Customers frequently mention the Theta V 360-Degree Digital Camera's ease of use, praising its user-friendly interface and straightforward operation. Many also commend the camera's image quality, highlighting its ability to capture sharp and detailed photos. Real estate professionals, in particular, find the camera to be a valuable tool, appreciating its suitability for their needs. While some users express concerns about the camera's software requirements and durability, the overall sentiment towards the product remains positive.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 96 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Not ready for primetime.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Purchased after researching and reviews noting the Theta was consistently the best 360 camera. Photographically, does stitch the pano well but has some of the worst purple fringing have ever seen. On the photo attached, notice edge along the sliding glass door. Knowing what to look for, glas it wasn't me as saw consistenly on photos posted on the Flickr 360 group where the exif info identified the camera a Theta. Other major issue was the weak range of the internal wifi connection. On that same photo when set up outside and hiding myself along the exterior wall there was no connection, but if I stepped inside the door where there was line of sight, then it communicated. Likewise with front of house, camera set at street and wouldn't communicate when stepped around the corner of the garage. Finally returned it following similar experience at second house. Completed 3 internal, but failed first outside when I was only 3 feet away! Next issue is the software and there is a reason it is poorly rated on the app store. Those problems reported are real. The software will freeze up. To resolve, have to delete and re-download and install. Works good until the nest time. One time outside cellular coverage and had to ask the client what their password was to log onto their home network to re-download. NOT GOOD!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Too lightweight to be used for pros
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have previously used a Matterport Pro 2 camera for real estate virtual tours. Comparing this little thing to that is a bit of a joke. There is a reason those cameras cost $3K+ and this thing is less than $500.
Yes, it far more lightweight, but that is part of the problem. I took this out on a job and it fell over on to concrete and broke while on a monopod with stable legs. Owned it less than a week.
Absolutely flimsy build.
I also had serious issues pairing this thing with the Matterport Capture app. I spent 40 mins in one small room that would not scan due to terrible wifi issues. I could have done the whole home in less than 30 min. Never had those issues with the Pro 2. Incredibly frustrating. All it did was slow me down when it should have saved me time.
The image quality is acceptable for smaller, lower end properties but I would never use this thing for anything else.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Compact 360 camera
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I purchased the newest version due to 4K feature. Took this camera on my vacation and learned that 4K is video mode only, which is disappointing. I could have saved $200 by purchasing the last model which has the same photo lense. However this unit will hold more photos & videos.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best 360* Photo/Video Camera on the Market
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Ricoh has designed and manufactured an incredible media creation tool that is as useful in a personal capacity as it is a money maker for business. 4K high definition all around now is a now available in an easy to use device that works flawlessly!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Avoid at all costs
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bought this for virtual tours of a home. My phone works better than this. All photos have streams of light coming off of them.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Cons mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Nice 360 Video Canera
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Posted . Owned for 7 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
video quality is excellent. Ease of use is not so easy if you're not tech savvy. No LCD read out so you need to pay attention to the leds to know what function you are in.. also if you are planning on filming for more than 5 min you need to make sure the auto off feature is disabled. No option for sd card upgrade. The internal memory is all it has. Broadcast option is viable but kind of clunky. All in all it gets the job done.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Cons mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Probably the best under $500, but not perfect
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I purchased the Ricoh Theta V and Insta360 One at the same time to try them both out with the intention to return the unit that I liked less. There are definitely pluses and minuses to each unit:
Ricoh Theta V
* Superior form factor, probably best of all 360 cameras - Easy to hold and point with or without a selfie stick. Unit will stand on a flat surface on its own without a tripod. However, the plastic casing is slick, and the unit can be easy to drop. The buttons are tiny, and are recessed into the body, so it can be difficult to find the right button by touch in the dark. The Insta360 One on the other hand is even worse. The little round pill case form is slippery and hard to hold without dropping. As many other users note, it's nearly impossible to not hit the power/shoot button by accident and start shooting video, or worse yet, turn on the unit by accident and drain the whole battery. The Insta360 One connects to Apple devices via Lightning port, but the connector is too short, so you will proably have to remove your iPhone or tablet case to plug the One in. Once plugged in, the unit wobbles around. Ricoh Theta V definitely wins out here.
* The only unit under $500 with an external mic input - To me, this is crucial because I use the camera to record loud live rock band practices, and no internal set of mics is going to be able to handle the sound pressure levels. The Theta V also has a custom 4 directional external mic for sale, but I haven't tried or purchased it. My one complaint is that they put the mic jack in a stupid place; on the bottom of the unit. So to plug in a 3rd party external mic, Theta V must be mounted on a tripod. But wait! If you attach Theta V to a standard tripod mount, it completely blocks the mic port! You'll have to get an adapter to be able to mount the Theta V and use an external mic at the same time. The custom 4-way mic is ridiculously expensive. Insta360 One does not have an external mic jack. Comparing both unit's internal mic sound, with low to mid level sounds the Theta wins because of its 4 built in stereo directional mics. The sound is also clearer. However, when the sound level increases, Theta V seems to distort faster, while One attenuates bass frequencies in an attempt to not distort the preamp. As the sound gets louder, Theta V is completely distorted. One shows some signs of clipping at the highest peaks, but still retains the general character of the sound being recorded, altough all bass gets attenuated out of the sound.
* Great 4k picture for videos in good light - Outstanding in good light, but like all other cameras, performance drops a lot in low light. Both Theta V and Insta360 have great 4k in good light with Theta V probably being better. In low light, both suck, but maybe the Theta V is better.
* Stitching is very good - Works pretty well, but can still see distortions once in a while. The Theta V's stitching seems to be better in general to my eyes.
*Theta V utilizes internal storage which is a big minus. You'll have to keep transferring huge 4k files off the camera during video sessions which is stupid. Using internal memory perhaps improves response time, but who cares when you run out of space so quickly?? Insta360 one uses Micro SD, so if you run out of space, just pop in another card.
*Live Streaming - Theta V claims it supports live streaming, but you have to connect the unit to a computer via USB cable or some nonsense. Didn't bother to even try this feature, as there is no way to spontaneously live stream a 360 degree video. Insta360 One live streaming works pretty good. You connect the unit to your iPhone or iPad then choose live stream in the app. After giving the proper social media permissions, live streaming works terrific.
App Software - Theta V has very basic editing app. Insta360 One has one of the best editing apps of all 360 degree cameras. It allow you to change positions within the 360 degree field of view and do Matrix-like "bullet time" video sequences. The One is far more robust in its software and features.
Battery Life - I haven't tested how long each unit lasts, but both units seem to drain their rechargable batteries pretty quick. Both can be charged while in use via mini USB cable. The caveat for Theta V is if you have the unit standing or on a standard tripod mount - the USB port will be blocked.
Would I but the Ricoh Theta V if it was stolen? Yes, reluctantly. In fact, I did get my first Theta V stolen, and that's why I'm here buying another one.. reluctantly. It's good enough that you miss it a lot when you don't have it, but spending another $399 on this thing with it's little quirks and subpar low light video makes it a luxury replacement if you have the extra cash. I would not buy another Insta360 One if it were lost or stolen. But it is good enough to keep the one I have in addition to the Theta V, as it does some things the Theta V is bad at, or doesn't feature at all such as live streaming and "Bullet Time", and pivotal editing in software.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
The Best for Photos in 360
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Ordered the Theta V which is an upgrade to my two-year old Theta SC. Came so quickly from Best Buy via mail, safer than going into a shop to buy.
Unboxed and literally took about 15 minutes to set it up fully. I snapped a few indoor pictures to see if my settings were correct and the picture quality blew me away.
Outstanding. I will do video when it is safe for me to go outside and tape. But most of my 360 work is 90% photos and 10% videos.
I had tried the Insta360 One R - Twin edition, and before that another one. Gifted the Insta360 One cause it frustrated the hell out of me and I had to send it to the factory to get it updated with firmware. The other I returned to Best Buy and then got this.
So if you are a video dummy like I am, this is perfect for you. Easy to set up reading the manual or just going to YouTube for tutorials.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Amazing Product
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This camera is really amazing. It takes great photos with good saturation and clarity. The camera is easy to use and connects both directly to my phone via wifi, or to my network where the phone can the access. It is very easy to snap awesome 360 photos. I used the camera to create a home walk through using Cupix and the results were no less than amazing. Can't wait to use this for vacation photos and such.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best go-to 360 camera.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
We decided to buy the V after reading the available reviews . It had only just become available in a pre-order capacity . I like the technology, though it has been somewhat hampered by slow-to-come software upgrades.I haven't been successful in transferring or viewing video on my MacBook Pro.( I may need to upgrade). iPad and iPhone are good for the basics. The main objective is that we are upgrading our memorable experiences for the future with the best available technology. It's slim design makes it a great go-to camera, but use a tripod to get away, or out of the picture.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good little 360 Camera
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought this camera for the 360 stills. I am a Real Estate photographer that does 3D home tours to post on Zillow for my Realtors and this is the camera that Zillow listed to work with their software. Was pretty easy to set up and so far has taken pretty good pics.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Get 4K, 360 degree video in your pocket
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Got this camera to make 360 degree video for VR experiments and for Real Estate marketing. Easy to use. Control from an app on your phone. great video and stills. Edit right in Premiere Pro. If you want to get started in immersive video this is the place to begin.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
App, Camera quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Affordable and easy to use
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Image and video quality are great. My only concern with the camera is how slim it is. Easy to store and carry and it sure packs a punch. The app is easy to use as well. Well worth the money versus its competitors.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Decent but getting outdated fast
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I got this to try out for my first 360 camera. First one I received did not power on what so ever so I had to drive 35 minutes to a best buy with one to exchange. New unit works perfectly but overall I am not impressed with the image quality. Super noisy and just not enough resolution at 14 megapixels. Also I now see the ricoh theta sc is only 270 and it's a better cam then the v. The v is already 3 years old. I would recommend the theta SC theta z1 or something from insta360 over this older model
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great picture quality, easy to use
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I use this in my real estate business to do 3D tours in Zillow. Easy to use and since I started using it I've seen an increase in interaction with my listings and in increase in views.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Huge improvement for work
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bought this to take pictures for work while doing plant walk throughs. Insanely helpful and works exactly for what we needed
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Price
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great for virtual tours
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Posted . Owned for 4 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I use my Ricoh Theta V for interior virtual tours, and for the price is sure is amazing. The quality is great, and all my clients love it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Price
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love it!
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Very easy to use, does a great job. Price is great for entry level as I didn't want to spend a bunch if I didn't like it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best investment for my business!
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I am a real estate agent and when I saw what photographer where charging for 3D property tours, I said, I can do it myself. I bought this camera and I have completed 5 3d tours at my listings so far. It is easy to use and works perfectly with matterport platform. I can't tell the difference between the pros and my tours. I'm saving a lot of money!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy to use and takes great photos! Using for real estate 360 tours and it’s great!