We usually don’t talk about Sony smartphones. But as you know, the digital compact camera is considerably shrinking because more and more people uses their smartphones for daily photography.
And now there are rumors about a new Sony Xperia flagship phone with the codename “Honami”. It should be the first smartphone using a large 1/1.6 – 1/1.5″ sensor! It features a Sony G lens. a mobile Bionz chip and either a xenon or plasma flash with a dual LED as well. Lens might be f2.0 and it should have a new JPEG algorithm to ensure things are far better than current Xperia phones.
I thank the source sending me this. He also asked me if my “usual” trusted sources can confirm this! The 1/1,5 inch sensor sounds huge. Almost unbelievable they can do it. UPDATE: Nokia did it with the PureView Smartphone (so it’s possible!) That said Sony is right on the track working on smartphones with high image quality. The “Normal” digital compact camera market is death anyway.
84 Responses
I seriously want to get rid of my iCrap thing to call with… and this sounds like a perfect replacement! When can we count on it being out? I wouldn’t mind it being water resistant also like one of the Xperias out now…
SONY COULD? THE COULD??
THEY CAN’T EVEN GET ME A FLASH ADAPTER,
SO THE FLASH DOEN’T FALL OFF THE CAMERA
HOW ABOUT A OFF CAMERA TTL FLASH CABLE
FOR THE NEW HOT SHOE FLASHES?
I NEED BASICS TO USE SONY CAMERAS FOR WORK
COULD SONY DO THAT ADAPTER?
SHOULD SONY DO THAT ADAPTER?
I can not care about HYPE bells and whistles
when SONY can not deliver basics for
SONY productS I already own.
Sony is not for you.
SHOULD YOU SWITCH MAKES?
CAN YOU SWITCH MAKES?
Not everyone needs what you need and call them ‘basics’.
Maybe you should switch and shut that cave.
Is it too much to ask for a company to provide proper accessories when they screw their customers by making such a switch as the iISO -> ISO? IMO it is the least you can expect.
Of course we can all switch brands, BUT IT IS EXPENSIVE and not everyone may be rich like you to do so however they feel like.
Seriously? You’re going to blame Sony for the fact that you made the choice to buy Sony? At what point in the purchase process did you have Sony sign an agreement stating that they agree to cater to your wants? It’s not expensive to switch brands, it just takes initiative on Ebay or Amazon. You wont ever get what you paid for a camera when it was new, so you cant use that as an excuse.
Basics of… phone are call, texting… I think Sony have that covered.
Well…. Will the NEX Phone (like the galaxy phone) introduce someday? LOL! E-mount smart phone
Credit where credit is due, the Nokia 808 already has a larger sensor. But it’s handicapped as a phone, not in the least due to an archaic OS.
But a larger sensor combined with Android is interesting, if they implement a decent jpeg engine like the RX100 one.
Because the Xperia Z engine is absolute crap. Just compare it to the S4 output which comes from the same 13 MP module. The Z output sits at the bottom of the heap while the S4 scores amongst the best.
PS: sorry for the spam but a single combined message refused to come through……
Really, I have no idea why a camera company hasn’t made a high end smart-cameraphone yet, especially not Sony and Samsung who have phone divisions. A lot of the parts are interchangable (screen, processor, battery, SD card slot, etc), it’s just the matter of adding a baseband and wrapping it in vanilla Android.
Ok, the sensor gets bigger but the RESULT counts.. Will it be just like another Xperia camera..? It’s a shame considering Sony can make such a hilarious digital cameras (under Alpha brand SLT & NEX and Cybershot especially RX-100 and RX-1). No Sony smartphone camera can match up with other manufacturers’ flagship phone camera in term of image quality.., even some of them use Sony’s sensors.. What a shame..!
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia-Z-A-new-contender-in-the-smartphone-arena
Well, that’s the major problem in Sony – no exchange of information and no cooperation between divisions for common goals. Otherwise we’d see that camera years ago and SLTs would have class-leading video in terms of detail and sensitivities.
Agreed!
Why would they ruin their pro camera market with cheap SLTs?
Actually Nokia Pure View 808 has sensor 1/1.2″ – almost as big as the one in Sony RX100…
The RX100 sensor is still 43% larger.
I just read about the Nokia 808. The sensor makes it intresting, but I think that the resolution is way overkill… they could easilly halve it to make it faster and the IQ would still be very good probably.
There are lower resolution (down to 5 Mpx) modes for improved ISO.
The main problem with that camera module is lack of dynamic range due to read noise. They tried to hide shadow noise by having the camera meter very high but that results in crazy clipping of highlights. In terms of good quality resolution it even beat a m4/3 in a blind test. Thanks to nice detail and a lack of sharpening halos etc for a given output size.
Yes, I agree, I’ll take less megapixels and more dynamic range any day 🙂
This assumes that more megapixels means less DR. With Exmor sensors, it’s actually the opposite. 😉
Sony has been talking that talk for years now, even branding some phones Cybershot, but they have never been on par with dedicated cameras. There’s a small thin waterproof Sony P&S with 5x optical zoom called TX200V. Can put the phone radio/antenna/whatever in, making it 20mm longer? Yes they can, but they aren’t.
It’s not that they can’t to do it, it’s a question whether they want to transfer all camera features to a phone. Let’s see what they’ll do this time, but I’m not holding my breath.
I’d be much more interested in using my (Sony) phone as a wireless remote release with lifeview control for DSLR, SLT or whatever its system may be.
+1
it’s nice to see that Skywalker sometimes accepts new things 😀
+1
Always thought Sony should Make a DSLT with removable LCD screen that is in fact a smart phone/camera controller with built in photo centric apps
so kind of a camera dock for your NEX. hhhmmm that might be interesting
Just yesterday I thought about a good cameraphone that Sony COULD make… Let it be rather thick, with a good battery and an expanding lens that is completely “hidden” and closed when in not-working position so this cameraphone can be places in a pocket. And a big (for a phone) sensor of course to ensure good quality of pictures. I’d surely buy such a thing!
I’m not sure if I’m the only one thinking that I want my phone to easilly fit in my pants pocket even when the pants are too tight… So not too thick or it won’t sell for reasons beyond IQ
No you are not. I think a phone should be small and comfortably in a pants pocket.
I do think that the camera in a phone is getting better in IQ, but when they start to build in larger sensors, better (zoom)lenses etc, it will make the camera a lot thicker and more heavy, making it uncomfortable in your pants pocket.
The the ergonomics of a camera is totaly different from that of a phone. So it will always be a pone with a camera function in it, or a camera with a phonee function..
Sure, if you’re taking about a phone with a superzoom. I think a prime lens would work better from both a quality and a size standpoint.
Well, think about it… Right now smartphones have rather cheap camera modules and they are primarily phones with a bonus camera.
But if SONY make this thing the camera cannot be called a bonus. And it will be far from cheap addition. So people who will buy this thing will willingly PAY for the camera in this device. The camera is primary selling point here! So everyone who will buy it will understand that increase in size and weight comes automatically with the camera quality and will accept that…
Nokia 808 has Sony beat.
If only Nokia (or anyone else) would launch a follow-up to Nokia 808 based on a modern smartphone OS instead of Symbian.
I think that such a smartphone would be a real hit with someone like me that is after a really pocketable device that you can have with you allways.
if this phone really exist, it’ll be another proof that Sony is going to fully utilize it’s resources to strengthen it’s end product to compete in the market. a good news for alpha users because we finally can use Sony’s best technology. is it the One Sony strategy?
Yes it is! Sources that have been leaking this couple of months back has been calling it the “One Sony” until they had the code name of “Honami”, possible model number of “C680X”, and possible naming/sub-brand “i1”. Based on current rumors on this phone, it’s actually going to be incorporating almost, if not all, of SONY’s best techs from multiple deparments. Such as audio(S Master Walkman mobile), screen(Triluminos?), and camera(Sensor, Bionz Chip)
“The 1/1,5 inch sensor sounds huge. Almost unbelievable they can do it.” Have you ever heard about the Nokia 808 Pure View? It haw a 1/1.2 inch sensor and it is available since last year (12 months to be exact).
More interesting:
Add USB OTG support on NEX + plug in any stock USB modem. Now NEX can make phone calls and Skype
It would nice to have a good mobile phone that can shoot RAW and save to a high capacity sd card rather than continually struggle against the confines of internal storage.
Is this link a NEX-7 named wrong as a 7n?
http://www.camerahouse.com.au/products/Compact-Pro-Cameras/Sony-NEX7-w18-55mm-Lens-Black-Compact-Pro-Camera.aspx
The only difference I can see is the dimensions are slightly different.
And an increase of megapixel to 24.7
An increase from 24.7 megapixels to 24.7? What are you on?
I thought it was the same as the existing 7 as the pics were for the existing 7 but the specifications were different to the Sony page for the NEX-7 I was looking at.
it’s obviously the old 7.
Please let it use Android and not a proprietary system!!!
I think all Xperias are android-based..
… and here’s another answer to why no dslr/ts for another year…. more resources not working on dslr/t camera development. instead, it’s cell phones and dog mounts….
Next, Sony is going to be putting a 54 megapixel full frame sensor in a vibrating toothbrush made for dogs. lol.
OT: Just noticed that Sony got three TIPA awards (two for the full frame and one for the NEX).
Please no more rectange (4:3 or whatever) sensors: only square.
Can’t wait to see the Hasselblad version.
Nokia 808 isn’t a smartphone, if Sony manage to achieve this feat and keep the size of the phone to “normal”, will be a hit with photographers.
If we are talking about smartphones as camera, nothing beat an iphone, cause they have the best apps for photographers… unhappily.
Where is the Nex 7n? I thought it was rumored to be released in May 2013? Has there even been an announcement of the Nex 7n or when it ships? Has anyone checked to see if Sony has stopped its manufacturing lines at the plants? I know they do runs and then re-tool, but are they even tooling at this point. Someone need to stop by and take a look.
Dan
+1 Where are the NEX-7N and the new NEX lenses? Olympus and Panasonic have new interesting cameras with a new viewfinder and Sony nothing the next 2-3 months but lame smartphone rumors…
I have it on good authority that there will be no NEX 7N. The project has been cancelled in favor of a firmware update for the NEX 7.
Of course it will be. The new camera body comes as a bonus for paid firmware update.
I still want a 1″ sensor phone. Slap a phone onto an RX100, and I’m set. PLEASE!! I would be completely fine carrying it on a belt clip like people used to do with their phones. It doesn’t have to be 1/3″ thick. The RX100 is amazing, but since it doesn’t eliminate carrying a phone as well, it might as well be considerably bigger.
Hello Sony,
What I have is a NEX7 with 16-50 Zoom
What I want is a NEX9+ Full Frame with 64 Mega Pixel Feveon Style Sensor 4″ Removable, Docking, Swiveling, Touchscreen, Display, Smartphone, GPS, Running Anroid OS, Waterproof, Dustproof, Bluetooth, 4g Network….
Now if you can come up with a Zeiss 0.95 20-200 Aspheric Internal Macro Focusing, Floating Element Zoom to go with that
Just for fun, lets see what your grand total will be:
1) Full Frame 64 Mega Pixel Foveon Sensor – Base Price = $2200
– So in other words, you want Sigma to make your new camera?
2) 4″ Removable, Docking Swiveling Touchscreen Display = +$350
– Insurance for when you inevitably lose or distroy the touchscreen is included in the price.
3) Smartphone and GPS Functionality running Android OS = +$500
– Smartphone? Really…you’re going to hold your Mirrorless camera up to your head to talk on it? Or maybe just the removable screen? Hmm…
4) Waterproof, Dustproof, Bluetooth, 4g Network = + $1500
Grand Total of NEX9+ camera body = $4550
Now, for the Zeiss 0.95 20-200 Macro IF IS SSM zoom lens = $9750
$4550 + $9750 = $14,300. Not bad for an entry level kit. 😉
with only 10mm more than the current xperia’s it can be an aps-c e mount one.
I wish Sony could keep the MP count low, since Sony is a bit too MP-happy. I don’t think a phone camera needs more than 5MP but I think Sony will go for 13~20MP.
Current rumored amount is 16MP or 20MP.
yeah, I thought so, well, as long as it’s a good camera, this can be interesting, I’m still waiting for a good camera in a phone but unfortuantely, I think this Phone will be too expensive and too big for my taste. I’ll probably have 5″ screen since someone decided that the bigger, the better and that only big screen screams high-end.
Like you said, if this have a good camera it definitely would be interesting. Size wise, based on current rumor, you’re looking at a size between the SONY Xperia ZL and the Xperia Z with a thickness of 10MM. As for the screen, yeah 5″. Price wise, rumored to be within the $800USD price range for an unlocked unit. Honestly, if it really delivers what the rumor is saying, I’m willing to pay up to $1000USD for the phone because it has everything I want in a phone. Definitely something I can keep for up to two years.
When a new smart phone comes out, and it doesn’t have apple badge, it’s a copy CAT! ALWAYS! every other companies should kiss apple’s ass!
How about the opposite: incorporating in the NEX’s a larger and more responsive screen, an open OS, an open “shop”.
Sony recently patented a 35mm 4 element lens ro go with a curved sensor. Based on the desighn I believe it it would be apochromatic and EXTREMELY sharp.
The camera itself would be very compact and able to acomadate a large sensor.
This would make a super cell phone camera and probably be capable of rather high resolution witb good low ligbt performance. Perhaps this is the desighn they will use.
How do you define “apochromatic”?
Curved sensors are very unlikely to hit the market in next 1-2 years minimum… I’d say even more like 10 years. It is very easy to design lens for curved sensor, but noone yet can produce curved sensors with reasonable resolution at reasonable price.
Admin.
My length response vanished. Very annoying!
Admin what is going on!!! Every time I respond to Boooe my comment vanishes? !?!?
Admin
It keeps happenning. Every time i write more than a sentence it vanishes (I’m sure some of my opponents will approve of that ) but it is annoying the heck out of me!!!!
Appochromatic. Rgb 3 primary colors fucus on same plane
Accromatic. 2 of the primary colors focus on same plane.
All lenses act like a prism splitting light and focussing on different planes (ca).
The firs attempt to correct this was the achromat
2 elements in 2 groups whith 4 surfaces containinn negative and positive elements would cancel each other out for 2 of the primary colors.
Next 2 identical achromats were reversed and a diaphram was put in the center at the focal pount.
This is the symmetricl apochromat used for over 50 years as the staple of the graphic arts industry. At 1/1 a true flat field appochromatic lens.
Not so good at other sizes so an asymmetrical version was created. This introduced new abberations.
With the use curved sensor and todays glass with differing diffraction indexes I believe all ca can be cancelled resulting in an apochromatic lens
Sonys new patent is for the same 4 element desighn and would make a superb camera phone. Sorry about the single sentences but they are all that will go through.