GoPro finally gets into the 360-degree camera craze

One of the biggest products at this year's Mobile Electronics show was 360-degree cameras. In China, for example, models have become such a huge hit that manufacturers have been bidding the price down to the point where people can get them for as little as $50. These are even incorporated in smartphones, in spite of the awkward aesthetics.

Such cameras have been available for several years to people willing to spend a lot of money, but the emergence of cheaper options and new consumer demand are getting companies to take a second look at this market. GoPro's new Fusion camera is designed to meet this demand.

The Fusion records videos at 30fps with a 5.2K resolution. Like other action cameras, it will be rugged and water-resistant, allowing users to capture 360-degree videos regardless of the terrain. The camera is expected to be released sometime this year.

GoPro hasn't announced pricing for the spherical camera yet, so it is difficult to say precisely which market segment the company wants to target. It is expected, however, to be much cheaper than the GoPro Omni, which syncs six GoPro cameras to capture every angle. It is no longer in stock at GoPro's website, though, so it’s either been very popular or not popular at all.

GoPro has been having difficulties over the last year, so it is unclear how much demand there is for a product like the Fusion. However, trends from China suggest there is an opportunity for a brand like GoPro to set itself apart in a rapidly expanding product category.