Even though cameras have moved from film to digital, their form factor has remained largely unchanged with the familiar configuration of a lens at the front and viewfinder – or now display screen – on the back. At CES 2011, Casio has unveiled a new camera form factor with its TRYX design that shifts the lens and display screen to a side-by-side set up that can be rotated and turned to suit a variety of shooting styles.
While allowing users to shoot in the traditional horizontal, point-and-shoot style, the TRYX (pronounced "tricks") also allows the 3-inch, touch screen LCD to be swiveled a full 360 degrees and swung out of the frame. Like other rotating camera displays, this allows users to frame themselves in self-portraits or frame high or low angle shots – but it goes further than that. It also allows the frame to acts a tripod, so the camera can stand on its own, or a hook, so it can be hung – from a wall or a doorknob for example. Additionally, when shooting video, the TRYX’s body can be adjusted to give the feel of a dedicated camcorder in either a left- or right-handed grip, or even used vertically like a Flip-style pocket camcorder.
Like the iPhone, the TRYX’s touch-shutter allows users to focus on a subject in the frame by touching the screen. The self-timer can also activated using the touch screen or it can be triggered using the camera’s built-in motion sensor. This doesn’t take a snap when the camera itself is moved, but keeps its eye on a user specified area of the frame and triggers the self-timer when movement is detected. This allows a user to set up a shot and give themselves time to run around and jump in the frame before a shot is taken.
A Slide Panorama function allows users to capture 360-degree panoramic images, while the slow-motion video function captures 432 x 320 resolution video at up to 240 fps. The TRYX also incorporates Casio’s HDR-ART technology, which allows users to combine continuous shots with differing exposures and locally change the contrast and color saturation levels to produce arty shots.
The Casio TRYX will be available this April for US$250.
Tech specs
- Image resolution: 12M(4000x3000)、3:2(4000x2656)、5M(2560x1920)、VGA(640x480)
- Movie resolution: FHD : 1920 x1080(30fps) , HD：1280x720(30fps), HS : 432x320(240fps)
- Still Format: JPEG (Exif Ver2.3), DCF2.0
- Movie Format: MOV format, H.264/AVC, IMA-ADPCM (monaural)
- Display: 3.0-inch TFT color LCD ( Super Clear LCD ), 460,800 dots (960 x 480) , Touch screen
- Recording Media: SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card compatible (built-in memory TBA)
- F-number: F2.8
- Lens: Ultra-wide-angle 21 mm
- Shutter Speed: 1/8 to 1/40000 second (not fixed)
- ISO Sensitivity: Stills- Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/3200 Movies-Auto
- Dimensions: 4.83” x 2.32” x 0.59” (12.26 x 5.89 x 1.49 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 5.47oz (155 g) Excluding Memory Card
