Sony launches laser that helps people with low vision take pictures

Sony, in partnership with Japanese company QD Laser, has released a new viewfinder mount for the DSC-HX99 point-and-shoot camera. The kit, called HX99 RNV, uses retinal lasers to project the camera’s live view image into the user’s eye, helping people with low vision see clearly and take pictures through the electronic viewfinder.

The project was created specifically to help visually impaired users such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism have a clearer view when using the camera.

HE Retissa Neoviewer It uses an RGB semiconductor laser to display an image with a resolution equivalent to 720p and a color depth of 8 bits. The projected image has a horizontal field of view of approximately 60 degrees with a 60Hz refresh rate, and the box’s battery has an estimated battery life of four hours.

The DSC-HX99 camera is a model released in 2018 priced at US$475.99 with an 18-megapixel sensor and 24-720mm equivalent zoom lens. Sony claims to cover most of the cost to support the low vision community.

Photography with other senses

People with low vision and even visually impaired people can also take pictures. For example, Brazilian João Maia has achieved the feat of being the only visually impaired photographer to cover two Paralympics. Passion for photography precedes vision loss, but the photographer has adapted to his new conditions and progressed under the guidance of camera sounds.

The professional, who lost his sight as a result of an illness at the age of 29, relies on his other senses to take his pictures. Finally, it also has the help of a person to describe the environment. In addition to taking pictures, Maia is dedicated to teaching people how to take pictures without using their eyes.