Top 5 360-degree Cameras that Enjoy the Best Attributes
The year 2016 is trending with 360-degree video cameras. These special videos are often created using a system of multiple cameras that simultaneously record all angles of a scene. Thanks to these latest 360-degree cameras, it is possible to view these videos with multiple angles and points. Here are the top five cameras that deliver what they promise:
1) GoPro Odyssey
GoPro Odyssey packs 16 synchronized HERO4 Black cameras into an all-in-one rig with the capability of capturing 8K video in 3D. It is embedded with internal microphones, the panoramic capture rig, necessary cables, microSD cards, a Pelican case, and a warranty with support. The camera is further uploaded to the Jump assembler to deliver an engaging experience. You can buy this GoPro Odyssey at Gopro.com starting at $15,000.
2) Facebook Surround 360
Facebook has built its own 360-degree stereoscopic 3D video camera named as Facebook Surround 360 that weaves the camera’s myriad images into one complete three-dimensional landscape. Built from off-the-shelf hardware worth roughly $30,000, it draws images from all 17 of those lenses, that produces the 360-degree spherical video.
The Surround 360 is an interim step on the way to extreme virtual reality. Facebook has gone several steps further—not only with the design of the device but with the decision to open source it. The aim was to create a camera that’s not only capable of the high-resolution spherical video but also durable and easy to use.
3) Orah 4i
Orah 4i, an all-in-one 4K camera designed for high quality live streaming to online video platforms and VR headsets are launched by VideoStitch. The ambisonic 3D sound capture capabilities of Orah enable the viewer of the content to locate the origin of the sound source with a VR headset, making a stunning new experience to users.
The 4i is a lot smaller than any of the professional rigs mentioned, and it’s a lot more portable as it measures about 3.1 x 2.7 x 2.5 inches and weighs only 17 ounces. With four fisheye 8-layer f2.0 lenses and four Sony Exmore image sensors, it captures and streams all the videos in 4k. It will retail around $3,600 and available for pre-order starting today which will ship later this year.
4) 360Fly
360fly captures your life in immersive, interactive 360° video that can be shared instantly on social media and relived fully in virtual reality via various smartphone apps.
Costed at $399.99 the video camera has several features of Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth LE interface, and the included 360fly app. With 2.26 total megapixels, it allows you to capture footage with up to 1504 x 1504 pixels’ resolution and has widest single lens field that comes with a rechargeable lithium battery.
5) Nokia Ozo
Nokia Ozo, which comprises eight lenses, each with 195-degree angle of view and 100-degree cross-over with the next nearest in a pair, includes a battery and 500 GB hard drive that will cater for 45-minutes of capture. At a price of $60,000 It outputs 360-degree 3D video and surround audio through a single cable trying to get the same effect from a DIY assemblage of GoPro or Red cameras.
Its housing is milled aluminum, and the whole thing weighs a hefty 4.2kg. The Nokia Ozo uses JPEG 2000 to encode visual data that allows Nokia to retain all of the original data from each sensor, even when it overlaps, giving VR filmmakers more flexibility when editing and tweaking. Nokia Ozo’s official operating temperature tops out at 25 degrees Celsius where the resolution of the cameras is only really suited to first-generation VR headset hardware.
The Bottom Line
With all these top 5 360-degree cameras, one can expect to see a lot more VR brand experiences shot in 2016 and 2017. The real key is when you start seeing content that is really what people want to watch, not an experiment. 360-degree cameras are a creative tool that removes the nerdy tech hurdles of shooting in VR—and that’s pretty neat all on its own.
Keval Padia is the founder & CEO of Nimblechapps, a fast-growing mobile app development company. The current innovation and updates of the field lures him to express his views and thoughts on certain topics.