First of all: You absolutely have to follow SonyAlphaRumors the next days because there will be plenty of exciting Sony news. Be sure to subscribe our RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any rumors! There will be new NEX cameras and lenses (and a Full Frame NEX!), new Action cameras, the Honami i1 and the craziest thing of all is this new sort of “Lens-camera”.
Lens-camera: What you see on these images are the DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 lenses. Actually these are not normal lenses! They have built-in sensor, Bionz processor, Wifi/NFC wireless connection and SD card slot. These lenses have no LCD screen and no usual camera controls. You will be able to control them through your smart phone or tablet (via WiFi or NFC). The lenses can be magnetically attached on your smartphone and it works on both, Android and iOS devices. That is nothing like we have seen before. For the first time you can shoot top quality images with your smartphone. Forget these iPhone or Android lens kits!
Sony will soon launch two “lens-cameras”:
1) One is the “Lens-camera” with RX100MII sensor and Zeiss lens ($600 here on Amazon). On the pictures it is the bigger lens. As you know the RX100 is the most praised high end compact camera and features a large 1 inch sensor which is the same used by the Nikon 1 system. Now you can have that kind of Image Quality on your iPhone or Android Smartphone!
2) The second model will feature a 10xzoom lens with 1/2,3 inch 18 megapixel CMOS sensor (the image with the f/3,3-5.9 lens). It’s basically the same sensor and lens of the Sony WX150 ($400 on Amazon).
Price and exact release date are yet unknown (September 4?). But here are two more pics:
This is the first step in a completely new way of doing photography! If that concept will be successful is hard to say now. But chapeau Sony for trying to do something completely new!
UDPATE: Someone pointed out that the last picture shows the new Honami i1 Sony smartpone! Two leaks in one 🙂
And now again, follow SonyAlphaRumors the next days and weeks. There is some more amazing stuff to come! There is a NEX camera and lens announcement scheduled for late August, a Honami i1 and QX Lens-camera announcement for September 4 and if the rumors are correct there will be an astonishing NEX Full Frame(!) announcement in late September too!
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
231 Responses
Sweet! I am interested in the zoom lens.
WOW! Look at the 3rd picture in the post! It is not only RX100 sensor, it is also RX100 lens, f/1.8-f/4.9 zoom!!!
very interested in the zeiss lens/RX100 sensor…. would love to have that as the go anywhere/party cam to complement a serious FF camera
Well, RX100 looks smaller than this contraption with a phone. Unless it is significantly cheaper than RX100, it does not make much sense.
It’d better be cheaper.
+1
Doesn’t have the F1.8 either.
Oh wait i see, the small one is the 10x zoom, it’s the big one with RX100II guts.
Yeah, except you have your phone with you where ever you go already. What a stupid comment.
But the 10x zoom is only somewhat useful for the long end of the zoom in bright light, f/3.3 on 1/2.3″ sensor is no better than f/2-f/2.4 on 1/3″ sensors in almost all phones – they might as well have just done a teleconvertor for a built-in lens and be done with it.
They’re just trying to prove that with a more direct comparison so everybody would finally give up on low end P&Ss LOL
Do not agree.
1) Phones mostly have 24mm or 28mm lenses, so you can essentially forget about zooming, since it is digital zoom – crop.
2) P&S cameras, even today, reproduce better colors, less lens flare and better contrast. Yes, phones are very close, but not close enough to completely kill off compacts just yet.
3) It is F1.8 at 28mm. Most phones range from F/2 to F2.8 at similar focal length.
4) F4.9 at 100mm equivalent is pretty good for a sensor, with 4 times the sensitivity of a phone. So essentially, at ISO 400, you can get similar quality as far as noise goes at 100mm as a phone at f2.4 @ ISO 100, not taking into account that you are now at 100mm rather than @ 28mm.
Oops… Just realized you were talking about a different lens. Gotta put on my reading glasses, lol.
But still, the 10x lens should be much better than the one used by phones. At least as far as flare control and contrast reproduction.
“1) Phones mostly have 24mm or 28mm lenses, so you can essentially forget about zooming, since it is digital zoom – crop.”
That is why I wrote about some usefulness of the long end, vs not useful wide end (which is about the same, NOT 24mm but more 28mm-33mm on the phones)
“2) P&S cameras, even today, reproduce better colors, less lens flare and better contrast. Yes, phones are very close, but not close enough to completely kill off compacts just yet.”
Don’t agree, iPhone has good colors than any camera in Auto mode, at least as good as Canon/Fuji/Olympus and better than others, especially Nikon and Pana. Sony is Sony, I suspect color calibration of ALL their sensors is done by the same people (and their sensors are used in almost all phones BTW).
“3) It is F1.8 at 28mm. Most phones range from F/2 to F2.8 at similar focal length.
4) F4.9 at 100mm equivalent is pretty good for a sensor, with 4 times the sensitivity of a phone. So essentially, at ISO 400, you can get similar quality as far as noise goes at 100mm as a phone at f2.4 @ ISO 100, not taking into account that you are now at 100mm rather than @ 28mm.””
I was talking about 10x lens with f/3.3 over 1/2.3″ at best, f/5.9 at worst. It could be better replaced by teleside convertor for the phone’s own lens – it can retain speed of the lens (which is in short supply), convenience of the native photo application and does not use any power. 3x tele at f/2 is about as good or better (even after digital zoom) than f/5.9.
> I was talking about 10x lens with… It could be better replaced by teleside convertor for the phone’s own lens – it can retain speed of the lens… 3x tele at f/2 is about as good or better (even after digital zoom) than f/5.9
Obviously you have no idea what you are talking about. If you put a 4x teleconverter (not to mention 10x) on a phone, the speed of the lens will drop 4 stops. So f/2 will become f/8. 🙁 There is no such thing as a free lunch…
whare is the battery?
In the battery compartment.
I am sure the battery is somewhere inside the lens. My question is what about flash? supposed to use a crappy phone flashes?
Also the phones are inherently unreliable in taking pictures, picture modules on both android and iphone (for the less part) crush and freeze often, and you would have to rely on phones to display the photo before it is taken. How many times will it crush?
Awesome!!! would love a Fix lens with a bit bigger censor too, would be perfect if it’s a pancake lens.
A great tool to prove you have more money than sense. A must-have toy for “HPOTOgraphers” who spell sensor as “censor” 🙂
I wonder if buying such a sensor lens would beat next generations smarphone-sensors in 10 years
There would be many things changed in 10 years. We live in a consumerism era, product cycle is shorter. I don’t expect any of my electronic gadgets to work anymore in 10 years. Even if it works, newer products are better and cheaper.
This looks like a sci-fi enthusiasts wet dream. I truly believe this is the future in photography.
You’re such a pessimist.
Wow! Interesting products, I think Sony will make a fortune just from those who bought these lenses based on curiosity alone.
This is absolutely brilliant. I’m a Fuji & M43 person but Sony just created the best camera for the year. This is really the only way forward for tech companies, to innovate like crazy.
I also feel really bad about Cnet, reporting on tech but being so blindsided.
Sony are definitely on a nice streak with the RX series and now this.
this is going to work with any android smartphone or only sony?
all android!
…and also works with Apple iOS …WOW
The PlayMemories Mobile app already runs on iOS and Android. Just pull out your RX100II and choose Ctrl with Smartphone from the menus and you’ll get an idea of how this works.
Will there going to be any compatibility with windows phones?
An interesting concept, but I still prefer a dedicated camera like my RX100M2. I suspect this will not be as smooth to use as a dedicated camera, i.e. limited controls, laggy display, small battery life etc. But I’m sure some people will love it, so good luck Sony.
I agree and don’t see this thing in my future.
That lens is awfully bulky. For about the same bulk, I can simply buy an RX100 and carry that in my pocket. Plus I’d get faster and better control.
That is also my initial reaction to the concept as well. I may be wrong, and I might still want this since I always have my iPhone with me anyway for on-the-run photography and videography. But, if I were to carry something like this, rather then the RX100, I will just carry my NEX-6 or upcoming NEX7 or NEX-FF. As you pointed out, fuller functionality (although that may all be smart phone, screen-based with these lens cameras) having the EVF, etc.
Well, with this lens-cam, pictures taken are already in your phone. It’s easier to instagram them.
yep, and thats why the RX100m2 is still available for sales for those people who’d prefer the better control
Cnet can eat a dick.
Hmm, I’m thinking….just another bulky thing to carry around that I’d more often than not leave behind.
You need this ?
http://blog.gsmarena.com/swiss-made-hyetis-crossbow-smartwatch-packs-41mp-camera-with-zeiss-optics-more-features-than-your-smartphone/
sorry to be the party pooper, but where is the supposed advantage of this, to me it looks like the corresponding cameras (rx100 and wx150) are actually more pocketable than these tubes..so unless its half the price or less of the cams i would rather have a proper camera..
The smaller one would fit in a pocket, and it would be easier to deal with than a similar P&S and a phone in your pockets. I agree the price needs to be lower than a regular camera to be attractive. For me, my droid has a horrid camera that is so bad it is unusable. This would breath some life into it. If the range is good enough you could take photos without having it attached to the camera…. it would be fun to mount it into the front of a car or something.
Really my questions would be some of these… Will it work with older android, like 2.3 since that is what the majority of the phones out there run… Or just 4.0+. I won’t buy one unless it works with 2.3, as I mainly use a phone for a phone and mine works great for that. I wouldn’t upgrade phones just to use this.. 2nd if there is for some reason some major update to android which makes the software to drive this lens+camera in a couple of years, will Sony actually update the software to work with new devices….
Should say ” if there is for some reason some major update to android which makes the software to drive this lens+camera UNUSABLE in a couple of years, will Sony actually update the software to work with new devices….”
Oh no, I’m sure Sony is maintaining the Android and iOS apps for the next, say, five years so that this gadget actually stays functional! 😉
Don’t trust in that? Then buy a complete camera…
I bet it needs NFC to work.
@E
I think you may be right. Also, I don’t think they are ‘single-threading’ this. That is, it isn’t just a stand-alone product. Sony thinks (at least, used to think) in terms of product families and paths to cross-sell/up-sell their product sets. Although I haven’t done enough homework on this, my initial thought is that if it can be used for any android phone, it might allow Sony to license some of their technology to other smart phone mfgs. If not, it is an attempt to increase Sony’s Xperia sales. We’ll see.
Well, Sony will be saving the cost of the display+processor to run the software on (though the leak says the will come with Bionz processor) so these should be cheaper than respective standalone cameras.
Other benefit I see is that recent high-end smartphones have much better displays than P&S cameras. Nowadays you get 720p and even 1080p 4.5″ inch displays. Compare that your average resolution 3″ inch camera display.
Finally you’ll probably get to share photos from your smartphone jumping through fewer hoops.
And connectivity and controls are much better on phones than on average compact camera.
Why the onboard storage? Can the smartphone not act as storage wirelessly?
Probably – for RAW format #1, as most tablets & phones have rudimentary RAW support if they have any at all, and #2, you could conserve battery life immensely by not transferring every shot you take, but save to SD card instead.
Or taking picture without the phone/display module, ala GoPro.
i’d assume you can send pictures wirelessly as you do with the NEX5R/6 and playmemories mobile app (its a bit slow at it though)
Where are the CNet gods now? LOL!
Andrea,
Honami is in the last picture!
wow! This is the so called “Double-leak” 🙂
now that’s BIG!!
its easier to fit an RX100 on a pocket… this will have to be pretty cheap to make sense!
if they release a fast small very compact prime, with the RX100 sensor…. maybe
+1
It doesn’t look big to me. Actually smaller than compact camera.
remember that the honami (if thats whats pictured and not a xperia z) is a phone with a 5 inch screen though, and so its a relative size
Interesting and certainly ballsy from Sony to inovate, but as a few others have mentioned, not sure of the size advantage vs. a RX100 ?? So unless 40% cheaper (which I doubt…), maybe not so appealing after all. But certainly a cool idea !
You forgot the smartphone. The idea is that this is more pocketable than a RX100 plus a smartphone (which has larger screens and more features: GPS, compass, tons of applications, internet connection…). And it works with many smartphones, now and future.
By the looks of it, it won’t be more pocketable. ANd the RX100 would work without smartphones, past or future.
This is a cool concept and probably makes a nice demo, but it doesn’t translate into a great product.
Seriously Sony, WTF?! It contains the most expensive parts of a camera – the lens and the sensor – so it’s expensive? Check. Has bad ergonomics? Check.
Battery life is going to suck? Check.
NFC and Wi-Fi are suitable technologies for this? Nope. And Sony is known about quality Android and iOS software? Nope. It has serious advantages over other solutions? Nope.
Sony is just wasting their engineering resources.
Party pooping at its finest, lol ! I tend to agree with you on most counts, though…
It’s not like the RX100 has the best ergonomics out there. Also, given that there is no screen to eat battery life, my bet is on battery life as good as the RX100, at least. There go your two first points.
What would be suitable technologies for this, if not Wi-Fi? Cable?
It has one serious advantage over the RX100 – live view remote. Although, it would require a stand of some kind.
Innovation for the most part is wasting engineering resources.
Hey,
You are genius.
You are smart.
You are clever.
You are god.
Please make some phone for me.
“It contains the most expensive parts of a camera – the lens and the sensor – so it’s expensive? ”
It contains also the processor, battery, SD card slot and wireless module with antennae. Basically, the only thing saved is a screen, a cheap low-res small camera screen.
On the other hand, they have huge margins on RX100M2, it is not expensive because of the costs, it is expensive because it does not have any competitors – I am sure a unit cost of it (not counting fixed costs like R&D) is around $100.
I would rather have a real RX100 – but for people really into their smartphone, this has got to be just about the ultimate Android phone accessory.
If Sony publish an API for this, I’m sure Android programmers will come up with some interesting stuff.
One thing that worries me right now.
If it’s going to connect using wifi direct connection(miracast presumably) than it means that it’ll always disconnect internet connection, unless sony finally fixes that and we’ll finally be able to use simultaneous internet and direct connection.
Imagine, holding lens in one hand above your hand and framing with the phones screen on your waist level.
Wonder if the shutter button will be able to trigger the external lens (last picture implies that this should be the case), that could be the one feature that would make sony better choice for those lenses than any other manufacturers device 🙂
Very cool. It looks kind of ugly though. But it’s fantastic to see Sony innovating.
+1
To me, the two major differences to either smartphones or regular cameras are:
1. Ability for anybody to write Apps
2. Disconnected lens and control unit
It offers options for creativity. E.g. mounting the lens on a bike, drone, remote controlled vehicle / submarine (if Wifi works underwater?) and controlling it via phone. Or having more than one pointing at e.g. a soccer field and simultaneously controlling them from one iPad / Tablet.
Maybe some of this things can be done today already in good quality. Maybe they are not needed or useful.
Still I am curious what people will make out of the new possibilities. Then we know if it was a flop or a real innovation that creates value for customers and Sony…
Like SLT it s a nice tech and great innovation! But seriuosly.. Will it sell? Hard to believe.. Instead of investing in new innovation every year Sony should invest in making current tech better, make NEX and SLT a superior system!
That doesn’t seem TOO much different from what Ricoh has done with their GX series, right?
Idk. Ricoh went for the idea of having a sensor designed specifically for the lens. Here, it is just a matter of (arguable) convenience. Also, the most interesting part here (imho) is the possibility to have a LV remote, which Ricoh doesn’t have.
no hotshoe or flash sync at 1/2000 =(
It has the Multi-interface so connecting accessories to it will be easy.
Decoupling the lens and control/screen adds a lot of flexibility. Now you can stick the lens on a long pole for high angle shots while still being able to compose properly. RC cars, helicopters, drones, human tripods etc.
My concern is the wireless connectivity. The liveview response on the NEX5/6 is sluggish and the wifi range is not great.
I’d love it if they made a version of is that could take the NEX interchangeable lens system.
+1 agree completely, maybe a e-mount version would come someday…. if this goes well
you do bring up a good point about attaching it up on a pole, i do this sometimes with my NEX
haha, what about attaching it to a fan-blade and turn it on? or stick it somewhere high and do a timelapse, lets wait for release for more specs to see how its gonna work 😀
Partypoopers, it depends on the price right?
Also, it seems clear that Sony wants to move photography to places where Canon and Nikon cannot follow.
This will be interesting…
/E
Also …
This is not the same an RX100. This combo will be able to share high quality pictures immediately, and that is one of its key selling points.
… Try selling a Nikon 1 now …
If this works on iOS, then I am interested. Will that clip only work for a “naked” phone, which could be an issue for all the people who use added cases for protection or grippiness.
from the rumors it seems to attach magnetically, but most cases have a plastic casing so maybe that extra bit is just a metal piece which would let the camera mount easily on?
we might be seeing new metal cases /battery covers being made in the future to accommodate for this?
Cool pics, thanks. I expected the smaller lens to have RX100 sensor, and the larger 10x zoom, not the other way around. The larger RX100 lens looks too bulky, almost the size of a NEX 18-55 kit lens, and the smaller one has 1/2.3″ sensor with F3.3-5.9 which means poor quality. I expect them to cost $200-250 for the small one and $350-400 for the large RX100 one. Anything more expensive will be a joke. My final decision on whether to buy one will depend on the specs/weight/price/functionality.
all will depend on the software then. I think it’s a good concept since the phone is becoming sort of your PC nowadays. Screen, conncectivity, processing power for edits – it’s all in your phone so the price of such a unit should be lower than P&S. If I was in a market for a good P&S for say $300-500 I’d certainly go for this thing over regular one, as it would just destroy the competition with its quality. Sad part is that the lens will become obsolete with the sensor in few years, but hey, so are all P&S..
If Sony opens up app development to third parties, new apps have the potential to greatly extend the useful life span of these devices, much more so than a typical P&S camera.
Just another interesting option for people wanting to step up from P&S’s.
Wow. What a great tool for spies and voyeurs.
Imagine all the security issues this is going to cause.
“Spies and voyeurs” already have button-sized cameras and cameras that look like pens and such, they can get for $25 or $50. Unlikely they would be greatly interested in these, but one thing is sure – these Sony devices are by no means creating some kind of privacy concern that doesn’t already exist.
Takes one to know one.
And great for filmmaking in difficult environments
The future? Maybe.
This technology allows outsourcing the view screen and some of the processing power found in a conventional camera to the phone. Since you carry the phone around anyway, this will cut cost and bulk.
Phones are becoming very powerful (check the Ubuntu Edge project) and their screens are bigger and better compared to the ones in cameras.
Then think of a really good and compact pancake lens ( like the 30mm f2 Samsung), and the possibility to place the sensor very close to the lens (like in the RX1). Bigger sensors might be possible.
There also are several patents out there for curved sensors. I presume these sensors would make it possible to further decrease the size of the lens.
My only concern is about the wi-fi transfer (fps, video…).
WHAT ABOUT WINDOWS PHONE!!!!! Sony, you better not leave an avid Sony supporter out just because you don’t like Xbox….
The market for this thing is already small as it is.
Windows? Heck what about Symbian? I want to be able to put this baby on a Nokia 808!
Photography enthusiasts will welcome this new tool.
Fantastic Sony.
I am definitly tempted, I would go for the 10x G lens, having already a NEX-6 for serious photos. One concern is what will happen to the lens if I suddenly want to take a portrait photo? Will the lens glide off and fall to the ground? Or does it have a grip which will hold it securely in place? I guess it has, but the grip looks kind of skimpy. I guess we will learn over the next few days… Kudos to Sony though, they are innovative!
Whoa, that RX100 version is huge! That is not at all the way I would have designed this. I would have rather it be a thinner RX100 without the screen that would clip to the phone. Clipped together, you could still fit it in your pocket. There is no way you can carry this thing in your pocket, so if you are taking a bag just for the lens, why not just take an RX100? Sony, you are maddening.
Have you sent an email to CNET just for fun?
I tweeted them 😉
Hope you used lots of !!!!
😉
Hope you can send them picture taken with this lens+sensor soon!
When’s the Nex 7 Successor set to be unveiled?
Well done, Sony 🙂
Could this become the ultimate football game camera. I attended a football game at Heinz field in Pittsburgh this Saturday. They have tightened the rules on the size cameras they now allow into game. They now only allow “small” cameras into the game. They no longer allow full sized 35mm SLR sized cameras into the game. These lenses and the upcoming NEX are going to confuse the keepers of the gates. 😉
@David DeBar,
I have the same problem at concerts. I use compact super-zooms and an Eye-Fi card to transfer the photos to my iPhone. This new concept sounds promising, but I’d want better zoom and a low cost.
The problem with it is that the lens is somewhat awkward. The phone fits in the pocket, but not with a lens attached. The lens would need protection and be too bulky to fit in a pocket. Pretty much you’d end up carrying a good percentage of what a full camera would be.
Then there’s the communication issue and lag with the phone. Even as good as it gets in terms of a reliable and fast app, you’re still dealing with a serious lag and limitation from what you’d get with a dedicated camera.
casual concert recording is what I’m thinking. Point the 10x lens with the phone down low so that the lit screen doesn’t distract everybody around you. I have used the NEX w/ EVF for this, and it works great. This would be even more “permissible”.
I believe the current rule (to get into an NFL game) is the lens must be six inches or smaller. I have an old Konica zoom lens that is exactly that size and very convenient range for capturing action on the field, from my seats. I’m hoping that with an adapter I’ll be able to put that lens on the Nex-7 replacement and convince the people minding the gate that the NEX is a simple “Small” camera.
The NFL is fighting a losing battle with restricting camera size as cameras get ever smaller and better. I did manage to bring my A900 and 300mm into the game once. I got caught and was asked to leave the game. No big deal, it was hot and I was ready to leave. did mange to take a few good shots. It’s become a challenge! 😉
Or you can stick a coca cola label around this and say it’s a soft drink 😀
Except your not allowed to bring drinks into the game, not even water! It’s like getting onto a plane. They do not X-ray you but everything else is much the same. Any bags that you carry with you must be small and transparent. They even pat you down!
@Davethehiker
Pat down?! You must be better looking than I am, they don’t even touch me! 😉
By the way, good to see you still have the same sense of humor. How are you?
@Dave DeBar
I was at a Washington Nationals MLB game recently and was pleased to find out their limit was 8″. I don’t know if it is all MLB or just that particular stadium’s policies.
Sorry Andrea for using your bandwidth for posing a personal question to the readers of this site, but as a former Sony Ericsson employee I would like to know where today’s R&D is being done at Sony Mobile. Is it still in Sweden or has it moved to Japan? My guess is that it has moved to Japan, we Swedes were never that innovative… OK, prove me wrong!
android developing headquarters are still in Lund, Sweden afaik
@Lionheart
You are probably on to something. Although Mr. OSC notes that android development is still in country, it might be downsized with R&D to just a couple of disciplines. If I were in charge of Sony Ericsson R&D, I’d get on a plane to Japan to convince HQ’s R&D to support more development of Sony Ericsson as well as making a pitch on how Sony Ericsson phones can help to cross-sell other Sony products.
Apparently the lens is a full-fledged camera and doesn’t need to be attached to the phone.
People will be puzzled once they find out that the lens works just as well when placed next to the phone rather than attached to it.
I have very mixed feeling about this camera.
I love the technology and what it is trying to accomplish, but it is too smartphone dependent, meaning you can not use it without a smartphone.
Also they need to rethink the design of this camera, if they are hoping for users to mount their smartphone to it.
No ordinary people will have this camera semi-permanently mounted to their smartphones.
Most likely they will have to mount it and unmount it, then remount it when needed again.
To me that is not a feature, but a burden.
I think it is more sounding option to use RX100 II instead, so I can use dedicated camera and then upload to my smartphone when I need to.
This is a phone accessory.
Phone accessories are usually phone dependent.
No doubt about that, and that will be its ultimate weakness.
A product this daring and thinking outside the box can not have too many weaknesses, or consumers will shy away.
To make smartphone accessory to sell, not only the right pricing matter, but it has to have certain sexy appear and unquestionable convenience above all functionality.
Otherwise what’s the point?
If I’m not mistaken, you can use it without a phone.. if you can frame a picture without VF or screen. But I’m not really sure though.
theres a zoom lever and button on the lens/sensor unit, so maybe you can take photos in auto mode without it attached to the smartphone?
Congrats for these exclusives! You are killing it!
not for me but I do like it.
Why not just put a phone in a RX100 and be done with it?
What I’ve said ever since the RX100 came out last year. Just make it a bit longer for a phone module and power button, turn the battery sideways to make a grip and bigger battery, and keep the camera direct controls.
The RX100 version is way to big, bigger than the RX100, even not pocketable…
And Sony do not take advantage of the size to work on ergonomics… Only one dial when there is room for two, at least…
I know this was already said, but I think it is important for Sony to know…
So, Sony, about my remuneration for telling you…
i agree that the RX100 version seems quite big compared to just having a RX100, but if it can be attached/detached easily then it can stay in pocket/bag until needed. plus i can see me being able to fit it in my pockets as 2 parts, but not together.
some of their NEX ergonomics seems to be seeping in here, big lens, flat body design (but without the grip!!)
I could consider a prime, it could be made smaller, brighter and use a bigger sensor.
A small prime would not add anything over the built-in camera of the phone. These new camera’s do.
yes there could be significant advantage over phone camera when it comes to image quality, speed and control over depth of field.
No, because it would have to be wide-angle-ish. Other lenses would be to big. Fuji proves this with x100. Image quality of built-in wide lenses is already good. Speed is also good because it is easy to make a fast wide angle lens. Depth of field is not an issue for wide angle lenses.
I was imagining something like the mft/20mm 1.7 combo. you do get some control over dof with that.
Considering the cost will be like 90% of RX100II and it adds what exactly???
no more pocketability.
no shooting without smartphone.
RX100II can probably do the same things controlled wirelessly by smartphone.
looks really bulky…
I found the concept to be very interesting, but I can’t see myself buying something like that…
tell me more about how you know what the prices for these devices are. are you from the future? are you a sony employee?
Give me one reason, how this thing should be much cheaper?
Everything the rx100II has is in there, except screen. They still need to build a shell, so I don’t ecpect it to be much cheaper.
The only chance would be for Sony to heavily subsidize it, but I don’t see much reason for that either…
Very interesting idea, but gonna come down to the software/app and decent WiFi connection.
Would love to see Sony release full API for them but probably not gonna happen.
If you could control multiple “cams” and download images/video to one computer they would be amazing
This is a fantastic move. Just think, some 210 million smartphones were sold last quarter. 210 million. And now, you have an accessory, with the Sony name to boot, to turn it into a great camera.
I cannot say that it will succeed, because ideas that sound great don’t make it 100% of the time.
But kudos to Sony for thinking out of the box. This deserves to be a great hit!
This is so cool! I am definitely interested. Can be a gift for my wife so she can carry it in her purse for me :).
Hmm maybe later models will be better. But I will definitely pass on this. It’s not much smaller then the rx100 and looks awkward to use with phone as it is in this version. It’s a good concept. But to be honest I Rather them just add phone capabilities to the rx100. A bigger phone isn’t a bad thing. A bulky phone addon never gets used, I have a set of phone lenses to prove it.
if you don’t mind seeing exactly what you are shooting, can’t you use this standalone without the phone?
Make it compatable with iPhone (/Galaxy) and well talk. Otherwise, who cares…
play memories camera app already works with iOS and Android
Also, how do You guys (and girls:) think this cameras will perform at nigts ? Not all phones have good or don’t have at all built-in flashes.
Maybe they’ll sell a flash accessory as well.
I think this will be popular with the ladies. Instead of carrying a phone and a camera, you can just carry the phone plus the lens module!
SAR on Ars Technica!!!!:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/08/meet-the-sony-smartphone-lens-thats-basically-a-whole-separate-camera/
WAY WAY TOO BIG SONY
for the pricing point of view
i would only buy this within 150-250 range
Ha ha ha ha ha! Guess you won’t be getting one of these very soon.
Also – I won’t pay more than $20,000 for a Tesla S.
Wonderful toy, but I think I’ll wait for the 400mm 2.8 version.
The RX100 II has NFC/Wi-Fi and looks smaller in the closed position than the RX100 II lens camera so this better cost much less or it’s going to be a hard sell.
Лудница!
while i thing theres a lot of future in lens-cameras… thats not a good start.
sony maybe played safe here, putting 2 already trusted sensor/lenses combos rather than bring something new to the table.
they are larger or deeper depends how you look at it, than their camera twins, thats no surprise, that big square box where the lens is mounted in PS is not empty you know, sony put all that in a circular box around or behind the sensor, actually they are pretty small i think, if we meassure cubic volume you will see a reduction for sure.
but thats the point, sony first are 2 oldies, nobody who owns a rx100 will but it, well mostly nobody.
the 10X is more mainstream, but should had been 20X or 30X like the newest PS zoom camera sony, its pretty much the same size but its a big diference in marketing.
maybe sony should had priority in size and mainstream apppeal, the big gun like the rx100 should had waited, a long zoom and a super low light (fast aperture for the photofilos) would be a better move.
almost every smartphone owner had been frustated for low ligth pictures once in their life, how about making the dream wish of every smartphone owner, with a lense with 1 or lower aperture, doesnt need to be a 1 inch sensor, everybody here is not the market for this new lense/combo, smartphone owners is the market, not dslr or “goddesspothos” wanting a companion to their dslr, the smatphone market dont care about tiny sensors.
sony firts lens/camera should had been a outoftheworld fast rpime (1 or less) or a long zoom range, the 2 most seeked for smartphones owners, better yet should had been both (if jvc can do a lense f1.2 with 10X optical, i bet sony/zeiss can at least equal that)
They could put an EVF on the back of these lenses and we would have the smallest mirrorless. No need ofa an LCD.
Admin, will these lens/cams have a memory card slot so a user can set it and forget via a phone – but not save photos/videos to the phone (for time lapse, etc.)?
The article says it will have an SD card slot. Try reading first, asking questions second.
But then I’ll miss out on such golden wisdom, you’ve changed the course of my life.
Looks like it even has a built in optical stabilization. That’s a nice option to have, but How’d they even fit that in there?
By magic.
Nah, that’s not magic. Check out this 41P Zeiss watch cam…. it’ll do your taxes too.
http://blog.gsmarena.com/swiss-made-hyetis-crossbow-smartwatch-packs-41mp-camera-with-zeiss-optics-more-features-than-your-smartphone/
excited to finally see pictures for it! i’m a bit disappointed that its more of a long tubular shape rather than a shorter tubular shape sticking out of a squarish box which can contain a battery or double as a grip.
but i guess that wouldn’t be too far off from a lot of android cameras on the market though? nevertheless it looks like a brilliant invention and an option for people who choose it. its not for me though as i’ll normally be carrying my camera but i’ll keep an eye out on how it performs
Yes, the grip will be an issue, no question. The advantage of just having the lens is it’s easier to pocket.
Well, were excited as well :))
As an EX Sony Product Manager I would say that these products are real and was underdevelopment since last year…
Hey admin! Do you know if you can take the lens away from the phone, let say, 1 meter away and take pictures via WiFi just like the video we saw some time ago?
It says “via WiFi or NFC”. For for NFC i would doubt for 1m, but with WiFi it should be no problem.
NFC is used to initiate the wireless connection between the device and the phone simpler(just by tapping the device with your phone).
Sorry my lens is just run out of battery…:)
This looks very interesting, it could be the next big thing for Sony. Perhaps they will start a new trend. But to succeed they need to really advertise! Cant stress it hard enough.
What’s the point?
It’s certainly not going to be photography. These things will take some subset of the photos that are now possible with lots of other cameras. It’s foolish to call everything Sony does game changing. The game is photography and these won’t change that.
Not sure if I missed out but what are the specs of the larger zeiss lens system?
I just hope they come up with an rx1 equivalent model. I.e. 35mm fixed focal length system with a full frame sensor @ half the price of course.
Just thought the same. I’ll buy this only as a DLSR replacement.
It’s cool idea but think twice it may not be good to use practically.
the lens itself need power?
rechargeable battery inside the lens body?
if battery cannot be exchanged, how to charge THE lens-body? rechargeable battery like mobile use today via micro-usb interface?
If it is a mount that fit for A/E lens, I may buy.
After think about the battery and charging handling, I would like the future camera like NEX, Alpha series camera include this feature, remote viewfinder and camera control by mobile APP. Then the solution will be more perfect and practical, convenient.
See….
Bill
Well for this cash Nex3 will be better
Of course NEX is better, it’s is a system camera. This is just a lens with sensor in it.
Wow, i think this is awesome. Assuming it doesn’t cost more than a full camera.
I would like a 24-70 f/2.8 with full-frame sensor. There should be a mini screw in the lens as well as in the future smart-phone so the phone is always attached tightly with the heavy lens. thanks Sony! I forecast by 2015 you will be the most innovative brand in the world.
of cause 1kg lens on a 120g smartphone makes lots of sense, dream on…
Well , not really compact indeed , but i think this lens is much more better then the galaxy camera…..
for the people which is taking photo base on the phone, i think this lens having it’s value. But what i think is , better introduce a Tele-lens or a large aperture fix lens is better…
Most of the mobile can take picture in high quality already. when you thinking about the DC (or DSLR), It must be something that the mobile cannot do. I always facing a problem that my Xperia Z unable to take decent picture at far place…. the digital zoom is unable to take promising picture for me… at that moment , i always wanna a DSLR with tele-lens , or simply a DC….
Large aperture lens is useful when shooting in low light , although the NR for my Xperia Z is already good between the mobiles, but still not very decent (for me) , i always wanna a large aperture lens at that moment…
So , will sony introduce this two lens later? hope so….
more information…. i means a tele only lens (like 70-200 or somewhat) with larger sensor instead of ultrazoom with 1/2.3 sensors…
never heard of a more senseless idea…
Well , senseless? Same as some of the comment leave above , if wanna to having a better image , prefer to having a NEX-3 or even NEX-6 or NEX-FF is better then bough a lens like this….I will prefer a RX100MK2 more then this lens….RX100MK2 is compact and deliver a very decent image……
For me , I really want the lens to fill-in the gap which the phone unable to deliver. Otherwise , I will keep using my RX100MK2 instead to bought this useless stuff….
Terrific! You get the best of both worlds: It doesn’t fit into your shirt pocket anymore, and you have the lack of ergonomics of a smartphone-based camera. Oh, wait?!
So you can’t unclip the lens from your phone?
No wonder you think phones even have ergonomics to begin with.
I can unclip it — and then? Put it where my compact camera used to be?
@Torsten Bronger
Not where your compact camera used to be. Of course not. That would be silly! Instead, Sony wants you to buy their new QX-10 Man Purse! Just think how fashionable you would be! 😉
+1
It will be much smaller than a compact camera, and hopefully cheaper too.
Now it’s a time for you, SAR guys, to claim a couple of french bottle of wine from CNET!
at first I thought it was a dumb idea as i grouped this product with those gimmicky lens kits. after reading the full details, i now believe it’s the best innovation for mobile phones yet. for example, most if not all mobile phones come with mediocre cameras (even the best and latest phone cameras don’t exactly compare to a good stand alone camera and also, your stuck with this new phone that you just spent $800 on), a feature that manufacturers have been using as leverage to force consumers to upgrade to the next top of the line phone model to get a slightly improved wanna be camera. and now since the mass majority of people over the past 3-4 years have already purchased a good smart phone and so are probably satisfied with their mobile phone(good processor for apps and movies, near or having retina screen, good audio and screen size, except for the phone camera with slightly washed out pics or barely camera like photos), this device comes at a perfect time by allowing these smart phone and tablet owners to upgrade their device cameras. if this product works, i will definitely purchase it since it now makes it seamless to take decent high quality photos and videos and immediately be able to use, transfer, store, send, or edit photos and videos with the apps on the phone or tablets; vs. trying to use a stand alone camera with a phone or tablet. also, the device is less bulky than a full camera and I don’t have to remember how to use the camera buttons and knobs and menu on a stand alone camera. since the specs. for audio quality of my Iphone 4 have not been surpassed by any other new phone on the market yet, and size and the retina screen are perfect, i really don’t want to upgrade to another phone with a lower or the same audio quality, just to get an improved camera
People like their camera phones – prepare for surprise – because they don’t need to carry an additional camera. This won’t change anything.
I don’t get it. Why is everyone so excited about this? One of the most important aspect of a camera for me is handling. I have a NEX 6 and the handling of it is far superior to ANY smartphone for taking picture or video, period.
What’s the appeal of this thing? Why do you like it?
Hmmm let’s see you can instantly transfer to your phone and therefore instantly upload/store to your favourite apps without having to compromise on image quality.
If you thought this was suppose to replace your Nex6, you’ve got your priorities wrong.
Sony Zeiss optics are rather yawn-inducing. He looks much happier with this:
http://i.imgur.com/kfJtMwo.jpg
This lens could even be a game changer. Imaging placing the lens somewhere and controlling it through the phone and snapping photos of someone without them knowing. That’s a cool idea!!! Peeping Tom coming up 😉
The major difference to compact camera is that it can save the photos to your phone directly. A WiFi SD card can do the job already.
Seems like a good fit for omnicopters.
Well.. this could be interesting first step..
and i mean. it doesn’t have to stop there..
maybe one day.. there will be a NEX version of this..
E-mount + APSC sensor + NFC + Wifi .. tada!
just clip on to your favourite Emount lens (or M mount with adapter?) and put it in your bag.
or simply a body cap on it with a few lens in the pocket.
this is endless i think…
+1 …I like this idea more!
btw… great first step for Sony… that’s the way to the future.
If this included an xenon flash then it would be perfect! Light is the biggest issue with most smartphone cams! Good idea tho!
Yea, there is no flash here. I think they are on to something, but it will probably need a V2 before its practical.
For now, a full camera with better wifi based app for a phone so that they are ‘married’ would be better. Take all the picturs you want on the phone. Use the power and screen of phone/tablet to do editing, viewing & manipulation, and use phone to send to cloud or social networks
No reason (aside from cost and size) that you couldn’t add a wireless flash. Maybe use bluetooth (which most phones already have) for the trigger. I’ve actually kind of wondered with all the semi-serious phone photography gear out there no one has made a phone-centric strobe before.
there is always LED lighting that is kinda big things these day… as a strobist, of course i wish they will do hotshoe.. but.. for phone? i think that might be a bit too much to ask for in terms of practical-ness and market.
also it depends on whether there are options to do manual controls too
Yes, the flash. Specially since, for example, the Sony Z Ultra doesn’t even have one. Come to think of it, maybe there’s a reason for that, they’re launching flashes as well…
In at least the top 2 pictures, that is the Sony Xperia SO-02Ethat went on sale via NTT Docomo in Feb. This clearly means that the lenses are compatible with any Sony Xperia Smartphone released this year.
This still looks like a fake. The lens looks real, but is fitted on the LCD side of the camera. You can see the phone camera lens to the right of the snap on lens.
Just checked the enlarged 3rd pic with larger lens. It’s quite hard to read the numbers, but I’m sure it says: Carl Zeiss, F1.8-4.9, 10.4-37.1mm – just like in the RX100 camera which means it has the same 3.6x zoom.
This only makes sense if it’s smaller than the RX-100, and/or less expensive. Otherwise, what’s the point? Ooh, I can hook it up to my Sony phone, so it’s another product that becomes useless when I get tired of Sony’s poor support. It’s a neat idea, but the execution is everything on something like this.
Well, you may not have a Sony phone, and it still works, and gives you a better camera than your phone. Also, I think it is easier to share shots immediately with this one to instagram or whatever.
We don’t know yet whether it will be limited to Sony phones.
Wow, that sure is a game changer!
Never before could a scraffle-bearded skinny-jeaned hipster take hyperzoomed 80-billion-megapixel photos of artisan organic open pollinated heirloom strawberries grown by Local Foodshed Activists!
And add them to his Reed/Evergreen/Sarah Lawrence/Macalester liberal arts degree portfolio!
Please give Windows Phone app.
Windows phone still exists? Crazy shit!
Yes, in fact the Lumia 1020 is a superior camera to any android handset ever manufactured. In fact I would say that phone is a better proposition than these lens cameras as it is more convenient, cheaper and better quality than the DSC-QX10.
After taking all of this in, I am reluctantly looking at the 1020 more and more. The camera grip is perfect. The 41mp is overkill especially on a 2/3″ sensor, but it makes more sense than these things. The Nokia camera case with an attached 1″ sensor and 28-35mm prime would have been ideal. Didn’t happen. Maybe the 1028 will end up using the 808’s 1/1.2″ sensor and be even closer.
Yes, it’s a pity they shrunk the sensor, but it’s still more convenient and easier than this
I would have preferred the RX100II sensor and a fixed 28mm lens instead of the 3.8x zoom, if the technology does not permit more compactness at this time. But I suppose that’s what Nokia 1028 already is 🙂
After seeing the size of this thing, I’m left to look at the Lumia 1020. 1/1.5″ (2/3″) sensor is a decent compromise with f/2.2, though the MP is overkill. Even their camera grip makes perfect sense for extended battery, normal shutter, and a grip. If only it weren’t Windows. I just have concern (unfounded?) about an OS less supported than Android/iOS. Everything else I have is Mac.
Once again Sony has a great idea with poor execution.
Is there any word if this will be compatible with an Android/iOS device? Please say yes!
It’s tricky, isn’t it, for Sony, that is: Launch for all Android (and/or iOS), and Sony’s smartphone sales won’t rise because of this invention. And RX100 cam sales won’t rise. On the other hand it will really open up the market.
The main reason for my seriously considering the Nokia 1020 WP is the camera. With a photolens like the Sony’s, more choices open up. If it’s usable with any Android phone, a Note may be a better choice than the 1020.
Price is also a consideration, of course.
What an awesome accessory! Great idea! But i hope it’s also compatible with windows phone
Will they sell flash kits as well?
This is very similar to the concept camera shown in http://youtu.be/Fb4MlQdGP2M
IMO a little pointless to produce an item so clunky that it will be hard to carry it with you… by the time I attach this monstrosity to my phone changes are the “kodak moment” is long gone… and I’m not about to have this hang from my neck like a DSLR… then might as well have a DSLR.
Am I wrong?
So it is possible to use this lens with my iPod?
And as my webcam?
i’m imagining the many 3rd party tools/programs and even hardware created with this thing, assuming it has API.
That looks great!! I’m Glad Sony is trying something so cool!!
This is a truly innovative product.
I’m thinking of buying the cheaper one (about £179 in the UK).
It’ll be interesting to see some in detail reviews.
The major difference to compact camera is that it can save the photos to your phone directly. A WiFi SD card can do the job already.