If a picture’s worth a thousand words, then how much is a smiling photo worth? About 40,000 yen ($350), based on Sony’s new “smile shutter” cameras.

Using face-detection technology, the 8-megapixel, DSC-T70 and DSC-T200 Cyber-shot cameras won’t snap a high-definition picture until a selected subject smiles.

Even with more than a handful of people in a picture, a photographer can designate which face to focus on by touching an LCD panel with a special pen.

And then you lose the special pen.

Japan sales start next week and global shipments this month.

Is there anyone out there who thinks they want one of these?



  1. OvenMaster says:

    Ten bucks says the State Department will, as well as all the states’ DMV offices. “The only way we can process your North American Union Passport/Driver’s License is if you smile, Sir/Ma’am”, meaning that you’ll have to make it look like you’re happy with that state of affairs in order to get the documents.

  2. Mr. Fusion says:

    I say crap. As someone who takes a lot of pictures, if it takes me too long, it ain’t worth it. If I can’t chide my subjects into smiling then no camera will do it for me. Focusing on just one person to smile won’t make everyone smile either.

    Another gimmick that wasn’t thought through. But hey, there might just be some idiot that would buy it for that feature. Mustard, you need a camera?

  3. Mister Mustard says:

    >>Mustard, you need a camera?

    Already got one, Fissile Boy. And all my subjects smile of their own accord. No need for technology to get them to do that.

  4. Sony Baloney says:

    This is the 3rd stupidest thing I ever heard of.

  5. Cinaedh says:

    #2 Mr. Fusion and #3 Mister Mustard,

    “And all my subjects smile of their own accord. No need for technology to get them to do that.”

    No clown joke?

  6. Greymoon says:

    #5 – Clown Joke

    sn’t it rich?
    Are we a pair?
    Me here at last on the ground,
    You in mid-air.
    Send in the clowns.

    Isn’t it bliss?
    Don’t you approve?
    One who keeps tearing around,
    One who can’t move.
    Where are the clowns?
    Send in the clowns.

    Just when I’d stopped opening doors,
    Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours,
    Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
    Sure of my lines,
    No one is there.

    Don’t you love farce?
    My fault I fear.
    I thought that you’d want what I want.
    Sorry, my dear.
    But where are the clowns?
    Quick, send in the clowns.
    Don’t bother, they’re here.

    Isn’t it rich?
    Isn’t it queer,
    Losing my timing this late
    In my career?
    And where are the clowns?
    There ought to be clowns.
    Well, maybe next year.

  7. ChrisMac says:

    It’s by Sony?

    It’s crap.. Who cares.. I wonder where the DRM is…

  8. Improbus says:

    Just another reason to continue to boycott Sony. They really need to break that company into pieces before the whole thing goes down the tubes.

  9. Nth of the 49th says:

    #7
    You need to blacken your teeth to bypass the DRM.

  10. Angel H. Wong says:

    Oooh.. The perfect Orwellian Digital Camera. It makes me wonder if it will also taser those who won’t smile.

  11. Jägermeister says:

    So… how does this camera deal with this guy?

  12. hhopper says:

    This is about as smart as having a beer tap that won’t pour a beer until it locks in on someone who’s really thirsty.

  13. framitz says:

    It’s Sony
    It adds delay
    it takes away control
    it’s Sony

    HELL NO

  14. Mr. Fusion says:

    #11, jag,

    I think that qualifies as a double exposure.

  15. Cinaedh says:

    #12 – hhopper

    You owe me a new keyboard. This one’s got coffee spray all over it.


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