We like innovative products as much as the next nerd, but we’re thinking that Fuji might be beyond its time with this 3D camera. It sounds sweet. The Fujifilm camera can produce 3D pics by using two lens that are spaced out a lot like human eyes. It then uses fancy software to combine the two images into one 3D picture that can then be viewed on either a special digital photo frame or on a special Fujifilm print. But the whole system is too expensive, which is a damn shame.
The 10MP point and shoot digital camera will cost $600 when it launches. That sets the camera in DSLR territory and well above even high quality pocket cams from Nikon and Canon. Most peeps will probably opt for a more traditional camera at that price. I would.
Plus, the 3D photo frames isn’t going to be cheap either. It creates the 3D effect without the need of special glasses by directing two images at the the left and right eye. Sounds expensive, huh?
Lastly, about the prints. He’s a quote from the Time article,
“We know that if it’s over 500 yen [$5] per photo, it probably won’t sell,” says Takeshi Higuchi, general manager of Fujifilm’s Electronic Imaging Division.
Hells no consumers will not buy a $5 photo. They might not even spend $1 per 3D photo. Okay, maybe a few times, but eventually the novelty will wear off.
It probably isn’t mark-up or greed that is pricing this 3D camera ecosystem so high. Oh no, it’s probably the expensive technology that previously wasn’t available to consumers. Don’t misunderstand this, we’re all for the latest digital camera technology, but this system is probably ahead of its time and will likely flounder in the marketplace because of the price. Now, if the camera was around $300-$400, this post might be a lot different…
They could do two things: eliminate the onboard 3D merging software and just produce a stereo pair digital image that prints on standard 4×6 glossy, users can then post process it in the computer to make any kind of 3D image they want (cross eye, red-cyan, whatever). Second quit trying to make linticular 3D work – that’s why the prints are so expensive. There’s a whole 3D photo world that would buy and this camera if it wasn’t for those two complications. I might buy one even at $600 (it’s actually two cameras in one) if I was sure I could get the stereo image pair into my computer without the interlacing required for linticular. Thanks for reviewing this camera.
I test Glasses-free 3D digital photo frame “SDP-818″ which made in China now.
It supports a side-by-side stereo photo and stereo movie in 7 inches wide screen.
The price is very low, 36,000 yen in Japan, but the performance is wonderful.
Fine 3D picture and movie is seen without most of the ghosts occurring.
If Fujifilm’s “FinePix Real 3D digital camera” supports side-by-side format, it does not have to print it because it can be seen with this cheap Glasses-free 3D digital photo frame.
A postscript：
I shoot stereophoto by two Canon’s digital camera with SDM(Streo Data Maker).
However, SDM does not support the frame synchronization of the movie.
“Lanc Shepherd” does not support the complete frame synchronization of the movie too.
So I expect that the complete frame synchronization of the movie by “FinePix Real 3D”, but I will be disappointed if it is not in 1280×720p or over.
It is clear that the 3d camera is a great product to those whome are interested in a visualised world. You stated that the photo’s are costly, but for persons like me, i am willing to pay the hefty fee. As i am extremily interested in the visualised world.