Lytro light field camera unveiled, shipping 2012

Lytro's consumer light field camera, which allows users to adjust a photograph's focus after it's been taken, is now available to consumer

So, you're looking at that one photo you took, and wishing that the flower in the foreground was in focus instead of the person behind it? Well it's no big deal, just go in and shift the focus. Oh yeah, that's right, you can't ... but you will be able to soon. California-based Lytro, Inc. announced today that its consumer light field camera is now available for preorder, and should be shipping early next year. It is the first camera of its kind made for the general public.

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Light field cameras use a microlens array and a light field sensor to separately record the color, intensity and vector direction of all the light rays reflected towards them. Algorithms then turn all that data into one image, but users can still manipulate the way in which it's presented after the photo has been taken. Primarily, this means that they can choose between having the foreground, middle, or background subjects in focus, or they can select all three together.

By contrast, regular cameras simply combine all the light rays, and represent them as one amount of light - once the photo has been taken, you're stuck with it the way it is.

Light field technology also allows pictures to be taken in lower light (because all of the light is used), shutter lag is greatly reduced (the camera doesn't have to focus), and both 2D and 3D images can be obtained from the same shot. Even when viewed in 2D, users can still subtly adjust the viewing perspective after the fact - if they think that a certain photo would have looked better had the camera been located just an inch to the right, for instance, they can adjust the shot accordingly.

Lytro's new camera is very simple - at least on the outside. It has a fixed-iris f2 lens, an 8X optical zoom, weighs less than eight ounces (227 grams), and its pocket-sized aluminum body comes in three colors. It has only two controls - power and shutter - along with a touchscreen display on which shots are manipulated using Lytro's "light field engine."

Buyers can choose between 8GB and 16GB models, which store 350 and 750 shots respectively. Although 3D capability won't be available immediately, the required algorithms should be ready (presumably in the form of firmware) sometime next year.

Users will be able to download shots from the camera onto their computer using a free desktop application. It will also allow them to share their photos on sites such as Facebook and by email. As the light field engine data travels with the images, people receiving the shots still being able to change their focus as desired. An OS X version of the software is already available, with a Windows version coming next year.

The camera can be preordered now on Lytro's website, at a price of US$399 for the 8GB model, or $499 for the 16GB.

Sony rolls out new NEX-VG20 interchangeable lens camcorder

The NEX-VG20 interchangeable lens camcorder from Sony

Sony has taken the wraps off the NEX-VG20, a consumer HD interchangeable lens camcorder that follows the world's first consumer-oriented HD camcorder with an interchangeable lens system, the NEX-VG10. The upcoming NEX-VG20 features the same E-mount system that offers users the choice of seven different E-mount lenses. Sony claims the VG20 offers a number of improvements over the previous model, including comprehensive manual controls, improved imaging quality, upgraded sound, and ergonomic refinements such as enhanced grips and a second record button.

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With the same Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor found in Sony's NEX-5N and NEX-C3 still cameras, the VG20 offers an effective resolution of 16.1 megapixels to capture 16 megapixel stills in RAW format and Full HD video in AVCHD format in 24p and 60p. For a more cinematic look, footage shot at 24p can also be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma and Cinema Tone Color. With the use of E-mount lenses, the sensor also allows for the creation of background defocus - or "bokeh" - effects.

"Whether you're shooting video or stills, this camcorder's large sensor rivals the expressive picture quality of a DSLR camera," said Andy Bubala, director of camcorders at Sony Electronics. "We've also made several enhancements to deliver the type of camcorder that video enthusiasts will love."

The unit's 3-inch (7.5 cm) Xtra Fine LCD display features TruBlack technology for improved contrast and can be rotated up to 270 degrees for high or low angle shooting, The VG20's Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround sound and the unit also features a new audio level control. The unit is compatible with SD memory cards and Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX series in capacities up to 32 GB.

Sony has also redesigned the camcorder's handgrip to improve the balance of the unit and make low and high angle shooting more comfortable. The control panel that allows for manual adjustment of exposure, iris and other settings can now be accessed when the LCD panel is closed, while the new button layout features "hard" function keys, direct access to each shooting mode and a second record button that have all been located so they can be operated without the user taking their eyes away from the electronic viewfinder.

The VG20 comes with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens that offers 11x optical zoom, built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and also features smooth, quiet autofocus operation during movie and still shooting. While Sony says the seven E-mount lenses available should cover virtually any shooting situation, the optional LA-EA2 lens mount adapter provides compatibility with A-mount lenses. Sony says it also plans to develop a third party "eco-system" to allow the camcorder to be used with lenses from other brands.

Sony's Handycan NEX-VG20 will be available this November for about US$2,199 with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens included, or for $1,500 for the body-only version.

Rollei to offer 3D digital camera

Do you love how stereoscopic 3D technology has changed the way the consumer electronics scene worked this year? Perhaps you’re sick of listening to arguments on which 3D viewing technology is best, and just want to get on with your life, but one thing’s for sure – 3D is here to say, and it isn’t going to go away anytime soon. Rollei too, wants to have a say in the world of stereoscopic 3D, and they are certainly not pulling any stops with their latest digital camera, the Power Flex 3D. Of course, that will be accompanied by a digital picture frame as well that does 3D, bringing a complete feast for your eyes. Rollei’s new 3-D devices are equipped with the special Parallax barrier display technology, which allows you to view 3D images and videos without the need to wear a dorky looking pair of glasses – now how about that?

The new Rollei Power Flex 3D will allow you to produce your own piece of video art, where a couple of simultaneously operating CMOS image sensors will capture 3D images with a maximum resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels. As for videos, those can be captured for all eternity in brilliant HD quality (not full HD though, so that means you will just have to settle for 720p) that is recorded at 30 frames per second. As for the 2.8-inch LCD display, it boasts a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, letting the images appear in a manner where each of the two viewer’s eyes will see a slightly different image that will then be automatically assembled into a 3D image.

As for the Rollei 7-inch digital picture frame design, it will display 3D images with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels – not exactly the highest count out there in the market, but at least it is a start. Each purchase will ship with the Blaze Video Magic 3.0 software that will help 2D images transform into 3D images using but a few mouse clicks on the computer. The frame itself comes with a black decorative pattern, making it stand out from the crowd no matter where you place it. The Rollei Design and Power Line 3D Flex 3D will hit the market from the end of next month onwards at €299.95 each, making us wonder whether we will see this puppy at CES 2011 or not.