Sony cameras have undergone significant evolution over the years. The company’s A99 series was the best in class, and the tradition continued when they moved to mirrorless. While they introduced mainstream models that impressed the users, the company was also creating some oddball cameras that will certainly shock you even today: micro-miniature cameras, PC-card peripherals, and gadget-style gizmos. Here is a look at a few devices that you will certainly like.
Credit Card Cam (2000)
A camera designed for your wallet, the company was obsessed with showcasing how compact your device can get. This was true in the case of its new Memory Stick format. The Credit Card Cam was a thin prototype that could easily be mistaken for your other cards. There is very little technical data available, including insufficient details on the sensor. However, the design alone was pancake-like, and it came with an internal flash. There was no LCD, either, due to the lack of space. The camera never saw the light of day, and it remains the most memorable example of how Sony envisioned the future.
Pen Camera (2000)
The Pen Camera was designed like a stylus and was introduced in 2000. The device was a prototype, showcased alongside other quirky concepts of that era. The specs have not been revealed, except for the fact that the camera has an unusual design. It could perhaps feature a memory stick storage just like a credit card camera. A precursor to the Cyber-shot DSC-U in the form factor, the Pen Camera, if launched, could have seriously shaken up the conventional camera market.
PC Card Camera (1996)
Before laptop webcams became standard, Sony was seeking ways to integrate imaging into notebooks. Instead of mounting a camera, the device used Sony’s and industry partners’ Zoomed Video (ZV) PC Card standard. The Sony device had to be connected to a PC Card, which would then transmit still images and videos without relying on CPU-intensive data processing. While it never went into production, the design showcases how the company was trying to think ahead of its time.
The three Sony devices reflect the company’s willingness to experiment. They also showcased how a camera is designed for bold statements and giving wya to wacky ideas. If you love tech oddities, vintage digital gear, and the wild paths not taken, these prototypes are essential to the history of Sony.