HOA A1 Camera Turns an Open Frame Into a Tool for Trusted Everyday Photos

Lutra, a small South Korean startup, just introduced its Humans of Authenticity brand with a camera that looks more like a handheld window than a typical point-and-shoot. The HOA A1 places a 26mm f/1.75 prime lens and 16-megapixel Sony sensor right in the middle of a large rectangular frame you hold up to your face. Both eyes stay open and look straight through the empty space around the lens, so the person in front of you sees your eyes while you see them. That arrangement keeps the interaction direct instead of forcing everyone to wait while someone checks a rear screen.

Holding the camera seems similar to holding a flat piece of cardboard, not exactly high-tech electronics. The thing weighs just 140 grams. You have a tiny little display on the back that simply tells how much battery life is left and how many photos are still in the camera. Then there’s the shutter that rests on top. You can focus on objects as close as 10 cm to infinity. As you might think, it’s a standard point-and-shoot system. Standby battery life is estimated to be roughly eight hours, while continuous use yields approximately 90 minutes. Shots measure 4656 by 3104 pixels. To be honest, we won’t know how they look until someone publishes some sample images, as the team hasn’t had time to perfect the hue and tone yet.

Every picture taken comes with a little digital certificate issued by the camera’s ShootProof feature. The camera employs a secure chip to sign the photo’s unique fingerprint, which is subsequently stored in a large public list. The thing is, by default, it keeps all of this information anonymous, so you won’t be able to tell who shot the picture because all it does is confirm that the image hasn’t been tampered with since the shutter closed. You do not even need an internet connection to shoot. To transfer the photos, simply tap your phone against the back of the camera when connected via Wi-Fi. However, it is worth noting that there is a ‘Optional Signature Mode’ that allows you to slap your own personal mark on the corner of every image you snap after you’ve configured it in the app.

Limited production of the First Edition begins on December 21st, with only 100 units created, each with its own serial number ranging from 001 to 100. People will be allowed to choose the one they want on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is 360,000 Korean won, or approximately $289 if you choose to use dollars. Lutra believes that this is a means to maintain regular shots verifiable in a world where fraudulent pictures are becoming increasingly widespread. The HOA A1’s small sensor and fixed lens will not produce spectacular background blur, but its open-frame design and the fact that everything is done on the camera give it a clear purpose. Whether you need eye contact with your subject or just a basic record that a specific moment was recorded, this device does the job.
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