Research Blog: Lens Blur in the new Google Camera app

21 Apr 2014 • googleresearch.blogspot.com

One of the biggest advantages of SLR cameras over camera phones is the ability to achieve shallow depth of field and bokeh effects. Shallow depth of field makes the object of interest "pop" by bringing the foreground into focus and de-emphasizing the background. Achieving this optical effect has traditionally required a big lens and aperture, and therefore hasn’t been possible using the camera on your mobile phone or tablet.

That all changes with Lens Blur, a new mode in the Google Camera app. It lets you take a photo with a shallow depth of field using just your Android phone or tablet. Unlike a regular photo, Lens Blur lets you change the point or level of focus after the photo is taken.

When this type of technology comes to point-and-shoots DSLRs are going to become even more niche.  Most of the people I've converted to DSLRs love the improved detail and shallow depth of field.  With sensors constantly getting better pretty soon depth of field will be the big noticeable difference for a lot of casual photographers.  

Having to move the camera physically is annoying though.  The depth map needs to be built with faster auto-focus sensors or something... not by physically moving the camera about.  As someone who has used point-and-shoots for years then moved to DSLRs having to move the camera to capture a single still image sounds very bizarre to me.

I understand why, but my gut says it would feel so awkward.