There's a new action camera challenger in Malaysian — AKASO 360, which retails from just RM899.
This a very budget-friendly 360-degree action camera that's positioning itself as the most affordable action 360° camera in the market. In fact, the AKASO 360 is almost half the price of higher-priced GoPros and Insta360s priced above RM1,700 onwards.
AKASO has been offering affordable action cameras models to challenge the dominance of Insta360 and GoPro which are generally aimed towards professionals that seek an action camera for their work. Instead, AKASO 360 is designed to appeal to beginners and casual users instead.
The camera's core philosophy is "shoot first and frame later" - a message that reminds you to focus on the moment with family and friends rather than worrying about getting the perfect shot.
This approach makes it particularly appealing for parents, travelers, and content creators who want the creative possibilities of 360-degree footage without the complexity or high cost of professional models.
Here's our review of the action camera and what it's worth for.
Editor
Jodee Tan chevron_right
Table of Contents
Built & Design
At first glance, the AKASO 360 looks like an Insta360 camera, but with several differences in the materials and button placements used.
AKASO 360 is a simple device, with a power button at its side, microphone that picks external noise, a USB C port for easy connection and battery compartment. It has a screw-mount at the bottom where you can attach your own camera tripod, or use the complimentary handheld stick which disappears in view when on camera. And in the middle is the main 2.29-inch touchscreen for you to navigate within its simple interface.
When compared to the likes of its higher competitor models, the AKASO 360's built is strong, enough for users to not worry about it coming apart when in action. Yet, it might feel less premium than higher-priced competitor models.
If this is a concern, it's best to see and feel the camera in person. Otherwise, it's not a big deal and is truly made suitable for casual users.
While the overall build feels more plastic-heavy than premium alternatives, it doesn't compromise on functionality. The 2.29-inch touchscreen is responsive and bright enough for outdoor use, though direct sunlight can make it challenging to see fine details.
Photos & Videos
For a product at this price, you get a prime dual-lens design. Both the lenses are 48MP sensor protected by a decent quality glass. The AKASO 360 holds a main 72MP photo shooter that produces surprisingly detailed stills.
While they may not match the dynamic range of high-end cameras, they're more than adequate for social media sharing and basic printing needs. 360° photos taken on here are also particularly impressive, as we found them to allow flexibility in post-editing.
Overall, image quality for the price is acceptable. Even with videos, we were pleased with its stabilization which was comparable to more expensive models. The camera performs best in very good lighting conditions, producing sharp 5.7K footage that can be reframed into traditional 4K videos, though some noise and slight dimming is present when compared to other higher-end models.
There's also an AI tracking feature which works reliably for following subjects. And as mentioned, you get flexibility post-editing on the app, which is also intuitive enough across mobile and desktop platforms.
App Connectivity
To extract content from the AKASO 360 was easy. You have the option to access its micro SD card or use the smartphone AKASO app. After the first Bluetooth pairing, you can activate the connectivity via the app when the camera is turned on, and be free to edit or further export the content in various formats and resolutions of your choice.
What we liked
Battery Management
AKASO 360 is considered generous with what it provides in its basic kit. You'll get a mounting handheld stick (that goes invisible in videos), and a portable battery charger that hold 3 packs—something that is an add on for higher-end models and brands.
Easy app access
Synchronising between the app and camera is easy. Most cameras do take awhile to synchronise and even make pairing via Bluetooth complicated or longer than expected. With the AKASO 360, all you need to do is ensure the camera is turned on, and open the AKASO app on your mobile phone. Just choose to synchronise on the app, and the camera connects shortly after to allow you access.
Clear microphone
At an arm's length, we were pleased with how loud and clear the pick up of the audio is. Even being outdoors with traffic and nature noises, the voice takes precedent and being the clearest in footages.
What we disliked
Weak light sensor
In low light conditions, videos can become noisy in shadows, and the camera tends to expose for highlights, potentially underexposing backlit subjects. The stitching between the two lenses can also sometimes create darker areas along the stitch line or even miscapture subjects in a panorama.
Who is This For?
Although the AKASO 360 is far from being the best action camera, especially for those who need a professional equipment, it excels for the likes of family gatherings, travel documentation, outdoor adventures in good lighting, and entry-level content creation. It's also technically valuable for users who want to experiment with 360-degree footage without the steep learning curve or investment required by professional models.
At RM899, it represents exceptional value for beginners looking to explore 360-degree photography and videography, though users should temper expectations regarding low-light performance and professional-grade features.
The AKASO 360 can be purchased at official AKASO Shopee and AKASO Lazada stores.
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