There is no camera available like the Light L16 Camera. And to be clear, the L16 is not yet available, but it can be pre-ordered for expected shipping in September 2016. In the meantime you can pass the time talking about it on various blogs and comment pages, like ours. It is sure to garner a lot of attention.
The L16 Camera is about the size of a large smartphone and with sixteen individual 13MP cameras on its body, ten of which fire simultaneously, it is able to capture high-resolution images up to 52 megapixels. According to the folks at Light, a start-up company, “The Light L16 Camera is the first multi-aperture computational camera. The L16 makes it easy for anyone to take DSLR-quality images, and is small and light enough to fit in your pocket. Light’s technology combines folded optics with sophisticated computational imaging algorithms to deliver the highest quality images from the smallest possible device.”
The company’s co-founder Dr. Rajiv Laroia is more succinct, “We are trying to replace a big lens with multiple small lenses and small sensors.” Needless to say this is a worthy goal and over the course of the next several months, we will be following the development of the Light L16 and will report back with final pricing and availability. This much we know so far-- the camera features sixteen lenses and one IR sensor in a seemingly random array that looks like bubbles floating across its front face. The lenses are grouped into three focal lengths: five 35mm lenses, five 70mm lenses and six 150mm lenses. This offers an effective optical zoom range of 35-150mm. When shooting at one of the three focal lengths, the camera takes several images and computationally blends them into one high resolution image.
The camera’s computation algorithm also provides effective low-light imaging with minimal noise and, most importantly, enables focus and depth of field to be adjusted after the picture has been taken, somewhat like the Lytro cameras of the past two years.
Physically, the camera has a compact and Spartan design with a healthy hand grip and a 5” touchscreen LCD for composition and playback (no viewfinder) as well as settings navigation. It is water and dust-resistant, has a built-in flash, and a rechargeable battery good for 400 shots. Its top plate offers just the power and shutter buttons. It will use a modified version of the Android operating system and will be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks for image sharing.
Whether or not its “folded optics” technology will live up to the promise of having the image quality of a DSLR with 3 prime lenses remains to be seen, but kudos to Light and other companies that are pushing forward to develop high-resolution imaging tools outside of the standard form factor.
This item is currently not available at B&H. Check Explora for news on availability.
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The Light L16 has been shipping since about early March. Check out the Facebook groups for some good user feedback and sample images. Light recently completed a Series D capital raise of $121 million from Softbank and Leica - very interesting. Personally, I've found the L16 about as easy to travel with as a smartphone but produces image quality closer to a higher-end DSLR. I have no regrets parting with a 1ds MkIII.
When will this be available?
The Sony experia uses an amazing 23 mega-pixel...better than iPhone and Samsung in terms of taking pictures...just saying...
The new LG V 10 Android phone has a 16 MP with "Laser Focusing" What kind of focusing system does your equipment use?
At the present time the camera is still in a design/production phase, and Light has not yet released the specification data on many aspects of the camera. Hopefully later next year when they get closer to releasing the camera they will post that information and we can confirm then.
One difficulty of small cameras, including the Iphone, is holding them still with the arms extended.
Can it do stereo photography? And if not, why not?
I've not seen any details from the developers stating that it has this ability. It may be something that comes about later. Initially my assumption is that it will not, as with stereophotography the two lenses are placed side by side over the one same sensor, and utilize the same aperture and shutterspeeds. With this unique camera, each of the lenses is shooting at a different aperture and onto its own sensor, (and its possible the shutter speeds will vary as well). Its a vastly different capture process than traditional stereo photography goes, however leave it to the developers to come up with a way. At this point we'll just have to wait and see what it ends up being delivered next year when they release it.
I curious, and dubious. It's a cool idea, I don't think it can replace what a good solid DSLR can do as a system, but the idea seems interesting and could produce some very interesting results for non-professionall applications. The problem will be when it will become harder to convince ignorant people that there are advantages to getting a really nice camera or paying for a photographer when "My camera takes just as good pictures." Still I think this is more appealing to me than the Lytro camera.
Thanks for the input Bradford!
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What about a price estimate... And, what does Digital SLR quality really mean, a Full Frame/APS-C or what?
How large it can print is the best test... 13x17 or 16x20.... Huh?
Geoffrey: I would recommend you check the Light.co website for pricing estimates and yes, the phrase "Digital SLR quality" is often thrown around with little substantiation. I think it best to assume it to mean high megapixel resolution, low light capability and depth of field control. Needless to say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating (not the recipe!). Thanks for reading.
Where does the lens hood go?
Good one, Trevor!
No independent reviewer has actually used this camera, and I am skeptical that these lenses will ever match the optics of a good SLR or Rangefinder.
Thanks for the comment David. I imagine you are not the only skeptic out there, but with the recent advances in digital camera technology, I am more than willing to give this and other developing formats their chance. Ya never know...
I see a bunch of people with little faith in here in respect to science and technelogy. If told any of you that mankind would one day landed on the moon all of you would have told me that it would be impossible one hundred years ago. Why in the world wouldn't it be possible for the 16 lenses give the same or better result than a DSLR camera? The person who inquired about the lens cover needs to take a much closer look of this device's concept to notice that all the 16 lenses are placed under at an angle with mirrors to conduit the light's reflection to the lenses which are in turn placed under the glass/plastic that form the surface of the camera. So if the lenses can't be touched what would be the point of a lense cover? All you will have to do is wipe the surface as you do with the lens on your phone. I have great confidence that this camera will do exactly what the designer or designers design it to do. I've already placed my order and I am anxiously waiting to take great photos and videos with my L16.
This is a terrible company. I hope no one buys their cameras
I think it is a tremendous company and I ordered one of their cameras...16 months ago.