Intrepid filmmakers who wished to make a virtual reality (VR) film using GoPro cameras didn’t really have much option save for using multiple cameras and painstakingly stitching the footage together. GoPro are now planning to change that with the introduction of the Fusion camera.
The GoPro Fusion is a spherical camera which is designed specifically to capture footage for immersive experiences, though it can also capture non-360 footage to a high standard. Content creators can apply to participate in a pilot programme for the Fusion that will include various companies, content creators and industry professionals in order to further refine the GoPro Fusion.
“Fusion is just that, the ability to capture every angle simultaneously…as though you had six GoPro cameras fused into one,” said GoPro founder and CEO, Nicholas Woodman. “Whether filming for VR or traditional fixed-perspective content, Fusion represents the state-of-the-art in versatile spherical capture.”
Content creators have the option to capture either VR footage using the Fusion’s 5.2K resolution, or by utilising a solution termed OverCapture, it is also possible to capture non-VR footage in HD quality in traditional formats without sacrificing quality.
The pilot programme for the GoPro Fusion will be rolling out in Summer 2017, and content creators can apply to be part of the programme from the GoPro Fusion website. GoPro hope to have a number of Fusion units available for limited commercial release by the end of 2017. There is currently no work on what the price point of the units will be, nor of when the full commercial release is planned for.
VRFocus will continue to bring you news on the GoPro Fusion and other VR capture devices.