Rear Camera Revealed for iPad 2 in iOS 4.3 Beta, But Will it Be Only 1 Megapixel?

[Maura]

A day after the existence of a front-facing camera in the iPad 2 was confirmed by screenshots found in iOS 4.3 Beta, 9to5 Mac have unearthed evidence that there will also be a back-facing camera included, but interestingly enough it’s also found that the back-facing camera, which will be the one you use to record videos and take photos with, is only 1 megapixel. The front-facing camera, however, which will be the one used for FaceTime of course, and for taking pictures and videos of yourself, will be VGA, the same as the iPhone 4 and fourth-gen iPod touch. 9to5 Mac say that they have managed to deduce all this good stuff because they have heard from a source that K94 is the code name for the iPad 2, and they speculate that the reason the iPad 2’s back-facing camera is only 1 megapixel is because the device’s tapered edges don’t allow space for anything more sophisticated. Can this really be true? Will the iPad 2 really only have a 1 megapixel back-facing camera? Does your iPad really need a camera anyway?

Source: iPad 2 will have the same cameras as the iPod touch | 9 to 5 Mac iPad 2 will have the same cameras as the iPod touch | Apple Intelligence

 

[Gunny008]

Camera for FaceTime obviously...not to take pictures with. But i guess it will be useful for the odd quick snap

 

[Superbike81]

Why would they have a back facing camera for FaceTime? That would make zero sense.

 

[daveathall]

Why would they have a back facing camera for FaceTime? That would make zero sense.

The back facing camera isn’t for FaceTime.

 

[Spink10]

front-facing camera is the most important - imho
However, if you are going to have a rear-facing camera - which it should have - please give more than 1 megapixel.

 

[Yakuzagang5]

yes it IS for FaceTime, and given if it is only 1Mpx, that means it's pretty much only for FaceTime. FaceTime is not ONLY the front camera, hence the way to switch to the back camera to show people what you're seeing.

IMO, this makes sense, cause you're gonna look like a complete idiot holding up something as large as an iPad to take pictures everywhere you go. I agree with this, if it is what they are actually doing.

 

[Superbike81]

Why would they have a back facing camera for FaceTime? That would make zero sense.

The back facing camera isn’t for FaceTime.

I know, that was my point.

But a rear facing 1MP camera is almost pointless unless the function is for what Yakuzagang said. But even then, it doesn't seem to make a FaceTime camera for front and rear.

 

[iVan]

Can't be worse taking pictures with an iPad than phoning with one!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsauQUoe9KM&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]

 

[Thphilli]

I think its ridiculous to include such a crappy rear camera on the ipad myself, but I can see why they are doing it, and its not because of facetime. If this is true and there is only a 1MP rear camera, then they are basically saying that it is not meant to take a single photo with. Its basically there to scan barcodes and such and to offer basic camera functionality to apps.

 

[Spink10]

Scan business cards would be my only use.

 

[Hasty]

Heh you won't be taking photos with the 10" screen in your face so it'll be just fine.
Want to be able to quick scan docs with it. Should be fine here.

 

[Bennettb]

I always have my iPad at hand. It would be useful to have a camera to take pictures of the grandkids playing while I'm reading or a quilt or painting I might be making notes on, or my garden as I'm thinking about layout. Since I have the iPad with me at those times I'd rather have a camera handy and don't mind a 10 inch screen " in my face".

Bobbi

 

[Hasty]

I take your point Bobbi. It should be a quick way to get images on the machine.
Sitting here with three cameras on my desk and several computers I guess I'm spoilt for choice

 

[iVan]

Nobody will force anyone to use the camera so why bother about it being there?
I have one on each of my laptops that I don't use, they're now just a tiny 1/8" decoration... But if you planned to use your actual case and wanted to use said camera now that's a gripe! That hole really makes a difference...

 

[Digikid]

One MP????

Wow apple......you fail at that. 5 MP MINIMUM. Get with the times