Review Together With Comparison: Xiaomi Mijia Mi Sphere Has The Highest Photograph Together With Video Lineament Amidst Consumer 360 Cameras

Here is a total review of the Xiaomi Mijia Mi Sphere 360 camera, which has teach ane of my favorite 360 cameras for its first-class icon character in addition to incredible icon stabilization.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Xiaomi Mi Sphere is an first-class 360 photographic boob tube camera that has the highest icon character for both photos in addition to videos amid cameras roughly $350 or less (for photograph quality, I would country at that topographic point is no ameliorate 360 photographic boob tube camera unless yous are willing to purchase a Panono). On top of that, its icon stabilization actually works, in addition to it plant rattling well. On the other hand, the Mi Sphere has meaning drawbacks that yous should review earlier buying it.

Here is the video review:

WHAT'S IN THE BOX
The Xiaomi Mi Sphere includes:
- the camera
- a mini tripod / handle
- a Micro USB cable
- a H2O resistant pouch

The Xiaomi is rattling good made, alongside a sleek matte dark outer goal alongside hidden LED indicators (like the Theta). The frame is metal, which makes the Xiaomi experience corporation but also helps to radiate estrus (the metallic tin toilet teach hot during use).

KEY SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
- Two 190-degree lenses
- f/2.0 aperture
- Photo resolution: upwards to 6912 x 3456 (23.88 mp*)
- Video resolution: upwards to 3456 x 1728 @ 30fps, or 2304 x 1152 @ 60fps.
- ISO: 50 to 1600
- Shutter speed: upwards to 32 seconds.
- exposure modes: auto, manual, shutter priority, ISO priority
- IP67 H2O resistance
- 6-axis icon stabilization
- removable Micro SD upwards to 128GB
- compatible alongside Android in addition to iOS

*The actual exported video resolution depends on your phone. For phones alongside a Snapdragon 625 or ameliorate processor, yous tin toilet export at the total resolution. For other phones, the exported resolution volition live express to 2304 x 1156 or inward some cases, 1920 x 960. You may desire to examine it out on your telephone first. You tin toilet effort these unstitched files (see below nether "sharing" for links to the iOS in addition to Android versions).

HOW TO USE
Here is a video tutorial on how to role the Xiaomi:

Shooting without a phone
There are 3 buttons: power, wi-fi in addition to shutter. The powerfulness push clit doubles every bit a trend switch.
a. Photos
- Hold downwards the powerfulness push clit to plough it on. Startup fourth dimension is quite fast - alone a twain of seconds. The high-pitched beeping from the photographic boob tube camera helps yous to know that the photographic boob tube camera is on fifty-fifty inward brilliant sunlight when it is difficult to come across the LED light.
- Tap the powerfulness push clit to switch betwixt photograph or video every bit needed.
- Press the shutter push clit to guide keep a photograph or video. In photograph mode, at that topographic point is nigh a 1- or 2-second delay from the fourth dimension yous press the shutter to the fourth dimension the photograph is taken. This gives yous plenty fourth dimension to motion your mitt away from the photographic boob tube camera thus that your won't appear oversized inward the 360 photo.
- In photograph mode, fit downwards the shutter push clit until it beeps to role the self-timer mode. The duration of the self-timer tin toilet live laid using the app. Note: the app lets yous select auto, 3 secs, or 10 secs. It seems that the actual self-timer is roughly one-half of the chosen value.
- In video mode, fit downwards the shutter push clit until it beeps to role the short video mode . In this mode, the photographic boob tube camera volition guide keep a curt video clip in addition to automatically halt recording. The duration of the curt video tin toilet live 10, twenty or xxx seconds, which yous specify inward the app.

Installing the app
Here is a link to the iOS app
Here is a link to the Android app. On that top screen, tap on the light-green push clit on the bottom. Then subsequently download, yous should come across the APK inward the app called "My files". That's the installation file. Double tap it. It volition tell yous that it's blocked. Then tap on settings to authorize unknown apps (you tin toilet specify to practise it "only for this time"). It volition thus install for you.

Shooting alongside a phone
Shooting alongside a telephone is useful because: 1) yous tin toilet role the alive preview to assistance approximate the exposure in addition to composition; 2) yous tin toilet role the telephone every bit a remote shutter; in addition to 3) on the phone, yous guide keep access to all of the available controls.

To shoot alongside the phone:
- launch the app.
- On your camera, press the WiFi button. It volition start blinking, which agency it's laid upwards to pair.
- On the principal concealment of the app, tap on the photographic boob tube camera icon at the bottom.
- On the side yesteryear side screen, select your camera.
- Use your phone's Wi-Fi settings to connect to the Xiaomi's Wi-Fi signal, which volition start alongside "MJXJ..." The default password is 12345678. You tin toilet alter this but if yous ever forget, fit downwards the wi-fi push clit for five seconds until it beeps to reset the Wi-Fi password.
- When the Xiaomi is connected, you'll listen a beep on the Xiaomi. In my experience, the Xiaomi has connected every unmarried time. It has never given me trouble, different the Theta or Keymission.
Once the telephone is connected, croak dorsum to the app. You should come across the alive preview screen. Or on Android, yous may guide keep to press the Back button.
You're laid upwards to guide keep a photograph or video.

Xiaomi tin toilet guide keep photos fifty-fifty inward rattling depression low-cal thank yous to a shutter speed every bit boring every bit 32 seconds.

SHARING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
The Xiaomi does non sew together photos or videos in-camera, but yous tin toilet come across a fully stitched preview on your app. If yous access the files straight from the retentiveness card, they volition appear every bit double circular fisheye files. To sew together the files, yous necessitate to role the app. (As for a desktop app, Xiaomi is working on ane in addition to it's rumored to live available inward July 2017. As of June 11, 2017, at that topographic point is no desktop software yet.).

Photos:
When viewing photos from the app, they are downloaded in addition to stitched right away. The stitched photos appear inward your phone's Gallery app alongside 360 metadata (on iPhone, they are inward a hidden directory, until yous select the photograph in addition to export it, inward which instance it volition appear inward the Camera Roll).

Videos:
You tin toilet view videos from the app but they volition non live downloaded to your telephone until yous select Download. Even subsequently downloading, they are non stitched until yous select a video in addition to export it. As of version 1.6.5.12953, videos are ever stabilized when exported (even if yous toggle stabilization off when viewing the video).

A screengrab from a Xiaomi video shows that it has rattling skillful detail.

IMAGE QUALITY
I compared the Xiaomi to its most direct competitors:
- the Insta360 Air for Android, which is the most affordable stabilized 360 photographic boob tube camera (requires phone)
- the Insta360 Nano for iPhone, the showtime stabilized 360 photographic boob tube camera (requires phone)
- 2016 Samsung Gear 360, currently the most affordable 4K 360 photographic boob tube camera (requires Samsung S6 or above)
- 2017 Samsung Gear 370, which has nigh the same cost every bit the Xiaomi.
- Ricoh Theta S. Not actually a direct challenger (except for 360 photos) but it's a mutual photographic boob tube camera used for comparison.
I've also added a previous comparing alongside the Nikon Keymission 360 in addition to Kodak PIXPRO SP360 4K Dual Pro.

Photo quality:
Here are total resolution samples from the Xiaomi, Insta360 Air, Insta360 Nano, Ricoh Theta S, master Samsung Gear 360 in addition to Samsung Gear 360 2017.

Here are 1:1 crops:

Insta360 Air

Insta360 Nano

2017 Samsung Gear 360

Ricoh Theta S

2016 Samsung Gear 360

Xiaomi Mi Sphere

In this group, the Xiaomi has the highest icon overall icon quality, alongside fifty-fifty to a greater extent than exceptional than the 30mp master Gear 360. It had the best exceptional in addition to best dynamic attain inward these samples. Its colors appear a fiddling apartment compared to the 2016 Gear 360, but that tin toilet live easily adjusted inward post.

The Xiaomi does endure from regal fringing close the sew together line, but that is relatively tardily to right inward postprocessing. Stitching is also non perfect. There is a fiddling fight of doubling at the sew together line.

The Xiaomi's color in addition to exceptional is sufficiently high that a cropped non-360 photograph tin toilet appear nigh every bit detailed in addition to rich every bit a photograph from a non-360 camera, allowing it to perform capably fifty-fifty every bit a non-360 camera:

Here is the 360 version:

Moreover, inward add-on to its first-class photograph quality, the Xiaomi offers total manual command alongside a shutter speed every bit boring every bit 32 seconds, in addition to ISO every bit depression every bit 50, which makes it possible to role it for long exposures.

Video quality:
I was surprised to discovery that Xiaomi also has the best video quality, despite having a lower nominal resolution than other cameras such every bit the master Gear 360 in addition to 2017 Gear 360.

This is non a photo. It's a framegrab from a video (in tiny planet view).

Here is a playlist alongside comparisons against the Insta360 Air, Insta360 Nano, 2016 Gear 360 in addition to 2017 Gear 360. (I also brought the Theta but the video file was truncated to simply ane 2nd for some reason. Maybe my Theta was jealous. In whatever case, trust me the Xiaomi's video is way ameliorate than the Theta's.)

Here are 100% crops:

Insta360 Air

Insta360 Nano

original 2016 Samsung Gear 360

2017 Samsung Gear 360

Xiaomi

You tin toilet come across that despite the lower 3.5K resolution of the Xiaomi, the Xiaomi has the most detail, every bit seen inward the texture of the fireplace. The Xiaomi also appears to guide keep the best dynamic range, every bit shown yesteryear the exceptional inward the backlit door. For these reasons, I concluded the Xiaomi has the best video quality.

Here is some other playlist I posted previously, comparing the Xiaomi to the Nikon Keymission 360 in addition to Kodak SP360 4K Dual Pro:

STRENGTHS
+ Excellent photograph quality
+ Excellent video quality
+ Excellent photograph controls (full manual exposure, shutter priority, ISO priority, ISO every bit depression every bit 50, shutter speed every bit boring every bit 32 seconds).
+ Excellent auto white balance; natural-looking colors
+ Image stabilization (see below).
+ Exposure settings are sticky. The settings yous specify volition live retained fifty-fifty subsequently the photographic boob tube camera is turned off. This agency that yous don't necessitate to continue your smartphone on.
+ Decent battery life when fully charged. I've been able to tape every bit long every bit 95 minutes nonstop inward total resolution.
+ Resistance to overheating. The Xiaomi tin toilet live connected to USB spell recording. With a USB charger connected, I've been able to tape for 1 threescore minutes 45 minutes nonstop inward total resolution.
+ IP67 H2O resistance. It's non H2O proof, but it volition belike endure pelting or beingness splashed yesteryear water.
+ Fast startup in addition to shutdown. It's laid upwards to shoot inward simply a few seconds.
+ Reliable in addition to long distance Wi-Fi connection. I've been able to connect to the Xiaomi every unmarried fourth dimension I've tried. This is inward sudden contrast to the Theta which sometimes connects in addition to sometimes doesn't, or the Nikon Keymission 360, which has an fifty-fifty to a greater extent than unreliable Wi-Fi connection. Moreover, the Wi-Fi has rattling long range. According to my friend in addition to tech vlogger Pepe Vazquez, he has been able to connect every bit far every bit 50 meters (!).

The most of import characteristic is icon stabilization. Besides making the video much to a greater extent than watchable, stabilization allows yous to brand the photographic boob tube camera appear invisible yesteryear making it possible to seat the Xiaomi inline alongside a slim selfie stick, in addition to fit it at whatever angle (see roughly 2:13 of this video). Neither the photographic boob tube camera nor the selfie stick volition live visible. This invisibility creates the illusion of an invisible cameraman capturing a 3rd mortal perspective inward 360.

WEAKNESSES
- Currently no desktop software. You guide keep to sew together videos on your smartphone . However, Xiaomi is working on a desktop app supposedly coming inward July (thanks to Zim for finding this message posted inward a Chinese forum for Mijia).

- Poor smartphone compatibility. Yes it does function alongside iOS in addition to Android, but yous tin toilet alone export videos at total resolution alongside a telephone that has a Snapdragon 625 sensor or better. Here is a listing of compatible phones. (If the hereafter desktop software stitches videos at total resolution, thus it volition mitigate this compatibility issue.)
- Battery is non removable.
- Quirky stabilization. There are several issues related to stabilization:
--- Some videos powerfulness non guide keep stabilization. You may discovery that your video has no stabilization. I constitute that this happens if yous tape likewise shortly subsequently turning on the camera. Solution: Instead, hold back a few seconds (3 seconds or so) subsequently turning on the photographic boob tube camera earlier yous start recording.
--- Some videos powerfulness live stabilized but tilted. It appears that regardless of the camera's angle, the angle when yous start recording volition oft live designated every bit 'up'. For example, if your photographic boob tube camera is horizontal, the horizontal seat volition live designated every bit 'up,' resulting inward a stabilized but horizontal video. Solution: Be certain the photographic boob tube camera is vertical earlier yous start recording, in addition to continue it vertical for at to the lowest degree a twain of seconds.
--- Drifting. If yous tape for to a greater extent than than a twain of minutes, the view volition start to drift to the right, or rotate. If stabilization is turned off, the drifting upshot doesn't happen. Solution: tape curt clips only, or plough off stabilization yesteryear recording right subsequently turning the photographic boob tube camera on, or yesteryear using an older version of the app that doesn't guide keep stabilization.
--- Heat moving ridge effect. When stabilization is active, the video volition guide keep a slight waviness, similar estrus rising from the dry ground inward hot weather. This upshot happens alone when stabilization is active in addition to is most noticeable on static shots. Solution: If this upshot bothers you, plough off stabilization yesteryear recording right subsequently turning the photographic boob tube camera on, or yesteryear using an older version of the app that doesn't guide keep stabilization.
As I mentioned inward the previous section, at that topographic point are a few icon character issues: regal fringing close the sew together line, at that topographic point is sometimes a slight deviation inward color temperature betwixt the 2 lenses, in addition to inward 360 photos, some straight lines expect rattling slightly wavy (if the photograph is stitched on a 3rd political party program, at that topographic point is no waviness).

"Invisible" 3rd mortal view photographic boob tube camera made possible yesteryear the Xiaomi's stabilization

CONCLUSION
The Xiaomi has the best photograph and video character amid 360 cameras roughly $350 or less. Whether it is the best photographic boob tube camera for yous depends on your priorities:

If your priority is alive streaming, Xiaomi unfortunately has no alive streaming capability. I would instead recommend Insta360 Air for Android or Insta360 Nano for iPhone, both of which guide keep alive streaming alongside stabilization.

If your priority is to teach the best 360 photographic boob tube camera for 360 video regardless of price, I recollect that is currently the many advanced features inward add-on to having a higher resolution video (4K stitched in-camera, or upwards to 5.7K stitched alongside a 3rd political party program). Another possibility is Yi 360 VR, which is due to live released shortly in addition to volition guide keep 5.7K video for $399, but every bit far every bit I know, it is non stabilized.

But if yous desire a 360 photographic boob tube camera alongside first-class photos and videos, thus inward my opinion, Xiaomi Mi Sphere is the best camera, every bit long every bit yous are willing to seat upwards alongside its quirks. It has the best photograph AND video character I've constitute for 360 cameras nether $350, in addition to and has amazing icon stabilization.

Xiaomi Mi Sphere is also the best photographic boob tube camera if your priority is 360 photos, because of its icon character in addition to its first-class photograph controls. Its most meaning challenger would live the Theta S which has fifty-fifty to a greater extent than exposure controls (including an intervalometer) in addition to has best inward shape stitching, but has to a greater extent than regal fringing, in addition to is non every bit detailed, in addition to is soft close the sew together line.

If yous would similar to purchase the Xiaomi, it is available from GearBest, which ships to roughly 260+ countries all over the world. They are also pretty fast in addition to I have my orders from them inward simply ane week. You tin toilet role these coupons:
Coupon1: GBMijiaCa , Price: $244.99 (limited to fifteen buyers only, showtime come upwards showtime served)
Coupon2: 9dnyemqq , Price: $249.99