Budget-friendly VR180 cameras: Slam Xcam might turn into a practical choice
A new VR180 camera has launched on Kickstarter. Our expert in immersive cameras examines the campaign in detail.
The hemispheric VR180 3D format is excellently suited for viewing immersive photos and videos, allowing viewers to feel as if they are part of the action due to the expansive field of vision and 3D perspective.
In 2018, creating such content was simple with cameras like the Lenovo Mirage Camera, Vuze XR, or Insta360 EVO, but the landscape has changed today: the availability of budget-friendly VR180 cameras is virtually nonexistent, with most options being high-priced professional VR180 devices.
An exception is the Calf Visinse (Gen 2) camera, which retails for $850. As mentioned in my article about the Calf Visinse camera, there were several software issues at its launch. Some appear to have been rectified, while others are anticipated to be addressed in the future.
Another stereoscopic VR180 camera, the Slam Xcam, is slated for release in early 2025, targeting consumer markets as well. The lowest tier of the Kickstarter campaign for the basic Slam Xcam starts at $1,000 including taxes.
In this piece, I will explore the specifications and assess the image quality based on the available sample content.
The Slam Xcam at a glance
The new Slam Xcam is yet another consumer-oriented VR180 camera. Offering 8K photo and video capabilities, a fairly compact build, and a competitive price point, this Kickstarter initiative is worth considering.
Slam Xcam could be right for you if …
- You’re seeking an entry-level experience in the VR180 3D format and
- want to stay under $1,000.
Slam Xcam may not be ideal for you if …
- you expect the highest VR180 quality available, even at several times the cost (e.g. Canon Dual Fisheye),
- and you’d prefer to hold off to see if the current issues will be resolved.
Background on Slam
The company’s name may ring a bell for some. A year ago, Slam entered the VR180 camera market with the Slam VR180 3D smartphone. The Indiegogo campaign lasted around 30 days before being canceled. They cited several reasons:
- The 4K video resolutions offered were inadequate for VR180 3D.
- The smartphone format did not gain much popularity. Given its low price, the Slam smartphone was unlikely to serve well as a conventional phone replacement for many users.
- Capturing VR180 content with a very slim phone is challenging due to the interference of fingers in the shot.
Slam’s CEO James Wang paid attention to the feedback and shifted focus to creating a compact VR180 camera instead.
Emphasis was placed on improved sensor quality resulting in higher resolution. While the foundation remains a smartphone, it now features a larger frame and more professional lenses. The camera operates on the Android system. This is a smart strategy, as it offers a sizable touchscreen that provides an excellent overview and allows for running other Android applications on the device.
Slam Xcam compared to others
Overall, the latest VR180 cameras (Slam Xcam, Calf Visinse) boasting rounded 8K photo and video resolutions demonstrate a notable upgrade from the older Insta360 EVO. In VR, the images exhibit significantly sharper detail at these higher resolutions.
Ideally, having more than 8K as a recording source for VR180 content would be preferred, but that is still a distant goal in the consumer sector (Blackmagic Design presents 16K horizontal per eye at an astounding price of $30,000).
Downloadable media
If you are interested in viewing some VR media from Slam Inc. yourself, I have compiled a package containing a video and seven VR180 images from the Slam Xcam for easy download.
Alternatively, you can also acquire the materials via the Quest app immerGallery (available in both free and full versions). Simply navigate to Download, Custom URL in the app and type slam into the address field next to https://. Then hit “Go!”.
Media analysis
The available media consists of recent recordings from December 2024 and January 2025, reflecting the current firmware state. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, I’ve noted some issues. These appear to be software-related and may be rectified with a future firmware update. I brought these concerns to the attention of Slam Inc.’s CEO two months ago.
Issue 1: Color differences between left and right shots
In at least one image, the color tones between the left eye and right eye images are noticeably distinct. While exact color accuracy is less critical in 2D images, these variances in stereoscopic content can result in eye discomfort and motion sickness.
Here, the colors of the left and right images are different. | Image: Slam Inc.
Issue 2: Aliasing
In the sample media, an aliasing effect is visible in specific regions of the image. This issue is likely due to a miscalculation in converting the fisheye image to the equirectangular format. Additionally, these discrepancies are not consistent between the left and right images, leading to an unwelcome difference that can again cause eye strain and motion sickness.
Aliasing appears in certain parts of the image. | Image: Slam Inc. Crop: Daniel Pohl
Issue 3: Horizontal stripes
Slight horizontal stripes can be observed, particularly in darker areas. When these areas are brightened, some noise becomes apparent, but the noise is unidirectional. It’s assumed this phenomenon is also present in brighter scenes but not easily noticed. Unfortunately, this issue creates additional disparity between the left and right images.
Horizontal stripes with noise. The left image has been brightened on the right for clearer illustration. | Image: Slam Inc. Crop: Daniel Pohl
Advantages of the Slam Xcam
- Fairly compact design with a sizable display that serves both as an excellent preview screen and a setting adjustment touchscreen
- Larger sensors relative to a compact camera
- High pixel resolution compared to consumer VR180 cameras
- As it runs on Android, additional applications can be installed, such as those for sharing images via messaging services
- In-camera transformation of the two captured fisheye images into a standard equirectangular format. Many other cameras necessitate further processing with specialized software on a PC.
Disadvantages of the Slam Xcam
- If your primary interest lies in producing VR180 3D videos, the 30 fps at 8K resolution might be insufficient. Currently, only the Canon setup with the EOS R5 C and R5 Mark II offers 8K and 60 fps, which comes at a significantly higher cost.
- The camera displays certain issues in the shared media recordings (as detailed above), which may likely be remedied to some extent through software/firmware updates:
- At present, there is an absence of EXIF data (e.g., shutter speed) in the images, indicating the GPS sensor has not been utilized thus far.
- Right now, it appears that there is no option for (post-processing) horizon correction like Canon offers with its EOS VR Utility, which can help correct slight rotations in photos and videos to ensure a straight horizon.
Final thoughts
The Slam Xcam represents an intriguing option for a consumer-grade 180 VR camera. Its large touchscreen, competitive sensors for a compact device, Android operating system, and reasonable pricing all suggest potential success within this niche market.
However, in its current state, the camera’s shortcomings obstruct its appeal. The images provided directly by Slam Inc. reveal critical flaws that leave the camera’s reliability in question.
If you are hesitant to pay more than the currently discounted Kickstarter price and trust that the existing issues will be resolved, purchasing may be an option. Otherwise, it may be best to wait for these problems to be rectified. Just remember, the price could rise later.
Daniel Pohl, the author, is the CEO and founder of immerVR GmbH, where he actively engages with innovations in immersive media, specifically in VR180 stereo photography and videos. His app immerGallery (Meta Horizon Store, Steam Store) enables users to experience engaging photo galleries complete with voiceovers and music across various VR formats on Meta Quest devices, also supporting playback for standard 2D / 3D, 180° and 360°.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
