Ricoh launches the THETA X 360 camera

Ricoh has just announced the THETA X, the latest and most advanced version of their THETA series of immersive, 360-degree cameras which also includes the THETA Z1 and THETA SC2.

As with the previous versions, the THETA X is designed to shoot immersive still images and videos in a single shot, and includes a few firsts for the series including, a large. 2.25-inch touch screen display, interchangeable battery, and the ability to use microSDXC memory card to supplement the THETA X’s internal storage.

View Ricoh THETA X Pricing and Availability at Vistek

The THETA X features a compact, lightweight body allowing you to easily take just about anywhere you can imagine.

A new 2.25-inch full-colour touch screen display makes it easy to preview the scene before capturing a still or video image as well as adjust settings and review images that have been previously captured. With previous versions, the camera would have to connected to a smart device in order to do so.

Ricoh has also improved the CMOS sensor, main processor, and lens design.

The new 48MP sensor makes it possible to capture high-resolution 360-degree still images with a maximum output of approximately 60MP.

There are two still image sizes available, 11K for high-resolution, bright-light indoor photography and 5.5K for other scenarios.

When shooting video, the THETA X utilizes enhanced image stabilization, allowing for “vivid and smooth shooting for 360-degree videos” that are captured at a 5.7K-equivalent resolution of 5760 × 2880 pixels at 30 frames per second (fps).

As mentioned, power is provided by an interchangeable battery (Rechargeable Battery DB-110) that Ricoh says will last up to 55 minutes when shooting 4K 30fps video, 30 minutes when shooting 5.7K 30fps video or capture up to 220 still images before needing to be recharged.

The camera can also be powered via the USB-C port on the side of the camera without the need of an adaptor.

The 46GB of internal storage capacity can easily be increased by adding an external microSDXC memory card.

Ricoh has also improved smartphone connectivity removing requirement to enter an SSID to establish a Bluetooth connection.

Also, incorporated MIMO wireless communication technologies in addition to real-time processing, make it possible to transfer still images and videos from the camera to a smartphone at higher speeds.

The camera also features real-time stitching capabilities (with stabilization), thus removing the need to stitch videos in post processing, shortening the time it takes to 360-degree videos on computers drastically.

Additional Features

• Magnesium alloy exterior for more efficient heat dissipation
• Built-in GPS and support for A-GPS function providing accurate positional information
• Time Shift Shooting mode (allows the photographer to capture an image without being in the frame)
• Continuous shooting mode continuously captures 20 still images per second (when shooting 5.5K still images).
• Touch shutter function allows still images to be taken by tapping on the touch screen in addition to pressing a shutter button.
• Still image playback orientation can be selected in shooting settings.
• AI Auto, which utilizes AI recognition technology to identify subjects in images captured and display from that point.
• Exposure compensation and white balance can be adjusted on the camera itself before livestreaming.
• Easily switch between various shooting modes (still image, video, custom settings, livestreaming, plug-in) using only the mode button on the camera.