One way to fast-track VR adoption is by making the consumer the content creator, which is where devices like the Ricoh Theta S come in. We saw numerous new 360-degree cameras launch at this year's CES from big names like Nikon and Kodak . A similar trend was also in effect at Mobile World Congress last month, where Samsung announced the Gear 360 and LG unveiled its own 360 Cam.
(Also read: Samsung Gear VR Review )
Jumping back to the product of the hour, the Ricoh Theta S launched in India last November. The company has been dabbling in 360-degree cameras for a while now, even though not many might associate the company with this. The Theta S is the latest iteration in the series, and it doubles onboard storage and adds live streaming into the mix.
Design
The candybar shape and size makes the Theta S very easy to pocket. It measures 130mm in height and weighs about 125g. The plastic body feels like it could take a knock or two if you accidentally drop it, and the rubberised coating makes it easy to grip even with wet fingers.
The candybar shape and size makes the Theta S very easy to pocket. It measures 130mm in height and weighs about 125g. The plastic body feels like it could take a knock or two if you accidentally drop it, and the rubberised coating makes it easy to grip even with wet fingers.
In the centre, we have a large shutter release button which can take a picture or begin recording a video. There are LEDs for power, Wi-Fi, and shooting mode hidden beneath the rubber coating, and are visible only when lit up.
On the right, we have buttons for power, Wi-Fi, and toggling between stills and video. The microphone is placed on the top. On the bottom, there's a Micro-USB port for charging and transferring data, a tripod mount, and a Mini-HDMI connector. The latter is used for live streaming when you connect the Theta S to a computer.
The Theta S is fairly compact and well-built, making it super easy to carry around. It also feels durable, and the rubberised coating should give some resistance against the elements of nature, even though the device is not officially described as weatherproof.
Features
At the heart of the Theta S are two 1/2.3-inch 12-megapixel CMOS cameras with f/2.0 apertures. Each has a fish-eye lens which captures a 180-degree view. Data from both sensors is then stitched together within the camera to give you a 360-degree image or video. The camera supports up to 25 minutes of continuous shooting at 1080p at 30fps. The onboard storage is 8GB out of which 7.5GB is actually usable. Sadly, there's no way to expand the storage.
At the heart of the Theta S are two 1/2.3-inch 12-megapixel CMOS cameras with f/2.0 apertures. Each has a fish-eye lens which captures a 180-degree view. Data from both sensors is then stitched together within the camera to give you a 360-degree image or video. The camera supports up to 25 minutes of continuous shooting at 1080p at 30fps. The onboard storage is 8GB out of which 7.5GB is actually usable. Sadly, there's no way to expand the storage.
The new model also adds HD live streaming but the feature is still somewhat a work in progress. You can capture a live video feed from the two cameras using software like VLC or Media Player Classic: Home Cinema. The idea is to allow the operator to be in control of the perspective as you stream a feed to any audience. With its current firmware, the Theta S will display the two feeds as orbs, side-by-side, which isn't of much use. We are told that a future update will improve this.
Shooting modes and options can be found in the Theta S app for Android and iOS. Here, you can copy or move files from the Theta to your smartphone, use its display as a viewfinder to frame your shots, and configure Facebook and Twitter accounts for instant sharing.
The app gives you manual controls for shutter speed, white balance, and exposure level for stills, while the video tab lets you toggle between HD and full-HD resolutions. You also have the option for time-lapse photography. The iOS app lets you blur out portions of an image that are skewed, typically your fingers, if you happen to be holding the Theta S in your hand when shooting. This is something that's missing in the Android app. Images and video can be edited in separate apps called Theta+ and Theta+ Video, with the latter being exclusive to iOS.
Performance
Taking a 360-degree photo or video is as simple as hitting the big shutter button. The quality of images and video is pretty impressive too. Pictures have a good amount of detail in daylight and under artificial light. Low-light images are not too shabby either but the picture tends to get a bit grainy.
Taking a 360-degree photo or video is as simple as hitting the big shutter button. The quality of images and video is pretty impressive too. Pictures have a good amount of detail in daylight and under artificial light. Low-light images are not too shabby either but the picture tends to get a bit grainy.
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