Minolta 3D 1500

Product: 3D 1500
From: Minolta
Price: not yet announced
Pros: The unit can be used as a standard Dimâge EX ZOOM/WIDE 1500 digital camera by first detaching the MetaFlash unit and lens, then attaching the optional ZOOM 1500 or WIDE 1500 lens instead.
Cons: USB connectivity feature not available in some countries (e.g., Japan, Europe). Photos of larger objects such as clothing must be "stitched together" from a number of smaller images. No zoom. MetaFlash studio imports data only from 3D Studio version 3.0 or later. Not designed for outdoor use.

The Minolta 3D 1500 camera combines a Minolta Dimâge EX ZOOM/WIDE 1500 digital camera with a so-called MetaFlash unit and lens and software to produce a camera capable of taking photos of 3D objects that the viewer, via a web-interface, can then rotate or otherwise inspect at will. The 3D photos made possible by the 3D 1500 camera aren't exactly instant photography, though. According to Minolta, an advanced users will usually require about three hours to assemble a 3D image with the help of the camera. There are other notable limitations, too: an FAQ on the Minolta website cautions that "this unit is not designed for outdoor use" and warns that captured image cannot be edited in a program such as Photoshop before acquisition  as a 3D object in MetaFlash Studio.

The camera provides two methods of getting the data into the PC, where the 3D manipulations take place. One is with the LexarMedia JumpShot included in 3D 1500 models sold in the U.S.  With this adapter (which, oddly, isn't available in Japan or Europe), you can transmit the image data saved in the unit's Compact Flash Card to a PC by USB. There's also an optional PC serial cable for the Dimâge EX Series and DigitaDesktop host software, by which you can transmit image data by serial interface.

While we're generally pleased with the performance of Metastream software the 3D 1500 uses as its primary export format, it suffers from some notable limitations. Most notably, it is not possible to define animations with Metastream, limiting the potential for walk-throughs or other "guided tour" scenarios. The software also exports data in .VRML, .3DS, and .OBJ formats, allowing a variety of workarounds to this problem.

The Metastream 3D lens system is also available separately as an add-on for existing Minolta EX1500 camera models. Reportedly, a Metastream 3D camera attachment is also in development for Kodak prosumer cameras.