Photography News Issue 38

Photography News | Issue 38 | absolutephoto.com

21 Technique

To photographers, cameras designed for 360º and VR applications can appear quite alien, but take a closer look and you’ll find that there are far more similarities December. The design is similar to the PixproSP3604KandSP360, butwith some exciting updates, including a rear-facing lens to shoot fully-stitched VRvideo straight out of the camera. Get to knowa VR camera traditional

4KVR360 Specs

VR and 360º refresher

to a regular camera than differences. Below is an annotated view of the new Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360, recently announced at this year’s Photokina and which should be available in divided onto two sides. Like other Pixpro cameras, the on/off button doubles up to switch between modes and there’s a menu button to access settings. The big Rec button is easy to find in the middle and also confirms settings. CONTROLS The Pixpro 4KVR360’s controls are

Prices Pixpro 4KVR360 £TBC Inthebox

A 360º or VR camera is just a tool to take pictures like any other, albeit one that allows greater freedom than before. Many photographers love shooting with extreme wide-angle lenses, so these cameras are the next step with possibilities way beyond But the real thrill is in how you view the images created, allowing you to put the viewer right in your shoes with a fully interactive version of the scene, because while cameras like Kodak’s Pixpro 360 series can shoot regular stills, the spherical images also created can be scrolled around using a mouse, trackpad, or a VR headset. You’ll also find, with a few minutes familiarisation, these cameras are easy to use. Sure, there’s no traditional screen and fewer inputs than you’d find on a regular camera, but functions are neatly accessed using combinations of buttons and streamlined menus. It’s also easy to connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet using a Wi-Fi connection and use that as the screen, and you can change modes and shoot remotely, too. even fisheye optics. Pixpro cameras for instance have a huge 235º field of view.

Rechargeable Li-ion battery, USB cable, AC adapter, quick start guide, glass lens cover, protective cover, battery charger, carrying case, cleaning cloth Resolution 20.68megapixels Numberofrecordingpixels (stillimage,TBC) VRMode: 27MP, 7360x3680 (2:1); 15MP, 5520x2760 (2:1). RoundMode: 13MP, 3680x3680 (1:1). Front Mode: 8MP: 3840x2160 (16:9); 9MP: 3525x2644 (4:3). Numberofrecordingpixels (video) VRMode: 3840x1920/24fps (2:1) RoundMode: 2880x2880/24fps (1:1); 1920x1920/30fps (1:1). Front Mode: 1920x1080/60fps (Max. FOV) (1:1). High SpeedMovie: 1440x720/120fps (2:1); 1280x720/120fps (16:9). Frontlens 235° field of view (Max. 244º without lens cover), 1.257mm focal length, f/2.4 Rearlens 155° field of view (Max. 163º for VR Mode (2:1) andwithout lens cover), 1.633mm, f/2.4. Focusingrange Fixed focus: 30cm to infinity Anti-shakesystem Electronic Image Stabilisation Fileformats Stills: JPEG, Movie: MP4 [Image: H.264; Audio: AAC] Shootingmodes Still, burst shot (10fps), movie, time lapse, loop, hi-speedmovie ISOsensitivity Auto, 100-3200 Recordingmedia Micro SD/Micro SDHC card (Up to 128GB support) Power Rechargeable Li-ion battery LB-080, 160 still shots, 55mins for video Dimensions(WxHxD) 55x55x66.9mm Weight 170g with battery and card Contact kodakpixpro.com/Europe Just like a regular camera, you can attach the Pixpro to a tripod using the built-in thread. But being a small and light action cam design, it’s possible to do way more than just that. For instance if you plump for the Pixpro SP360 4K’s accessory pack you’ll be well served in mounting the camera for recording video and tracking shots on the move. There’s a glut of attachments, letting you position the camera on a wristband, headband, helmet, handlebars, a surfboard, window pane and loads more via adhesive pads. Plus you get a case to increase its protection fromwater splashes and dust in more extreme environments. Getting attached

LCD The small 1in LCD does all you need it to, navigating through

camera settings as well as set-up

functions like Wi-Fi. Speaking of which, all you need to do to get a live view of what you’re shooting is connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet with the free Kodak Pixpro app.

REAR LENS The rear-facing lens has a 155º field of view, which combines with the front lens to record everything around you. In this way, you have the option of exporting a stitched file straight from the camera if desired, rather than doing it manually. Like the front lens, it also comes with lens covers for added protection. CONNECTIVITY The Pixpro 4KVR360 is also Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth enabled; switch on Wi-Fi with a simple press of the button. On the opposite side are USB, HDMI, and stereo microphone inputs, covered by a weather-sealed flap. This is also where you’ll find the memory card slot, with the camera using microSD cards up to 128GB capacity.

FRONT LENS The Pixpro 4KVR360’s

bulbous front lens element is the first thing you notice about this camera, and it’s where the huge 235º field of view comes from. The lens focuses as close as 30cm for frame-filling compositions and to protect it, a clear protective lens cover is included as well as a rubberised hood for further durability when it’s packed away in transit.

WEATHER SEALING Living up to its billing as an action cam, the 4KVR360 is dust proof, shockproof, splash proof, and freeze proof, characteristics that are further advanced when it’s fitted with its bespoke casing.