Just as expected, the iPad 2 has added cameras. Two of them, one front and one back facing. Here are the details on them:

• Back camera: Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; still camera with 5x digital zoom
• Front camera: Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio; VGA-quality still camera
• Tap to control exposure for video or stills
• Photo and video geotagging over Wi-Fi

Apple has also added two new built-in apps to the iPad 2, to take advantage of the new cameras – FaceTime for video chat, and PhotoBooth for taking pictures of yourself (or you plus friends) and applying fun effects to them.

FaceTime on the iPad 2 will let you video chat with anyone on another iPad 2, an iPhone 4, the latest iPod Touch, or a Mac.

PhotoBooth will use the iPad 2’s front-facing camera for taking snaps of yourself or perhaps you and a close friend. Here’s a little of Apple’s blurb on it on their iPad 2 pages:

When the mood strikes, turn the camera on yourself, make some faces, and start shooting snapshot-style. Choose from artsy, wacky, and weird effects. Twist up your face, see yourself doubled, or look like you stepped into a comic book. Photo Booth is great for parties or just for kicks. And the fun keeps coming as you keep snapping.

FaceTime is a great app to have around, though I have to admit I haven’t used it that much on my iPhone 4. Maybe the bigger iPad screen will have me using it more often. Photo Booth is an app my daughter and I have had big fun with on the Mac, so I expect it will be more of the same on the iPad 2.