GoPro

The 360 camera market is very small. There are effectively three main companies: Insta360, KanDao and Ricoh. Ricoh essentially invented the category but has lagged behind Insta360 and KanDao in recent years. KanDao has made some interesting cameras in the last few years, but it wasn’t until the QooCam 3 Ultra recommended above that all the pieces fell into place. Insta360 is by far the category leader and has been for many years. Other companies have dabbled in the space, including Nikon, Kodak and action camera heavyweight GoPro with the Hero Max.

The Mission 1 Pro is on sale now for $700. Then there's the base Mission 1, which has the same large sensor and new processor of the Pro model but lacks the slow-motion skills. It costs $500. At the top of the range is the Mission 1 Pro ILS, which has the same specs as the model I've been testing but uses an interchangeable micro four thirds lens mount -- a first for any GoPro.  The ILS model -- due out later in the year -- will also cost you $700. It's the model I'm most excited about, but I'll get into that later. 

The Mission 1 Pro's got a new GP3 image processor and a larger 1-inch sensor. GoPro says it offers better dynamic range and low-light performance. More importantly, it offers an astonishing 960fps frame rate for slow-motion video and 8K open-gate recording, meaning it captures footage using the entire sensor.  Those are potent specs from a device that still fits in the palm of your hand and is fully waterproof, even without a dive case. 

There's a new camera cage that comes with a detachable grip and a sort of shutter button that fits into the cold shoe slot. While it makes the usually very small camera a lot bigger, it also makes it easier to hold and operate more like a regular compact digital camera.  GoPro has also announced a set of wireless microphones which will natively work with the cameras without the need for external receivers -- much like DJI does with its mics and Osmo cameras. I haven't tried these yet, but for content creators and vloggers these will likely be a must buy.