The Finnish company Nokia just slashed $15,000 from its $60,000 Ozo Virtual Reality camera, the first camera to be commercially available and that was released just last year.

The Nokia Ozo is aimed at professional photographers. As a Virtual Reality camera, it can capture 360-degree video and 360×360 surround sound to create the most immersive experiences possible. Nokia plans to set a standard when it comes to professional grade virtual reality content. To support this aim, Nokia will also release software aimed towards the distribution and editing of this virtual reality content: Ozo Live.

Nokia's leader, Ramzi Haidamus, talked about the potential of Ozo, the professional VR 360 camera. Image Credit: GSM Arena
Nokia’s leader, Ramzi Haidamus, talked about the potential of Ozo, the professional VR 360 camera. Image Credit: GSM Arena

This software will allow users to stream 3D 360 degree video via virtual reality headsets, and the Ozo Player SDK, which is a dedicated video editing software.

The price cut is likely meant to drum up interest in the camera, as it’s set to launch in China soon, preorders are up, and it’s to ship sometime in October. Adding to this, Nokia has partnered with LeVR, an arm of Chinese company LeEco, to distribute Ozo Virtual Reality content. The camera is now for sale at 45,000 dollars in the United States, 40,000 euros in Europe, and will launch for 299,000 RMB in China.

Nokia’s history

The Nokia Company was founded in 1865, originally as a pulp mill. It eventually reached out to electricity generation, manufacturing of rubber products, and consumer electronics.

The company eventually became the largest mobile phone manufacturer until 2012, and after a tumultuous period, re-entered the consumer electronics business.The Nokia Technologies division is the one that launched the OZO camera. The Nokia Technologies division is the one that launched the OZO camera.

Nokia Technologies today announced the commercial availability of the OZO virtual reality (VR) camera. Image Credit: Nokia
Nokia Technologies today announced the commercial availability of the OZO virtual reality (VR) camera. Image Credit: Nokia

Virtual Reality Cameras alternatives

Ozo is not the only virtual reality camera, other companies such as GoPro and Samsung have also shown interest in the idea. Last year, GoPro unveiled a virtual reality camera, the Omni, which is set to be compatible with consumer headsets such as the Oculus Rift.

Omni is a camera rig that is supposed to hold six GoPro HD Hero 4 Black cameras, which are perfectly synchronized to get 360-degree footage, with one camera being the “main” one and controlling the other five. Omni’s price is also more manageable. Just the rig alone cost $1500 or €1300.

However, the “full kit”, which includes the rig, the six Hero 4 Black cameras, waterproof flight case, six 32GB microSD cards, one Wi-Fi Smart Remote, Swingtronix GP-S V-Mount Battery Plate/Clamp,  Swingtronix Hypercore-98S Battery (with DC adapter) and a 7-port USB hub is priced at $5000 or €5400.

Samsung, for their part, announced the Gear 360 earlier this year, which accompanies Samsung’s own Gear VR headset. As the name implies, is a 360-degree camera, which, unlike the Ozo is supposed to be “consumer-friendly”. It features two 15-megapixel cameras with fisheye lenses, and video will have a 3,840-by-1,920 resolution.

The camera is also relatively waterproof and has certified IP53 protection against dust. Gear 360 will also be compatible with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. The came is set to be released sometime later in the year, and the price is still undisclosed.

Source: Engadget