While HTC has been putting a focus on its cameras for a while now it’s still very much been a smartphone company, but with the HTC RE it’s branching out into standalone cameras, and not even normal standalone cameras, but, well, something quite different.
With its odd shape and lack of a viewfinder the HTC RE could be a tough sell, but it’s got a lot going for it too. So will it catch on? Maybe, read on for a rundown of what it’s got going for it and the problems it will likely face.
It’s just as hard for cameras to stand out as it is for phones and innovation can certainly help. The good news then is that the HTC RE has innovation in spades, the lack of a viewfinder is an odd start, as is the unusual shape. The HTC RE is a camera which really stands out for better or worse.
But that’s a double edged sword as standing out isn’t always a good thing. With such an unusual design it may well put off people who just want, well, a camera.
It feels like something that many people would want to see in action or even try out for themselves before they buy it and sadly that’s not always very easy to do.
If you do get a chance to use it though it’s incredibly simple and intuitive to use and that’s a major point in its favour. The shape makes it comfortable to grip in one hand, it automatically streams picture and videos to your phone so even though the device itself doesn’t have a screen you’re not hampered and it features one-button operation so you can snap pictures and shoot videos without a hitch.
The lack of a viewfinder might sound problematic but its 146 degree wide angle 16 megapixel lens means there’s no chance anything will be missed from the shot and it makes selfies a breeze too.
There are no modes to change or settings to tweak, it really is just point and shoot.
The HTC RE is designed to be your constant companion too. It’s small enough to slip in a bag, waterproof so it can survive the rain and even be used for underwater photography and has accessories which let you strap it to the handlebars of your bike, the strap of your backpack or your windowsill.
At £169.99 the HTC RE doesn’t exactly break the bank, in fact as cameras go it’s not even that expensive, but for a basic, unusual camera with no viewfinder, no screen and no settings or modes it could be a hard sell.
The HTC RE’s innovation is a double edged sword and its price tag, while not unreasonable, could prove off-putting. But with a design that makes it simple to use and easy to carry it might just catch on.
