Description
Sony has announced two new innovative cameras that are like no other, except of course, the DSC-QX10 Digital Camera are designed to be clipped to a smartphone and utilize the phone’s screen as a monitor and control panel.
The shape of these cameras resembles that of a lens more than a traditional camera; however, they provide many of the same advanced features as other mid-level compact cameras. Indeed, the purpose of these cameras is to blend the benefits of a smartphone—convenience, large touchscreen, and easy sharing—with the image quality and versatility of a high-resolution camera with an optical zoom lens
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The innovation of QX100 and QX10 is that they forgo the camera body per se and attach directly to a smartphone with a sturdy, adjustable, spring-loaded bracket. The built-in Wi-Fi of the camera links to iOS or Android smartphones, the latter of which can utilize convenient NFC (Near Field Communication) for tapping-to-connect support, and once the Wi-Fi connection is established and the free PlayMemories Mobile app has been installed, your phone will serve as the camera grip while you use its screen for composition, playback, and touch-menu control, including touch autofocus. Images are automatically saved to both the smartphone’s memory and to the memory cards of the camera. The QX100 and QX10 are compatible with microSD, microSDHC, Memory Stick Micro, and Memory Stick Micro Mark II memory cards. When images have been wirelessly copied to your smartphone, you can utilize any one of numerous apps to edit, manipulate, store, and share them on social media sites.
When you are finished shooting, the camera detaches easily. These cameras can also function uncoupled from the smartphone. You can shoot handheld, with the smartphone serving as remote control, or you can use the integrated tripod thread to mount the camera. In addition, the QX100 and QX10 have a physical zoom lever and shutter release on the camera body to shoot without your smartphone and then view your photos later.
The DSC-QX10 Digital Camera attaches to a smartphone with the same physical bracket and offers a one-touch link via Wi-Fi with NFC capabilities like the QX100. With the Sony PlayMemories app, you then use your smartphone’s display as the camera monitor and touch-control panel. The QX10, however, has a Sony G lens with 10x optical zoom for longer focal length reach. The 35mm equivalent focal length is 25-250mm for wide-angle to telephoto perspectives, and its maximum aperture range is f/3.3-4.9.
The sensor on the QX10 is an 18.2MP 1/2.3” Back Side Illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor and it houses the BIONZ image processor. The sensitivity range of the QX10 is ISO 100-3200, which is further expandable to ISO 12800 for enhanced low-light shooting. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization is supported for effective reduction of blur when shooting at slower shutter speeds. Although aperture-priority mode is not available, program auto, Face Detection, and both Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto with a total of 77 scene modes are provided. Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps in the MP4 format is supported with Active Mode SteadyShot stabilization and stereo sound.
The QX10 offers a very compact form factor, almost half the size and weight of the QX100. In that sense it is ideal for placing on your smartphone and, with its powerful zoom lens and high-resolution sensor, it places sharp, high-quality photos directly onto your smartphone where they are ready for immediate sharing. Additionally, the camera charges via its Micro-USB port, which is conveniently accessible on the camera body. The DSC-QX10 is available in black
For all the gadget hounds who have been waiting for the day when quality imaging could be made by a smartphone, the announcement of the lightweight, easy-to-connect and versatile QX100 and QX10 digital cameras has brought that day much closer.
| Sony DSC-QX10 Digital Camera | |
| Imaging | |
| Pixels | Total: 18.9MP Effective: 18.2MP |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.3″ (7.76mm) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor R, G, B primary color mosaic filters |
| Imaging Processor | BIONZ |
| Maximum Resolution | 18MP: 4896 x 3672 @ 4:3 |
| Other Resolutions | 13 MP: 4896 x 2752 @ 16:9 5.0 MP: 2592 x 1944 @ 4:3 2.0 MP: 1920 x 1080 @ 16:9 |
| Aspect Ratios | 4:3, 16:9 |
| File Formats | Still image: JPEG (DCF, Exif, MPF Baseline), DPOF compatible Movie: MP4 |
| Color Spaces | sRGB |
| TRILUMINOS Color | Yes |
| Image Stabilization | Optical with and without electronic compensation |
| Shooting Time Lag | Approx. 1.2 sec. |
| Shutter Release Time Lag | Approx. 0.04 sec. |
| Shooting Interval | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Optics | |
| Lens | Sony G lens 9 elements in 7 groups (4 aspheric elements) Maximum aperture: f/3.3-5.9 Minimum aperture: f/8.0 EFL: 4.45-44.5 mm 35 mm equivalent (still image): 25-250mm (4:3), 27.5-275mm (16:9), 35mm equivalent (movie): 27.5-275mm (16:9, SteadyShot Standard), 27.5-385mm (16:9, SteadyShot Active), 33.5-335mm (4:3, SteadyShot Standard), 33.5-469mm (4:3, SteadyShot Active) |
| Focus Range | iAuto AF: Wide: approx. 2.0″ (5.0 cm) – Infinity Telephoto: approx. 1.5 m (4.9′) to Infinity Program Auto AF: Wide: approx. 2.0″ (5.0 cm) – Infinity Telephoto: approx. 1.5 m (4.9′) to Infinity) |
| Optical Zoom | 10x (enabled during movie recording as well as still capture) |
| Focus Mode | Multi Point AF, Touch AF Linear Focus Auto macro |
| Scan System | Progressive scan |
| Exposure | |
| Exposure Modes | Superior Auto (44 scenes), Intelligent Auto (33 scenes), Program Auto |
| Exposure Metering | Multi-pattern |
| Exposure Compensation | 2.0 to -2.0 EV in 1/3 EV steps |
| Face Detection | Yes, 8 faces |
| ISO Sensitivity | Still image: Auto, 100-12800 Movie: Auto, 100-1000 |
| Minimum Illumination (Movie) | Auto: 20 lux (Shutter Speed 1/30 sec) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent |
| Shutter Speed | iAuto: 4 – 1/1600 sec. Program Auto: 1 – 1/1600 sec. 1/4 – 1/1600 sec. when ISO above 3200 |
| Self-Timer | 10 sec., 2 sec. |
| Memory | |
| Recordable Media | Memory Stick Micro, Memory Stick Micro (Mark2), microSD, microSDHC |
| Memory Card Capacity | Memory Stick Micro: up to 16GB microSD/SDHC: up to 64GB |
| Recording | |
| Video Resolution | 1440 x 1080 at 30 fps |
| Video Clip Length | Up to 29 min. (15 min. or 2.0 GB in MP4 1440 x 1080 mode |
| Audio Recording | Stereo |
| Playback | |
| Maximum Size | Under 14MP: 4320 x 3240 |
| Printing | |
| Exif Print | Yes |
| PRINT Image Matching (PIM3 | Yes |
| Connectivity/System Requirements | |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, USB 2.0 |
| Wireless | Yes, NFC (forum Type 3 Tag compatible) and Wi-Fi for smartphone connection One-touch remote, control with smartphone, send image to smartphone |
| System Requirements | iOS or Android Smartphone PlayMemories mobile app |
| Power | |
| Power Source | NP-BN battery (3.6 VDC, 630 mAh, 2.3 Wh) (supplied) NP-BN1 battery (optional) 5.0 VDC AC adapter (optional) |
| Power Consumption | Approx. 1.1W |
| Start-up Time | Approx. 6.9 sec. |
| Physical | |
| Tripod Mount | Yes |
| Construction | Plastic |
| Operating temperature | 32 to 104 deg F (0 to 40 deg C) |
| Storage temperature | 140 to -4 deg F (60 to -20 deg C) |
| Dimensions | 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.2″ (62.4 x 61.8 x 30.0mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 3.7 oz (105 g) with battery and Memory Stick Micro Approx. 3.2 oz (90 g) camera only |
