It’s been nearly four years since Lytro started shipping their first pocket-sized light field camera. The technology has advanced since then, and the Lytro Illum represents its cutting edge. It still takes the stunning ‘living pictures’ of its predecessor — images based on the full light field that can be refocused and subtly repositioned after they’ve been shot — but right now you can get it for nearly half off the normal price, $699.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.
Lytro’s cameras capture the angle of every lightray in a room to create the depth and range of each image. With the Illun, they’ve modeled their camera like a DSLR, sporting a custom zoom lens and an articulated viewscreen for taking macro shots. The light field sensor has nearly 4 times more definition than its predecessor, but despite the exotic format, the controls and features are quite familiar: auto and manual focus, exposure modes, photo filters, etc.
With the Illum, you can explore this new form of photography for $699.99.
Bonus Deal: The first generation Lytro is also still a fine option for anyone interested in light field photography, and it’s a lot less expensive. Right now the 16GB model is going for just $79.99 at Cult of Mac Deals.