Nikon KeyMission360
This crazy action cam sees in all directions – but what’s it for?
£419 FROM Nikon, nikon.co.uk features 21.14MP 1/2.3-inch sensor, 4K Ultra HD video at 24 frames per second, ISO 100–1600
Action cams such as GoPro and Garmin Virb have very wideangle lenses, which are better for producing steady footage over lumpy
terrain. However, the Nikon KeyMission 360 goes at least 270 degrees better, offering a pair of 180-degree lenses on its front and rear faces, and stitching the resultant images together to produce 360-degree, 4K footage.
The camera itself is a rugged little cube: with its focal-length-widening lens protectors attached, it’s waterproof to 20 metres. Replace the lens protectors with the underwater ones (included) and – at the cost of being able to produce 360-degree footage – it’ll work at up to 30 meters underwater for up to 60 minutes. It will also stand chills of up to -10°C.
The record button on top doubles as the power button, while a button on the side works as a shutter release for the 360’s stills mode. Otherwise, you won’t get much done without Nikon’s SnapBridge 360/170 app, from which you can trigger recording, change video resolution, or opt for various time-lapse modes. Recorded video and images can also be downloaded to synced devices.
All-round vision
Approach the KeyMission 360 like any other action camera and you’re in for a tough time because the footage and stills gathered don’t make much sense on their own. It takes a fair amount of squinting to make sense of an image whose far left and right edges should join up behind the audience, after all. Further, logistical problems also present themselves: because the ultrawide lenses see almost directly above and below, they inevitably film whatever form of support you’re using. The exception is the bundled adhesive helmet mounts, which sit perfectly in the blind spot.
The raw footage – which can be captured in up to 4K resolution – can be uploaded to YouTube, which is compatible with VR footage, and can be watched on compatible devices. An iPhone will suffice – Nikon bundles a flat-pack cardboard VR viewer, which works reasonably well, although global viewers with the likes of Google’s Cardboard will also be able to watch.
Still images are a tougher proposition, although their 360° nature means they work well for ‘little planet’ photo processing – search online for “stereographic projection Photoshop” for a tutorial. There’s plenty of scope for unusual selfies: the 360 has a two-second self-timer by default – getting the countdown underway and throwing the camera skywards produces fun results, as well as unintentionally testing Nikon’s shock-resistance claims. Non-VR viewers can always crop into the huge, 4K video resolution to excise some of the less useful bits of footage.
The KeyMission 360 isn’t cheap: at over £400 those twin lenses exact their financial toll. With the GoPro Hero5 Session capable of identical video resolution and costing around £150 less, you’ll need to be committed to the production of VR movies to benefit from spending the extra cash. If that sounds like you though, the 360 is an easy-to-use, rugged device if you want to push your videography to a completely new place.
Approach the KeyMission 360 like any other action camera and you’re in for a tough time