This is the first camera that, instead of capturing a flat image focusing on a single point, records the rays of light travelling in every direction through a scene – ‘light field’ as they call it. The focal point of the image produced is not fixed in any way, making you change focus or even slightly shift perspective after you've taken the photo.
Light field photography, or Plenoptic photography in Scientific jargon, has a bunch of benefits aside from the ability to refocus. First is speed. You don’t need to wait for the lens to focus, just grab the camera and shoot away! Then, there’s low light capability. Since the opening of the aperture is bigger than that of normal consumer point-and-shoot cameras, it can capture light better and perform great in low light conditions. And lastly, because you can slightly shift perspective, you can create 3D images using a 3D rendering software. With these benefits, the Lytro camera unlocks the creative potential in every image you take.
Here are some of its technical specifications:
Tech Specs:
Sensor size: 4.6 x 4.6mm
Pixels per microlens: 100
Megarays: 11 (the number of light rays captured by the light field sensor)
Light Field Engine: v2.0
Aspect ratio: 1:1
Resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels
File type: .lfp (Light field picture file)
Constant f/2 aperture
8x optical zoom
43–344mm (35mm equivalent)
8 elements in 5 groups
1.52 inch (diagonal) back-lit LCD display
Glass touchscreen
Full Auto
Full Manual
Shutter Priority (1/250–8 seconds)
ISO-Priority (80–3200)
Exposure Lock
4-stop ND Filter
802.11b/g/n
Wi-Fi Protected Access® (WPA2)
16GB or 8GB Internal Storage
As you notice in the specs, we don't see the usual measure of MP or 'megapixel'. It is measured instead in Megarays -- the number of the light rays captured by the sensor. It shoots images at around 1.1MP (1080 x 1080 pixels) resolution at 1:1 ratio, which you can view using its touch-sensitive screen before sharing to your friends in Instagram or Facebook.
The weight of the camera is just right for its size, considering the number of lenses it has inside. You can also feel that its anodized aluminium body would hold up for quite some time.
Many would ask if it is worth owning one. I say, there is always a price for early adoption. Even if this camera technology is almost two years old to date, many of us Filipinos are still seeing this for the first time. So if you are the kind who doesn't want to be the center of attention because you are holding a camera that shoots 'living pictures' and looks like a flashlight, then go ahead and buy that digital SLR.
This is available now from www.mobile1.com.ph for P29,990.
