Samsung’s foray into the hot new virtual reality segment is expected to get some boost now that its Gear 360 camera designed to shoot 360-degree videos and photos is slated to hit stores on April 29, the company announced at its Developer Conference in San Francisco. Initial availability will, however, be limited to South Korea and Singapore with a gradual rollout in other world markets including North America to follow soon thereafter.
No official price has been mentioned though the camera has been found listed at online retailer Adorama for $399.99.
As for its features, the Gear 360 comes with a dual lens setup fitted along the front and rear and are designed to shoot 360-by-180-degree view (almost) 4K quality video. However, that’s just one part of the story as special software come into play thereafter that essentially stitches the two footages together to give rise to a meaningful video.
Further, the Gear 360 is designed to communicate via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and is compatible with Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones i.e. S7 and S7 Edge. However, it’s not known which other Android smartphones the Gear 360 is compatible with though that is likely to be restricted to the frontline devices at best.
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- Tell the whole story with the 360° camera that captures every angle in 4K brilliance and share instantly
- Capture life as it happens in stunning 4K video and 15MP photos thanks to dual 180° lenses
- Gear 360 is easy to hold and take with you, and has an IP53 water-resistant rating*
- Preview and edit your videos with an easy-to-use app, or share them straight to social** or Samsung VR with your Galaxy S8 or S8+ ***
- Upload your photos or videos to Samsung VR to experience your moments in virtual reality
Another nice design element of the Gear 360 is that it features 128 GB microSD storage which allows the user to upload the footage on a PC or other compatible devices as well. The camera also comes with a removable battery, something missing with the latest 7 series. Also, it will be interesting to know if the camera will also be compatible with iOS devices. It comes in a spherical body that is water and dust resistant which makes it perfect for outdoor shooting, even in trying conditions.
The camera can record for 140 minutes with recorded footage fed to the Samsung Milk VR service for viewing on a compatible headset such as the Gear VR.
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- A lightweight, Compact 360-degree Camera
- Take full 360-degree videos, or use the wide-angle lens for a 180-degree shot
- Dust and water-resistant
Other notable developments in the space of VR cameras include the LucidCam VR, which costs around $400. Facebook though has unveiled a more elaborate take on a VR camera at its developer’s conference which features an elaborate 17-camera setup but costs a cool $30,000 to make.
Quick Recap
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- Think bold. A collection of stickers that capture the Insta360 spirit, freely pasted wherever you like. In the Box: 1x Insta360 X3, 1x Charge Cable, 1x Protective Pouch, 1x Lens Cloth, and 1x User Guide.
- NEW ERA 360 ACTION CAMERA: Insta360 X3 combines 5.7k 360 with all the power of a 4K action camera together. Unbelievable potential!
- 5.7K 360 CAPTURE & REFRAMING: Insta360 X3 captures 360 Active HDR video, with all the benefits of a traditional action camera. Choose your favorite angle after the fact with easy reframing in the AI-powered Insta360 app.
- 4K WIDE-ANGLE SHOTS: Shoot wide-angle footage in maximum resolution with 4K30fps or a super-wide 170° field of view with 2.7K60fps MaxView.
- KEEP FOOTAGE STABLE & LEVEL: FlowState Stabilization and Horizon Lock algorithms work together to deliver incredibly smooth videos.
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- 5.7K 360° Video: AKASO 360 action camera captures fully immersive 360° video in stunning 5.7K clarity, ensuring you never miss the action. Unleash your creativity to record your adventures like never before. This 360 camera does not support HDR functionality. Video quality may be limited in low-light conditions.
- 360° Supersmooth Video: Advanced in-app stabilization algorithms smooth out shakes and jitters in your action for silky smooth footage, even without a gimbal!
- 360° Horizon Steady: Unlock a new level of stabilization—360° Horizon Lock keeps your footage level all the time, no matter how you flip or spin.
- Invisible Selfie Stick Effect: Yes! You can create unbelievable third-person shots on your own! The selfie stick automatically disappears from your footage like magic. No photographer? No problem! Invisible Selfie Stick is not included.
- Dual 1/2" 48MP Sensors: Equipped with two massive 1/2" 48MP sensors, AKASO 360 captures more pixels for sharper, clearer images, bringing your action to life.
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- The Gear 360 has evolved to let you record in 4K and then make it your own with the Samsung Gear 360 app. And with the Gear 360's smaller size and redesigned, easy-to-grip body, memories aren't the only thing you'll want to hold onto.
- Easily capture a full 360 view of the world around you as video or photo with the Gear 360 (2017). With real 4K video capabilities, your videos and images will be crisp, clear, and high-quality, so the content you create and moments you record will be just as vivid, years down the road.
- Compatible devices include Galaxy S8, S8+ S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6, S6 edge, A5/A7(2017) running Android 5.0 or later, and iPhone 7, 7+, 6S, 6S+, SE running iOS 10.0 or later. (There are functional limitations when using with iOS devices.)
- The microSD memory card is NOT included in the package. (microSD card is required for shooting.)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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