Nikon spins 360

Lori Grunin, CNET.com | Jun 13, 2007

Designer Ye Chen's hypothetical digital camera optimized for shooting 360-degree panoramas has the advantage of being small and cool-looking. The camera concept, posted on the Yanko Design site, incorporates a rotating camera lens, essentially turning the entire camera body into a tripod. It's a simple, relatively elegant design.

Ironically, though, the camera itself isn't the most interesting aspect of the story. What is? For one, the designer dubs the camera the "Nikon 360." Given all the attention it's getting on the Web, can you think of a better way to draw the attention (hopefully non-legal) of a potential client?

The other thing that intrigued me was the response of the blog sites that covered it. Gizmodo says: "If this were to actually be manufactured I highly doubt it could sell enough to stay afloat, but it could be a good schtick camera.". And Tech Digest comments: "I wonder how much of a selling point panoramic shots are outside people who hike up and down hills for fun". With all the Web sites and businesses reliant on practical tools for visualizing an environment--applications such as Hopstop and Google Streets, not to mention the huge potential for real estate and travel sites--relegating panoramic imaging tools to a niche market seems surprisingly short sighted.

Via CNET Crave

Filed under: Digital Cameras
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