One of the most exciting and ambitious 360 cameras ever designed is the Kandao Qoocam (Qoo cam)
I got to shoot with it at IVRPA 2018.
Find out why it may become the best consumer 360 camera for 2018!
Hi, my name is Mic and you're watching 360 Rumors -- the resource that 360 shooters trust for in-depth camera reviews and innovative techniques
Hey guys were here at IVRPA and we're here to talk to Kandao about the new Qoocam
So you saw me talk about it (Qoocam) at CES with their VP Grace.
But now here we have the actual unit and we're going to try it out. Let's see how to use it.
So this is Ivy.
So Ivy, can you tell us more about the Qoocam for those who don't know about it? Oh yes, it's quite a unique
camera and you got three lenses and the most interesting thing is that you can
not only do 360 but also
when you twist like this,
you
record the front through 180 3d (VR180). Yes
VR180 and 360 together in one
camera. So like in this mode it's gonna be 360, right?
Yeah, and then in this mode it becomes VR180 on this side. Yeah, that's right. So
what else is
interesting? Can you tell us about the depth mapping capabilities? That's one of the unique features of the Qoo Cam.
Yeah, we built the professional camera Obsidian (8k 3D 360). Yes. It
can output depth map and we bring that technology into this small little camera and when you do the 180 degree
in 3d, it can also output a depth map.
So like the depth map means that that not only can you see the picture in 3d, but
the viewer software can understand how far
something is? Yes. So what are some of the things that you can do with the depth map?
Yes, based on the depth map we can
create a virtual effect like the
refocus,
mimicking the bokeh effect and you can tap wherever you want on your
app or software and you can blur the background and enhance the foreground to
Enhance your subjects. Great. Yeah, there are more possibilities for your post-production.
Yeah, and you can also use the depth map to change the background, right? Yes. Yes, so that's really cool.
Yes, that feature is still under development.
The first thing we are offering is the refocusing. Right, and it can do 6DOF? Yes
With a depth map, there are a lot of possibilities and 6DOF is available for
Obsidian, yes for now and I think with the two eyes (two lenses), yes, we can do a little
like a small range of movement. But that makes a huge difference.
Because normally even with the 3d 360 camera, if it doesn't have a depth map and you move around
then the whole world moves, so it's not as immersive.
But this one, at least if you move a little bit, it will look like you could see behind a little bit.
Up or down
Yes, the surrounding [background] will change according to your slight movement. Yes. Yes
All right, so I'm super excited now. So tell me how to use that. Can you show me? Is this unit a working one?
Yeah, yes. Okay. So, alright. So let's try the 360 mode first. So I do that. Yeah
So how do we turn it on? Uh, here is the
power button in here.
Okay. Yes. Oh the shutter is the power button. Yes, I see. Okay, press.
Alright so I just heard the tone. Yes, okay and
Do you press twice?
There's the Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi signal light is here. Yeah.
So you press the button to activate the Wi-Fi. Yes. Yeah. So I hold it
and tap it twice to activate the Wi-Fi? Yes. And tap it twice to turn it off?
Okay
All right, so
does it use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Oh both. Okay. What's the advantage of having both? Yes with Wi-Fi you can
remotely
preview what you are going to film and with Bluetooth
you can maybe use a self stick and you can just press the button and the
Camera will be remotely controlled. Okay, you mean you can use any generic Bluetooth controller?
Like if I buy a selfie stick with the Bluetooth, I can control it?
We will firstly provide our own. Okay.
Then maybe later [add support for 3rd party Bluetooth].
Yeah, yes.
Here is the Preview. Oh, you get the live preview? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah take a look at that.
So so this is the 360 mode now. Yeah, can we start recording?
Yeah, by the way
the video is going to be 3840 by 1920 at 30fps (it can also shoot 4K 60fps).
Oh one thing -- is it stabilized? Can you move it?
Like is it going to be stabilized in realtime?
No, no, okay. This is only the preview.
Stabilization is only in the post-production. Okay. Alright, so
Okay, but but you can you can do that (shoot at any angle). It's okay, right? Yes. Yeah. All right
All right. So, how do you take a photo?
So she just switched modes. Yeah at the bottom you can switch here. So there's a photo mode
There's still video mode. Okay, and so we go to photo mode.
Oh, it's is it recording? Yes, sorry, okay.
Okay. All right. So now let's take a picture. All right, one two three.
You'll hear the sound. Yeah, okay, so does it show you the preview I mean the
Preview of the shot right now? Yes. Okay, cool. Yes and
There is a very convenient function of our app. It's that it will follow
automatically with the structure (position) of the
Camera. So if I turn the camera to this position, uh-huh
it immediately understands you're switching modes. yes. Oh so you switch modes by switching the -- oops --
-- by switching the camera. I think I just pressed the power. But I
See, okay, so
if you switch it like this. You don't switch modes with the app. Instead, you switch by turning the
camera. The app will change automatically. Okay. All right, so can you show us the 3d 180 mode?
The operation is
similar with the 360 mode. Yes, and you can take pictures.
You know, like let's say this one. This is going to be like a 3d selfie. So yes, you're right
That was a 3d 180 photo. Oh, yes. Okay. So I
Try to do some
Refocusing effects for our selfie. Yes, Wow. Okay. So let's check that out. So Ivy is going to send that to us.
Like this 3d 180 -- is it compatible with VR180?
Google VR180? Yes we will follow the format of VR180 and
Yes, we will
hope that users can automatically
upload the video to YouTube to experience this kind of format. Alright, that's really cool!
There are many things I like with the Qoocam's video quality. The detail is quite good. The colors are natural-looking.
Dynamic range looks excellent.
.Stabilization looks very good.
There's a little bit of waviness at the stitch line, but to me, it's unobtrusive.
I also like that it has the option to shoot at 60fps
As for VR 180,
I've been shooting with it for a month with the Lenovo Mirage and I really like the format.
Watch out for my upcoming review of the Mirage. But the short answer is that the VR 180 option for Qoocam is very
useful.
So when will it be available and how much?
So now it's on Kickstarter.. I think only one or two days left. Yes. Oh, there's only one or two days left?
But oh my, but after those two days then what happens?
Yes, we will go to IndieGoGo in demand
for one month. Okay, and
And we will deliver the product in August. Oh
Okay, that's really so yeah, that's really exciting
Yeah, so thanks very much Ivy, thank you. All right. Thank you