Theta V
Highlights
- Horizon stabilization with gyroscope
- 360 spacial audio (with optional mic attachment)
- Livestreaming capability
- Excellent low light shooting
Overview
The Ricoh Theta V (pronounced "vee" and not "five") is a very solid contender for 360 photos and videos. It doesn't necessarily shoot video or pictures better than the other options, but it is one of the cheaper consumer level cameras and is a great value for the price. I rank it among the top, if not the top choice, for low light stationary video. The photos are also good quality as they leveraged DSLR hardware with HDR (high dynamic range) software to get crisp shots. It only shoots 15MP, which is on the low end on our list, but in this case I think they are going with quality over quantity (and how big do you really need to picture if it's going on a Canvas page, anyway?)
The device is thin, which is good because the camera lenses are close together. Why this is important is because it makes stitching much more seamless. The slim design also feels good in the hand, and the buttons are placed well. I so prefer to use a tripod with the iPhone (or Android) app to capture shots.
Although there is good horizon stabilization (meaning you don't have to fret about holding the camera even to the horizon line), this camera omits movement stabilization. If you are walking, driving, or moving at all then the video will shake. This camera is really not intended for motion shots.
The internal storage is only 19GB, which is not much for 360 capture. It only shoots in 4K, which means file sizes will be smaller than the 5.2K and 5.7K cameras, but you will need to transfer files to the phone or computer regularly if you plan on spending the day with this camera. The battery is internal, unfortunately, but one charge can capture about 300 pictures or 80 minutes of video.
This is an overall good camera that is easy to use. There are limitations, but it is a fairly inexpensive camera that will produce impactful images. There will likely be features that you will never use, but the sound and image quality is good and it is easy for people to learn how to use it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very good stitching | 4K is not great for 360 video - 5.2K is really the minimum these days |
| Great low light shooting | Very good video on a tripod, but poor performance while moving |
| Auto HDR (DSLR technology) - this camera is great for photography | Only 19GB of internal memory with no option for expansion |
| Slim design - good for holding or attached to a tripod | Wifi connection between phone and app was not always good |
| Very fast transfer speeds |
Non removable battery |
| Good audio (4 microphones) | Working with the app was not fun |
| Supports livestreaming |