Sony's highly discussed and hotly debated cell phone cameras (accessories?), the DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 are now available for pre order. These camera/lens combo devices attach to Android and iOS devices using WiFi, but can also store images on a microSD card of up to 64 GB capacity. The products have been the subject of a lot of speculation and rumor over the past few weeks and they are finally available to order.
The QX10 comes at a consumer-friendly $249 and sports the following specs:
- Clips to Smartphone and Shoots Uncoupled
- 18.2MP 1/2.3" Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ Image Processor
- Sony G 10x Optical Zoom Lens
- 25-250mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Full HD 1080p Video at 30 fps
- Built-In Wi-Fi and NFC Connectivity
- Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
- Compose and Adjust Settings from Phone
- Saves Images on Smartphone and Camera
The QX100 is going to set you back $499 and features:
- Clips to Smartphone and Shoots Uncoupled
- 20.2MP 1.0" Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ Image Processor
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/1.8 Lens
- 28-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Full HD 1080p Video at 30 fps
- Built-In Wi-Fi and NFC Connectivity
- Compose and Adjust Settings from Phone
- Saves Images on Smartphone and Camera
- Manual Exposure Control via Smartphone
So is this something that interests you? To be honest, as the biggest naysayer of weird hybrids of phone and camera, I'm actually quite taken with these. I kind of want them. For some expanded information, check out this blog post that goes into more detail.
Am I reading this right? The QX100 is a 28-100mm constant f/1.8 Zeiss lens?
Nope. From the description " Its f/1.8 maximum aperture, on the wide-angle end, is effective in low light and works to enable shallow-depth-of-field shooting."
Can I take RAW images on my phone with these?
There is no mention on RAW. This is what they list on Sony site.
"Still Image File Format : JPEG (DCF, Exif, MPF Baseline) compliant, DPOF
compatible"
http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId...
That says no RAW.
Ok, before you people start your huzzling: No, it does NOT replace your Canon/Nikon blabla5, and yes, you all WILL lose your jobs as wedding photographers to ammateurs. Now that I´ve said it, you don´t have to.
The QX-100 is basically a RX100 lens, sensor etc. with wifi built in (like the RX100 II). So you save like 300 bucks or something. The downside would be the shape of the size I guess. Feels easier to carry a RX100, which becomes much thinner once turned off. But it's a great deal. And I do most my daily photography/editing on the phone these days anyways. It's fast, easy, and very quick to share the photos with.
Can it shoot without mobile/tablet? there is a shutter button on the side.
Yes. You can use it blind and view photos later. Also, it uses WiFi to connect to the smartphone/tablet so it's not really "attached" to your phone.
Sounds like fun... but not $500 of fun.
I really do love the concept, but it does seem a bit like youre inconveniencing yourself to have a weird camera. I'm not writing this off because I want one, but my iPhone 5 battery dies fast enough without having it tethered to a camera so I'll make a more educated decision when I see what Apple reveals next week.
Imagine the amount of slant images taken detached. The shape makes orientation a pain.
made a meme - How Sony made the DSC-QX10 and 100 Phone Cameras
This is the ultimate street photography camera. Imagine this:
- I'm holding my iPhone forward - everybody thinks I'm shooting in this direction
- at the same time, my other hand holds the qx100 barrel facing my left side. And there's what I'm actually shooting. Nobody notices it. Nobody feels uncomfortable.
Maybe I'm a sucker for new shiny things but I am all over this. Sign me up :)
So it seems that there is no RAW mode and it also seems while it has aperture priority, there seems to be no manual mode. Extremely promising but I feel kind of let down. I think I'll be sticking with my X100 for now thanks (just about as convenient).
I love the idea.x
i wonder why they haven't incorporated a cell phone into a dslr yet? :)
They have! Sort of. Samsung NX.
Pretty rad. I like that it pares with Android and iOS, but also bummed about the lack of manual modes and raw.
I use my iPhone camera because it's convenient and fits in my pocket and I always have it. If I want a better lens I use my DSLR. Why would I purchase this product to lose the advantages of both ?
The interesting part will be seeing these gadgets work along with Google Glass.
"Turn your phone into a serious camera" how stupid. What is next "how to turn your stove into a 3 star restaurant"?