How Long Does It Take To Take a Picture? Stopwatch Tests with SC2

THETA API Usage
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When you take a picture with a THETA, there are three stages:

  1. The command is sent, which is communicated most likely over Wi-Fi

  2. The camera receives the command and returns a response. The response is that the camera is “busy”

  3. The camera returns a response that it is “done”

But how long does it take before it is ready for the next action? We tried stopwatch tests with a THETA SC2 to better understand how long the camera is busy. And when you can move on to the next action.

Quick summary:

  • Taking a single image takes “about 8 seconds”

  • Taking an HDR image takes “about 10 seconds,” slightly longer than a single image

  • Pressing the physical shutter button is fastest at “about 7 seconds”

The test involves taking single images versus taking HDR images. In many industries, like used car sales or construction, HDR images are used to provide better quality. Does an HDR image on a THETA SC2 take longer to process? If so, how much longer?

The testing involved watching the OLED icons on the front of the SC2. Before taking a picture, lowest icon is Battery.

When picture is taken, lowest icon changes to Transferring.

Camera is ready when icon switches back to Battery.

Time Taking a Single Image Tests SC2

Shutter activated in RICOH THETA Android mobile app

  • Test 1 - 8.40 seconds

  • Test 2 - 8.05 seconds

  • Test 3 - 8.68 seconds

Shutter activated by pressing physical shutter button on SC2

  • Test 1 - 7.54 seconds

  • Test 2 - 7.14 seconds

  • Test 3 - 7.33 seconds

Using command line tool from Oppkey

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HDR Rendering Tests

Shutter activate in RICOH THETA Android mobile app

  • Test 1 - 10.24 seconds

  • Test 2 - 10.23 seconds

  • Test 3 - 10.36 seconds

Shutter activated by pressing physical shutter button on SC2

  • Test 1 - 9.74 seconds

  • Test 2 - 9.85 seconds

  • Test 3 - 9.35 seconds

Using command line tool from Oppkey

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If you would like to install the useful command line tool for THETA API developed by Oppkey used in this article, please go to RICOH THETA SC2 Developer Information The registration and the command line tool are free. Binaries are available for Linux and Windows. Or you can compile the code yourself!

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