I came across theQ Camera on Hypebeast, this week. I’m kind of curious to try one of these out, if nothing else because they seem to be so versatile and durable. TheQ Camera is designed to allow the user to share images directly to social media platforms. Although that idea is not particularly unique (other major camera manufacturers have attempted this idea [and failed] as a stop-gap for the bite that smartphones have taken out of the point and shoot market), the way that theQ is executing this idea is much more interesting than I have seen in the past. For example, they don’t get crazy with the resolution, capping it at 5mp. For images that people are only going to be viewed on computer monitors and mobile devices, 5 megapixels is more than enough resolution.

The two features that I find most attractive are the manual focus ring, and the fact that it is waterproof. I really like the idea of both of those features because, first: you aren’t going to find either of those features on your iPhone. Sure, you can get an underwater case for your iPhone. But even that seems a bit sketchy. If it leaks, you are losing a lot more than just your images.  I like the manual focus ring because I feel like being able to control all aspects of the camera is essential to becoming a good photographer. Like Clive Thompson, I think that photo-centric social media platforms have been very instrumental in helping people discover their interest in photography. Tools like a manual focus ring will further enable people that may never own an SLR, to explore effects like macro and bokeh (which could produce some dramatic images with the f/2.4 max aperture). Additionally theQ comes equipped with a built-in ring flash. That is some pretty innovative design. Finally, theQ took aesthetics into account by making the camera available in 9 different colorways.