Lytro Announces Developer Kit

Hat Tip: DP Review

(This has been covered by other outlets as well.  DP Review just happens to be the one that caught my attention.)


Lytro is the company that has developed light field technology for camera use. Light field technology allows the camera to record a light ray's direction, intensity and color.  (As opposes to regular sensors which only record intensity and strength.)  The additional directional information allows light field cameras to be for applications beyond those that normal digital cameras can be used for.

The new Lytro Developer's Kit allows outside companies to develop those applications.  NASA and the DoD are apparently already interested in the kit.

Light field technology does not seem to be positioned to compete with traditional digital cameras when it comes to producing still images.  The still images produced don't stack up resolution wise.  That means Lytro needs to find another reason for consumers to purchase light field cameras, which makes the development kit a smart move.  It will enable other companies to develop the technology in directions other than those aimed at producing still images.

The annual subscription for the kit starts at $20,000.

I'll let you decide whether that's reasonable.


Update:  PetaPixel has a link to the Lytro Platform page.  It provides specifics on what is included in the kit.