Nikon KeyMission 360

This action cam sees in all directions – but what’s it for?

$499 Manufacturer Nikon, nikonusa.com Features 23.9MP photos, 4K Ultra HD video, ISO 100-1600, up to 2160p, 24fps video

The Nikon KeyMission 360 features a pair of 180-degree lenses on its front and rear faces, and stitches the resulting images together to produce 360-degree, 4K footage.

The camera itself is a rugged little cube; with focal-length-widening lens protectors attached, it’s waterproof to 20 meters. Underwater lens protectors allow it work to a depth of 30 meters for up to 60 minutes, albeit not 360 degrees. It will also survive chills down to 14°F.

The record button on top doubles as a power button, while a side button works as a shutter release for stills. You can use Nikon’s SnapBridge 360/170 app to trigger recording, change video resolutions, or opt for various timelapse modes. Recorded video and images can be downloaded to synced devices. The footage and stills don’t make much sense on their own. It takes a fair amount of squinting to make sense of an image whose far left and right edges should join up. Logistical problems also present themselves: the ultra-wide lenses see almost directly above and below, so they inevitably film whatever form of support you’re using, with the exception of the bundled adhesive helmet mounts, which sit perfectly in the 360’s blindspot.

The raw footage – which can be captured in up to 4K resolution – can be uploaded to YouTube, which is compatible with VR footage, and can be watched on compatible devices. An iPhone will suffice, and Nikon bundles a flatpack cardboard VR viewer. The still images are a tougher proposition, although their 360-degree nature means they work well for “little planet” photo processing. There’s scope for unusual selfies, as the unit has a two-second self-timer by default.

The KeyMission 360 is an easy-to-use, rugged device for those who want to push their videoography to a completely new place.

the bottom line. An expensive, strange product, sure… but great for forward-looking adrenaline junkies. Dave Stevenson