3D handheld gaming device to include 3D camera

Nintendo took to the stage at this years E3 convention to announce it’s latest incarnation of the DS handheld gaming device.

As had been rumoured on the Internet, and indeed hinted at by Nintendo themselves, the gaming giant confirmed that the new model would enter the burgeoning 3D market. Details on pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed, hinting that the device still has some work to be done, though it’s specification was fairly detailed.

The Nintendo 3DS will feature a 3.5in widescreen LCD display that will enable 3D viewing without the need for special glasses. The device still features the second screen to control the action – a 3in touch screen LCD.

What’s all this got to do with photography, I hear you cry? Well, along with the 3D display, the new Nintendo 3DS features two VGA cameras which, in tandem, are capable of capturing 3D images. While the specification is fairly archaic (640×480 pixels, or 0.3 megapixels) it still signals one of the first mass market implementations of 3D photography, and is sure to at least expose a great deal of people to its potential.

Does this herald the start of the 3D photography revolution? Or is it simply a gimmick on a toy for children? Have your say in the comments section below.