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  • Design & Usability

  • Features

  • Conclusion

  • Design & Usability
  • Features
  • Conclusion

In the M8, HTC threw in a second camera for depth perception, using software to introduce pretty convincing background blurring in photos. The latest HTC Desire Eye features matching front-and-rear facing 13-megapixel autofocus cameras to pump out high-res selfies.

Unexpectedly, HTC is putting all that camera knowledge to good use, pivoting to create a fun new kind of video and still camera. In a market once created by Flip and now dominated by GoPro, it was only a matter of time until other players created their own take on the go-anywhere do-anything life camera. There's obviously untapped potential with people who don't plan on taping their epic snowboarding trips or surfin' safaris. For that, the HTC RE (MSRP $199.99) looks to provide an easy set-and-forget video and stills shooting experience that HTC hopes that normal folks will invite into their day-to-day routines.

Design & Usability

Like a periscope from a miniature submarine.

The RE camera immediately strikes you as something unlike other user-friendly cameras on the market today. Its soft, single-bend shape might remind you of something from Super Mario World, but its minimalist design speaks volumes to how intentionally pared down the user experience is.

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Smartly, the shape of the RE means that it's easy to grasp and keep trained on whatever you want vide oof. On the top of the camera is a chrome button with a faint light beneath it, which is the record button for both stills and video. Beneath the RE's lens is a small, unobtrusive button that activates the camera's 120 fps slow motion mode. Two small dots not far beneath the slow-mo button light up, indicating battery and connectivity to a smartphone.

The bottom of the RE is closed off from the elements, rendering the RE impervious to water. HTC says that the camera meets the IPX7 standard for watertightness without using a case. Even so, there's a micro USB port on RE's underside, along with a standard tripod mount and a rubber cap. Pop open the cap, and you'll find a plain 'ol microSD card slot, which you'll need for the RE to capture clips and snapshots (It comes with an 8 GB card right out of the box). The internal battery should be good for around an hour and a half of continuous video or 1,200 stills before needing to charge up.

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We found the RE was easy to grab onto, comfortable to hold, and surprisingly ergonomic. Despite its polished polycarbonate surface, the camera has a thick and long enough barrel for small and big hands to grasp it, all while keeping the camera compact and light. It's a fun design that is unlike anything we've seen recently, showing that HTC is once again not afraid to try something different.

Features

Simple, but full of creative potential.

The RE is noteworthy not only for what it includes, but for what it leaves out. For starters, there's no power switch. Using sensors, the RE can detect when it's being held, and makes itself ready for action whenever you get the urge to capture a moment. It's a design choice that fits with the RE's ethos, which is that it should be with you at all times, ready to capture important moments whenever you want.

A long press of a big silver button starts video rolling, and a short single push is for stills. It's that easy.

The camera also lacks dedicated modes and also goes without separate record buttons for video and stills. Instead, the giant silver button on the RE acts as its single most important control. A long press starts video rolling, and a short single push is for stills. It's that easy.

Built around a 1/2.3-inch, 16-megapixel sensor, the RE features a 146-degree wide-angle lens. The idea is that when you're using the RE on its own the spray-and-pray method should capture most of what's in your field of view. If you want to see exactly what you're shooting, there is a RE app on Android and iOS that will send a live viewfinder feed to your smartphone. Video is captured at 1080/30p and the RE includes software stabilization to smooth out bumps and jostles from footage.

Of course, HTC has a gaggle of mounts and accessories for RE owners to buy.

Of course, HTC has a gaggle of mounts and accessories for RE owners to buy.

Speaking of the RE app, HTC has big plans for supporting both iOS and Android mobile platforms at launch. The app functionality announced includes backing up photos and videos, time lapse shooting, wide-angle/standard angle cropping, and even support for live YouTube streaming directly from the device and your phone. And though it uses low-power Bluetooth to pair to your phone, RE actually switches to the faster WiFi direct to quickly shuttle files to your phone.

Of course, a go-anywhere camera is only as good as its accessories, right? Not only is the RE compatible with anything using a standard tripod mount, HTC showed off a few unique device mounts including one for a bicycle, a universal suction cup mount, a head mount, and a rotating clip for a breast pocket or seat belt. Additionally, HTC is offering up a longer extended battery pack that lengthens the RE's handle and quadruples the camera's runtime.

Conclusion

A unique camera with loads of potential.

We're excited to see how RE handles in the real world.

We're excited to see how RE handles in the real world.

As a constant companion, the HTC RE offers what few compact video and still cameras can—simple usability, and just enough features to make it compelling. The only product we've seen that competes on fun and ease of use is Polaroid's Cube, which, if we're quite honest, is a far less sophisticated product.

GoPro probably won't lose out much marketshare to HTC in this race, but at least we're seeing something fresh here.

Then again, the Polaroid Cube only rings the till at a measly $100, half of what the RE is selling for as a preorder. What the RE brings to the table is app connectivity, something the cheap Cube can't accomplish. As a stills and video capturing machine, the RE is unrivaled except by smartphones. GoPro probably won't lose out much marketshare to HTC in this race, but at least we're seeing something fresh in small cameras.

Ever since Cisco unceremoniously killed the excellent Flip HD camcorder years ago, gadgets like this not made by GoPro have been as rare as hens' teeth. We're excited to see what HTC has planned for this product, and you should stay tuned for our full take once we get our hands on the final retail version.

Meet the tester

Brendan Nystedt

Brendan Nystedt

Contributor

@bnystedt

Brendan is originally from California. Prior to writing for Reviewed.com, he graduated from UC Santa Cruz and did IT support and wrote for a technology blog in the mythical Silicon Valley. Brendan enjoys history, Marx Brothers films, Vietnamese food, cars, and laughing loudly.

See all of Brendan Nystedt's reviews

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