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Posts Tagged ‘Kandao’

The Kandao QooCam 8K is an affordable pocket-sized 8K 360-degree camera

08 Nov

360-degree cameras cover a much larger field of view than conventional cameras, which is why a high pixel count is essential for capturing good detail. Most current consumer models max out at 4K resolution, though, with 8K video reserved for bulkier high-end models that are mostly aimed at professionals.

Chinese manufacturer Kandao is now changing this, however. Today, the company has launched QooCam 8K, which it calls the ‘first pocketable 8K 360-degree camera.’

The camera uses a pair of fisheye lenses and 1/1.7” sensors to capture stills and video; it’s also capable of 16-bit DNG capture and 10-bit color for stills. It offers automated image stacking at Raw level for increased dynamic range and detail and can also record 4K video at 120 frames per second.

Kandao’s Super Steady electronic stabilization uses a 6-axis gyro to smooth video footage without the need for a gimbal and, according to the manufacturer, makes the QooCam 8K usable as an action cam.

A 2.4-inch OLED touchscreen lets you check shooting information, preview and playback footage and adjust parameters without connecting a smartphone. Footage can be edited and reframed in the dedicated QooCam App or QooCam Studio which include templates for those who are beginners in the world of 360-degree editing.

Additionally, the QooCam 8K can be used to live stream 360-degree video in 4K with in-camera real-time stitching. It is compatible Facebook, Youtube and other platforms. The
Kandao QooCam 8K 360-degree camera is now available for pre-order on the Kandao website for 599 Euros (approximately $ 660). Shipping is scheduled for December 2019.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kandao uses AI to convert 30fps 360-degree video into super-slow-motion footage

19 Apr

Kandao, the makers of professional-grade 360-degree cameras and the Kandao Raw+ image stacking tool for Raw files has launched another potentially very useful software feature. AI Slow-motion is designed to convert 360-degree video footage that has been recorded at a regular 30 frames per second into 300 fps super-slow-motion clips.

The software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to predict and generate intermediate frames for a smooth and detailed slow-motion output from existing 360/VR footage.

The company says that compared to optical flow or interpolation methods that are used in other applications, the AI-generated footage offers more accurate frame interpolation as well as fewer jagged edges and other artifacts. The software also requires less powerful hardware than comparable systems.

The feature will first be implemented into the Kandao QooCam Studio and Kandao Studio applications, allowing for an up to 10x slow-motion effect. For example, 360-degree video originally captured at 8k 30fps can be converted into 8K 240fps slow-motion or 4k 60fps video into 4K 480fps footage, by selecting a factor of eight during the 360 stitching workflow in the software software.

The bad news is that, although the algorithm behind the feature can work with any existing videos, in a first step the technology will only work with video from Kandao cameras. However, the company says it will make AI slow motion available for other cameras in the future, which is good news for 360-degree videographers who would like to work with super-slow-motion without splashing out on ultra-powerful hardware.

Kandao camera users can now download Qoocam Studio with AI slow motion free of charge on the Kandao website. Kandao Studio V3.0 with AI slow-motion will available on 23rd April.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kandao Raw+ is an automated image stacking tool for Raw files

17 Jul

Kandao, a maker of professional-grade 360° cameras has launched a new software product called Kandao Raw+. The tool was designed to boost image quality of the company’s own camera models Obsidian and QooCam, but also works with most DSLRs and other Raw-capable cameras that are supported by Adobe Camera Raw.

Kandao Raw+ uses computational photography techniques, similar to what we are seeing in many high-end smartphones, to create images with increased detail and dynamic range, as well as lower noise levels. To achieve that it combines a burst of Raw images into one single DNG file that can then be further edited with a Raw converter of your choice.

The software aligns shots automatically which means there is no need for shooting on a tripod. It is also capable of minimizing blur on any moving subjects in the scene. You can import up to 16 frames images of a burst into Kandao Raw+. You then pick one image as a reference for the auto-alignment.

The rest of the process is fully automated and will get you a DNG file with a 16-bit color depth and dynamic range that (theoretically) has been increased by almost 4EV, offering much more latitude in post-processing.

Best of all, Kandao Raw+ is free to download and use. You can find more information, technical detail and download links on the Kandao website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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