When comparing Kodak SP360 4K vs Samsung Gear 360, the Slant community recommends Kodak SP360 4K for most people. In the question“What are the best 360-degree cameras?” Kodak SP360 4K is ranked 2nd while Samsung Gear 360 is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Kodak SP360 4K is:
The range of mounts offered by the Kodak SP360 4K enable it to be fixed to anything when capturing shots.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Good range of mounts
The range of mounts offered by the Kodak SP360 4K enable it to be fixed to anything when capturing shots.
Pro Can capture slow-motion videos
This device can capture 720p @ 120 fps videos.
Pro Highly durable
The camera is splashproof, waterproof via a case, shockproof up to 2m via a lens cover, freezeproof up to 14°F / -10°C and dustproof, making it an excellent device for use outdoors when exposed to the elements.
Pro Can be controlled remotely
The camera can be controlled remotely from the user's mobile device, allowing for added flexibility.
Pro Free stitching software if you opt for the dual mount
The company offers free stitching software for those who opt for the dual mount.
Pro Can be combined with another camera to shoot 4K spherical videos
SP360 4K allows for one of the rare 2-camera setups that's capable of capturing completely spherical 4K video at 30 frames per second. Most alternatives either can't match the resolution, the framerate or require more than 2 cameras (which means more stitch lines). Important to note that in order to capture spherical footage, you'll need another SP360 4K camera and a dual camera base mount. Once captured and stitched, the output video is 3840 x 1920 @ 30 fps.
Pro Can shoot 360° x 235° without stitching artifacts
Unlike most other 360-degree cameras, SP360 4K only uses a single lens which means that there's no need for stitching the video.
Pro Offers motion-detection mode
The user can set the camera to a motion-detection mode that allows the camera to record videos when it picks up movement. It will then stop recording if there has been no movement for 10 seconds. This makes for an easy set-and-forget mode that can pick up one's pets or be used for security.
Pro Excellent video quality in the price range
You can capture 2880 x 2880 footage @ 30fps with one camera and completely spherical 3840 x 2160 footage @ 30fps with 2 cameras. Within its price range, the video quality of the camera is excellent. The footage is reasonably sharp and it has good colors.
Pro Camera is straight forward to use
If you only want to shoot 360° x 235 then you don't need to worry about stitching the images. Though the software can be a problem, the camera itself is fairly intuitive.
Pro Good stills quality
Takes 12MP stills with clear colors.
Pro Very easy to set up and use
Samsing Gear 360 is extremely easy to use. The software experience is excellent and intuitive with minimal (if any) bugs or issues. It's so easy that even an absolute beginner can use it without any problems.
Pro Can connect and edit wirelessly
When connected to a Galaxy device, you can use the familiar Samsung camera apps with the same buttons and settings in the same places.
There are a few new buttons such as the one that lets you select which Gear 360 lens to use (front, back, or both), and another one for the live view.
Pro No seam artifacts
Offers dual F2.0 lenses at 195° FOV each. The amount of overlap in theory should reduce seam artifacts (even if it isn't perfect) and the F2.0 aperture will make shooting in low-light a breeze.
Pro Straightforward updating experience
Updating the firmware on the camera is pretty easy. You don't have to download a binary on your computer and transfer it to the camera or anything like that. Instead, it's all done through Wi-Fi directly from the camera itself.
Pro Will feel very familiar for users who have used a Samsung mobile device in the past
The camera and sharing applications are very similar to Samsung's camera and gallery apps (with minor differences). Anyone who has used a Samsung mobile device in the past will find it very easy to get used to these apps as well.
Pro Can shoot videos at 60 frames per second
There's an option to shoot 360-degree videos at 60 frames per second. Unfortunately, the resolution drops to 2560 x 1280 when you choose that option.
Cons
Con Desktop software is unintuitive and buggy
The desktop app is difficult to navigate, making it hard to find what features you're looking for.
It's known to be buggy, with a common issue being an error message when trying to upload to youtube.
Con Stitching could be better
Kodak's stitching software is somewhat disappointing, particularly when it comes to matching up exposure.
Con Can look grainy in low light settings
Details are lost in a lower-light setting and the image becomes grainy.
Con Getting a completely spherical image requires two cameras
A single SP360 4K camera captures a 360 by 235-degree video. In order to get a completely spherical 360 by 360-degree video you need two cameras and a mount to stick them together. A bundle like that costs $799.99, which requires a serious commitment to shooting spherical video (even if it's great value for money).
Con Loose dome cover
The dome cover on some devices has become loose.
Con Blatant image stitching
Virtually all photos and videos that have been published present blatantly poor stitching: it is clear to see where the images were taken and digitally stitched together.
Con Only compatible with Samsung flagships
This camera can only be paired with the latest Samsung flagships which are S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge plus, S6 edge, and S6.
Con Soft focus or blur quality
Distant objects will be blurry in the final result, whether it is a still picture or a video.
Con Difficult to carry around
While most 360-degree cameras are small enough to fit inside a pocket, it is not the case for the Samsung Gear 360. The round shape makes it uncomfortable to fit inside a pocket and you need a bag to carry it around.
Con Video not stitched in camera
Better cameras give you finished video, ready to use. Samsung's need post processing to render viewable 360 video. Not only inconvenient, but a very slow process and subpar results with very raw stitching.
