Samsung Now Shipping New Go-Pro Alternative 360° Camera

Samsung's answer to the GoPro is set at $350 and will be released on a wider basis later this year.

Samsung Gear 360 has released their go at an affordable, high-resolution camera for 360-degree videos. The camera is another element to their promise for the first "end-to-end VR ecosystem that enables creators to shoot, stitch and share like never before." It can be used to develop content for mobile viewing and VR content for Samsung Gear VR, which is powered by Oculus.

The Gear 360 is priced at $349.99 in the US and will be available for purchase on a limited basis during the online video convention VidCon in Anaheim, California.

Originally primed for a Q2 release, it seems as if we won't be seeing a wide release until later this year.

The Samsung Gear 360 camera features a pair of 15MP cameras with F2.0 lenses housed in a round body. When used together, the cameras record 360-degree videos at 3840 x 1920 pixels, as well as spherical still images. The camera also allows users to record content with only one camera for 180-degree content.

If you're shooting at full resolution, the camera is only good for 30 minutes of video recording. 

Like the GoPro, battery life seems to be a concern for prospective buyers. If you're shooting at full resolution, the camera is only good for 30 minutes of video recording. Decreasing the resolution to 2560 x 1280 pixels increases the battery life to 100 minutes. 

For the adventure-prone, its plastic body may be splash-proof, but it's not fully waterproof or shock-resistant. Rather than replacing an action cam entirely, the camera is intended for casual use while traveling and during social gatherings.

It comes with a mini-tripod, but thanks to a standard tripod mount, it can be connected to most camera supports.

The Gear 360 has built-in buttons and a tiny LCD display for stand-alone operation, but is best controlled through the dedicated Gear 360 app. You can preview content in real-time on your smartphone screen via a Wi-Fi connection. The camera has a microSD memory card slot, but with the app, recorded content can also be saved on the phone for viewing, trimming, and sharing.

For now, the camera only works with Samsung mobile devices like the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Galaxy S6, S6 edge, and S6 edge+, and the Galaxy Note 5.