Last Updated on 10/07/2025 by Chris Gampat
Have you ever dreamed of a camera that enables you to edit your images with AI in real-time? Well, this dream will soon become a reality, thanks to Camera Intelligence’s new AI-native Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, Caira. The device works with Google’s AI model and is the “world’s first mirrorless camera” to integrate the former’s Gen AI tech directly into its product. Here’s a quick look at what it can do and how you can get your hands on it.
All images are courtesy of Camera Intelligence. Used with permission.
Caira can be attached to your iPhone via MagSafe connector, and once it’s on, it utilizes its own sensor to shoot images. However, unlike the iPhone‘s camera, Caira’s larger sensor can gather more details and light, and with Google’s ‘Nano Banana’, one can edit images in real time. Per the company, Caira is ushering in “a new era of on-camera ‘generative editing,’” as it enables content creators to move beyond “simple capture to offer in-the-moment creation and editing.” Thus, it removes the need to carry laptops or other gear for further editing.
So, how does it work? Once you photograph a scene on Caira’s app, users can then use Google‘s Nano Banana to provide a language prompt to Gen AI. This can range from changing the colors, grade, or style of the scene to changing the time of day in a scene. One can also make “hyper-specific” additions. For instance, changing the colors of the subject’s clothes or hair, or adding details such as jewelry.
However, the implications of AI are known to many, and for this reason, the company is creating Caira with an “ethics-first approach.” In other words, Camera Intelligence is collaborating with professional photographers from around the world to develop “responsible use cases.” They are also designing “ethical system prompts,” which can serve as a guardrail against the misuse of the AI model. Furthermore, Caira works with Google’s Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy, which will not allow users to alter any person’s “skin tone, ethnicity, or core facial features,” to not “unethically manipulate personal identity.”
With rampant challenges such as racism, child abuse, and deepfakes, it remains to be seen how Caira changes things. While the company’s CEO, Vishal Kumar, has said that they have “a lot of thought” into the product before its launch, we have yet to see if its potential is misused. As he said, “Despite the skepticism surrounding generative AI, we believe photographers shouldn’t fear it. Thoughtful integration of this has the potential to be truly helpful.” Generative AI has sparked controversy worldwide, with many creatives opposed to it, as their work can be easily scraped to train AI models. Adobe’s use of AI has also put pressure on photographers, as it can easily replace them. In other words, Gen AI images can also alter your memories, something that has been proven by various researchers.
With content creators gaining popularity on social media platforms, a tool like this is purely for that purpose. However, in the long run, this will also be adopted by users, who are so taken by the idea of “editing on the go.” Something like this can also be adapted by small businesses, thus removing the need to hire a photographer for their work. Such as making product shots. Either way, The Phoblographer has never supported AI, but we believe it is our duty to report on changes in the industry. A project like Caira may appear useful to content creators, but purists may double down on the old school approach. Or as Edward Weston said, “If I have any ‘message’ worth giving to a beginner, it is that there are no shortcuts in photography.”
Caira will be exclusively available on Kickstarter, with the campaign going live on October 30th. For more information, head to Camera Intelligence’s website.
