GoPros and selfie sticks are as ubiquitous as they come. The GoPro and its stick was originally designed for sports and action. But eventually, the masses took over and dragged it into selfie culture. Despite this seemingly hostile takeover, the GoPro was never embroiled in a war between athletes and consumers. Both coexisted peacefully. But a consumer-grade device dedicated to everyday use never existed. That is, until now.
HTC has filled in the emptiness by introducing their own mobile sports camera. They’ve announced the RE Camera. Despite being one, it’s nothing like a “sports” camera. Its design makes it perfect for casual use. It reimagines the rigid design of the camera and introduces a friendlier and curvier model.
Shaped like a periscope, it’s wielded like an upside-down inhaler. The camera sits nicely in the hand. Its design needs no awkward or extended finger-pressing motions. In fact, it barely has any buttons at all, except those that rest perfectly under where your hands should be.
It’s as minimalist as can be. There’s a button in front and one on the back. There are LED indicator lights. On the bottom, there’s a micro-USB slot for charging, a slot to screw it into mounts, and a slot for memory cards. The 820 mAH battery will last for an estimated 1200 photos or 100 minutes of video. Besides that, there are no more frills, viewfinders, or flashes. The camera shoots at 16 megapixels and at 1080p video/30 frames per second or at 720p slow-motion video/120 frames per second. The camera uses a 146-degree ultra-wide angle lens. Like its counterparts, the RE is waterproof. These features are all encased in glossy plastic that comes in four colors. Here is a 3D model of the device.
What’s more interesting is how the camera operates. There is a grip sensor in the “handle.” It has no power button whatsoever. It turns on instantly when gripped. The button is pressed for photos and held for videos. There is no need for switches and additional buttons.
Photos and videos are synced via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth directly to the web or through HTC’s Zoe application on your phone. An app is also available for Android and iOS for simple editing, sharing, time lapse, and remote controlling. Additionally, the device comes with a free 8GB MicroSD card and expandable up to 128GB for local storage.
Currently, the device is available for preorder in the US through its website. Other channels will be made available in the future. An international release is also in the works. It should put you back by a hefty US$199.99.
While the concept and design is indeed revolutionary, HTC has a lot to do for it to fly with the big leagues, especially since HTC has no previous experience whatsoever with camera devices before the RE. The glossy plastic is a touch out of its time with everyone switching from shiny to smooth matte. Its current iteration and its focus on convenience may not be enough to sway everyone from using their smartphones that’s equipped a camera that already catching up with the SLR industry. We’ll just have to see how it does here when (or if) it reaches our shores.
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