Sony Creates Retinal Projection Camera

2023.03.13

Today Sony unveiled a new and totally unique Retinal Projection Camera kit called the Sony DSC-HX99 RNV. Built upon the a HX-series ultra-zoom digital camera with powerful 30X optical zoom, the new RNV adds a way to project the viewfinder image onto the retina to form an in-focus image for some people with low vision.

This seems like science-fiction technology which will allow people to with low vision to start a new photography hobby. As the Sony press release states, there are limitations, and obviously the retina needs to be functional for this to work yet this must be applauded to bring photography to an entirely new market!

The RNV consists of a compact fixed-lens digital camera with a Retissa Neoviewer that attaches to the camera and translates its preview image into its internal laser projector. This device is set to project using precise lasers the image onto a retina bypassing the biological system that focuses the eye. It is unclear how this works and the little information published is very generic, probably due to the highly technical subject matter. Promotional video accompanying the press release show users with virtually no practical vision using the Sony HX99-RNV.

This camera kit is expected this summer and carry a $600 retail price subsidized by Sony. They intend to work with Japanese and American schools for the blind to make the product more accessible.

• Digital Camera