If you like spherical views then Ricoh has a device just for you. It's called the Theta and it's a slim, easy-to-use camera with two fish-eye lenses, one on the front and one on the back.
The device has a folded optical system, with a prism in the center directing light to two image sensors. The power button and an on/off switch are on the side. It has a micro-USB port and a tripod hole on the bottom. The device can shoot from a distance of 10 cm to infinity, and has ISO100 – 1600.
The camera syncs with smartphones over Wi-Fi via a dedicated app. The Theta will be compatible with iPhone 4S and 5 running iOS 6 or earlier (it will likely receive updates to be compatible with new versions of Apple's smartphone). Ricoh hasn't forgotten about the Android community, of course, and promises to provide compatibility by the end of 2013.
Using the Theta with the iPhone app, users can edit the size and shape of the photo before uploading it to social media. The device uses the iPhone’s GPS technology to geo-tag photos. The app also allows for remote shutter control, so you can position the camera in a specific location and then use the iPhone app to capture a scene.
The Theta will be available for pre-order directly from Ricoh this month in France and Germany. It is priced at €399 (including VAT).
