Nikon’s new KeyMission camera line is headlined by the $500 KeyMission 360 (available in October), which, as the name implies, sports a full 360 degree field of view, shoots in 4K or full HD resolutions, and features out-of-the-box durability including water resistance up to 98 feet and shock resistance up to 6.6 feet.
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The new cameras carry the KeyMission branding, and their names correspond to their field of view.
Other models also available in October include: the KeyMission 170 ($399.95) ultra-wide angle 4K UHD camera and the KeyMission 80 ($279.95), compact Full HD action camera.
The device uses two lenses to capture 360-degree 4K footage. The selfie camera comes with a 1.8mm lens with a 5-megapixel sensor. In total, that’s a 10-megapixel advantage over the Samsung Gear 360 (which uses two 15-megapixel sensors), and as a result the KeyMission 360 can capture better quality images. Beyond looking the part of a ruggedized walkie talkie, it can take a bit of punishment including being dropped from six-feet, frozen at 14-degrees Fahrenheit and taken for a dip in water 3.2-feet (0.97m) deep. You’ll also have Electronic Vibration Reduction to help keep things stable while shooting in 1080p, along with a pack-in remote control, which will allow you to add tags and stop or start recording when you’re away from the camera itself.
For more advanced editing functions, new KeyMission 360/170 utility software for PC and Mac allows is included.
Nikon said the KeyMission 360 is compatible with a variety of optional mounts and accessories. Alongside the 4K KeyMission 360, which was unveiled at CES earlier this year, there are two new rugged offerings catering to adventurers who don’t need 360-degree recording.
The real surprise was the announcement of the KeyMission 80 and the KeyMission 170. It has a rounded rectangular body, with the f2.8 lens offset to the side. There’s also an LCD screen, but this one’s not touchscreen. This one brings a f/2.8 lens and a 8.3-megapixel CMOS sensor to the table, allowing users to shoot in 4K or 1080p.
Aside from the size, the main difference between the KeyMission 80 and its bigger siblings is reduced water resistance that only goes up to 3.2 feet.
The last product Nikon announced was the KeyMission 80. But, if you want to do some light editing before uploading, you can use the KeyMission’s built-in Wi-Fi to pair the camera with a mobile device in order to make simple cuts without ever sitting down at a computer. The front camera uses a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, an f2.0 lens, and an 80-degree FOV, while the rear camera has a 5-megapixel sensor and an f2.2 lens. There’s also a 1.75-inch touchscreen LCD screen and it’s waterproof to 1m.
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The KeyMission 80 is the only model to come with a rear-camera intended for taking selfies.
