Review of Lytro: The Camera of the Future?

Before Lytro, when you took a photo, you usually made all the configurations before taking the photo. Once the photo is taken, very few changes can naturally be added to the image. Aside from enhancing colors, cropping, and other changes, adjusting focus for example is usually out of the question. That’s until Lytro was introduced to the world.

What is Lytro?

Lytro is sometimes referred to as 4D photography. The software captures a ton of light to provide you with not only the best, but also the most customizable photo possible. Being able to receive a large amount of light allows it to perform amazingly in low light, and also allows you to adjust focus after the photo has been taken. Each pixel is customizable, allowing you to create the image you want.

Interface and Design

Lytro is a device that doesn’t even look like it can take a photo. The design looks as if it is an updated version of the kaleidoscopes from years past. However, the design is simple, calling upon memories of the Flip era, where photography is front and center. Everything in the design is out of necessity, you have a screen, lenses, zoom bar, and a shutter button.

Taking a Photo: From Start to Finish

It is very simple to take your photo. First, just point the camera at the subject and click the button at the very top. If needed, you can zoom by sliding the top of the camera left or right. Once the photo is taken, you can adjust focus even from the camera’s small but powerful screen. Want to zoom in on a subject? No problems, just double tap the touch screen and slide your finger to pan the image.

Without the extra buttons, you may be confused on navigation. It’s as simple as operating the camera, to go back to taking a photo from the photos, just double click the shutter button. Just like the Flip, there is software in the device itself, allowing you to use the camera on any (Mac) computer. Just connect the USB and the photos load up. If you want a larger landscape than the camera, no problem, you can do the same features (focusing, and zoom) on the software.

You can also share the images through the computer software. Images are shareable through Twitter, Facebook and Email. Twitter and Emails forward the recipient to a link of the photo available on the Lytro website. Facebook has the image integrated into the website, allowing you to zoom and focus straight from the website.

Price Points and Choices

The Lytro cameras won’t be physically available until next year, however the website is accepting pre-orders now. The camera is available in grey, blue, and red. The red model is only available in 16GB, the 8GB is only available in grey and blue. The 8GB Lytro model is available for $399, 16GB for $499.