You’ve probably seen them already on YouTube or other 360° video platforms and you’ve certainly been incredibly impressed the first time you discovered one. 360° videos. These videos are like all other videos with the only small difference that you can interact with in a unique way.
Indeed, from a certain subjective point of view, you can, with your mouse on a web browser, turn this angle of vision in any direction. In short, it’s as if you could see the scene with the head anchored in a certain place but being able to turn it in all directions.
It must be emphasized that this remains from a point anchored in the video, of course the camera can advance, if the director of the video wished it, but you will be unable to move in the scene, as in a video game, just to be able to watch this scene in any angle. But just this innovative possibility turns the experience into something much more fun and engaging than a simple video. But before you go any further, especially if you’ve never tasted the 360° experience, I let you enjoy this 360 ° video below:
Impressive is not it? But to have such a rendering, one suspects that one needs specific material. This is where the 360° cameras come into play. Thanks to them, it is possible to film an environment from all angles and to be able to create videos where you will be able to turn the angle of vision in all directions. Most of its cameras then integrate several sensors to film a 360 ° scenery. But although the concept is recent, there are already many 360° cameras on the market, with very different capture techniques, features and prices.
So, if you’re eager to try the 360° experience directly, on your own, and you’re looking for the best camera, the one that’s right for you, you can find below the most complete file on 360° cameras. If you do not have time to search, take a look at our top of the most popular 360° cameras just below. If you really want to find the diamond shoe that fits your foot perfectly, but you’re a little layman in the field of 360 ° camera, you will find a complete and affordable 360° camera shopping guide.
You will have all the weapons in hand to find The 360 ° camera, follow the guide.
Vuze, the 360 and 3D camera
Developed by HumanEyes, the 360° Vuze camera offers a simple but elegant design, and above all: solid . This can prove to be crucial when you know that this type of videos are regularly shot in unprecedented conditions. Its real strength: 3D. The Vuze camera, unlike the majority of 360 cameras, can offer a depth effect to the 360 videos and photos it captures.
Regarding its specification, the Vuze records videos in the H.264 codec. The resolution displays 4k, as well as 30 frames per second. As for the sound, it uses the AAC codec. The Vuze has a recording rate of 120 Mbps VBR.
For optics, the camera has eight Full HD lenses with a 180 x 120 degree field of view. As for the spherical field of view, it is 360 x 180 degrees. To store the recordings, the camera has an SD card and a Wi-Fi connection. To finish with the data sheet, the Vuze offers four microphones to capture the sound.
The Vuze 3D 360 camera is available at $599.00 (at Amazon)
Ricoh Theta S, the entry level
Available at $361.48 (at Amazon), the Ricoh Theta S, which can be obtained in different colors (blue, yellow, pink or white), with the particularity of being able to be taken directly by hand to film in 360 °. Of course, the camera can also be placed on a tripod.
Thanks to its two 12 megapixel sensors, reproducing a fisheye effect (which makes it possible to film spherically) at 180 °, the camera can output photos with a quality of 5376 x 2688 pixels. Its ISO 1600 will allow the user to shoot even at night.
Producing Full HD video, but only in 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps, the small device can hold up to 260 photos and 65 minutes of video thanks to its 8GB of memory. In addition to a microphone and a speaker, a mini HDMI jack allows you to post your videos on YouTube.
Samsung’s Gear 360, by Samsung, for Samsung
As you can imagine, the Gear VR is Samsung’s 360 ° camera created for use with the Samsung Gear VR, a headset that is itself designed for use with Samsung’s high-end notebooks. Samsung thought of everything.
Equipped with two 15-megapixel sensors and two 195-degree wide-angle lenses, the camera can output videos up to 3840 x 1920 px in H.265 format at 30 fps , a very good result in short. Clearly, if you own a Samsung Gear VR or plan to own one, it is of course the 360 ° camera that you need.
Because the camera is totally linked to the smartphones of the brand, you will be able to control which sensor should work via your Samsung laptop, but also choose the shooting mode, the effects … On the other hand, Samsung unfortunately pushes the purchase of a very precise range and the Gear 360 ° is compatible, in the last functions listed above, only with the top of the basket of laptops of Samsung.
A second version of the Gear 360 was unveiled in March 2017. This new version of the Samsung 360 camera sports a completely redesigned design. She is now able to film in 4K and live stream this content. With a weight of only 130 grams and a reduced volume of 20%, the 2017 Gear 360 wants to overcome the shortcomings of its predecessor, both in terms of ergonomics and features.
Nokia Ozo, the Rolls of Luxury 360 ° Cameras
The famous Finnish manufacturer Nokia launched on the 360 camera market in November 2015. The Nokia Ozo camera is made of aluminum alloy and incorporates eight sensors and microphones. Each lens has a 195-degree field of view and films at 30 fps. With an introductory price of 60,000 dollars (55,000 euros), Nokia is clearly aimed at a professional target . In August 2016, the recommended retail price increased to $45,000.
Insta360 pro, the video in 8K
Highly anticipated after its presentation at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, the Insta360 Pro camera is now available for sale. It is possible to order a copy of the camera for virtual reality at a price of 3499 US dollars from the online store of the Chinese start-up. The Insta360 Pro VR camera comes in black with its AC adapter, a Type C cable and an Ethernet cable, a 65-minute battery, a protective cover, a lens protector and a storage box.
V.360 HD, a sports camera
Its unique design in the form of a 2.0 mixer can cool down very quickly, but it allows this 360 ° camera to become a reference for all sportsmen. Indeed, the V.360 is very resistant to shock but also designed to be tough against dust. Finally, the V.360 has a 30 minute underwater resistance up to 3 meters, which is more than most cameras on the market.
Unique feature, the camera is equipped with only one sensor, which can film in 360 ° thanks to an advanced system of mirrors. In addition to that, the camera has a little over 2 hours of recording at the battery level. This is clearly the camera for athletes, whether surfer or biker, it is this camera that will offer the best performance in dangerous terrain.
This camera offers Full HD in 6480 × 1080 at 30 fp and is marketed for $499.
Omni 360, GoPro know-how
This camera consists of 6 GoPro all of the same model, the Hero4 Black. These GoPro are gathered in a spherical matrix and, although they do not make 3D rendering, allow to produce content, via synchronization and pixilation, in virtual reality.
Of course, the camera can produce 360° videos. It is clear that GoPro’s know-how in terms of camera and graphic rendering is well established. In doing so, the Omni 360 will most certainly be positioned as a high-end camera with high-end technical features.
Orah 4i, affordable 4K live streaming
A French company, Orah has developed the 4i, a 360 camera capable of filming and live-streaming 360 content in 4K. This product targets prosomateurs (consumers who are professionalizing) seeking to produce quality content in the RV market without hiring an expert. No technical configuration is required, the product technology takes care of everything. Note however that the camera stops at 30 fps for broadcast on a virtual reality headset, although it reaches 90 fps in the visualization, and requires the use of a computer powerful enough to support its specification.
Giroptic iO, the 360 camera for Android and iOS
The Giroptic iO is able to take 4K photos and shoot in 2K, which is not the case for all 360 cameras on the market. This camera attaches easily to your smartphone, iOS or Android and works with a dedicated application to download for free. On YouTubethere are many videos shot with this camera, like the one where a Giroptic iO camera is placed on the back of an eagle. It is also possible to post 360 photos and videos on Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, WhatsApp, and WeChat.
GoPro Fusion: the 360 camera of sportsmen
We know how extreme sports enthusiasts appreciate GoPro cameras. Some now want to shoot 360 degrees. For this, GoPro has developed the Fusion 360. The sensor 5.2K at 30 frames per second can make films of a very good quality. It has a 3K mode at 60 FPS in photo, the 18 million pixels CMOS facilitates the taking of beautiful shots. Owners of the waterproof 360 camera up to 5 meters also appreciate the stabilization system. On the other hand, you need a warrior pc to run the image linking software. So be sure to equip yourself accordingly if you want to buy this product. The two SD card slots will not be too much to store all the contents.
GRicoh Theta V: a small evolution of the Theta S
The Theta V is the successor to the S version. It is always a question of proposing a 360 camera at an unbeatable price. This model has a resolution of almost 4K (3840 × 1920 pixels) at 30 frames per second. The two ½ “, 3”, 12-megapixel CMOS sensors can capture 5276 x 2688-pixel photos. The spherical design allows to limit the effects of stitching. On the other hand, chromatic aberrations are not avoidable. The four microphones improve the recording quality. We regret especially its weak autonomy: about 25 minutes.
360-Degree Cameras Buying Guide
The rise of virtual reality has brought with it a curiosity and a pleasure in viewing 360 ° videos. This sudden interest and the resulting economic potential even put Facebook and YouTube in direct competition, with the former starting to develop a viewing platform while the latter was positioned as the essential platform.
And there is a reason for that, 360 ° video brings a new dimension to video viewing by involving the user and allowing him to create his own experience immersive and playfully.
Better yet, today users just do not have to watch their videos, they have the weapons to create themselves and share this new kind of experience with the rest of the world. For this, you need a 360 ° camera, which will allow, through calculations, to offer a video in 360 °, to then be posted on YouTube or other platforms.
Camera 360: how does it work?
A normal camera, having only a video sensor, only films a very precise angle and thus allows the user to see a scene through this same predefined angle, an angle which corresponds on average to 180 °. A 360 ° camera has multiple video sensors, with the exception of V.360 which uses a mirror system with a single sensor.
Thanks to its many sensors, two or more, 360 ° cameras will record the same place in all possible angles, so a camera with two sensors recording the images at 180 °, will have a scene logically filmed at 360 °, under all the angles s. Of course, everything is not so simple and it will be necessary, after having recorded its images, which were recorded separately, to make a complex calculation to recreate a video taking into account the two recordings and thus to give the illusion of a video 360 °.
The user can then navigate the video by changing the viewing angle and moving from one image to another without him noticing. To know that as for the previous rule there is an exception, the small 360 ° French camera, the Giroptic 360, does not require any calculation and thus allows to enjoy the recorded images directly.
How to watch his videos?
There are different ways to watch 360 ° videos, ways that are more or less expensive and offers more or less quality.
Web browser
This is the simplest and cheapest way. Once online, videos can be watched by turning the angle of view with the mouse. YouTube and Facebook are today the reference platforms for 360 ° video.
The “Smartphone Cardboard”
Because it may be time to differentiate real virtual reality headsets and those that are used with a smartphone. Obviously, these will offer a rendering much less beautiful than a VR helmet can do. There are two main helmets of this type, the Google Cardboard and the Samsung Gear VR, although there is more like the Homido if we had to name one. Thanks to its headphones and by inserting your smartphone inside, you will be able to discover your 360 ° video in an immersive way but generally with a poor graphic rendering. Of course, it’s the much lower price of these headsets that will make you turn your eyes to them compared to the hundreds of euros that require hard-core virtual reality headsets.
Virtual reality headsets
The top of the top quality level and the most cruel at the price requested. With this kind of device, you will have the best graphic rendering, without lag and with a perfect 360 ° experience thanks to a motion tracking quality.
Your selection criteria
Before going head-to-head in this or that choice of 360 ° camera, you must know why you want to get one and find out which criteria appeal to you the most. It is through 6 essential criteria for a 360 ° camera that you will find the one that suits you most.
Price
As much as setting foot in the dish right away, the price of the 360 ° camera that you want to have remains an important criterion. If a few months ago these 360 ° cameras had prices far too important for the general public, they are now more affordable.
But affordable does not mean inexpensive. So count between $250 and $60,000 for these new devices. On average, 360 ° cameras cost between $ 300 and $ 800 for the most part.
Suffice to say that you need to invest a minimum to have a powerful camera and it is through the other criteria that you can make the most optimal choice.
Sensors
Sensors that are at least two in number, can reach double-digit numbers in some cameras. Of course, the number of sensors present on a camera does not necessarily imply a much better graphic rendering , but it ensues a certain quality and especially reduces the risk of lag in the final video during the movements of the angle of view.
Resolution
More than important since a video with too low resolution can completely break the immersive effect of the 360 °. If you accidentally cross the path of a camera not offering at least 1920 × 1080, simply run away.
The rules for televisions are very different for virtual reality and 360 °. Indeed, the graphic rendering of the 1920 × 1080 is the minimum and remains quite poor visually, clearly, for a rendering without too obvious defect of the image, the 4k is to be recommended. But your wallet is certainly not agreements.
What’s more, a new consumer trap has emerged with the 360 °, the difference between the resolution of the sensors and the resolution of the final video, which are both very different. It is indeed on the resolution of the latter that you must bring your interest.
Frames per second
More commonly known as fps, or frame per second, this criterion makes it possible to know if the final image will have lag or not , taking the form of slowing down during the movements of angle of view, freeze, pixelation, blur …
Almost all cameras 360 ° offers 30 fps, which allows to have an acceptable video, others offer 60 fps, which ensures a very good quality, but never above. Rare cameras offer 15 fps, same for resolution below the 1920 × 1080, flee cameras with such features.
Capacity
This criterion will allow you to determine the backup capacity of your camera and thus to know how many minutes of videos or how many images you can record before having to make room.
Weight and size
Criteria that may be important, especially in sports videos where the clutter of the camera must be minimized. This will also allow you to find a camera going everywhere or a more robust and resistant camera.
