Easy-to-Use Enthusiast 4K 360 Camera
Internal Stitching, 4K Shake Correction
360 4K30 Video & 5376 x 2688 360 Photos
Face Correction, Night Mode, 14GB Memory
The new RICOH THETA SC2 is an easy-to-use model, perfect for the 360 enthusiast, allowing anyone to capture high-quality spherical images. It snaps photos at approximately 14 megapixels, and smooth, immersive 360°spherical video at 30 frames per second in 4K (3840 x 1920 pixels). Additionally, the RICOH THETA SC2 comes with a variety of shooting modes such as "Face" mode, which recognizes human faces and applies skin smoothing, and "Night View" mode for shooting low-noise footage after the sun goes down. These modes allow the photographer to configure the camera with minimal effort.
In addition to the status OLED display (Organic EL display) in the lower section of the body, that allows at-a-glance checking of a range of information such as setting modes and battery power remaining, the RICOH THETA SC2 also features a new button that lets the user switch to self-timer mode, making the camera much easier to operate in a standalone manner. Staying true to the product concept of a compact, lightweight body, the RICOH THETA SC2 can be used as a live blogging camera that people can carry with them to record the events of their day. The lineup features four different Fresh Colors, allowing users to choose a color variation to suit the scenario in which they will use it or their preferences. This is the perfect camera for people who enjoy sharing pictures and videos on social media, or for those who wish to start using a 360° camera.
A bright wide-aperture F2.0 large-diameter compact twin lens folded optics system and the latest image sensor delivers detailed 360° spherical images at an output resolution approximately 14 megapixels. Exposure accuracy and the white balance algorithms have been completely revamped from previous RICOH TEHTA SC models, and offer accurate, natural exppresion when shooting in Auto mode. Furthermore, an improved image sensor and image processing engine now allows shooting high-resolution 4K ( 3840 x 1920 pixels) video at 30 fps (frames pre second) for up to three minutes, equivalent to high-end cameras.
The Theta SC2 joins the current Theta line up as the perfect camera for the 360 Enthusiast. Keeping the same form factor as the previous Theta SC, it is simple, compact, and lightweight.
A follow-up to the predecessor SC model, the THETA SC2 is highly improved with 4K video recording capability and intuitive image enhancement features. For example, Face Mode detects when faces are in a weird location in the frame, or if the faces are slanted too much, and it centers them. It also brightens the faces by applying exposure compensation and noise reduction in order for the skin and faces to look brighter and better. Other new features include Night View and Underwater Mode, both of which help you get the kind of shot that you'll be glad to share instantly. Other key features of the camera include easy sharing of 360 photos and videos to social media directly from the companion iOS/Android app.
How does it all work? The THETA SC2 features two ultra-wide lenses, each with a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor behind it. Whatever you shoot is captured by both lenses at the same time, resulting in two images. The camera then automatically stitches these images internally in real time (so you don't have to do so in post-production), and what you get is a 360 spherical image. In a 360 image, pretty much everything in front, back, top, bottom, and sides of the camera is captured. Then, you can view the image in the companion app. By swiping the image in different directions, you can see all the different angles captured. But even before you start swiping, the angle you see at first also comes out very wide and immersive.
Keeping the same form factor as the previous SC model, the THETA SC2 supports virtually all the same accessories as the predecessor model and can be used in the same ways, so it allows for a smooth transition for SC owners who want to upgrade and enjoy 4K capture capability and all the other new features.
4K Video
The THETA SC2 is capable of recording 360° 4K video thanks to its use of the same high-speed image sensors that the advanced THETA V model has. Additionally, a supporting image processing engine allows for real-time internal stitching of the 4K video. Moreover, shake correction helps stabilize the 4K image. Up to 3-minute clips of 4K video can be recorded at a time at real-time 30 fps to the internal 14GB of memory.
Face Mode
Faces are detected and centered in the image—if they're located in a high position in the image frame or are slanted in some way, the THETA SC2 corrects them and brings them to the center
Exposure compensation and noise reduction brighten faces so the skin looks brighter and better
Images are processed to smooth skin regardless of whether or not faces are successfully detected
Night View
This mode combines noise reduction with dynamic range correction and face detection in order to capture shots with low image noise—this feature is intended for use with a tripod
This preset independently controls automatic exposure (AE) and automatic white balance (AWB) for the front and rear lenses in scenes with extreme differences in contrast
Highlight priority automatic exposure in dark scenes captures main subjects as best a possible even when they are too brightly lit
Lens-by-Lens Exposure Mode
The images captured by the front and rear lenses are placed beside each other for a side-by-side display
Underwater Mode
In this mode, the white balance settings are specifically designed for underwater shooting in depths of 16 to 33', in order to compensate for how colors are capture underwater
HDR Algorithm Changes
Improvements to the HDR algorithm highly minimized and even removes chromatic aberration and fringing, as well as unnatural effects normally caused by color saturation
Contrast is high in the highlights
Processing time is 9.5 seconds, a huge improvement over the 23-second time of the predecessor SC model
Three images are composited in the THETA SC2, whereas the predecessor SC model used four images; the result of the improvement is a narrower dynamic range in the highlights
High-Speed Image Data Transfer
High-speed data transfer that is approximately 4x faster than that of the predecessor THETA SC model
Ricoh Theta SC2 Specs
Stitching Resolution 4K (Video)
Internal/External Stitching Internal Stitching
Supported Spherical Projection Types Equirectangular
Still Image Resolution : 5376 x 2688
Number of Lenses 2
Sensor 1-Chip 1/2.3" CMOS
Sensor Resolution 12 MP
Maximum Aperture f/2
Built-In Mic Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Tripod Mount 1/4" - 20
Dimensions (W x H x D) 5.2 x 1.8 x 0.9" / 13.1 x 4.5 x 2.3 cm
Weight 3.67 oz / 104 g
