Ricoh Theta X

Sandy Hancock · 01-25-2022, 01:33 PM - **3 Likes**

I wish I had one in the Sistine Chapel. I didn't dare break out my DSLR, but I might have gotten away with one sneaky shot with a Theta.

As a result of that experience, I bought a Z1, but haven't travelled since for some reason

reh321 · 01-25-2022, 01:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Who's buying all of these 360 cams?

I know there are some law enforcement, security and industrial applications, perhaps a few "extreme sports" users... but it doesn't seem like there'd be enough demand for the number of new models released in the last few years. I'd love to know what sector accounts for the majority of sales, the kind of volumes involved, and whether the market is even close to saturation...

Back in 2017, as we sat aboard a tourist train which took old logging tracks in West Virginia for a ride ‘into the clouds’, we watched a young man who stopped every so often in his walk from the parking lot to the train to take a photo with his smart phone. I haven’t seen any smart phone that can deliver 360 degree views, but I would think that they would be popular with those who want to document trips this way, and this might be an area where smart phones can’t compete right now.

abraswell · 01-25-2022, 09:30 PM

I've seen them on a selfie stick mounted to the tail of motorcycles. It's like a follow camera that is always going to be level with the horizon instead of leaning with the bike/rider like a GoPro. I've thought about doing something along those lines myself, to act like a 360 dash cam.

pinholecam · 01-25-2022, 09:46 PM

The official video is boring as heck.

I don't know how it will manage to catch the potential market's attention.

360 video is very much about 'hype', just look at a Gopro or Insta360 launch video and see the difference.
90% of buyers won't have the framing/editing skills to give the same sort of video content, but it captures the buyer's attention and lets them imagine that they can shoot similar when they buy one.

Ricoh has been too slow going to video and that lunch has long been eaten by Insta360 and Gopro.
At least from the info given for the Theta X, I don't see how it performs or offers anything better than the competition.

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Who's buying all of these 360 cams?

I know there are some law enforcement, security and industrial applications, perhaps a few "extreme sports" users... but it doesn't seem like there'd be enough demand for the number of new models released in the last few years. I'd love to know what sector accounts for the majority of sales, the kind of volumes involved, and whether the market is even close to saturation...

Its not just extreme sports, regular sports, 'selfie videos' and selfies, kids, pets.
There is a large market out there with the narcissism of the Instagram/FB age, lots of regular users buy them.

Mistral75 · 01-26-2022, 04:41 AM

Ricoh Theta Z1 (19 GB): $999.95 / €999.

Ricoh Theta X: $799.95 / €999.

Hmm...

**Mikesul** · 01-26-2022, 12:31 PM

The new Theta does not have the 1" sensors.

Mistral75 · 01-26-2022, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by Mikesul

The new Theta does not have the 1" sensors.

No, it does not. It's a successor to the Theta V (which is discontinued) in the 'advanced model' category (as per Ricoh Imaging Americas' own description).

**TwoUptons** · 01-26-2022, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by Mistral75

Ricoh Theta Z1 (19 GB): $999.95 / €999.

Ricoh Theta X: $799.95 / €999.

Hmm...

Has France changed to a dynamically shifting VAT?
"Oh, yes, VAT on this is 35% instead of the old rate..."
I hope the error is reconciled by reducing the European price and not raising the US one...

-Eric

wed7 · 01-27-2022, 01:55 AM

Insta360 products are hyped to motorists vloggers (travel vlogs).

I wonder if the new theta beats the Insta360 (quality/price)?

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01-25-2022, 01:33 PM - 3 Likes	#16
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272 Original Poster	I wish I had one in the Sistine Chapel. I didn't dare break out my DSLR, but I might have gotten away with one sneaky shot with a Theta. As a result of that experience, I bought a Z1, but haven't travelled since for some reason

01-25-2022, 01:59 PM - 1 Like	#17
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by BigMackCam Who's buying all of these 360 cams? I know there are some law enforcement, security and industrial applications, perhaps a few "extreme sports" users... but it doesn't seem like there'd be enough demand for the number of new models released in the last few years. I'd love to know what sector accounts for the majority of sales, the kind of volumes involved, and whether the market is even close to saturation... Back in 2017, as we sat aboard a tourist train which took old logging tracks in West Virginia for a ride ‘into the clouds’, we watched a young man who stopped every so often in his walk from the parking lot to the train to take a photo with his smart phone. I haven’t seen any smart phone that can deliver 360 degree views, but I would think that they would be popular with those who want to document trips this way, and this might be an area where smart phones can’t compete right now.

01-25-2022, 09:30 PM	#18
abraswell Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 28	I've seen them on a selfie stick mounted to the tail of motorcycles. It's like a follow camera that is always going to be level with the horizon instead of leaning with the bike/rider like a GoPro. I've thought about doing something along those lines myself, to act like a 360 dash cam.

01-25-2022, 09:46 PM	#19
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	The official video is boring as heck. I don't know how it will manage to catch the potential market's attention. 360 video is very much about 'hype', just look at a Gopro or Insta360 launch video and see the difference. 90% of buyers won't have the framing/editing skills to give the same sort of video content, but it captures the buyer's attention and lets them imagine that they can shoot similar when they buy one. Ricoh has been too slow going to video and that lunch has long been eaten by Insta360 and Gopro. At least from the info given for the Theta X, I don't see how it performs or offers anything better than the competition. Originally posted by BigMackCam Who's buying all of these 360 cams? I know there are some law enforcement, security and industrial applications, perhaps a few "extreme sports" users... but it doesn't seem like there'd be enough demand for the number of new models released in the last few years. I'd love to know what sector accounts for the majority of sales, the kind of volumes involved, and whether the market is even close to saturation... Its not just extreme sports, regular sports, 'selfie videos' and selfies, kids, pets. There is a large market out there with the narcissism of the Instagram/FB age, lots of regular users buy them.

01-26-2022, 04:41 AM	#20
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Ricoh Theta Z1 (19 GB): $999.95 / €999. Ricoh Theta X: $799.95 / €999. Hmm...

01-26-2022, 12:31 PM	#21
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	The new Theta does not have the 1" sensors.

01-26-2022, 02:06 PM	#22
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by Mikesul The new Theta does not have the 1" sensors. No, it does not. It's a successor to the Theta V (which is discontinued) in the 'advanced model' category (as per Ricoh Imaging Americas' own description).

01-26-2022, 02:48 PM	#23
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	Originally posted by Mistral75 Ricoh Theta Z1 (19 GB): $999.95 / €999. Ricoh Theta X: $799.95 / €999. Hmm... Has France changed to a dynamically shifting VAT? "Oh, yes, VAT on this is 35% instead of the old rate..." I hope the error is reconciled by reducing the European price and not raising the US one... -Eric

01-27-2022, 01:55 AM	#24
wed7 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 1,421	Insta360 products are hyped to motorists vloggers (travel vlogs). I wonder if the new theta beats the Insta360 (quality/price)?