Photography News | Issue 37 | absolutephoto.com
21 Technique
If you’re a traditional photographer, cameras designed for 360º and VR applications are going to look pretty weird; but this definitely one of those times that weird is good. You’ll also find that there are farmore similarities than differences; of course it still has a lens (or lenses), input controls and a display, so like any new piece of kit, with a little guidance you’ll be right at home. Here’s a breakdown of the main areas of interest on the Kodak Pixpro SP360 4K, which is almost identical in design to the original Pixpro SP360. The Pixpro SP3604K features 4Kvideo,Wi-Fi connection and other upgrades over its predecessor. Get to know aVR camera
Specs
VRmovement
Prices Pixpro SP360 4K Extreme Pack £379 Inthebox Rechargeable Li-ion battery, USB cable, AC adapter, quick start guide, glass lens cover, protective cover, battery charger, carrying case, cleaning cloth Extremepack Standard housing, tether, vented helmet mount A and B, waterproof housing, bar mount, head strap mount, surfboardmount, suction cupmount, quick clip, lens ring, lens, cover, battery charger, USB cable, tool, double-sided adhesive Resolution 12.4megapixels Numberofrecordingpixels Still image: 8MP: 2880x2880; 4MP: 2304x1728; 2MP: 1920x1080 Video: round video 2880x2880: 30fps; 2048x2048 30fps; flat video 3840x2160 30fps, 1920x1080 60/30fps high-speed video 720x720 120fps Lens 360° spherical lens with 235° field of view, 0.850mm f/2.8 [8.20mm, 35mmequivalent]. Focusingrange Fixed focus: 50cm to infinity Anti-shakesystem Electronic Image Stabilization Fileformats Stills: JPEG, Movie: MP4 [Image: H.264; Audio: AAC] Shootingmodes Still, burst shot (10fps), movie, time lapse, loop, hi-speedmovie ISOsensitivity Auto, 100-800 Recordingmedia Micro SD/Micro SDHC card (Up to 32GB support) Internalmemory: 8MB Power Rechargeable Li-ion battery LB-080, 160 still shots, 55mins for video Dimensions(WxHxD) 48x50x52.5mm Weight 128g with battery and card Contact kodakpixpro.com/Europe
To get an idea of how pictures captured with the SP360 turn into immersive VR, take a look below. The Global view captures a 235º sphere, and you can mount cameras back to back for the full effect. In software, the two files are stitched and the viewing mode is picked allowing you to navigate around as if turning your head.
CONTROLS All the Pixpro SP360’s controls are grouped on one side of the cube, making it nice and easy to see what’s going on. The on/off button doubles up to switch betweenModes, then amenu button to access settings. The big Rec button is easy to find in the middle and also confirms settings, with theWi-Fi button to its right.
CONNECTIONS For full connectivity, the Pixpro SP360 4K has USB and HDMI connection protected by a weather-sealed flap. This is also where you’ll find the memory card slot, with the camera using microSD cards like those used in mobile phones. This allows loads of storage as well as keeping the size down.
LENS There’s nomissing the Pixpro SP360’s most prominent feature, its bulbous lens element. This is where the huge field of view comes fromand it focuses as close as 50cm, so you can get right up to your subject. To protect the lens, the Pixpro comes with a clear protective lens cover and rubberised hoods for further durability.
LCD There’s no large screen for menus and image review, but the small 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.
Stoppress! New Pixpro announced
S P E C I A L
Normally, if you want to shoot a full 360º VR image you need to mount two cameras back to back, or flip one camera through 180º between recordings. Not any more. Just announced at Photokina, the Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 comes with two lenses mounted back to back, getting the job done in one streamlined unit. Like the Pixpro SP360 and SP360 4K, the 4KVR360 has a 235º field of view lens, with the second offering a 155º view. Allied to the lenses is a 20-megapixel CMOS sensor, and just like before you can upload 360º content to Facebook or YouTube in
Getting attached
Just like a regular camera, you can attach the Pixpro to a tripod using its 3/8in thread. But being a small and light action cam design, it’s possible to do way more than just that. If you plump for the Pixpro SP360’s Extreme pack you’ll be well served when it comes to mounting the camera for shots on the move. There’s a glut of attachments, letting you easily position the camera on a headband, helmet, handlebars, a surfboard, window pane and loads more via adhesive pads. Plus you get a case to increase its protection from water splashes and dust for those more extreme environments.
seconds using the free desktop package or smartphone app. The Kodak Pixpro 4K VR360 will be available in December.
kodakpixpro.com/Europe
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