Lytro’s breakthrough new camera hinges on a new kind of sensor that captures the entire light field around a picture, rather than only a single light field like current cameras capture. Capturing an entire light field gives photographers a new set of controls and lets them refocus the shot after they’ve taken it. It also allows photographers to show off the pictures in 3D.
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Lytro has a neat photo gallery on its site that lets a prospective customer see how its refocusing works. When you click on different spots in a Lytro picture, you see a different focus—meaning every picture you take has tons of possibilities.
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Not only is Lytro distinguishing itself by making big promises, it’s also taking a major leap by trying to be a hardware company. Instead of licensing out its new technology, it hopes to sell a point-and-shoot camera to consumers later this year.
We fully expect Lytro to raise more buzz as it raises more capital. So far, the company has raised $50 million from the likes of NEA, K9 Ventures, Greylock Partners and Andreessen Horowitz.
Are you intrigued by Lytro’s new camera technology? Will you consider buying a Lytro camera later this year?
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