Hands-on: Sony QX100 and QX10 smart lenses for smartphones

Along with the launch of the Xperia Z1 in Malaysia, Sony also showcased its upcoming attachable smart lenses for smartphones – the DSC-QX100 and the DSC-QX10.

Sony_qx100_qx10

To put it simply, these QX lenses are not just ordinary lenses as they are equipped with their own image sensor. So they’re actually working cameras minus the display but have NFC, WiFi, its own microSD card slot and removable battery.

sony qx_battery

So how does it work? Just pair the QX lens to your NFC-enabled smartphone or manually connect to it via WiFi, clamp it on your device and you’re good to go. With the help of Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile app (available for iOS and Android), your smartphone instantly becomes the display and trigger while the QX handles all the photography workload. Take a look at the video below:

Another impressive feat of the QX lenses is their ability to work on both iOS and Android so you can use any WiFi-enabled device like an iPhone, iPod, or even a Php4,000USD 68INR 5,778EUR 65CNY 496 locally-branded Android smartphone. And since it works wirelessly, you can detach it from your device and use it up to a maximum of 50 meters. You can even attach it on a tripod for that nice group shot and simply trigger it from a distance with your smartphone.

Sony QX100 on the iPhone 5

Sony QX10 on the Cherry Mobile Cosmos X

Sony QX100 paired with the HTC One

qx100_ps

Sony DSC-QX100 specs:
1-inch 20.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor (similar to the Cybershot RX100 II)
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens
f/1.8 – f/4.9 aperture
3.6x optical zoom (28-100mm eq.)
160 – 3200 ISO
8 – 1/2000 shutter speed
dedicated control ring
63 x 63 x 56 mm
179 g

qx10_ps

Sony DSC-QX10 specs:
1/2.3-inch 18.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor (same sensor as the Xperia Z1 and Cybershot WX150)
Sony G Lens
f/3.3 – f/5.9 aperture
10x optical zoom (25-250mm eq.)
100 – 1600 ISO
4 – 1/1600 shutter speed
62 x 62 x 33 mm
105 g

sony_qx100_qx10_1

The QX100 has a price tag of $500PHP 29,343INR 42,375EUR 476CNY 3,639 (around Php22,000USD 375INR 31,781EUR 357CNY 2,730) while the QX10 costs $250PHP 14,671INR 21,187EUR 238CNY 1,820 (around Php11,000USD 187INR 15,891EUR 179CNY 1,365). Both are slated to arrive in October together with the Sony Xperia Z1.

Diangson Louie

This article was written by Louie Diangson, Managing Editor of YugaTech. You can follow him at @John_Louie.

https://www.yugatech.com

37 Comments

abuzalzal says:

11 years ago

Now matter how good those lenses are…the smartphones’ tiny sensor will always be a hindrance, ‘tsaka lens over lens? wtf….flaring and ghosting na ‘yan with softness issues…yun talaga ang tumbok nun.

The cost is also absurd…an entry-level Nikon DSLR + Nikkor 35mm DX 1.8 (Php25-28K combined) will always spank that thing in every possible way imaginable

IF I want to lug a camera with a detachable lens, there’s no way i’m using that….
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calmado says:

11 years ago

@abuzalzal??? bogo ka? ang sony lens ay isang standalone na lens..the phone is just the viewfinder. why is that magiging hindrance lens ng phone?
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Tzar says:

11 years ago

I have a bad feeling that this will not fly, I don’t see the value of its purpose, why will I attached a self rendering lens set with my smart phone if it has its own already, I mean why will I bother to bring this bulky piece of device. Sony please get real, have true innovation please…
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iamlegend says:

11 years ago

wait lang…
ang stupid naman ng comment ni cherryboyzal
its obvious hindi nya alam kung para saan yan :D
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Ryan says:

11 years ago

Hanep sa mga comment, kelangan ba mag trashtalk para lang itama ang mali? for sure mga edukadong tao tayo lahat dito :) kng me nagmamarunong at mali, why not correct them in a nice way. Simple as that :)
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bottersinc says:

11 years ago

This is a good innovation… in a few years meron na interchangable lenses and controls for Strobe/extFlash this will be the “mobile” DSLR’s
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MrOrange says:

11 years ago

I think what sony has here is something that could compete to the likes of the GoPro and the EOS 6D, if some would notice both devices have remote wifi shooting capability where you can use the Android phone as the remote display. though the idea i see here is eliminate the digital camera so you have the QX as the companion device.
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John says:

11 years ago

Can’t find any reason to buy this. I mean, parang gamble sa kanila yang product nayan ah haha. But still a unique idea from sony :)
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Kami says:

11 years ago

I believe this lenses are not for everybody. But for myself, im not satisfied with my sony xperia z camera so rather than buying a separate point and shoot or a new smartphone with a better cam, i rather buy this.

I see it as a cheaper option given that sir Louie’s price (QX10) is accurate.

Cheers everyone!
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Bembols says:

11 years ago

If it has any bearing, Sony is claiming that these QXs are the most preorder digital camera sa history ng products nila. Looking at Amazon page, these cams are within the top 10 sa best sellers sa digicams. Still too early to say kung magiging successful to, but early indications are very good.

Para sa akin, mas convenient pa rin magdala ng phone, plus a good pocket camera like an RX100 II (same sensor as the qx100). Mas madali pa rin ibulsa kesa dito sa QXs, magagamit mo pa independent of your phone, hindi pa makakaagaw sa battery consumption ng telepono.
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Rem says:

11 years ago

The top end QX100 has the very same optics/sensor used in the award winning Cyber-shot RX series and the sample photos are very promising. :)
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wew says:

11 years ago

@yuga,just thinking will that lens scratch the screen (dragontrail/gorilla glass or not) when it is attached on the phone???
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anon says:

11 years ago

Perfect for my old xperia at sa mga di marunong gumamit ng dslr.
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brucegotenks says:

11 years ago

Fandroid here and a 1000% apple hater. I walked-in to a Sony shop at gale. I asked them about the Sony lenses because I am so excited about it since all android phones are capable for this. But when I asked a personnel there, they said that sa Sony phone compatible sya na para maging viewfinder yung phone kasi daw may hardware daw ang sony phones na kaya yun na wala sa other androids phone tapos yung sa iphone daw kaya gumana kasi daw rooted. di ko alam kung niloloko lang ako nun para mag sony phone ako or it is the true. Can anyone very this if it will really work on other android phone specially Samsung. (samsung lover here)
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chaks says:

11 years ago

I can’t wait for this.. since i lost my slr a week ago ive been on a look out for a posible replacement and this thing met my needs. Its handy and it doesnt add much weight specially when travelling.. do you guys know when will this be available here in ph? Thanks!
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Zoro says:

11 years ago

perfect pang spy cam…50 meters daw ang range pag na detach sa phone..so you can do what ever without the notice of somebody that there is a QX10 or QX100 everywhere…i already seen the video in youtube..so perfect….cant wait to buy this,….
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anthony says:

11 years ago

What if i don’t have a wifi signal, will i still be able to use this? let’s say sa remote areas. or will this be a useless brick pag walang WiFi?

salamat po sa makakasagot.
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bob ong pinoy says:

11 years ago

tanga nyong lahat!
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