Sony Alpha 3D DSLR launch soon

Sony Alpha 3D digital cameras may be on way. Letsgodigital reported that Sony, which already has plans to make 3D TVs soon, is also planning to make the Alpha 3D DSLR camera.

Though it may take quite a while for 3D digital cameras to find a large number of takers, Sony wants its Alpha 3D DSLR to have the first-mover advantage in this new imaging segment. Sony’s range of DLSR cameras are named Alpha.

There are no 3D DSLR cameras in the market right now – we don’t there there were ever any, either. The average 3D camera was film based in the heydays of 3D photography – and usually had twin lenses which captured a slightly different picture which were later converted to stereo pictures or anaglyph photos.

Recently, Fujifilm launched a 3D digital camera which was received with a lot of enthusiasm. The Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W1 digital camera also followed the twin lens route, albeit with the final result appearing on a digital photo frame, in the LCD panel on the back of the camera, or as a lenticular 3D print. You can say Sony is following the lead of Fujifilm with its own 3D DSLR!

Sony Alpha 3D DSLR's to follow Fujifilm? Pic: Fujifilm's 3D camera

In the Sony scheme of 3D things, there are three steps to this: One, creation of 3D content using Alpha 3D DLSR cameras for still photos (videos, we are not sure), two, distribution of the 3D images/videos, and three, display for 3D content. Sony is also believed to beefing up its Sony Online Service to facilitate 3D. Apart from online content distribution, Sony will also be able to market 3D content through Blu-ray discs, another technology patented by Sony.

3D photography so far meant taking a picture with a twin camera arrangement, or purchasing one of the special 3D cameras available online from a variety of sources.

Bringing 3D to DLSR cameras would mean that all the benefits of SLR cameras could be easily usable for 3D too. Lens interchangeability and upgrades are the most important. Not just that, a complete set of 3D digital solutions from Sony could actually see 3D photography getting a boost.

Though 3D movie cameras and movie technology have been around for a while, they always involved cumbersome equipment and complicated processes. However, with more consumer electronics makers like Sony and LG setting eyes on the emerging segment to drive new product lines, 3D is becoming more and more within reach of the common man.

Poor man's 3D: Anaglyph 3D photo

Sony recently unveiled the prototype of an HDTV 3D camera, which has a single lens. The 3D HDTV videocam is not commercially available yet. The camera can record HDTV images in 3D at a speed of 240 frames per second. Existing 3D movie cameras have two lenses.

Sony may be targeting the entry-level photographer with the new 3D camera, Letsgodigital reported. This is because the professional end is dominated by Nikon and Canon, and Sony may feel that the entry-level is a bigger target market for Sony’s 3D venture.

3D technology has snapped back into focus with the release of James Cameron’s Avatar, a fantasy movie shot in 3D which takes place in a remote planet in the distant future. The movie has spectacular 3D special effects, and hopes to set a benchmark for 3D movie-making.

Note: This writer is a 3D photography enthusiast, who dabbles in creating 3D anaglyph photos. You could see some examples of the simplest form of 3D photos on this page, which are viewable in full 3D using red-blue anaglyph glasses which are available from lots of sources online for a few dollars. I recommend you fool around with 3D anaglyph photography till we see what the Sony Alpha 3D DSLR has to offer us! This is too early to speculate on the SOny 3D ALpha DSLR’s price anyway, and features and spy photos are bound to leak n the near future. Stay tuned.