Sony launches digital camera kit for the visually impaired

Sony Electronics announces the DSC-HX99RNV kit, a new retinal projection camera kit that helps people with visual impairments see to capture the world around them. This kit consists of Sony’s DSC-HX99 compact camera and QD Laser’s RETISSA NEOVIEWER, a viewfinder using laser retinal projection technology.

“We continue to leverage creativity and technology to enhance the accessibility of our products, services and experiences. The Retina Projection Camera kit is a step in our commitment to a future that empowers all types of creators,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “Sony welcomes the opportunity to use our digital imaging technology in this new and innovative way.”

The DSC-HX99 is the Cyber-shot travel zoom model covering everything from wide-angle to super-telephoto in a compact body complete with a 24-720 mm (30x) high-power zoom lens. QD Laser’s RETISSA NEOVIEWER viewfinder is an accessory viewfinder for the camera. A digital image from the camera is directly projected to the retina through the RETISSA NEOVIEWER to see the surroundings, allowing the user to take a photo and record a video. Together, the technology offers a new way to view landscapes and people’s faces, read signs, and capture images through retinal projection. It is equipped with functions that allow you to enjoy full-fledged shooting, such as high-speed, high-precision AF performance and support for recording in RAW format.

“The laser retinal projection of RETISSA NEOVIEWER is a completely new technology that has been put to practical use for the first time in the world,” says Dr. Mitsuru Sugawara, President and CEO of QD Laser, Inc. “With the DSC-HX99 RNV kit that includes Sony’s digital still camera, we hope that people who may have found traditional viewfinders difficult to use will now enjoy taking photos, expanding their range of activities and discovering new worlds.”

With the aim of having more people use the camera kit, Sony offers it at $600 MSRP by bearing a portion of the costs. Sony also plans a collaboration with Japanese and American schools for the blind that assist people with low vision.

The kit will be available to purchase in the US in limited quantities through Sony’s website electronics.sony.com, starting early Summer 2023.