Ricoh's Theta 360-degree camera has come a long way since it first appeared in hammerhead concept form at CES 2013. Now the company has toughened up the panoramic immersion machine so it can get to work in extreme environments.
There have been a number of iterations since the Theta launched in late 2013, but the handheld-remote-like form factor has pretty much remained the same. The outer casing has now been given a rugged overhaul before it gets a job on construction sites, undertakes industrial inspections, the production of immersive real estate visuals, and takes care of business in the field.
That means that the Theta A1 is waterproof and dustproof to IP64 standards, It can survive up to 90% humidity, operate in temperatures ranging from -10 °C to 40 °C (14 - 104 °F) or can be powered down and stored at a chilly -20 °C (-4 °F) or a roasting 60 °C (140 °F).
A glass eye made up of seven elements in seven groups bulges slightly from each side of the casing to enable the capture of 360-degree stills at up to 11,008 x 5,504 pixels, as well as 8K video at up to 10 frames per second, through a F2.4 aperture. Each lens feeds into its own 48-megapixel 1/2.0-type imaging sensor, and Ricoh has cooked in an optimized video codec for pro-grade performance.
Recorded video at 10 fps can also be had at 5.7K, but bumping the resolution down to 4K or 2K opens up 30-fps possibilities. Live streaming is also available at 4K and 2K, at 15 fps and 30 fps options. HDR is supported, too.
There's around 27.5 GB of internal storage available, which supports up to 2 hours of video recording time – though memory card expansion is supported. And light sensitivity of ISO 50 to ISO 3200 could also see it used in a range of ambient conditions.
A 0.93-inch OLED display panel shows key info, with mode and function buttons underneath. A button on the body can start the show, plus Bluetooth 5.0 in included for remote operation via a companion app. Dual-band Wi-Fi also features, together with multi-satellite support. The device's 1,485-mAh battery is reckoned good for around 300 photos or 60 minutes of video per charge, and is topped up over USB-C.
The latest Theta measures 142 x 52.8 x 29 mm (5.6 x 2 x 1.14 in) and tips the scales at a pocket-friendly 225 g (8 oz). It will be available for pre-order shortly at €799 (US$910) before taxes, with sales proper starting from September.
Source: Ricoh