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A 360-degree camera with two centered lenses, expandable memory and a metal build that feels far pricier than it is.
I’ve been enamored with cheap VR goggles lately, and 360 video has so much potential. So I bought the Xiaomi Mi Sphere 360 camera kit. This is an unboxing, not the full review. I’ll also explain why I picked it over the Ricoh Theta, the GoPro and the Garmin 360 cameras. It showed up after sitting in a delivery truck at four degrees below zero here in Chicago, so it was very cold.
- All-metal construction that oozes quality
- Lenses centered on both sides for cleaner stitching
- Expandable memory with a microSD card
- Small metal tripod and pouch included
- Reviewers rated its stitching above pricier rivals
- Took about three weeks to arrive from overseas
- No microSD card in the box
- Shows fingerprints
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Why this one
The Ricoh Theta is the popular choice at about $400, but it has no expandable memory and limited onboard storage, maybe 40 minutes of footage because you’re capturing two high-resolution streams. The GoPro and Garmin are both very expensive.
Reviews said that even the ones that stitch in camera didn’t stitch as well as this one. So there was a pretty decent consensus that the Mi Sphere was the best of the bunch despite its much lower price. Cheaper and better was a no-brainer.
What is in the box
You get the camera, a little tripod that is all metal, a rubberized pouch with metal flex strips that hold the camera snugly, and a micro-USB data and charging cable.
There is no SD card, so bring your own. I’d throw in 128 or 256 GB.
A look at the camera
Everything is metal, including the surrounds around the two lenses. They pop out on each side for the 180-degree views and are centered exactly the same. The Garmin’s lenses are off-center, which I think hurts seamless stitching.
On top there’s a power button, a Wi-Fi button and what I think is a microphone hole. The shutter button toggles photo and video. There’s a little LED, plus micro-USB and the SD slot on the side, and a tripod screw mount on the bottom.
What is next
I plan to mount it in the car and drive through downtown Chicago so you can experience it in VR goggles like the cheap VR Box headset that holds your phone.
If you need it fast, look for one you can get quickly. Mine came from overseas and took about three weeks.
FAQ
Does it have expandable memory?
Yes, a microSD card slot. No card is included.
Does it come with a tripod?
Yes, a small metal tripod, and it also has a standard tripod screw mount.
Why not the Ricoh Theta?
For me it was the lack of expandable memory and limited onboard storage.
How much did it cost?
About $299 when I bought it.
Is this an affiliate link?
Yes. The buttons are #ad affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra.
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