360 Camera Review & Purchase Report Guide – 360 Video, Image, Panorama
This guide & report aims to index and archive VR cameras and 360 camera rigs that are available today to consumers and industry professionals, this guide will be constantly updated with newest information, resources and news. Virtual reality content consists of creating CGI based virtual assets as well as 360-degree immersive media. 360 degree video has become an increasingly popular medium, with platform giants such as YouTube and Facebook both recently launched their own 360 video hosting platform.
Best 360 Video Collection Archive
Viral Youtube 360 Video Collection
Sexy Women Youtube 360 Video Collection
Creating 360 VR video content is much easier for most people than it is to develop virtual assets, all you need is a 360 camera or 360 degree VR camera to record and share 360 videos. There many 360 cameras on the market right now that covers from professional studios to average consumers use. This overview attempts to outline some of the popular 360 cameras on the market, we hope you will find this information useful to help you decide which 360 camera you’ll buy. This post will be constantly updated, please check back for more current 360 camera news and updates!
Technavio publishes a new market research report on the global 360-degree camera market from 2016-2020. (Graphic: Business Wire)
Leading 360 Degree Video Pioneers
Jaunt VR Camera System
Jaunt VR has to be considered the most renown 360-degree camera pioneer and an industry leader. The company develops the hardware, software, tools, and applications to enable cinematic virtual reality. Jaunt’s proprietary algorithm for complete computational photography enables content producers to produce premium quality VR experiences using their existing software.
Back in 2013, the company received their first round of investment from BSkyB as startup, and then raised another $6.8 million from BSkyB, Redpoint Ventures, SV Angels, Dolby Laboratories chairman Peter Gotcher and Sling Media co-founder Blake Krikorian.
The company series B round was led by Highland Capital Partners with participation from Google Ventures. After raising more than $34 million, the Disney led another $65 million investment in the company.
Unfortunately, the Jaunt proprietary camera technology is not made available for consumer purchase. The company only provide their technology to work with content creating partners to develop proprietary content, which is available on Jaunt’s app.
Since Jaunt started producing cinematic VR videos, they have learned a lot about what it takes to produce a great VR 360 experience. It was very nice of the company to share their knowledge with us. See Jaunt’s Cinematic VR Field Guide: A Guide to Best Practices for Shooting in 360°
Digital Domain Merges IM360
In 2015, Digital Domain paid $38.9 million for 53.9% of the Canadian virtual reality firm IM360. IM360 specializes in interactive media technology that includes capturing, multi-camera stitching, multi-channel, transmission and observation, capturing multi-panoramic views, and camera to image identification. This technology debuted by MTV for broadcasting the VMA, Nike commercial, and Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” music video which won Emmy award for outstanding original interactive programming.
NextVR, founded by DJ Roller and David Cole in 2009, is a Laguna Beach, a California-based startup that specializes in capturing, producing, live streaming and broadcasting high definition virtual reality content.
NextVR Camera System
In 2014, NextVR debuted its state-of-the-art stereoscopic digital camera system at IBC2014. The digital camera system uses six RED Epic Dragon video cameras that capture high-resolution, immersive, virtual 360-degree video. The system is capable of recording at 6K resolution.
NextVR has seventeen patents granted and pending patents for capture, compression, transmission and display of virtual reality content. NextVR’s technology enables fully immersive 360-degree viewing experiences for the viewers, using recorded or live content. Earlier this year, the company raised $80 millions series B from Asian investors. all series A investors also participated in the round.
This year NextVR announced that they will be delivering hundreds of live performances in VR worldwide, and signed a five-year contract with Fox Sports to broadcast major sporting events live in virtual reality. Over the past, NextVR has already worked with sporting event partners to broadcast in live VR such as the U.S. Open, Masters Tournament, Kentucky Derby, Daytona 500, and International Champions Cup.
360 VR Camera Review & Complete Guide
Nokia Ozo
Price : 45,000 USD
The Nokia Ozo has 8 camera lenses at 195-degree FOV with a f/2.4 fixed aperture and shoots at 30fps. Each lens has a 2K x 2K sensor which significantly overlaps one lens over another, which makes stitching become far easier in the post production.
The camera uses more accurate global shutter as opposed to rolling shutter, and eight microphones record spatial audio throughout the capture. Weighing at 9.3 pounds, the Ozo is not your average consumer 360 camera that you can carry around in your pocket.
The Ozo can shoot mono and stereo videos with options to select shooting with four cameras around the center or fire all eight cameras simultaneously. Mono video files are produced with both eyes seeing the same image, whereas stereo video uses two separate videos for each eye to produce “depth” also known as 3D.
Captured footages are imported into the Ozo creator software, which requires unique hardware to run. The software generates a default stitch and allows the stitch lines to be moved around across the image for optimization. Once ready to export, you can export in mp4 or DPX file.
This is one professional use camera that will enable film producers or studios to produce extremely high-quality footages, but definitely not the right camera for the average consumers.
Facebook 360 Camera
Price : 30,000 USD
Facebook’s Surround 360 Camera
Facebook says they are not stopping until they connect everyone on this planet and one way to do so is through 360 videos. Facebook, after purchasing Oculus for 2 billion dollars is not falling behind on creating and sharing the reality side of the virtual reality content.
Facebook also developed their unique software and hardware package for the Surround 360 camera, which can produce videos with resolution up to 8K, and used two bottom face cameras to capture videos without including the pole.
Facebook is not interested in manufacturing 360 cameras, instead the company open sourced their 360 camera design for developers and enthusiast to download from Github. The company wants to open source this camera because they encourage more 360 content produced and shared, of course, on Facebook.
Putting the camera together will cost you roughly 30,000USD to purchase and about four hours build time.
GoPro Omni
Price : 4,999.99 (all inclusive); 1,499.99 (rig only)
GoPro Omni
GoPro camera has been at the forefront of recording high-quality 360-degree footages.
The GoPro Omni uses 6 GoPro Hero4 cameras and an aluminum rig similar to other 3D printed rigs on the market. A central control unit enables all 6 cameras to be synced, getting rid of the need to motion or audio sync during post production and making stitching easier. But the GoPro Omni is still not a perfect system, the stitching sometimes can still get inaccurate results. The Omni is also not waterproof and offers no waterproof as an option.
GoPro Omni full package
The full package priced at $5000USD includes all 6 HERO4 black cameras, 6 HERO4 batteries, 6 x 32gb micro SD cards, one AutoPano Video license, carrying case, lens covers, mini USB cables, micro SD card reader, GoPro smart remote, 7 port USB hub, waterproof shipping case, and tools.
You can also get the rig only for $1500 which you will get a very solid aluminum rig, waterproof shipping case, and tools.
Setting Up
GoPro Omni requires array camera firmware to be installed on each camera. If you purchased rig only package then you will need to perform the update, and there are drawbacks in doing so. The only available modes are photos, video in 1440 at 60fps, and 2.7k at 30fps.
The firmware installation will allow 1 camera to be the master and the five remaining cameras as slaves. This way changes in the master camera setting will also be mirrored to the 5 cameras, as well as powering on and begin recording.
After the firmware update, only the master camera can be paired to Wifi.
If you wish to use Wifi after the update for the 5 slave cameras, you won’t be able to. You must revert back to the standard HERO4 firmware.
The battery also only last barely 3 hours, so it can be a tedious task to have to swap out batteries while shooting in the field to remove face plate on each camera and loosen and removing the screws with the hex key. You would essentially need two people to try to disassemble and putting it back together.
You can charge and remove cameras without having to remove the cameras from the rig. However, when charging via USB, the frame of the rig can put some pressure on USB connection port, where it can be easily damaged if not careful.
The GoPro Omni also does not permit the use of lens caps or ND filters. There’s also some compatibility issues with the tripod mount specifications.
Post Production
The GoPro Omni does not solve the pain points in 360 video post production workflow. Although it is helpful and time-saving that the cameras are synced, but you will still encounter issues to perfectly stitch your videos.
Prepare to spend time in Autopano to refine stitches, especially if you are shooting high vibration scenes without a stabilizer.
There are also reported bug issues with the Omni Importer where files got misplaced in different folders. So be sure to double check at all times.
Sphericam 2
Price : $2,499 USD
Sphericam 2
This 360 camera shoots videos in 4K at 30fps (auto-stitched) or 60fps (unstitched raw) with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2048. You can configure the resolution down to 1920 x 960.
Software includes in-camera stitching software, mobile app, and real-time stitch software for PC and Mac. Mobile app via WiFi enables start/stop recording, monitoring view, transfer, view, and edit. The camera also does live stream and is compatible with RTMP 360 media streaming services.
There are 6 microSD cards built into a removable module, with current limited of 768GB. You can shoot around 1 hour of 12-bit raw footages without loosing quality. There’s also function to record longer with compressed quality.
Sphericam 2 is “splashproof”, which means you can leave it out in the rain but don’t drop it in the water. They are currently working on a fully fledged underwater housing which will be made available in the near future.
The batteries when fully charged can last about 1 hour, but it all depends on how the camera is being used. When using GPS and WiFi will consume energy much faster, and recording with auto stitch will also take up more power.
Sphericam 2 has 4 internal microphones which output 4 separate audio or mono streams, but definitely not professional grade microphones. Professional grade microphones are still very expensive at the moment.
Orah 4i By VideoStitch
Price : 2,995 USD
Orah 4i by VideoStitch
This is 360 camera is the first camera produced by pioneer company behind 360 software post-production suite, VideoStitch.
The Orah 4i VR camera comes with auto-stitching and live streaming for 360 video platforms and VR headsets. The camera produces output in equirectangular format, the same format compatible with Facebook, YouTube, Littlstar, Bitmovin, and Vrideo.
The Orah 4i has maximum live output resolution of 4K at 30fps, and comes with live processing unit (stitching box) along with the lenses. For the audio, it has 4 channels ambisonic at Bformat.
The internal stitch box contains Intel CPU and Nvidia Geforce GPU, with up to 120 gb of storage on microSD card.
Panono Camera
Price : 2,140 Euro
Panono Camera
A successful Indiegogo campaign, this toss-able 360 camera is finally ready for purchase this year. The Panono 360 Camera has 36 3-mega pixel cameras that would each activate simultaneously. Their software then stitches all 36 images into a single 108-mega pixel image.
This camera does not shoot videos at all, only good for taking 360-degree photography.
Recent Mashable review indicates that the image quality was subpar. Although the photos are in high resolution and image can be sharper than fellow competitors, the quality can vary from time to time. Facial features can also be distorted if the person stands too close to the camera.
The best way to take 360 photos is using a tripod or a selfie stick, but you will need to purchase a tripod adapter ($35) or selfie stick ($45).
The camera is also not an action camera so if you toss it in the air, didn’t catch it and it drops on the ground, you will most likely have to get a new one.
In conclusion, this is one first generation 360 photo camera and is a bit pricey for what it has to offer. Possibly the best thing to do is to wait for a newer generation that can be cheaper and more durable.
PanaCast 2 Camera
Price : $799 USD
PanaCast 180 Degree Camera
Funded by Intel Capital, the Panacast VR camera by Altia Systems specialize in video collaboration. The company saw a niche in traditional videoconferencing equipment as limiting, pricey, and difficult to use without an IT background. This is the ideal virtual reality camera for teleconference meetings and distance learning. For $995USD, you get a PanaCast 2 camera, table stand, power adapter and cord.
The PanaCast video camera can provide classroom experience for learning by delivering a VR educational environment, allowing teachers from around the globe to connect and communicate, and of course, to host video meetings.
With its ultra-wide field of view of up to 180º wide and Panoramic-4K resolution, PanaCast delivers exceptionally clear video with a natural human visual perspective delivered in real-time.
The PanaCast solution is simple to use with Skype for business users, you can add up to 5 PanaCast cameras with 50 concurrent participants in a session. The PanaCast software pack also add real-time Panoramic-4K video to Intel® Unite™ meetings with a single click. PanaCast Experience software allows each user to touch based pan and zoom on their video, enabling more effective and productive meetings.
Vuze Camera
Pre-order price : $799 USD (Ships in December, 2016)
The Vuze VR camera was created by HumanEye Technologies. The company has couple dozen patents in the fields of 3D and photographic 3D.
This the first consumer point-and-shoot, auto-stitch, 3D 360 degree VR camera and ready for preorder right now for $799. It has 8 cameras and uses a 4K lens and outputs seamless panoramic 3D video at 30fps, and can record up to 120 Mbps VBR. It has a removable microSD card and the software is compatible with both Mac and PC.
The company claims that this camera is total solution to all your 360 video needs. The purchase includes a Homido VR headset, camera, tripod, software, and mobile app. It is also the first consumer camera at this level that can capture in 3D. This means you will be getting depth perception regardless which VR google you use. The mobile app allows you to control the camera, but current cannot do live-streaming.
This is an ideal 360 camera for amateurs and fast-paced outdoor news crews. For the feature and accessories that the camera offers, other VR cameras will probably cost around $1,000. But $799 is still a steep price for those that are seeking an entry level 360 camera.
Here are some sample footages shot with the Vuze camera
360Fly 4K
Price : 499.99 USD
360Fly 4K Camera
360Fly 4K camera is shockproof, water and dust resistant. It is equipped with a standard tripod mount, 64gb storage, and single button to power up and initiate recording. The mobile app allows easy capture, edit, and sharing on Facebook and YouTube.
However, the image and audio quality is not the best. Built-in memory storage and battery means that you would always need to deal with over loading memory and charging.
Kodak Pixpro SP360 4K
Price : 825 USD
Kodak Pixpro SP360
The Kodak Pixpro SP360 4K VR camera is an obvious improvement over video quality than the previous SP360. It offers 4K video at 30fps as well as a wider -angle lens (360 x 235). It is a single camera, wide-angle fisheye lens (235 degree) that capture images and videos in 360 degrees, with no stitching required. 360 footages can be easily shared on Facebook or YouTube
The new Pixpro SP360 is slightly larger than the previous version, so the older version accessories such as the waterproof casing would not fit.
You can also purchase the Duo Pack, which offers twin pack for a 360 x 360 view after stitching the two videos together. It also comes with a remote watch that you pair to the cameras’ menu.
When recording in 4K videos, the camera records maximum 4GB file, about 9 minutes and 20 secs. You could get up to 30 minutes when recording at a lower resolution. Battery life will last for 55 minutes of continuous shooting in 4K at 30fps with the wifi turned off.
The Kodak Pixpro cameras were licensed by JK Imaging Ltd, the original maker of one of the first 360 degree cameras. The type of shoot modes are stills, loop recording, time-lapse, high-speed and continuous videos.
Kodak SP 360 Dual Pro
The Duo Pro Pack image quality is better with cameras stationary than a moving clip, for example, filming 360 videos on a moving bicycle. Footages shot on moving objects can cause inconsistent stitch.
If you wish to edit your footages, Kodak provides an editing software for single-camera video which allows users to create videos, join clips, and uploading to PC or YouTube. The software does not allow you to work with the audio. However, uploading to YouTube will decrease footage quality.
Remember that if you chose to get this camera, you will most likely have to spend extra money to buy better software and mounts. We recommend to wait a little longer until future generation 360 cameras become more evolved, and skip out on being an early adaptor.
Check out our favorite 360 editing software here
Bublcam
Price : 799 USD
Bublcam
The pocket size spherical shaped Bublcam is a fun and cool looking 360 camera to carry around and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. It can also be mounted on to a tripod. The camera is made up of four 5-megapixel cameras (1.2mm lens each), together creates the spherical image, capturing every possible angle in the capture. The camera shoots in either 1440p at 15fps or 1080p x 30 fps.
Pros
-Appearance design
-Removable microSD slot for 32GB storage.
-Small size (280 grams) and 3.14 inches in diameter.
-Can do both 360 videos and photos
Cons
-The none removable battery takes two hours to fully charge while empty. The battery life depends on the mode you are shooting in.
-Lack HD quality.
-Lack audio quality.
Allie Home 360 Camera
Price : 499.99 USD
Allie Home
Produced by IC Real Tech Inc, ALLie Home is a very useful camera for recording home security surveillance 360 videos and can be easily controlled by mobile devices.
With this camera, never again will you miss capturing important moments of your lives, especially inside the home. You will never miss filming your child’s first steps, what your pet is doing while you are away, or what wild animals are sneaking into your backyard. However, even the camera has a built-in micro
The images are captured with dual 8-megapixel sensors providing 4096 x 2048 resolution.
The camera can be easily attached to walls with the included hardware. Check out Allie Home Open Box Review.
Wall mounts
The camera has built-in night vision capability, you can ensure that every possible angle is recorded even during night time. The camera is also capable to live-stream on YouTube.
Using the ALLie Home and ALLIe Go requires the presence of high-speed Wi-Fi connection, a mobile device and/or desktop computer. The cloud recording function enables users to go back in time and see what happened while they were gone in every possible angle.
The apps are compatible with PCs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. The app allows users to control the camera, change settings, and preview footages on smartphone. The app also enable users to trim-and-cut clips, delete captured content, and go into VR mode for previews using a cardboard headset.
The ALLie Cam setup instructions were very straight forward. It took less than 10 minutes to unbox and get everything up and running.
The ALLie Home is an ideal 360 camera for indoor monitoring/surveillance. You will get the best quality footage if you place the camera in the center of the room. The image quality is actually really good compared to the price.
VSN Mobil 360 Camera
Price : 449 USD
VSN Mobil 360 Camera
What is special about this 360 camera is that it does not require any stitching, as the 360 footages gets recorded in one shot. It uses one camera but a conical mirror to record videos in 360 degrees. Unlike most other cameras on the market, the VSN 360 camera does not capture spherical images. The camera instead records a 360 degree panorama with 60 degree FOV.
The device is equipped with Snapdragon 800 processor, GPS, Wifi, altimeter, barometer, and an accelerometer.
This camera is more suitable for home surveillance rather than producing 360 videos for viewing pleasure, as the image quality is exceptionally stunning.
The app and the remote is required to operate the device, although the design of software is not very intuitive. The slot for mini SD card is also hard to reach especially for those with big hands.
There is no clear instruction manual that comes with the camera on how to work with video files, so you will need to do a little research on your own.
Ricoh Theta S
Price : 349.95 USD
Ricoh Theta S
The Ricoh Theta S camera is the third generation 360 camera by Ricoh. This is one of the earliest consumer grade 360 camera to hit the market, and possibly one of the best selling camera. Ricoh claims that the demand is super high on these cameras that they can barely keep up with production. Theta S has two sensors and lenses pointing in opposite directions to capture up to 25 minutes of video.
The new Theta S offers a new image sensor which gives you 14-megapixel quality images, and 8GB built-in memory. The device has built-in wifi and smartphone app, and the option of shooting at 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 resolutions.
If you are considering an entry level 360 camera that is easy to use and won’t cost a fortune, this would be a good option. A step up to 4K you can also consider the Kodak SP360.
LG 360 Cam
Price : 162 USD
LG 360 Cam
The LG 360 Cam is user-friendly and relatively inexpensive 360-degree camera, a good starter’s product for the price range it has to offer, very similar to the Ricoh Theta S.
It has two sensors pointing in opposite ways, and each has two fisheye lens to capture a complete 360. LG beats Ricoh both in video and photo resolution at maximum resolution quality of 30fps at 2,560 x 1,280 (360 videos) and 16 megapixels at 5,660 x 2,830 (360 photos). The LG 360 Cam has plastic sheath protecting the lenses, protecting the surface from scratch as you put it in a pocket or bag.
The camera does not rely on built-in internal memory, instead uses a microSD slot up to 1TB. However, the card is not included with the purchase.
The camera’s mobile app lets user preview and review takes as well as controlling the camera, but doesn’t offer basic editing videos or photos functions.
Unlike the Ricoh Theta S, the Cam 360 is intended to be used entirely with a smartphone. Once the content is captured and transferred onto the phone, YouTube and Google Street View would both recognize the media gallery as spherical content. Unfortunately, Facebook does not recognize the uploads as spherical, unlike the Ricoh Theta S.
Samsung Gear 360
Price : 349.99 USD
Samsung Gear 360
In comparison with the current 360 cameras on the market, the Samsung Gear 360 video camera is possibly the most affordable camera at the highest quality. The Kodak SP360 shoots in 4K but you need to buy two in order to film in full spherical. The Ricoh Theta is also another option but it only shoots 1080p, and the picture quality doesn’t look too promising stretched to a full immersive view.
With the Samsung Gear 360, we finally have a turnkey 360 video in a single integrated device. The only drawback is that you must pair the camera with a Samsung Galaxy S6 or S7. So if you already own a Samsung Galaxy S6 or S7, this camera is definitely for you to shoot some high-quality 4K 360-degree videos.
The Samsung Gear 360 front and rear sensors each capture 180 degrees to generate a seamless 360-degree filed-of-view. Every angle of your capture is recorded in 3840 x 1920 high resolution and 25.9MP photos.
Insta360 Pro 8K
Price : 3,000 USD
shoot 8K 360 video, 6K 3D 360 video and can stitch (and live stream) 4K video in real-time
China’s Insta360 has announced at CEO 2017 a 8K professional VR camera, the Insta360 Pro. This camera can capture 360 images, videos, and also live-stream. This is a camera aimed at the professional creators, as well as those hobbyist who strive for quality in their work.
The Insta360 Pro adopts six HD lenses, and supports 4K videos up to 100fps. The live preview function is great for creators to get a feel of their shot prior to recording. The camera use real-time image stitching and both H.264 and H.265 video compression can greatly improve video quality at the same bit rate. This professional VR camera that can shoot 8K 360 video, 6K 3D 360 video and can live-stream 4K videos. The standalone camera also can be used with it’s own iOS and Android app via wifi, Ethernet or 4G connection, where content can be easily shared on social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
The Insta360 Pro has six 200-degree fisheye lenses with f/2.4 aperture designed to improve low light performance. Shutter speeds are adjustable, as well as stabilization for action footages. The camera also features a VR timelapse mode and can capture 60-megapixel 360 3D stills in JPG and RAW formats. The camera is equipped with two built-in microphones, and AUX input for external microphone. The removable battery can last up to 75 minutes, and be charged while recording. This is camera will be available for purchase during the first quarter of 2017 from Amazon and Insta360’s site.
Insta360 4K
Price : 599 USD
Insta 360 4K
Recognized as a first class industrial design at the 2016 IF design award, Insta360 video camera was produced by Shenzhen Arashi Vision Co., Ltd as the first real time stitching 360 video camera. You can take ultra HD photos and videos as well as live streaming. The camera shoots in 4K at 30fps. The design enables easy mounting on tripod, attachment to drone, and simply holding with hand.
This camera is very competitive in terms of quality and price, as it has a wide potential for professional use such as live concert stream, real estate, tourism. and aerial photography.
The 32gb memory card slot is located on the bottom which can be easily removed and replaced. There’s also a USB port where you can attach your devices.
Insta360 Nano 360 Camera
Price : 197 USD
Insta360 Nano
Regarded as the smallest 360 degree camera in the world, the pearl white Insta360 Nano camera is a highly rated 360 camera perfectly compatible with iPhones 7/7 plus and iPhone 6/6 plus. Or you can simply use the camera on it’s own. The camera is also compatible with other smartphones with a transfer cable.
The footages are shot at 3040 x 1520 resolution at 30fps and can share in real-time on Facebook, WeChat, and live streams. It comes with 64GB storage, VR app, 360 player/studio/plugin, as well as a cardboard headset.
The dual lens combines images taken from cameras in real time and you can get a preview exactly how the final footage will look like. The images are stitched in real time so you can livestream and the camera will be able to track head movements when viewing on VR headsets. The software is compatible both PC and Mac, where the files can be converted from .insv to mp4 file. Pictures can be exported as jpeg.
Insta360 Air
Indiegogo campaign price : $99USD
Insta360 Air
On November 28th, 2016, Insta360 launched Indiegogo campaign for their latest Insta360 Air, a clip-on for smartphone camera that enables capturing 360-degree high definition images and videos. The content can be livestreamed or instantly shared on social media channels. The portable size camera comes in several color options; matte black, silver, rose pink, and gold.
The camera is specifically designed for Android, since it is the most common device in the world. Livestream is compatible to share onto major social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter.
Instead of one bulky camera, the Insta360 Air is an extension of a smartphone or computer. The camera is serve as a webcam while being plugged into a laptop, enabling live 360 streaming.
The camera is available on Indiegogo campaign for $99 USD.
Giroptic 360 camera
Price : 499.99 USD
Giroptic 360 camera
The Giroptic 360 camera take a complete footage at 2048 x 1040 using sensors and stitches images together within the camera. The video quality is better than most others on the market but not the best. There are two manual button that allows you to start and stop recording and switch between modes, but you won’t be able to change the settings without the smartphone app. The app allows you to see a live feed from the camera, start and stop recording, stabilize images, and making changes to other settings. You can also publish via the app to YouTube and Facebook.
Pros
-Replaceable battery and memory card.
-Water resistant (up to 30 feet deep)
-Shock resistant
-Appearance design.
-Extra battery.
Cons
-LCD display has LEDs display which can be hard to read under direct sunlight
-Trouble with stitching all the images when combined
-Video quality is great but not the best of it’s class.
Giroptic iO
Price : 250 USD
Giroptic recently announced the launch of their new iO 360-degree camp which is compatible with any Lightning cable iPhone or iPad. For $250, the 360 camera captures full 360 photos and videos, as well user to share pre-recorded content on YouTube and Facebook. The camera is able to live-stream via YouTube and is currently working on support live-streaming on Facebook.
The camera has two 195 degree lenses with an aperture of F/1.8, rechargeable battery and built-in microphone. Although the footages are auto-stitched, the videos are recorded at 1920 x 960 @ 30 FPS, which is not ideal for VR viewing. Photos can be shot at high-resolution of 3840 x 1920.
The iO camera is currently only available on Apple devices. The company is considering getting on with Android platform in the near future.
LucidCam
Preorder $399 USD
LucidCam
Lucid VR received a successful Indiegogo campaign, raising over $100,000 USD, and later received $2.1 million investment by Taiwan EDM giant, Winstron Corporation, to bring the LucidCam to market. Winner of the 2015 Lumiere’s Award, this pocket size camera is your ideal camera for shooting 360 videos on the go.
We tried the prototype last year and found that the resolution is much sharper when compared to other 360 cameras on the market. The camera is very simple to use, as it has only one button to capture images and videos, as well as changing settings.
This ultra compact camera provides 60fps with 2K for each eye on capturing video, and 4K for photos with 180-degree field of view for each eye. The camera also has dual microphones for capturing binaural sound. LucidCam comes with Android and iOS app for live stream and sharing content.
The LucidCam is now ready for preorder and expects to ship later this year.
Moka360 VR Camera
Preorder $188 USD Indiegogo (MSRP $359 USD)
Moka360
Another successful crowdfunding campaign, the Moka Cam is one of the smallest 360 camera on the market. The campaign raised over 145,000 USD over the original amount of 25,000 USD.
At this time, you are still able to back this project and get yours for $188 which is worth $359.
The Electronic Industries Award 2016 award the Mokacam “The Smallest 360 degree Camera” with built-stitching. This camera is supposedly easy to point and shoot or live stream 360 videos at 30fps@2K.
The Mokacam360 comes with magnetic mount which can be attached to any metal surface without the need for screws or docks. The free app allow user to preview and playback in different modes and share on Facebook or YouTube.
The Mokacam received three reddot awards back in 2015. Although their 360 cam appears promising, we still need to see the actual product before providing a fair review. The estimated shipping time is March, 2017.
Jolt Duo 360 Camera
Price: $18o USD
The Jolt Duo 360 camera is a versatile, compact and lightweight (104 grams) full HD 360 degree camera for various applications. The camera comes with two kits, an Outdoor and Lifestyle kit which can be purchased separately. The Lifestyle kit comes with a tripod, selfie stick, and adaptor. The outdoor kit come with bike mount, surface mount, adaptor, and underwater housing/handheld stick. The housing is also compatible with GoPro type mounts, so you can always swap your old GoPro accessories to use with this 360 camera housing. Check out Jolt360 Openbox Review.
The resolution varies in different light settings, but is definitely is a decent enough for those looking to get into shooting 360 footages, and can be an excellent home surveillance camera.
This camera operates simple. It has only three button that turn powers on/off, wifi on/off, and record start/end. The LCD display shows the current shooting mode, recording time, remaining memory, and battery life.
There is also another reset button to resolve any hardware technical issue. To reach this reset button, you will need to insert a thin paperclip size pin (included) into the “Reset” hole.
The camera comes with it’s own mobile app and is super easy to use. The images are auto-stitched and can be easily downloaded onto mobile phone, and also shared on YouTube or Facebook. The app enables various preview mode and can be watched in VR mode with a cardboard.
Setting up the camera is simple and straightforward. It took us 5 minutes to unbox and get everything up and running. The replaceable battery provides about 75 minutes of recording time, and can be charges via micro USB. Micro SD card is not included, a 8GB/16GB/32GB class 6, 10, or 1 high speed SD card is required. Be sure to download the Jolt 360 iOS or Android app, and connect your mobile device to the camera via wifi.
