The spherical camera drops later this year.
On the heels of massive layoffs last month and rumors that the action camera company would be making significant cuts to its VR efforts, GoPro still managed to announce a new camera for virtual reality content.
On Thursday, GoPro unveiled a 5.2K spherical camera that according to a company release is “designed to be the ultimate capture device for both fully immersive virtual reality content as well as conventional non-VR video and photo formats.”
Details are slim when it comes to pricing and product specs, but what we can expect is for the Fusion camera to shoot at 5.2K 30fps. GoPro mentions that because of Fusion’s 5.2K resolution, it enables creators to use their new OverCapture creative solution to provide flexibility when producing conventional non-VR video and photos in HD-quality “punched out” from the spherically captured angles.
So how do you get your hands on one of these GoPro Fusion cameras now? Well for starters, GoPro isn’t taking a page out of their normal consumer camera launch playbook by immediately flooding the market with a sales and advertising blitz. Instead, GoPro is taking a more measured approach with a pilot program that will professional content creators can apply to participate in with an expected roll-out during the summer of 2017. According to GoPro, this Summer they “will be working closely with a selection of pilot partners – including brands, agencies and content professionals – to further refine the user experience and produce inspiring content that demonstrates the creative potential of Fusion.”
Based on the GoPro Fusion trailer released on YouTube, the footage doesn’t look bad, especially when you compare it to the six-camera GoPro rig footage we’ve seen in yesteryear that was always riddled with jarring stitch lines.
The Fusion of course will be compatible with a broad range of GoPro mounts and accessories, with a plan for a limited commercial release by the end of 2017. Details on pricing and other specifics will be provided at launch.
Last year, GoPro launched their six-camera Omni rig bundle for the price of $5,000. Sales have been underwhelming to say the least.
