Earlier this month, Sony unveiled two new digital still cameras that they say are "the world’s smallest 3D cameras," capable of capturing 3D images with a single lens system. Both models offer a "3D Sweep Panorama" feature, which lets one take panoramic pictures in one press-and-sweep motion. The high-speed burst of frames is stitched together using innovative image processing techniques to automatically create 3D panoramas. Once captured, these static images can be viewed conventionally in 2D, or in 3D on compatible 3D displays.

We saw this feature demonstrated at the CEA Line Show in June, and it works very well. What is unclear however, is if the output is in a 3D format leveraging information from nearby frames to create the 3D images, or if the Sony TV is creating the 3D using its internal 2D-to-3D conversion capability.

"Sony is focused on being the leader in 3D technology, leveraging its expertise to create the best 3D products, content and unique entertainment experiences," said Kelly Davis, director of the digital imaging business at Sony Electronics. "Sony is making it easy to create personal 3D content that can be enjoyed with friends or family on compatible 3D television systems."

The DSC-TX9, which has a 3.5-inch 921K resolution LCD touchscreen, and the DSC-WX5, which has a 2.8-inch LCD screen, also allow one to view images in a new way. Unlike 3D Sweep Panorama mode, "Sweep Multi Angle" lets one view images moving in simulated 3D right on the cameras’ LCD screen by tilting the camera back and forth. This new shooting feature captures 15 images at different angles and then compiles them into one photo, creating a 3D-like effect on the display. The cameras will be available in September; the TX9 will sell for about $400, and the WX5 will be available for about $300.

While the cameras also record 1920 x 1080 Full HD video using the AVCHD format, the stereoscopic feature is limited to static image capture. It may not be long, however, before we see 3D video capture in a consumer camera. More than a decade ago, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University demonstrated a phenomenon called "microstereopsis," where an interocular separation in the camera lens system of as little as 1mm gave viewers a "greater-than-chance" probability of sensing depth cues in the image. They also showed that there was much less viewer fatigue than for full-geometry depth generation, because of the lowered resultant vergence-accommodation conflict in the microstereoptic system. They referred to this benefit as stimulating ‘just enough reality," and having a "kinder gentler" character than the "stark and stressful stimulus presented by geometrically correct virtual reality displays."

It’s reasonable to expect that a consumer video camera with such an optical system could be cheaper to build and produce than one with full 3D optics. Consequently, it’s not a stretch to imagine a low cost product—perhaps at no additional price premium—to appear on the market soon. And since a small auto-stereoscopic display is practical, it makes sense to put one on the same camera.

A word of warning however, to heed producers that are concerned that bad 3D content may sour consumers on the whole promise of 3D. As long as consumers are not fooled into thinking that the effect will be as compelling as their favorite 3D cinema experience (and that means marketing it the right way), such a feature could form a good transitional product to a full-3D consumer device. But get consumers to buy a "3D camera" and then let them down by not meeting their expectations, and you might just start instability in the current enthusiasm over the 3D medium.