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A 360-degree action camera can be quite a fun device to have around. Besides being great for capturing panoramic videos during sporty activities such as biking or snowboarding, you can also use it to create interesting tiny planet photosphere pictures, shareable virtual reality videos, and use them in other interesting and creative ways. When 360-degree cameras first came out, they were quite expensive and hard to recommend to casual users. Thanks to companies like Xiaomi who often bring lots of value to the table, this type of camera is now within the reach of anyone who wants one. The Xiaomi Mijia, which has seen a few price drops previously, is now down to its all-time lowest of $125.49 ($74.50 off).The Xiaomi Mijia Mi may not have the brand cachet of a GoPro, but it offers many similar features at a much lower price point: dual Sony image sensors that can shoot 360-degree videos at up to 3.5K at 30FPS, 6-axis electronic image stabilization, up to 75 minutes of recording time from its 1,600 mAh battery, IP67 water-resistance, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a free mobile app that takes care of the editing and sharing.
360-degree cameras are particularly useful for sports videos, allowing you to capture everything around you while you're focusing on your activity. You only need to decide what to show your audience when you're editing. Xiaomi offers one such camera with the Mijia and even sells it in the US, unlike its phones. You can grab it for 0 on Amazon right now, $50 cheaper than the price it has been going for lately.The Mijia is equipped with two Sony sensors front and back, allowing it to record 3.5K 360-degree 30fps video and take 24MP images. Digital six-axis stabilization helps it stay smooth during handheld-usage while standing on a snowboard, and an IP67 water-resistance rating makes it suited for use in the snow in the first place. Just note that you can't submerge it into water deeper than 1m, so you shouldn't use it in the pool or at the beach. With the help of an integrated Wi-Fi connection and the MI Sphere Camera app, you can edit and share videos right from your Android (or iOS) device. The built-in 1,600mAh battery supports up to 75 minutes of filming.
Last year, we checked out Ricoh's 360-degree Theta V camera and walked away pretty impressed. Our primary complaint concerned the price tag, which at $400 is quite high. Last month, Amazon dropped the price to $350, though that's still no small amount. Luckily, today's deal from Focus Camera gets you a Theta V certified refurb for just $239, nearly half off MSRP.
Despite being quite the niche product category, 360-degree cameras have some loyal proponents touting their utility. If you're serious at this particular element of photography, then you've probably heard of Ricoh's Theta line. And right now, you can grab a Theta V 4K for $349.99 on Amazon.
Though not something I find myself interested in per se, I've used an older model of the Ricoh Theta. It was a pretty seamless experience – albeit with slow transfer and processing rates – whether I was controlling the camera itself or via the Android app. This one is a step up, recording video in 3840 x 1920 at 30 fps or at 4K. It features improvements to image processing and white balance, too.If you're interested in learning more about this camera, we have a nifty review for you right here. The Theta V connects over its own wireless network (PAN) or Bluetooth LE. You can also grab one over on B&H for $351.35, which might be the better option depending on where you live and if you use Prime or not. Take your pick from the links below.Buy: Amazon, B&H
There is no shortage of portable 360-degree cameras. The most well-known in our circles is Samsung's Gear 360, but that only works with Samsung phones and iOS. Insta360's 'ONE' and 'Nano' cameras are also popular, though the latter only works with select iPhone models.If price is no object, one of the leading devices in this category has been Ricoh's Theta V camera. It's tiny, but it packs a 4K sensor and the ability to record surround-sound audio (with a separate module). The camera's functionality can be extended by a variety of plug-ins, like one for streaming to YouTube or uploading media to Google Photos.I think the Theta V is a great camera, and I have very few complaints with it. However, you'll probably need a good reason to spend nearly $400 on one.
Up until today, I knew steel wool only as something used for polishing/cleaning, but it's apparently pretty good for 360-degree photos, too. The r/pics subreddit is often filled with things that would better fit some other subreddits, but this photo from /u/mohair69 is a prime example of something that belongs there.
For a while, Ricoh wasn't too well-known in the consumer electronics space as it mostly sold B2B office IT services, but over the last few years it has changed that by releasing impressively-specced 360-degree cameras and effectively dominating that market. It released the Theta V camera in September last year, offering spherical 4K recording plus "surround-sound" audio in a surprisingly compact device. Back in January, Ricoh announced a partner program to develop plug-ins for the Theta V, and that project is now bearing fruit.
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- There are reports that Essential is also issuing partial refunds for orders placed before the sale related to the recently discounted merchandise. If you ordered any of the sale items recently, but before this new set of discounts, you may have already received a refund, so check your email. If you haven't and you think you should be eligible, give support a ping. At a minimum, your credit card may have some level of purchase protection as well.
Essential and Amazon busted out one of the biggest deals this year when they dropped the PH-1 to an all-time low price of $250 for Prime Day. But, it turns out that's not the end of the Essential deals. Right now you can pick up the Essential 360 Camera accessory for a mere $19.
Ricoh's Theta V came out just last summer, bringing 4K 360-degree recording in a diminutive package. At the time, Ricoh announced that the new camera would be able to make use of first-party plug-ins via the companion app. Now the company is expanding things to a larger audience, opening up a new "Plug-in Partner Program" for the Ricoh Theta V.
When the Essential Phone landed back in September, one of the biggest criticisms most reviews had for the diminutive device was its decidedly mediocre camera. Subsequent price drops and recent sales may have increased consumer interest, though, and Essential remains committed to improving camera performance—at least, as much as they can.
360-degree cameras are all the rage these days, and Ricoh's new Theta V has an impressive set of features that might just make it worth your attention. Not only is it able to capture content in 4K, but it can also record "surround-sound" audio, each of which can add an extra layer of realism and immersion to your content. The product was just announced ahead of IFA, and although it's currently set for a September release, it's already up for pre-order.Ricoh is actually an old name in the young market of 360-degree cameras. The original Ricoh Theta was one of the first cameras of the type on the market in 2013. And, as the popularity of VR content has grown, so has demand for the Theta line of products.
It's hard to believe, but Google's Street View is officially 10 years old. What started out as a goofy little side project (like many of Google's most interesting products) has now managed to image numerous countries in every continent on the planet. The Google Maps add-on has even managed to gain a new lease of life with respect to virtual reality, and has proven popular as an educational tool taking learners all around the world on tours to places they might never get to see with their own eyes.