360-degree cameras have been around for a while but was brought back in the limelight in 2016 thanks to the popularity of VR headsets which is one of the best ways to enjoy the 360-degree content. So if you’re planning to get this kind of camera, here are our top picks.
Author’s note: The 360-degree consumer cameras listed below are those that are already or most likely to be available in the Philippines.
Ricoh Theta S
The Ricoh Theta S, which we reviewed recently features two 12MP cameras placed at the back and front, Full HD video, HD Live streaming, and WiFi connectivity. It’s not rugged though so you can’t use it as an action cam. You can read our review here.
Nikon KeyMission 360
If you’re looking for something that you can use for something more extreme, the Nikon KeyMission 360 might be the one you’re looking for. Aside from shooting 360-degree photos and clips using two cameras placed at the back and front, it can record videos at up to 4K resolution. It’s also water and dustproof and can withstand shock and low temperatures. It’s also equipped with Bluetooth, WiFi, and NFC.
Samsung Gear 360
Launched alongside the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, and Gear VR, the Gear 360 is your ultimate 360-degree camera especially if you’re already invested in the said Samsung devices. It features two cameras placed at the front and back like the Theta S, dust and water resistant body, and is also packed with wireless features like WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC. You can read our hands-on here.
LG 360 Cam
LG also announced a 360-degree camera along with their flagship LG G5. This one sports a similar design as the Theta S but not as sleek. It has two 13 megapixel cameras facing the front and back, three microphones to record surround sound, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
Kodak PixPro SP360 4K
Apparently, Nikon’s not the only action cam in this list. The Kodak SP360 is equipped with a single 12-megapixel camera which supports 4K video recording, WiFi, NFC, dust and water resistance, and compatible with YouTube and Facebook 360 Video. However, this camera only has a 235-degree field of view. So to get a full 360-degree capture, Kodak suggests using a two-camera kit so you can put one SP360 4K on the front and one at the back, which is inconvenient compared to the rest of the cameras here.
Bonus: GoPro
GoPro has revealed at CES 2016 the GoPro 360-degree Odyssey VR Camera and a spherical camera mount that uses multiple GoPro action cams to capture 360-degree footage. However, these are expensive camera rigs that are designed for professional video productions. On the bright side, GoPro CEO Nick Woodman said that that company plans to release a more “casual” spherical camera soon. We’ll just have to wait for that.
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