The company who brought Insta360 into the hands of 360 media enthusiasts announced today, their brand new product: PanoClip. The device is a new take on capturing 360 photos and videos, using the built-in cameras from your iPhone. Dual fisheye lenses add consistency to what is being captured on the front-facing and back camera and stitches together the image or video in real-time. Similar to its predecessor, PanoClip has a companion app where you can edit and add effects. The brand new app has a ton of features that Insta360 didn’t have when it first arrived, including filters.
If you like the sound of a convenient clip-on 360 camera, but don’t have $200 to drop on a separate device, PanoClip may be the best bang for your buck at $50. It’s more accessible to the casual enthusiast and a great alternative tool to those who seek more professional footage on the fly. Any iPhone model will be compatible, including the X.
The ease of use in navigating the app and becoming familiar with the behavior of the cameras while tuning in your image is definitely plus for the entry-level user, and the familiarity of editing features and filters also adds to the experience. As there are no electronic components within the PanoClip, it relies solely on the phone’s cameras. While this is a great use of existing technology, the software doesn’t fire off both cameras at once. Because of this, there may be problems with consistent lighting and stitching, post-capture. Still, it’s very decent when it comes to capturing great memories to “wow” your friends and family on social media.
Standout Features
Okay, so let’s get down to the fun stuff. In addition to capturing great 360 photos and videos, the PanoClip has really given the spotlight to creating Tiny Planet images. The Spin View allows the creator to create images that people can view on any device, even the ones that don’t support 360 viewing natively. This is achieved by converting the 360 capture into a short video clip that showcases the scene, covering all angles, and allowing the viewer to be encapsulated in a virtual tour through the image. For you outdoorsy types, the Sky Warp is exactly how it sounds. The app can detect the horizon and can open up a lot of effects that shift with time and music. The new filters and stickers add some nice flair, as well.
Check out the sneak peek video. There’s a lot of great information there.
So, there you have it. The PanoClip is available now at PanoClip.com, in two body configurations (full and Lite) that will allow compatibility for iPhone 6/Plus, 6s/Plus, 7/Plus, 8/Plus and X. A version for Android is coming soon. Check it out and capture great 360 content this summer on the cheap!
