As virtual reality (VR) continues to be one of the most talked about technologies, the number of cameras on the market that can capture VR-capable, 360-degree video is growing as well.
YME-D1 is a connected panoramic imaging action camera that features an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor and a Sunplus 6350 chipset that can capture VR-capable 360-degree video at 1440p (30 frames per second) and 1080p (also 30 fps). Standard recording options include loop recording and time lapse.
Many people like to capture special moments, but often miss them because some of life’s greatest moments -– like a child’s first steps –- happen unexpectedly. Nowadays, we have a pretty good camera on us at nearly all times. However, even if we happen to be around for moments worth capturing, they can be over before we can fumble with our smartphones.
Kiba is a voice-controlled, self-editing, interactive camera that captures joyful memories and unattended selfies. It captures 1080p HD video and 13-megapixel still images. Users can schedule the capture of recurring daily events like playtime activity or one-time events including a birthday party. They can then download the full recording or only 20-second “Smart Memories” that are automatically curated for them by the device. Kiba automatically cuts 90 percent of unwanted footage using patented Joy Ranking technology. The camera sifts through hundreds of interactions and picks the most interesting moments.
Users can interact and control Kiba hands free, using five simple voice commands for all the main functions: “Kiba Selfie” for high-resolution photos; “Kiba Record” for 30-second videos, “Kiba Remember” to capture the last 30 seconds, “Kiba Off” to put the device to sleep, and “Kiba On” to wake it up. Kiba uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy to automatically sync with the user’s connected devices.
Distracted driving continues to pose a major safety hazard to the public and few types of distracted driving are as dangerous as falling asleep at the wheel.
Drive Guardian is a safety alert system with a driver-facing camera that detects drowsiness. After setting it up and turning on a vehicle’s engine, the camera monitors drivers’ eyes and pupils in real-time and, using sophisticated algorithms, the device alerts driver by displaying LED indicator lights and sounding audio warnings whenever they are drowsy or distracted.
Drive Guardian ships in July at $249. But early bird Indiegogo backers can get one for a pledge starting at $169. Its makers hope to raise $50,000 by April 21.
The ability to shoot still photos and video in 360 degrees is a feature that’s become increasingly popular with people beyond professionals. That only increased after Facebook and YouTube started supporting 360-degree video at their websites last year.
SnapCam360 is a 360-degree camera resembling the HTC Re that can shoot in a circle and dome style just while resting with its back on any table or other surface. It can also be used to take panoramic stills and video with a single click and without any need for stitching software to combine images.
Video calling is convenient because it allows people to easily see their kids and other loved ones while they are at work or traveling. It also makes work conference calls more productive because those doing it can not only hear their co-workers speak, but also see important charts and documents. But it’s hard to see the entire room with most cameras used for such calls.
Panoporter is a 360-degree 1080p HD camera for video calls that allows users to get a 360- or 180-degree view of the room it’s placed in, whether the device is on a table or mounted on a wall. It is controlled via an Android and iOS app. Unlike many 360-degree cameras, like CENTR, that require multiple image sensors to stitch together a panoramic image, the patent-pending Panoporter uses just a single lens and there’s no trade-off in resolution.
Even the smallest of consumer video cameras can’t fit into small spaces like under a sink to find a leak or into a mouth to spot a cavity. ScopeAround, however, is a smart Wi-Fi video camera designed to fit in tight spaces and view small objects.
The 1080p HD camera features interchangeable camera heads and smart device connectivity for devices including Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as PCs. The three camera heads include The Flexible endoscope, Focus microscope and Fit side view camera head. Flexible has a camera only 5.5 mm in diameter. Focus features a 150:1 zoom and includes two clips on the device’s stationary tray to hold subjects for viewing.
The action camera category keeps growing as new players attempt to compete against the popular GoPro.
Shockwave is a wearable action cam that can stream live video on the Internet via Wi-Fi or 4G service, meaning it will transmit data whether the user is indoors or outdoors. It can easily be installed on the surface of any object through solutions including a tripod, unmanned aerial vehicle suspension or its sport camera wearable mounting design, according to the Indiegogo campaign.
There are many action cameras competing for consumer dollars now, although none of have been able to eclipse sales of the GoPro product line yet.
The third-generation ViDi is billed in its Kickstarter campaign as a quality waterproof action camera that was created “for the people” thanks to its design, multiple features and relatively low price in comparison to rival products. The 1080p HD LCD camera can shoot video and still images. It has fully waterproof housing and is waterproof up to 40 feet, according to the campaign.
Fishing is one of the few sports where the person participating in it can’t even see most of what’s happening right before and during the most crucial part of the action.
GoFish Cam is a patent-pending underwater action camera that was designed to solve that issue. The wireless, 1080p HD color video camera gets attached to the user’s fishing line and captures the action in conjunction with an app for Android and iOS mobile devices. If the line snaps, the camera was designed to slowly float to the top of the water because it has almost neutral buoyancy underwater,. The camera is also equipped with infrared lights for night vision, a 170-degree wide-angle lens and built-in microphone. GoFish Cam will ship in February 2016 at $169.99, but early Kickstarter backers can buy one at reduced pricing that starts at $115. Its makers set a Kickstarter goal of raising $55,000 by Sept. 1.
Fishermen have ever been shy about sharing their big catches That could drive significant interest for GoFish Cam for those who don’t want to jury rig their own solution. But capturing underwater video can require a fair amount of light, which could make it challenging for those adventures to compete with pristine GoPro video.
The company Lomography ran a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013 for a modern, 85mm version of the old Petzval camera lens that was known for its swirly blur effect known as bokeh. Lomography reinvented the lens as the New Petzval 85 Portrait Lens for Nikon F and Canon EF Mount analog and DSLR cameras.
Lomography has now created the New Petzval 58 Bokeh Control Art Lens that it says offers more control over the bokeh effect and a more standard, 58mm focal length. The lens features a new bokeh control ring that allows the user to determine how pronounced the bokeh effect will be in each photo. The lens will start shipping to early bird backers in December and will cost non-early-bird backers $750 for a brass lens and $850 for a black lens when they ship in early 2016. Lomography set a Kickstarter goal of raising $100,000 by June 26.
The lens should appeal to the very niche photographer audience it’s aimed at. Minor drawbacks include the fact that the lens can’t be used with both Canon EF and Nikon F cameras because each lens is equipped with either a Canon or Nikon mount and will only work directly with one.