Dec 28, 2010 08:50 GMT  ·  By

Since the number of compact digital cameras capable of taking 3D photos available on the market is not exactly very high (in fact, we're only talking about a couple of models), Rollei has decided to tackle this segment (that's sure to skyrocket over the next couple of months) and launched the Powerflex 3D, a new 5-megapixel digital compact camera featuring a pair of lenses for three-dimensional photography.

As PhotographyBlog reports, the new Powerflex 3D allows users to easily produce three-dimensional photographs and videos, featuring two lenses that work simultaneously with 1/2.5” CMOS image sensors record 3D pictures with a maximum resolution of 2592 x 1944.

Videos can be shot in HD quality (1280x720) at 30 images per second, while the pictures appear on the 2.8 inch LCD display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels in such a way that each one of the observer’s eyes sees a slightly displaced image, which is then automatically merged into a three-dimensional image (3D without glasses).

The two-eye, 5-megapixel Powerflex can naturally also photograph and film in 2D, the 8x digital zoom being available in 2D mode as well.

Pressing a button on the camera switches between 3D and 2D shooting modes, while the user can also make use of technical features, such as the digital image stabiliser and the manually adjustable white balance, in both shooting modes.

The camera’s slim design and the intuitive menu navigation are also touted as being quite OK, while Rollei claims that the Powerflex 3D can be easily connected to a 3D TV set or monitor thanks to the HDMI connector and TV output (PAL/NTSC).

Apparently, the new Rollei Powerflex 3D camera should become available in January for 299.95 Euro, which is by no means affordable, but this shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given the scarcity of such 3D capable imaging solutions on the market.