GoPro Fusion review: 360-degree video becomes easy to handle

The GoPro Fusion is easy to set up and connects to the GoPro app. You can control it from the device or via the app — I will go for the second option always. The connection is a mix of Bluetooth and Wifi and depending on what you are doing, you will need to use both. The app lets you shuffle between different modes like video, photos, burst and timelapse. You can do the same on the device too. One thing you need to keep in mind is that unit does not switch on until you have cards in the both slots — Class 10 cards with at least 32GB storage are recommended.

The GoPro Fusion has a slightly unconventional design for a 360-degree camera and certainly for something coming out of the GoPro stable.

Once the connections are in place, you can see the 360-degree video from the camera on your phone. However, since the camera is shooting in 5.2K, which even the iPhone X can’t support, you see a scaled down version on the phone. I was initially worried by this, then realised that the actual footage is of a much superior quality. While the phone gives you a good idea of what is being shot, I gradually realised that it was to let this be as you get too caught in peering into the phone screen. It is best to let the GoPro shoot and since it is 360-degree video there is not need to bother about the frames.

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The video quality is good and is supported by really high-end audio. And this is a superb selfie camera for those who love to see themselves. However, in the 360 video, if you are not careful the stitch does appear at odd places. So it is better to keep the sides towards the horizon where the stich can merge in the blue sky or other neutral surroundings.

Once the connections are in place, you can see the 360-degree video from the camera on your phone.

And this is where GoPro Fusion is really making an impact. The GoPro app now has an OverCapture feature that lets you cut out any 1080p frame from the 360-degree footage as a separate file. You can even snip out photos. The app even lets you edit the 360-degree video, moving from one part of the frame to another, all on the phone itself. Editing 360-degree video has never been this easy.

However, it was a bit tricky posting the videos and photos to my Facebook. The upload process would time out when I tried from the app. I managed YouTube upload in one go though. Also, when you save the 360-degree media to the phone, it does not show up for uploads. So sharing is limited to the app. Photos cropped out of the 360, however, show up in the GoPro folder. The best option otherwise is to just copy the files from your card for editing and sharing.

However, in the 360 video, if you are not careful the stitch does appear at odd places.

The battery can last about an hour of 360-video recording, which is good. The device does heat up a bit at times. Also, this is waterproof and you can take it for a swim with the sharks. However, there is not much scope for that in a place like Delhi. I did take the Fusion near the backwaters in Kochi, but he water was too murky to be of any use.

At the moment, the GoPro Fusion would well be the best affordable 360-degree camera. It is also the easiest to use from an editing perspective. But given that we are dealing with really heavy files here, GoPro might need to improve the sharing capabilities.

GoPro Fusion Price in India: Rs 60,000 plus* (GoPro Fusion is currently not available in India)