Lytro introduces Illum, a pro-level camera that lets you focus after you shoot
The second generation of Lytro’s innovative light field camera looks like one we might actually want to own
Lytro has announced its second camera model. The Lytro Illum takes the light field photography capabilities of the 2012-launched initial model and puts them in a far more professional-quality body.
If the first Lytro felt more like a proof of concept than an actual product – it took images that could be “refocussed” later, but said images were tiny, the interface was unwieldy and the product itself was uncomfortable to hold – the Illum looks to be a huge step forward.
It has a 40-megaray light sensor (which should mean almost four times the detail of its predecessor) married to the 8x optical zoom and constant F2.0 aperture boasted by the original Lytro. The shape, too, looks far easier on your hands while still being arrestingly unusual and bold.
And crucially, the huge amount of information it captures every time you press the shutter button means that photos taken by the Illum can be adjusted for focus, perspective, tilt and depth of field after they’ve been taken. It’s also compatible with existing photo-editing suites like Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture.
The Illum will go on sale in the US in July this year, priced at US$1,600 (£950). A UK release date and price is still to be confirmed.
READ MORE: Lytro review
Sam Kieldsen
Contributor 
