There’s been a spate of 3D digital camera and camcorder news of late, and today Fujifilm adds to the mix with the announcement of its new Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3. The W3 is the successor to Fujifilm’s Real 3D W1, the first true 3D point-and-shoot camera launched in the U.S. last October.
The W3 uses the same dual lens/dual 10-megapixel sensor setup as its predecessor, but adds the ability to record 3D video in 720p HD. It also bumps the widescreen LCD size up to a whopping 3.5 inches (1,150,000-dot resolution). The LCD uses a lenticular (think kitschy 3D postcards) lens system to display the 3D images. The new camera also adds a mini-HDMI port, which allows you to display 3D stills and videos on most 3D HDTVs (of which there are now quite a slew).
In addition to automatic 3D and 2D shooting modes, the W3 includes some advanced modes, such as Individual Shutter 3D Shooting (which lets you merge two shots of the same subject taken from different positions into a single, enhanced 3D photo) and Interval 3D shooting (which lets you capture two images with a wide distance between for a 3D effect in distant subjects). Advanced 2D shooting modes allow you to choose different settings for two images that are captured at the same time, including a Tele/Wide Simultaneous Shooting mode that allows you to take a wide-angle shot and zoomed-in shot of your subject at the same time.
Despite all the lenses and sensors packed within, the W3 is surprisingly pocketable at just 4.9×2.6×1.1 inches and 8.5 ounces with battery and memory card. The camera will be available in early September for a list price of about $500, and you can place a pre-order on Fujifilm’s site as of today.
For more info see the official press release.
