Sony launches DSC-HX99 retinal projection kit for the visually impaired

Sony has announced the DSC-HX99RNV kit, a camera kit that helps visually impaired photographers capture the world around them. It packs Sony DSC-HX99 compact camera and the QD Laser’s RETISSA NEOVIEWER: a viewfinder that essentially projects the image straight onto a user’s retina.

Sony DSC-HX99 and retinal viewfinder specs

The Sony DSC-HX99 is a compact, travel-friendly camera covering everything from wide-angle to super-telephoto focal length (24-720 mm equivalent). The QD Laser’s RETISSA NEOVIEWER is an accessory viewfinder for the camera, projecting a digital image from the camera directly to the retina.

“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.”

Here are the camera specs:

Sony tools for the visually impaired

Perhaps you know that this isn’t the only tool Sony offers for visually impaired photographers. It also has the screen reading feature in the Sony A7 IV. In addition to that, and the new retinal viewfinder, the company also plans a collaboration with Japanese and American schools for the blind that assist people with low vision.

Availability and pricing of the Sony DSC-HX99 kit

The new Retina Projection Camera kit will be on display at the CSUN Technology Assistive Conference 2023 trade show in Anaheim from March 13-17, 2023. This is where you’ll be able to touch it and try it The kit will be available to purchase in the US in limited quantities through Sony’s website for $600 starting in early summer 2023.