One of the most intriguing new 360 cameras available on the market is the Kodak PixPro 4K VR 360, also known as the PixPro Orbit360 4K. This camera is the second PixPro 360 camera to come out of Kodak stable and is known as the PixPro Orbit360 4K.
Even though it does not make headlines with its 4K video and somewhat pedestrian frame rates of 24fps and 15fps, and it does not have standout features like GoPro’s OverCapture, the PixPro 4K VR 360 / Orbit360 4K does boast an excellent design, a large number of controls and accessory ports, as well as 235-degree and 197-degree dual lenses.
See: Best Memory Cards for Kodak PIXPRO Orbit360 4K VR
KODAK ORBIT360_4K-WH3 PIXPRO ORBIT360 4K 360° VR Camera Satellite Pack, White
- 360 Degree VR camera with two fixed focus lenses housed in a futuristic body
- Each curved lens is designed to work in tandem to capture full 360 Degree 4K video and easily upload 360 Degree video and photos to social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
- 360 Degree VR camera with two fixed focus lenses housed in a futuristic body
- Each curved lens is designed to work in tandem to capture full 360 Degree 4K video and easily upload 360 Degree video and photos to social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
- Dual 20MP CMOS sensors
- Three multi-view angles of 360 Degree Spherical VR Mode and 197 Degree 4K Ultra Wide Mode and 235 Degree Dome Mode
- Facebook and YouTube 360 Degree photos & videos
Kodak PIXPRO Orbit360 Build & Handling
You wouldn’t be incorrect in thinking that the Kodak PixPro 4KVR360 and the Orbit360 4K appear very similar to the Nikon KeyMission 360 if you had the notion. The PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K adopts a box-like design identical to the KeyMission. It has big twin lenses on either side of the camera, with the front lens being smaller than the other.
This is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K that you may experience. Most 360-degree cameras contain two lenses, occasionally four or eight, that are all the same size and have the same focal length. However, the PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K has a front lens with a field of view of 197 degrees and a ‘Dome’ lens on the rear with a lot view of 235 degrees.
So why is there an imbalance? The Kodak PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K allows you to record single-lens footage for various effects and capture spherical video. You may take pictures with a vast angle of view using the front lens and using the back lens; you can shoot in a dome mode, creating what is essentially a miniature globe look.
Kodak PIXPRO Orbit360 Performance
It doesn’t take long for the Kodak PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K to turn on, and if you’re using the remote control with the camera, you may begin snapping pictures as soon as the camera is turned on.
You have access to a wide variety of shooting modes, all of which are detailed in the previous section, and you may have a lot of fun playing around with different effects, such as the Dome Effect. Kodak has made a concerted effort to cater to all of its customers’ needs, and they have succeeded in doing so.
The battery life on a single charge is around an hour, comparable to what I’ve encountered with 360 cameras such as the GoPro Fusion, Garmin VIRB 360, and Ricoh Theta V.
The Kodak PixPro 4KVR360 and the Orbit360 4K produce images with a quality that is, on the whole, mediocre. The colors seem realistic. However, they are a touch muted, and there is little detail, for example, under a cloudy sky.
While shooting with the GoPro Fusion, I was astonished by its ability to pick up tone contrasts in England’s often cloudy sky. On the other hand, the Kodak PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K renders them almost entirely white.
Using PixPro 360 VR software
You will need to download the free PixPro 360 VR Suite software from Kodak to stitch together your 360 photos and spherical videos. Installation is quick and straightforward, and while the software’s user interface has a style reminiscent of the early 2000s, it is still relatively short to operate.
Most of your work, if not all of it, will be done under the Stitch tab, which is located at the very top. You can import two files here, stitch them together, and then render them so you can post them on Facebook or YouTube.
You must click the Export option once the file has been loaded. After that, you will be asked to sign in to your Facebook or YouTube account (this will only need to be done once), and after that, your files will automatically upload to these different sites.
It’s all straightforward, but it would be nice if the software could be updated to include a few more controls, such as the ability to change the point of view (POV), add filters, and adjust the tones, as is possible with the Fusion Studio software for GoPro, or add stabilization effects, as is possible with the VIRB Edit software for Garmin. All of this is very simple.
Kodak PIXPRO Orbit360 Specs
Effective Image Sensor Pixels | 20.68 Megapixels |
Total Image Sensor Pixels | 21.14 Megapixels [1/2.3” BSI CMOS] |
Sensor B | |
Effective Image Sensor Pixels | 20.68 Megapixels |
Total Image Sensor Pixels | 21.14 Megapixels [1/2.3” BSI CMOS] |
Lens A | |
Focal Length | 1.633 mm |
F Number | F2.4 |
Lens Construction | 7 groups 8 elements |
Focus | Fix Focus |
Field of View | Max. 197 Degree [For Front Mode (16:9)] Max. 155 Degree [For VR Mode (2:1)] |
Focusing Range | 30 cm — ∞ |
Lens B | 30 cm — ∞ |
Focal Length | 1.257 mm |
F Number | F2.4 |
Lens Construction | 7 groups 8 elements |
Focus | Fix Focus |
Field of View | Max. 235 Degree |
Focusing Range | |
Still Image | 360° Spherical/VR Mode (Lens A & B) 27MP: (2:1) 7360×3680, 15MP: (2:1) 5520×2760; Dual Dome (Lens A & B) (2:1)27MP: 7360×3680, (2:1) 15MP: 5520×2760 197° 4K Ultra Wide Mode (Lens A) (16:9) 8MP: 3840×2160, (4:3) 9MP: 3526×2644; 235° Dome Mode (Lens B) (1:1) 13MP: 3680×3680 |
Movie | 360° Spherical/VR Mode (Lens A & B) (2:1) 3840×1920/24fps, (2:1) 3840×1920/15fps, (2:1) 1920×960/30fps 197° 4K Ultra Wide Mode (Lens A) (16:9) 3840×2160/30fps, (16:9) 1920×1080/60fps (Ultra/Mid/Narrow FOV), (16:9)1280×720/60fps 235° Dome Mode (Lens B) (1:1) 2880×2880/24fps, (1:1) 1920×1920/30fps |
High-Speed Movie | 360° Spherical/VR Mode (Lens A & B) (2:1) 1280×640/120fps; 197° 4K Ultra Wide Mode (Lens A) (16:9) 1280×720/120fps |
Camera Modes | VR Mode (Lens A and Lens B), Round Mode (Lens B), Front Mode (Lens A) |
Shooting Modes | Photo, Burst Mode, Movie, Time Lapse, Loop Recording, Hi-Speed Movie |
Splashproof Equivalent to JIS/IEC IPX5 (Body) | |
Shockproof Up to 2m (With Protective Lens Cover) | |
Dustproof | Equivalent to JIS/IEC (IP6X) |
Freezeproof 14°F / – 10°C | |
Status LCD 1.0 inch TN LCD (with Backlight) | |
Level Gauge 3-Axis | |
ISO Sensitivity Auto (100-1600) (Movie), Auto (100-800) (Photo) | |
Exposure Metering Method Artificial Intelligence AE (AiAE) | |
Exposure Contol Method Program AE | |
Burst Mode | Approx. 5fps (Full Resolution) |
White Balance Control | Auto (AWB), Daylight, Cloudy, Flourescent, Incandescent, Underwater |
Recording Media | Micro SD / Micro SDHC / Micro SDXC Card (Up to 256GB Support) |
Jacks | USB 2.0 (Micro 5 pin USB), HDMI (Type D) Stereo Microphone Input (Diameter of 2.5mm) |
Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11 b/g/n) |
NFC | Yes |
Bluetooth | Yes (BLE4.1) |
Remote Control | Yes (option), Remote Control-D, Remote Control-C |
Power | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (LB-080), 3.6V 1250mAh, In-Camera Charging |
Shooting Capability | Approx. 160 Shots (Based on CIPA Standards) (Wi-Fi On) (TBD) |
(Battery Performance) | Approx. 55 min for Video (@4K/30fps) (Wi-Fi On) (TBD) |
Operation Environment Temperature: | -10 – 40°C, Humidity: 0 – 90% |
Dimensions | (WxHxD) Approx. 55.0 x 55.0 x 67.6 (Based on CIPA Standards) (Without Glass Lens Cover) |
Weight | Approx. 4.6 oz. / 130 g (Body Only), 5.5 oz. / 156 g (With battery and Micro SD Card) |
Standard Parts | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, USB Cable, AC Adapter, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Service Card, Protective Cover-B & C, 3-Leg Stand, Small Lens, Cover Case, Remote Control Mount-B & D, Lens Cover-B & C, Battery Charger, Carrying Case, Cleaning Cloth, Online Company Store Card, Team 360 Sticker |
Compatible Devices | iOS Device (Version 8.0 and up) / Android Device (Version 5.0 and up), Note 6, iPad mini 1/iPad 4/iPad Air 1/iPhone 5s and below not supported. |
Kodak PIXPRO Orbit360 Verdict
KODAK ORBIT360_4K-WH3 PIXPRO ORBIT360 4K 360° VR Camera Satellite Pack, White
- 360 Degree VR camera with two fixed focus lenses housed in a futuristic body
- Each curved lens is designed to work in tandem to capture full 360 Degree 4K video and easily upload 360 Degree video and photos to social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
- 360 Degree VR camera with two fixed focus lenses housed in a futuristic body
- Each curved lens is designed to work in tandem to capture full 360 Degree 4K video and easily upload 360 Degree video and photos to social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
- Dual 20MP CMOS sensors
- Three multi-view angles of 360 Degree Spherical VR Mode and 197 Degree 4K Ultra Wide Mode and 235 Degree Dome Mode
- Facebook and YouTube 360 Degree photos & videos
With its hybrid action camera design, the Kodak PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K offers many excellent features and is highly user-friendly. It also provides a lot of variety in its recording capabilities. The PixPro 4KVR360 / Orbit360 4K is affordable and delivers decent performance. While it may not be the greatest, it is a worthy contender if you consider transitioning to 360-degree imaging. It is good at several things, but none of them are outstanding.