Looking for some advice. I don't have a large budget ($1,000 max), and need a camera for VRideo to fit a very specific need. Which camera do you recommend for me?
Essentially I am a football coach looking to train my quarterbacks on their eyes and vision during practice. So the camera will be mounted on their helmet. I have done this before with a GoPro so the camera needs to fit my GoPro mount. It doesn't need to be stereoscopic 3d (although that would be nice but I don't think it's currently feasible with my budget). Because it will be mounted on an athletes helmet, we will need to see in at least 180 degrees (preferably 360). Now because it is mounted above their head, the view must not have a blind spot too far below their eyes as I am trying to get to as close to POV as possible. Is there any camera in my budget that can meet these needs with reasonable resolution?
Options: Single GoPro and then use MilkVR and set to 180x180 ( adjust size to match actual GoPro which is a bit less) Single Kodak Pixpro for 180 x 180 forward look. Relatively cheap and does provide full 180 and can be viewed on MilkVR. Small like GoPro with accessories for mounting. No stitching or post processing required. Probably best for this type of POV. Downside is only MilkVR can playback. Theta is low res video (HD for full 360) so not great. Dual Kodaks - They sell a dual package < $1000 that has 2 cameras and a mount that holds them back to back. Get the 4k version. Much better quality than the Theta. Almost to level of 6 GoPros for simple things. Requires desktop app they provide to stitch. Results viewable on any VR playback system. Downside is of course it's a little bit larger with 2 cameras than a single camera. Samsung 360 camera - shipping in Korea now but not in US until Fall?
Stereo - No clean and easy stereo solutions. There's a kickstarter camera that shoots 180 stereo but not still not shipping. 360 stereo even more difficult to get. and have look good. Even problem for pro cameras.
Would suggest single Kodak for your needs. Available now. You could get dual Kodak so you could shoot 360 when desired or use them separately to have 2 players or as a backup camera.