3D Digital Cameras

The annual Consumer Electronics Show takes place in Las Vegas in January and if you thought 3D was hot in 2011, just wait and see what 2012 has in store. One company we're already excited about it LO3D, manufacturer of the word's first HD digital 3D photographic system.

Allen Lo (inventor of the Nimslo 3D camera in 1980) and company partners who pioneered 3D photo imaging - Nimslo 3D film cameras, Kodak & Konica 3D single-use film cameras - have been working together on this technology for nine years. Those attending CES will get to see the end result - the first commercial 3D Digital Printer, 3D Digital Paper for prints, 3D Digital Cameras & glassless 3D Digital Photo Frames.

Just one look and you can tell that LO3D's 3-lens consumer camera (pictured above) is different from your typical 3D camera. All other 3D cameras have only two lenses – which is fine taking video for TV viewing but not ideal for 3D photos because of a narrow viewing angle (approximately 10º). The LO3D 3-lens camera extends the viewing angle of a 3D photo to 50º.Read more

Panasonic just outed their latest Lumix GX1, a 16 MP MOS live sensor DSLR with up to 14 interchangeable lenses. But this is just the starting point with the Lumix GX1. Panasonic's latest and greatest pocket DLSR camera looks and feels like the previous iterations, the GF1, GF2 and GF3, but the GX1 is better for all around photography that demands customizability, and the ease of use of a point and shoot.

The GX1's body is made from aluminum, and it weighs in at just 413 grams. You'll be able to choose from two finishes: Gunmetal Grey and Raven Black. In addition to a 16-megapixel sensor, Panasonic has reduced the auto focus time to just .9 seconds, which Panasonic says is the fastest among Compact System Cameras. Burst mode lets you capture up to 20 frames per second, and you can also record full HD video.Read more

Panasonic this week announced a new addition to the LUMIX family of digital cameras, the LUMIX DMC-3D1. Just as its name would imply, this digital cam captures 3D and 2D photos and videos. The LUMIX 3D1 features two 25mm ultra-wide angle lenses with 4x optical zoom that record 8-megapixel 3D photo and 1920x1080 60i 3D HD video using side-by-side method. When shooting in 2D, the camera offers up 12.1-megapixel resolution photos and records 1920x1080i full HD 2D videos.

The new twin-lens system also allows the LUMIX 3D1 to capture 2D images and video simultaneously - even record photo or video in different angles of view simultaneously. For example, you can record a party scene with one lens while zooming in on and capturing the photo of a specific person with another lens. A 2D/3D switch is located on the back of the camera to easily switch between 2D and 3D mode.

The LUMIX 3D1 features a 12-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor, a 3.5-inch Smart Touch screen, and captures consecutive shots at 8fps (without auto focusing) and 4fps (with auto focusing) in full resolution. It also includes Panasonic's iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, for use when shooting in 2D. iA functions include MEGA O.I.S, AF Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Recognition and Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Exposure and Intelligent Handheld Nightshot. Read more

Sony just announced the Cyber-shot TX55, a new 16.2-megapixel digital camera that captures still photos, full HD video and 3D images, while providing new features that allow for creative control. It can even take 12-megapixel still shots at the same time it's recording Full HD video!

Measuring in at a slim 12.2mm (without lens cover), Sony touts the Cyber-shot TX55 as the world's thinnest camera with an optical anti-shake function. It features a 5x optical folded zoom lens, a 3.3-inch OLED wide touch-screen display, and is the first Cyber-shot camera to offer a 'Picture Effect' mode. Picture Effect includes seven effect options: HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Toy Camera, Partial Color, Pop Color and Soft High-key – giving your photos an artistic flair without the use of editing software. The camera also includes 'By Pixel Super Resolution', a technology that boosts the camera's zoom range to a virtual 10x without losing quality.

In addition, the TX55's hi-speed auto focus can lock onto subject in as little as 0.1 seconds, and the camera's 'Dual Rec' grabs 12 megapixel-level still photos while shooting Full HD video. It includes SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode, Superior Auto mode for DSLR-like quality photos and an Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode with a HR (High Resolution) mode for up to 42.9 megapixel panoramas. Read more

Nearly one in four (23 percent) digital imaging enthusiasts are likely to purchase a 3D digital camera within the next year, according to a new Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) study. The study, 3D Digital Imaging: Consumer Perceptions of this Emerging Technology, examines awareness, perceptions, purchase intent and product uses.

The top reasons consumers indicated they were likely to purchase a 3D digital camera included an interest in 3D technology (61 percent), an appreciation for additional photographic options (55 percent), a desire to be on the cutting-edge of technology (23 percent) and a belief that 3D will help them be more creative (22 percent).

"Understanding how consumers intend to use 3D cameras is an important factor in driving purchase interest," said Chris Ely, manager of industry analysis at CEA. "Consumers see a clear distinction in how they plan to use a 3D camera versus a traditional camera."

The majority of enthusiasts surveyed say they would use a 3D camera for pictures of natural scenery (62 percent), buildings or landmarks (58 percent) and historic places (53 percent). Read more