Sony has just announced something that is probably revolutionary to the compact camera market, but when you think about it, seems like an obvious step in its evolution. It’s a stabilised zoom lens, that has a 20Mpx sensor, battery, flash card and wireless connectivity built into it. But it doesn’t have a screen. Instead, it connects up wirelessly to your Android or iOS device (NFC or Wi-Fi), to display the image it’s capturing in glorious retina display clarity and colour. For those times when you don’t want to be carrying around two separate devices, it even has a clip that allows it to latch on to your mobile phone, making it feel like a compact digital camera. Brilliant? We think so. Take a look at some pics.
The QX-100 Lens / Camera shoots images with a sensor that is much the same as what Sony uses on their dSLR cameras, so the image quality is bound to be high, with low noise and with effective resolutions touching 20.2 megapixels. At f/1.8, you should also be able to shoot in low light conditions (at ISOs between 160 – 25,600) to get great still photos and 1440x1080p video. There is also optical steadyshot functionality built into this lens for both still and movie modes, and I suspect that anyone using this device hand-held will definitely need it, especially with the QX-10’s 10x optical zoom.
The cameras weigh in at a pretty light 179 and 105 grams each, fully loaded, with battery and memory stick, and should be able to take about 200 pictures before the battery gives out.
The CyberShot QX100 is expected to retail at around $500, and the QX-10 at around $250.
I wonder what people will call these gadgets … CameraLenses? LensCameras? What will you call it? Let us know in the comments. Also, take a look at the specs below:
Model | DSC-QX100 | DSC-QX10 |
Image Sensor | 1.0 type (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor | 1/2.3 type (7.76mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor |
Effective resolution | Approx.20.2 megapixels | Approx.18.2 megapixels |
Image processor | BIONZ | BIONZ |
Lens | Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, with 7 elements in 6 groups (4 aspheric elements including AA lens) | Sony G Lens, with 7 groups (including 4 aspheric elements) |
Maximum aperture | 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), ISO160-25600 (Superior Auto), ISO160-3200 (Program Auto), ISO160-3200 (Aperture Priority) | ISO100-3200 (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 smartphoneNFC: One-touch remote | Wi-Fi: Send to smartphone / control with smartphoneNFC: One-touch remote |
Dimensions (WxHxD) | Approx. 62.5 x 62.5 x 55.5 mm | Approx. 62.4 x 61.8 x 33.3 mm |
Media card compatibility | Memory Stick Micro™ / Memory Stick Micro™ Mark 2 and Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher) | Memory Stick Micro™ / Memory Stick Micro™ Mark 2 and Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher) |
Weight (main unit only) | Approx. 165 g | Approx. 90 g |
Weight (with supplied battery and Memory Stick Micro) | Approx. 179 g | Approx. 105 g |
Supplied accessories | Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BN; micro USB cable; Smartphone Attachment; Wrist Strap; Operating Guide | Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BN; micro USB cable; Smartphone Attachment; Wrist Strap; Operating Guide |
See the full press release on the Sony Website.