Ricoh finally has a 360 cam travelers will want to use
Ricoh's Theta series of 360-degree cameras have made their way into TPG's gear arsenal from time to time over the last few years. But I've never been very impressed by the image quality, especially when it came to shooting in low-light — in a fancy new airplane cabin, for example.
I did bring a previous generation of the camera along to review Emirates' new first-class suite, but I was only able to capture high-quality shots with the lights turned up:
The new @Emirates first-class suite, in 360 degrees. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
Monday, Ricoh introduced a brand-new cam, the Theta SC2. It's a massive upgrade, in my opinion. I just never felt compelled to travel around with a 360 cam that couldn't shoot in dimmer cabins, or in the evenings during my travels. This one can.
I managed to get my hands on the SC2 a few days early, and brought one along to the Dubai Air Show — I figured there was no better place to try out that low-light option than in an extra-dim Emirates first-class suite.
The new @Emirates first-class suite, in 360 degrees. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
I also used the separate (and free) Theta+ app to give the same image a brightness boost — feel free to zoom in and poke around to admire the limited noise, even with the shadows bumped up.
The new @Emirates first-class suite, in 360 degrees. #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
It's easy to upload photos to Theta's website via the Theta and Theta+ apps, and you can share 360 videos via Facebook and YouTube. You can also easily share your 360s with family and friends using the Google Photos app on Android and iOS, and you can crop photos and videos as you see fit to share them anywhere else you'd like, too.
The SC2 will run you $299 when it launches Nov. 29, and comes in some fun colors, too (I prefer inconspicuous gadgets, though, so my favorite is white). It can shoot 14-megapixel stills and 4K video at 30fps. Evening shooters will need to activate a special "Night View" mode for those low-light shots.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app