Sony has unveiled an intriguing pair of smartphone peripherals at the IFA 2013 tech expo which turn your smartphone into a high-end camera. The Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 are mountable cameras that communicate with iOS and Android devices via Wi-Fi. They increase your phone’s megapixel count by up to 20MP and can boost optical zoom by up to 10x. In other words, you’ll never need to lug around a chunky compact again.
The IFA 2013 announcements have been coming thick and fast from Berlin, with Samsung’s hotly-anticipated ‘Gear’ smart watch stealing much of the limelight. But for photography fans, one of the most intriguing announcements has been Sony’s DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 smartphone attachments.
The Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 are being pitched as a brand new product category for camera enthusiasts (although we’ve actually seen similar concepts for iPhone in the past). They are fully-functioning Cyber-shot cameras in a size that’s not much bigger than a lens.
The cameras are designed to fit onto the back of your smartphone with all controls accessed through your phone’s touch screen which also acts as the viewfinder.
Boasting an Exmor R CMOS sensor, a BIONZ processor, optical SteadyShot and an optical zoom, the units significantly boost the photographic capabilities of your smartphone; especially in low-light environments. The high-end DSC-QX100 also comes with a wide-aperture Carl Zeiss VarioSonnar T lens and a full gamut of manual controls.
Both models come with a Micro SD card slot which allows the user to save full resolution images. Handily, the inbuilt software will compress the photos you choose to share over your phone’s network which cuts down on data consumption and lengthy upload times.
Here’s a look at the chief specifications of each model:
Model | DSC-QX100 | DSC-QX10 |
Image Sensor | 20.2 megapixels | 18.2 megapixels |
Effective resolution | BIONZ | BIONZ |
Maximum aperture | Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T1, with 7 elements in 6 groups (4 aspheric elements including AA lens) | Sony G Lens, with 7 groups (including 4 aspheric elements) |
Lens | F1.8(Wide angle)- F4.9 (Tele) | F3.3(Wide angle)- F5.9 (Tele) |
Focal length (35mm equivalent)(still image 4:3) | f=28-100mm | f=25-250mm |
Optical zoom | 3.6x | 10x |
ISO Sensitivity (Still Image) | ISO160-6400 (iAuto), ISO160-256003 (Superior Auto), ISO160-3200 (Program Auto), ISO160-3200 (Aperture Priority) | SO100-3200 (iAuto), ISO100-12800 (Superior Auto), ISO100-1600 (Program Auto) |
Movie record | MP4: 12MP (1440×1080/30fps) | MP4: 12MP (1440×1080/30fps) |
Image stabilisation | Optical SteadyShot (with Active Mode for movies) | Optical SteadyShot (with Active Mode for movies) |
Focus type | Contrast detection AF | Contrast detection AF |
Focus Modes | Single-shot AF; Manual Focus; Touch AF | Single-shot AF; Touch AF |
Shooting modes | Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Movie Mode | Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto, Movie Mode |
Wireless networking | Wi-Fi: Send to smartphone / control with smartphone NFC: One-touch remote | Wi-Fi: Send to smartphone / control with smartphone NFC: One-touch remote |
Dimensions (WxHxD) | 62.5 x 62.5 x 55.5mm | 62.4 x 61.8 x 33.3 mm |
Weight (main unit only) | 165g | 90g |
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Last week, we were given a sneak-peak of the devices during a pre-IFA Sony media briefing. While hands-on time was limited, we were very impressed by what we saw. The fastening mechanism has been crafted with Sony’s typical engineering ingenuity: a pair of retractable arms keeping the lens in place which makes the attachment/removal process quick and easy.
Naturally, you’ll still be able to take calls and use other smartphone functions with the camera attached, but you’ll probably look a bit odd while doing so.
We didn’t get a chance to review the image quality in detail, but the results looked great on the smartphone’s 4-inch display. We also happened to be using the device in moderate indoor lighting, which is another good sign.
The cameras are compatible with phones with a width of 54-75mm and up to a maximum thickness of 13mm. Most bigger Android or iOS devices will also work with the products — you just won’t be able to fasten the lens in place.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 will be available in Australia from mid-October for $279 and $599, respectively.
See also: The Best DSLR Upgrades And Accessories | Make A “Phone-O-Scope” SLR Lens For Your Mobile Phone
Comments
8 responses to “Sony Releases Gizmo That Hacks Your Phone Into A High-End Camera”
I’ll admit, when I read about these things I was somewhat intrigued.
Not sure if I’d use one, or whether or not they’re to awkward to have with you all the time, but would be interesting to see if they’re the right price point/form factor to create it’s own niche market.
I think this is much more cooler and interesting than smart watches.
“They increase your phone’s megapixel count by up to 20MP ”
That’s a bit of a stretch…
It’s a crippled camera which requires a smartphone to operate.
It doesn’t “improve” anything about the phone itself.
Well, not really. They are specifically designed for smartphones and won’t work without them. Hence, they improve your smartphone’s photo-taking capabilities. It’s a symbiotic relationship.
Not agreeing with first comment but just pointing out there was a demonstration video that showed it working without a phone. Don’t know the point of it working without being able to see what you’re pointing at but it does work.
i think this might find an audience, i was shocked at the number of people using phones as their primary camera, i think the instant aspects of basic edit and upload is attractive for them.
And i thought it worked with out a smart phone, except it was just really difficult.
I would like to see a comparison of these with the nokia lumia 1020
Maybe someone knows of a technical reason why, but it seems odd that the lower end lens (QX10) has a higher optical zoom than the QX100.
Also, WTF Sony ? $600 for the QX100 – a $100 more than the US ?
Fuck you, my only regret is that I can’t download it instead…
I’ve been using this here in Melbourne for the last two months – this is my honest review of it:
http://www.jasonchatfield.com/review-sony-dsc-qx100-cameralens-in-one/