store.insta360.com/?insrc=INRFFN1 Free gift 🎁 or discounts 💰 available through buying from my affiliate link available from time to time, depending on promotions Buy my books 📚 Finding Calm 🧘🏽‍♂️: Managing fear and anxiety in an uncertain world https://geni.us/fmxRRN (Amazon) The Little Book of Sleep 😴: https://geni.us/QezQu (Amazon) Youtube production and research affiliate links Morningfame ☀️ affiliate link: Smarter analytics for YouTube - Get 1 month free https://morningfa.me/invite/bov5taah VidIQ 📽: Insights and guidance to keep your YouTube channel growing - https://vidiq.com/sarb Epidemic Sound 🎶: 1 month free trial to royalty-free premium music and sound effects for your videos and podcast: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/v8u5zu _____________________________ Transcript excerpt: So, what is a 360 camera? The short answer is this: A 360 camera shoots in all directions at once. You can use that footage to create a square or rectangle video. Just imagine a sphere with a picture stretched out across it. You can choose any square on that sphere and use it for your final outcome. This opens up so many editing options (but we'll talk about that later). Or you can simply use the 360 footage directly, like people usually do for virtual reality. There's loads more to it, but how does a 360 camera work? The way a 360 camera works is by using two or more lenses to capture a 360-degree view. It's like having a bunch of different cameras in one, and then the camera blends the images to form a 360° sphere. Let's talk about the Insta360 X3 for a moment. It's got two lenses that capture over 180° each and then stitches the images together where they overlap. This allows for high-quality seamless video or photos. So you get how a 360 camera works, but is using one easy? No doubt, it's a yes. You don't need any tech skills to capture footage with an Insta360 camera. Just press the shutter button like you would with any other camera. It automatically shoots in all directions, so you can edit the 360 video on your phone. When you've captured it, you can export the footage as a traditional photo or video format - perfect for sharing on social media, for instance. However, you can also use the 360 video as is, or export it as an “equirectangular” image. OK, Equirectangular? What does that mean? Even though it sounds complicated, there's this awesome example of an equirectangular projection that pretty much everyone knows. The map of the world. We live on planet Earth, which is shaped like a sphere. But when we look at a map, it's squeezed onto a rectangle. It's the same deal with a 360 camera's equirectangular image. It’s the whole 360 sphere being placed onto a rectangular frame. So, why would you use a 360 camera? 360 cameras are a game-changer compared to regular cameras. Let's check out a few examples.