The world has never seen a point and shoot camera quite like this before.
Iconic Sweden-based manufacturer Hasselblad, whose world famous cameras were taken to the moon by US astronauts back in the Sixties, and whose top quality products are prized by many of the world's greatest professional photographers, is all set for another major launch.
Stellar - a unique compact camera aimed at people who only want the best - has been exclusively fashioned at Hasselblad's design centre in Italy and is set to wow amateur
enthusiasts and consumers who love to take outstanding photographs and shoot quality video without having to worry about F-Stops and focal lengths.
With its own unique expression of style and matchless quality - Stellar is set for take-off around the globe at top stores like Harrods in the UK, Lane Crawford's in Hong Kong and China and Willoughby's Camera in Fifth Avenue, New York, later this summer.
So what's so special about this new camera?
Dr. Larry Hansen, Hasselblad's Chairman and CEO explains: "The world has never seen a compact camera like this before. The Hasselblad brand has always been about highest quality and distinctive style and we've created Stellar as a work of art capture device that you can simply point and shoot to acquire stunning pictures. It is available in six exotic wooden handle options - including walnut, padouk and zebra - with every hand-grip meticulously carved from a raw block of wood and fashioned by our experts. And our sleek and sophisticated carbon fibre hand-grip alternative is crafted using the same compression moulding technique embraced by the aerospace industry."
He adds: "With Stellar, we have an extremely easy camera to use but it comes with the exquisite image quality and high-end handling that all our customers expect from Hasselblad. Just point and shoot and Stellar's advanced technology, combined with the magnificence of ZEISS lenses, takes care of the rest. We've packed full HD 1080/60p video with manual controls in this model too and this camera comes with a fantastic 3.6 x optical zoom. Our larger than average point and shoot sensor enables the user to capture extra light and reproduce every scene in truly stunning detail. And with wide range ISO sensitivity it's now possible to shoot in almost any light."
The brand new Stellar camera has a price tag of 1,480 Euros (excluding tax), and offers SLR-like handling with a full range of controls for those photographers who want more technical involvement with their image capture.
Luca Alessandrini, Hasselblad's New Business Development Director says: "With Stellar you can be a complete photo-novice or you can choose to take control of the camera's features manually. And when you buy this camera it will be presented - complete with its naturally tanned Italian leather wrist strap - in a select and distinguished-looking 'jewellery' box."
Stellar is Hasselblad's second foray into the consumer photographic marketplace. Earlier this year the manufacturer of the world's most advanced medium format camera system launched Lunar - an acclaimed revolution in consumer camera design. Stellar is the follow-up camera in an ongoing programme of product launches targeting the lifestyle/luxury sector.
Adds Dr. Hansen: "It has always been my ambition to enable all fans of the iconic Hasselblad brand to have an opportunity to own one of our cameras. Now discerning enthusiasts of beautiful design, ergonomics and advanced camera technology have real choices."
