Ricoh (NASDAQ: RICOY) has announced the new Theta SC 360-degree camera aimed at teenagers and mothers. The SC is a smaller, cheaper and more straightforward version of the company’s flagship Theta S compared to previous models.
According to Ricoh, the Theta SC intends to make capturing 360-degree video and photos to be a thing among general consumers. Ricoh wants to capitalize on the rising popularity of 360 cameras.
The company has launched the Theta SC with four different color options. Customers can now choose between blue, beige, white, and pink. Additionally, the camera should be even simpler to operate for teens and moms through a redesigned Theta app.
A Ricoh representative disclosed the company made a few minor changes to the features found in the Theta S for the Theta SC. Based on consumer research, they decided to do so to create a user-friendly interface.
How does the Theta SC compare to the Theta S?
Ricoh downgraded one feature and dropped another. The Theta S had a continuous recording time of 25 minutes, but it got reduced to 5 minutes in the Theta SC. Meanwhile, Ricoh got rid of the camera’s live streaming capabilities.
Using the Theta S to live stream is not simple, so the company removed the Micro-HDMI port for the Theta SC.
Just like with the Theta S, consumers will get the same 360-degree imaging. They will be able to take 14-megapixel still photos with f/2.0 aperture and record Full HD quality spherical videos.
The improved Theta smartphone app will help users manage all these premium specs. Shooting, viewing and sharing 360-degree content will be easier for them.
Theta SC specs, release date, price
Featuring an 8GB internal memory, the Theta SC will hold up to one hour of Full HD video or about 1,600 photos. Once done creating multimedia content, owners can wirelessly transfer photos and videos to the Theta app for quick editing.
Afterward, they can upload them to Ricoh’s Theta 360 cloud service as well as share them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, and Tumblr.
If users pair the camera with their computer, tablet, or smartphone, it can broadcast live footage to the chosen device’s screen.
Less expensive than Ricoh’s flagship Theta S, the Theta SC outperforms the Theta m15. The Theta S has a $349 price tag while the almost identical Theta SC only costs $299. The cheapest option is still the $249 Theta m15.
Source: Ricoh