2011's Most Groundbreaking Startup is About to…

…Change the world of cameras as we know it. Last year, I wrote about the mind-blowing new camera from Lytro, the maker of the world's first camera that is capable of capturing the entire light field. In short, this means that you can adjust the focus of your photos after they are taken! In 2011, the company developed a brilliant website to showcase its amazing technology. Now the camera is finally nearing its release. Aspiring photographers can pre-order the oddly-shaped device for $399 (8GB) or $499 (16GB). The camera is currently being displayed at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, and everyone seems to be impressed.

Image Source: lytro.com/camera The design is unlike any other camera available, and its potential is unprecedented. Late last year, Lytro told Popular Science Magazine that the company intends to develop a video version of the camera in the next couple of years. Let's pause and think about that for a second. Imagine the potential of a camera like that. You could film virtually any scene in any way that you wanted and then seamlessly adjust the focus after the fact, allowing the filmmaker to re-make his or her scenes without having to film any new shots. It would take editing to a whole other level. Until then, the current (stills-only) Lytro is more than impressive enough to bring about a new era in point-and-shoot photography. It should be interesting to see what the company does with its technology in the coming months. Follow me @LouisBedigian