Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Little camera that captures everything. The SG360 camera works flawlessly with my Samsung Galaxy S7 and my Windows 10 computer. I keep the SG360 on a "monopod" assembled from a selfie stick (xshot 2.0) with a mini tripod (manfrotto pixi). The included micro tripod is cute in a pinch, but doesn't quite get it farther than an arm's reach. I like putting the SG360 on a the 'monopod' and using the 5-second delay timer to get the best perspective of a scene. Indoors and outdoors, this camera is phenomenal without being intrusive. It does a great job really capturing what is going on all around you instead of just a tiny window through a regular photograph. The Samsung Gear 360 is so small and easy that it is completely easy to get creative and put it in neat perspectives. Prior to this camera, I was taking 360 panoramic photos of the outdoors and real estate with a DSLR (canon 6D + rokinon 14mm) and a rotator stage (nodal ninja) then stiching them together in software (PTGUI). Amazing results BUT very expensive, time consuming, and massive learning with tutorials and trial and error. I watched "360" cameras hit the market, but saw that the quality was very poor and limited to short video clips. That is, until the SG360 hit the street. This thing is so EASY and FAST that I can take amazing quality 360 photos and video just like shooting from a point-and-shoot camera. The photos stitch in a matter of seconds while the videos take longer, but process in the background of my computer work. I know take MANY more 360 photos of everything including PEOPLE! Installing the Cyberlink ActionDirector PC software was a super easy download and install. Drop the photos and video into ActionDirector from the micro sd card, and the software processes them automatically in the background and saves the results in a folder. You can edit the photos and videos in your favorite software; you are not locked into ActionDirector. Virtual reality? Yes. I was able to view photos and video with the Gear VR after some work (install VR apps, load photos and video to special folders on your phone). It is truly amazing, but also very disorienting. I have perfect vision and never get motion sickness, but cannot stand to be in VR very long. YouTube supports the 360 content. Not many other sites currently do, but hopefully soon. It is so cool to look around somewhere. Aerial? Yes. I mounted this to my DJI Phantom 3 and have flown successfully ~5 times. Fly at your own risk and keep it safe. Samsung Gear 360 vs. DSLR + lens + tripod + rotator + software - Cost: SG360 immensely cheaper by a few thousand dollars! - Quality: DSLR wins - Weight: SG360 is only a few hundred grams, perfect for travel. DSLR rig will be ~20 lbs, not good for hiking it around town or outdoors. - Size: SG360 can fit in any backpack or bag. DSLR requires special packs to lug it around. - Ease: SG360 takes entire 360 in one photo and processing it couldn't be easier with the free software. DSLR requires many photos, extra software work, so much more time and work. Samsung Gear 360 vs. VCN V.360 / Kodak Pixpro 360 / 360fly / Ricoh Theta M15 360 - Cost: SG360 is the second most affordable next to the Ricoh Theta M15 - Quality: SG360 dominates the competitors in both photo and video. SG360 and M15 are the only TRUE 360 cameras, but only the SG360 can record longer movies and has much better image quality. - Weight: SG360 is second to the M15 - Size: SG360 is the second most portable camera next to the M15. - Ease: SG360 connects flawlessly and quickly to my Galaxy S7. Transferring and stitching the photos on the S7 or my PC is fast and easy. I don't know how it is for the others. My wishlist: timelapse should output photos not only video, output option for RAW files for improved editing. Note: This is my honest opinion after using the camera for a few months. I received the Samsung Gear 360 at a discount price from Samsung BUT was fully planning to purchase regardless. Me? I'm a research engineer with degrees in physics and math. Also a professional photographer in portraits and real estate.