HTC RE is a fresh, fun-looking new camcorder
HTC is a company known for its smartphones, but within that sphere it is also known for taking risks on new photography technology. The unique HTC One M7 and One M8 offered features that aid in low-light shooting, and the M8 also beefed up its background blurring capabilities. Its latest HTC Desire Eye has matching front-and-rear facing 13-megapixel autofocus cameras to help it pump out high-res selfies.
Unexpectedly, HTC is putting all that camera knowledge to good use, pivoting to create a fun new kind of video and still camera. In a market created by Flip (remember them?) and now dominated by GoPro, it was only a matter of time until other players created their own take on the go-anywhere do-anything life camera. For that, the HTC RE (MSRP $199.99) looks to provide an easy set-and-forget video and stills shooting experience that HTC hopes normal folks will invite into their daily routines.
The RE camera immediately strikes you as something unlike other user-friendly cameras on the market today. Its soft, single-bend shape might remind you of a submarine periscope, but its minimalist design speaks to how streamlined the shooting experience is.
The bottom of the RE is closed off from the elements, rendering the RE impervious to water, even without a case. The internal battery should be good for around an hour and a half of continuous video, or 1,200 snapshots, before needing to charge up.
The RE is noteworthy not only for what it includes, but for what it leaves out. For starters, there's no power switch. Using sensors, the RE can detect when it's being held, and makes itself ready for action whenever you get the urge to capture a moment.
The camera also goes without separate record buttons for video and still images. Instead, the giant silver button on the RE acts as its single most important control. A long press starts video rolling, and a short single push is for stills. It's that easy.
Built around a 1/2.3-inch, 16-megapixel sensor, the RE features a 146-degree wide-angle lens. The idea is that when you're using the RE on its own the spray-and-pray method should capture most of what's in your field of view. If you want to see exactly what you're shooting, there is a RE app on Android and iOS that will send a live viewfinder feed to your smartphone. Video is captured at 1080/30p and the RE includes software stabilization to smooth out bumps and jostles from footage.
Speaking of the RE app, HTC has big plans for additional functionalities including backing up photos and videos, time lapse shooting, wide-angle/standard angle cropping, and even support for live YouTube streaming.
Of course, a go-anywhere camera is only as good as its accessories, right? Not only is the RE compatible with anything using a standard tripod mount, HTC showed off a few unique device mounts including one for a bicycle, a universal suction cup mount, a head mount, and a rotating clip for a breast pocket or seat belt. Additionally, HTC is offering up a longer extended battery pack that quadruples the camera's runtime.
As a constant companion, the HTC RE offers what few compact video and still cameras can—simple usability, and enough features to make it compelling. The only product we've seen that competes on fun and ease of use is Polaroid's Cube, which, if we're quite honest, is a far less sophisticated product.
As a stills and video capturing machine, the RE is unrivaled except by smartphones. GoPro probably won't lose much marketshare to HTC in this race, but at least the RE offers something fresh in the world of small cameras.