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Samsung Gear 360 Tips and Tricks
Get the most out of Samsung's 360 VR camera
By Emily Price Emily Price Writer Harvard University The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Emily Price is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a freelance tech writer who focuses on emerging technology. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography Samsung’s Gear 360 is at the forefront of the 360-camera revolution. A little larger than a golf ball, the device is able to capture video at nearly 4K resolution and take 30-megapixel photos. Use these tips to take better photos and VR videos with your Gear 360 camera. Information in this article applies to the 2017 (most recent) edition of the Samsung’s Gear 360 camera. Download the Gear 360 App
Technically, you don’t need the Gear 360 app to use the Gear 360, but you should still download it. Aside from controlling the camera at a distance, the app lets you stitch together photos and videos on the fly. Through the app, you can also share your photos and videos directly to social media. Download the Gear 360 app Get a Better Tripod or Monopod
Donny Setyawan / EyeEm / Getty Images Since the camera captures 360-degree images, you should always use a tripod rather than holding the camera when possible. The Gear 360 comes with a small tripod attachment, but it can prove problematic in situations where you don’t have the right surface to place it on. You can find monopods that work as both a tripod for your Gear 360 and as a selfie stick for your phone. Be sure to choose one that's height-adjustable and compact enough to comfortably tote around. Use the Delay
Hero Images / Getty Images While you can control the camera from afar with your smartphone, you should still take advantage of the delay feature. If you don’t use the delay for recording, then every video will start with you holding your phone. With the delay, you can set the camera up, make sure everything is perfect, and then put away your phone before recording begins. Keep Steady
Richard Heath / Getty Images In situations where using a tripod isn't an option, keep your hands as steady as possible while recording. This is especially important if you plan on viewing the video later using a virtual-reality headset such as Samsung’s Gear VR. Try to stay relaxed when moving with the camera, and use a tripod whenever you can. Hold the Camera Above You
Artem Vorobiev / Getty Images If you hold the Gear 360 directly in front of you, as you would with most other cameras, half of the video will be taken up by your face. Instead, hoist the camera over you so that it’s recording just slightly above the top of your head. Create a Timelapse Video
Yiu Yu Hoi / Getty Images Timelpse Mode lets you you create 360-degree time-lapse videos. For example, you can compile a collection of photos that show your children growing over the years, or you can capture a changing skyline as the sun sets. You can set the amount of time between photos anywhere from half-a-second to a full minute. Take More Photos
aaaaimages / Getty Images Shooting lots of videos with the Gear 360 is tempting, but always ask yourself if a photo would be better for the situation. Photos take up less space and upload quickly and easily to social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube. When you upload videos, people are less likely to take the time to view them. Get a Bigger Memory Card
Suparat Malipoom / EyeEm / Getty Images To share videos you've recorded using the Gear 360, you must first transfer them to your phone, which requires a lot of free storage space. Do yourself a favor and max out your phone's memory capacity with a 128GB or 256GB microSD card. Also, considering using a cloud storage service to backup your videos online. Use Just One Camera
alfexe / Getty Images The Gear 360 uses front- and rear-facing fisheye lenses to take 360-degree photos. While you need to use both cameras to capture fully immersive photos, you can opt to use just the front or back camera for taking a single shot. The resulting image will look similar to what you might capture using a fisheye lens on a traditional DSLR. Get Adventurous
m_a_n / Getty Images This type of camera is still rather new, so people are still discovering how to best use it. Don't be afraid to try something new with yours. Once you've conquered a monopod, why not try out something like a GorillaPod? Such specially designed tripods can wrap around a tree or fencepost to offer a unique perspective for your photos and videos. For instance, you can attach the camera to a tree branch to get a literal bird's-eye view of your family picnic. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It How to Use the Motorola Camera App How to Use a Selfie Light How to Use the iPhone Camera How to Sideload the Google Camera App Onto Your Phone How to Hold the iPad Correctly How to Shoot Photos in Strong Wind Expert Tested: The 6 Best Tripods for DSLR Cameras in 2022 The 6 Best Ring Lights for Cameras in 2022 15 Samsung Gear S3 Tips and Tricks to Know in 2022 The 7 Best Smartphone Tripods of 2022 How to Use Night Mode on an iPhone Camera How to Set Up Your Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch How to Set up Your Samsung Gear VR Controller How to Change Samsung Gear S2 Bands Sony DSC-W800 Review: Solid Performance, Price Point Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies