Nokia rolls out $60,000 VR camera

Thanks to a new camera called the OZO, it looks like Nokia is seeking to reinvent itself in the virtual reality space. The 360-degree spherical camera does not just record video, though, it also has a microphone. The idea is to transport people to wherever the camera is through VR headsets, giving users a sense of being somewhere else as they are fed a live stream from the camera. The device, priced at $60,000, is made with eight separate 2K cameras and the software stitches the images together to offer an immediate 360-degree view, requiring no post-production. Although Nokia wants the image to be seamless, Wired said, "There's a very small jump perceptible when your field of view is transitioning between stereo pairs."

Cameras such as the Ozo could be the key to providing a unique VR experience that is not in a video game or some other graphic interface. Current VR video is interesting, but hardly revolutionary. However, like other VR cameras of this quality, the device is not made for the average consumer. Nokia seems to be focusing on the streaming market, which means targeting organizations recording live events. This sort of camera would be ideal for live sports, for instance, putting viewers right on the sidelines and allowing them to see every angle and hear all the action.

The market is evolving quickly and quality seems to be making some big leaps. China manufacturers tend to focus on the more affordable side of the market, making products for end-consumers rather than content producers. This can be seen in devices such as Guangzhou Topxen's 360-degree sports camera, which has a video resolution of 1504x1504 pixels and can transmit at 20Mbps. It is not a 2K video, but few consumers are watching and recording content at that resolution yet. It may not be long, though, before 2K is considered a minimum for decent resolution, as many consumers are already starting to prepare themselves for 4K content.

See a comparison table of selected digital video camera suppliers on GlobalSources.com