The Illum Light Field Digital Camera from Lytro is their second-generation light field camera and offers not only an upgraded 40 megaray sensor but a traditionally-styled camera body and lens barrel with touchscreen LCD control, large grip and hot shoe mount. The Illum is a point-and-shoot camera that utilizes the unique Light Field sensor and the Light Field Engine 2.0 for image capture and processing. With a micro-lens array on the sensor it records the color, intensity and direction of light traveling in every direction throughout a scene and creates "living pictures" in which the focus point can be determined after you have shot the image. In addition to adjusting focus points and depth of field on an image, you can change the point of perspective slightly to the left, right, up or down.
Touchscreen technology allows you to determine the point of focus with just a tap on the camera's LCD monitor or, after the image is transferred to your computer, by clicking on the spot in your image where you want focus. If you decide that you prefer focus on another part of the image, click on that spot in the original image (.lfp file) and save. There is no limit to the adjustments you can make. When exported as a 2D image, the resolution of a 40 megaray image is approximately 4MP.
An 8x optical zoom lens with the 35mm focal length equivalent of 30-250mm and constant f/2 aperture provide precise control over image capture and the lens barrel features a soft silicone rubber zoom ring and focus ring. Focus range for the Illum is from 0mm to infinity, it can actually focus on a subject touching up against the lens. The dedicated "Lytro Button" next to the shutter release enables a color-coded overlay to appear on the live view LCD image which demonstrates the relative focus and depth of field of your image in order to better recognize the "re-focusable" range.
As the Lytro has a constant f/2.0 aperture, you can control light intake by adjusting ISO sensitivity and shutter speed up to a maximum of 1/4000th of a second. Adjustments are made via 2 customizable buttons, the command dial and on the touchscreen LCD. Exposure and focus lock buttons are provided and Region AF and manual focus are supported.
The Illum features a sleek and spartan unibody form factor with a minimum of buttons and dials. Most camera functions and adjustments are made via the 4.0" touchscreen LCD which can tilt up and down for optimal odd-angle shooting. The camera's back is angled which provides an improved view of the LCD as well as a large hand grip for comfortable and stable usage. An integrated hot shoe mount is compatible with most standard flashes and offers manual and TTL control and an external shutter release port is supported. Images are captured to SD, SDHC or SDXC memory cards and a USB 3.0 port enables fast image transfer. It is powered by a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The camera itself is handsome with an aluminum and magnesium alloy build with a silicone rubber hand grip and lens barrel rings for comfort.
Built-in Wi-Fi enables wireless transfer of images to iOS smart devices and living pictures can be easily posted on the Lytro gallery and to Facebook where they can be viewed and adjusted in the same interactive manner as on your own computer or device. With the free Lytro desktop software you can repeatedly adjust the zoom, depth of field, focus and perspective.