Back in January 2016, Nikon surprised the photography world with the unveiling of the KeyMission 360, a waterproof action cam capable of capturing 4K footage in 360 degrees. There weren’t a lot of details at the time: We knew it’d be rugged without a special housing (waterproof down to 100 feet, as well as dust-, shock-, and freeze-proof down to 14-degrees Fahrenheit). It would also have electronic Vibration Reduction. It’d be Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled (SnapBridge-compatible, Nikon’s branding for its Bluetooth Low Energy-based “always connected” protocol), so it could work with a smartphone or tablet for control.
Now, at the Photokina show in Germany, Nikon is revealing more details, including pricing and availability. In another surprise, it’s also announcing two additional action cams in the KeyMission lineup – the KeyMission 170 and KeyMission 80 (the numbers indicate the field-of-view their lenses capture). And with these products, the KeyMission series signifies Nikon’s entry into the action cam/wearables category.
“The KeyMission series introduces amazing new tools for everyday storytellers eager to find and pursue their personal missions while sharing their loves with the world,” said Kosuke Kawaura, Nikon Inc.’s Director of Marketing and Planning, in a statement. “History is full of stories told from behind the camera – the KeyMission 360, KeyMission 170, and KeyMission 80 will challenge tradition and invite users to embark on a journey to share their missions from entirely new, immersive perspectives.”
While the action camera market is already full of players, Nikon believes there’s room for more, and that 360-degree cameras are the future. The company told us that it’s not after the action sports market that’s typically associated with these cameras, but more with the general consumer who wants to record his or her life’s moments, when a smartphone isn’t the best option.
