Why I recommend this 360-degree camera drone to both beginners and professionals

jan / 2026

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I will be trustworthy: I used to be just a little nervous when requested to overview the Antigravity A1. Earlier than this, I had by no means flown a drone. However after spending time with the A1, I’ve come to understand that I’d’ve been the proper individual for this job: reviewing it from a contemporary perspective and studying as I went — exactly the drone’s power. 

In case you’re unfamiliar with the identify, Antigravity is a comparatively new drone firm that launched its very first drone, the A1, again in December 2025. For a primary timer, the corporate did an amazing job. It is extremely easy to function, making it a strong option to function for first-timers, and the 8K, 360-degree cameras seize gorgeous footage. That stated, it will not be the suitable match for everybody. 

The A1 is a compact plane, weighing simply 249 grams. Folded, it measures 5.56 x 3.79 x 3.2 inches; unfolded with its propellers prolonged, it reaches 12.15 x 15.05 x 3.51 inches. That weight is very notable as a result of it means leisure pilots will not should register the drone with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). In the US, all drones that weigh 250 grams or extra have to be registered, so it clears the brink by a single gram.

Throughout its physique, the A1 carries eight particular person cameras, every geared up with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, f/2.2 aperture, and an ISO vary of 100 to six,400. Harnessing the magic of Insta360 software program, these cameras all work collectively to report 360-degree hemispherical footage. 

You do not see the sphere directly; as a substitute, the drone routes its video feed on to the goggles, narrowing it to a 65-degree subject of view. You bodily flip your head to see the remainder of the scene.

It is a bit difficult to clarify if you have not skilled it, so I’ve included a YouTube video under that I created from drone recordings in motion. These clips had been created utilizing Antigravity Studio, the model’s proprietary enhancing app.

The YouTube video above is in 4K; nevertheless, it’s attainable to report footage in 8K at 30 FPS. The outcomes are gorgeous. The footage appears crisp, with far-off rooftops and landscapes showing impressively clear. You possibly can step down to five.2K or 4K to attain greater body charges. 

For instance, 4K recordings can attain a body fee of as much as 100 FPS. It is also the one video decision that helps slow-motion seize on the A1.

You possibly can modify digital camera settings by urgent the button above the controller’s set off to open the digital menu. Navigating this menu will be tough, nevertheless. The motion-based Grip Controller has a tough time registering exact actions — it is higher swimsuit for broad gestures. 

The drone’s batteries weigh over 67 grams. Because of vitality calls for, flight occasions are comparatively brief. Antigravity claims the A1 can fly for twenty-four minutes on a single cost beneath perfect situations. Exterior elements, corresponding to wind, altitude, and backbone settings, can additional scale back flight time. As soon as the battery hits 15%, the drone will routinely provoke a return-to-home process.

Antigravity’s Imaginative and prescient Goggles are quite a lot of enjoyable to put on. They’ve a definite “Kamen Rider” aesthetic that makes you are feeling like a superhero the second you place them on, sporting two antennas and bug eyes. The accent weighs simply 340 grams. Antigravity achieved this low weight by omitting the battery from the headset. As a substitute, it sits externally as a person pack and connects through a USB-C-to-DC cable.

To stop the battery from swinging, the corporate features a lanyard that permits it to relaxation comfortably round your neck. It isn’t good (the dangling battery can really feel just a little awkward), but it surely’s nonetheless higher than having the load in your head.

Contained in the headset are two 1.03-inch micro-OLED pancake lenses, every with a 2560 x 2560 decision and a 72 FPS refresh fee. Picture high quality is superb, thanks partially to Antigravity’s OmniLink 360 characteristic, which delivers ultra-low-latency video so long as you stay inside 10 kilometers of the drone. As a result of the goggles show a streamed sign, what you see is not similar to the recording, so hold that in thoughts.

My greatest complain with the goggles is that they don’t seem to be pleasant to individuals who put on glasses. The lenses include built-in diopter changes that vary from -5.0D to +2.0D. For me, this vary is ok. 

Dialing the view to -5.0D allowed me to see screens clearly, though it might not be sufficient for some. Antigravity states that corrective lens inserts are deliberate, however as of this writing, they are not but out there for buy.

The A1’s Grip Controller, in my view, is probably the most divisive a part of the equipment. It’s a one-handed, semi-motion distant you maintain like a Wii distant. You pull the set off to maneuver ahead and tilt your arm to steer. It does not fly very quick, as famous within the video above. 

It strikes sooner in Sport Mode, but it surely’s not a major pace enhance, and it isn’t the smoothest-flying plane. It is really fairly stiff. That stated, it is extremely straightforward to fly. My brother and I, neither of whom had ever flown a drone earlier than this, caught on instantly.

The goggles present a reticle that influences the drone’s route. Maintain the set off, and the A1 follows the reticle with out affecting the digital camera feed. You possibly can go searching and fly straight. Proximity sensors show you how to keep away from obstacles, and the Return to House (RTH) button causes the system to routinely fly again to its recorded residence level. Touchdown is easy, too. Pull down on the slider, and the drone will descend in a managed vogue.

Under is a picture detailing what every button does. Two buttons aren’t seen: the ability and menu buttons, situated on the suitable.

Many of the buttons are simple. You may have a File button for video, a Shutter for nonetheless photographs, and a Flight Mode change to hop between Sport, Regular, and Cinematic speeds. Then you may have extra distinctive choices, such because the RTH button to name again the drone and the 360 Dial. The latter serves as a substitute for movement controls, letting customers management the drone with out having to maneuver their arms.

All controls sit inside straightforward attain of your thumb and fingers. I would additionally loved the accent’s form. It is comfy to carry, even for smaller palms.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I’ve spent quite a lot of time praising how approachable the A1 is, but it surely’s not precisely low-cost. The Antigravity A1 Customary Bundle is presently on sale for $1,599. It contains the drone, a protecting case, the Imaginative and prescient Goggles, Grip Controller, an additional set of propellers, and a flight battery. There are different bundles out there that embrace extra equipment, corresponding to additional batteries. I had the Infinity Bundle, which prices $1,999.

Sure, it is costly, however I would nonetheless suggest the A1 to anybody concerned about drones. Its ease of use makes it nice for newcomers, and creators will likely be impressed by the video high quality.