Ever wondered what it would take to capture true-to-life 3D pictures, a la James Cameron? Well, digital cameras sporting this capability are already available in the market. And some, while yet to be launched in the country, have such advanced features that they are truly worth mentioning. That's the result of camera makers realising that the future of imaging is not only in the connected experience, but in 3D as well. What's more, these beauties are fairly priced too...
Sony Cybershot DSC-TX9
Price: Rs 21,990
The coming decade may as well be the decade of 3D imaging, and Sony seems to be matching up to evolving consumer needs. Cybershot DSC-TX9 is a petite little digital camera that boasts of some impressive features in its tiny metal frame. The TX9 is a 12-megapixel digital camera that captures movies in 1080i, sports a 3.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen LCD display and has two 3D shooting modes in addition to a strong automatic mode.
The TX9 is one of the first Cybershot models to offer 3D Sweep Panoramas, taking up to 100 images and automatically combining them to create a stereoscopic pair of frames. If you don’t have a 3D TV, the Sweep Multi Angle mode shoots fifteen frames and creates a 3D-style image that can be viewed from different angles on either the camera or any conventional 2D TV set. You have to give credit to Sony’s Sweep Panorama function, which uses some clever mathematics to recreate a 3D image from a single lens. Hence, there’s no need to have a multi-picture object file that contains two separate JPEG images (one for each eye). The result can be viewed on the any 3D-capable displays.
The TX9 also comes with a 9-point autofocus system and includes a face-detection system, capable of detecting up to eight faces in a scene and differentiating between children and adults. This capability is used to provide a Smile Shutter function that automatically triggers the shutter when your subject is smiling, as well as both anti-blink and blink-warning features. The TX9 also has a new option, called Background Defocus, which works by shooting two images with varied focus, the second shot being intentionally somewhat defocused.
Verdict
If you already own a high-end 3D LED display in your living room, then Sony Cybershot DSC-TX9 lets you create 3D stills that can show off your full creativity. You might have to spend some extra cash and invest some time in learning what the various modes can do. After all, there’s a lot going on here.
Fuji FinePix Real 3D W3
Price: Rs 20,000 (approx)
From the outside, the Fuji FinePix Real 3D W3 looks like your standard point-and-shoot camera. Even the features look pretty tame — a 10-megapixel sensor with a 3X optical zoom capability that can take both stills and high- definition video in 720p. Interestingly, the camera sports two lenses — the W3 uses two 35-105mm Fujinon lenses and two CCD sensors to capture 720p, HD 3D videos, or still images. In simpler words, the camera is compelling in its ability to easily create 3D still photos as well as 3D video that can be shared directly from the camera on a compatible 3D TV set.
While W3 may not be out in Indian stores yet, we managed to get one for review from a technology enthusiast who had procured it in the US.
We were clearly flattered by W3’s 3D video abilities since the idea of making your very own 3D videos is more interesting than stills. The camera also has a 2D mode where the camera can use each lens independently. For instance, you can simultaneously take zoomed-in and wide-angled photos. Owners of 3D TVs can also rest assured that the FinePix W3 will show their new 3D screen at its very best, thanks to the unique 3D HD video recording and a parallax control function, which helps to remove ‘crosstalk’ problems by allowing 3D fine tuning, even after the images have been taken.
Verdict
It’ll be interesting to see where this goes, or if it catches on. Are there enough 3D consumers out there presently who feel the need for a 3D camera? If yes, then we believe the Fuji FinePix Real 3D W3 would be a step-up for enthusiasts who have 3D displays at home or work.
