Sony’s QX100 and QX10 introduced a new concept in digital cameras. They look like lenses you fit on to a camera body, but they actually have a sensor built in. They’re designed to attach to your smartphone and communicate with it wirelessly, so that the smartphone screen is used to compose the images.
It is possible to zoom the lens and take shots using controls on the Q100 and QX10, but the majority of control is provided by Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile app on your smartphone.
The new Sony QX1 takes things a step further because it has just the sensor and processing engine part of the QX-series and an E-mount that enables Sony E-mount lenses to be attached.
Inside the QX1 is an APS-C format 20-million-pixel Exmor CMOS sensor and Sony’s Bionz X processor along with an NFC chip and Wi-Fi technology to allow the camera unit to connect to the smartphone. Images may be transferred to the phone or stored on a Micro SD card installed in the QX1.
Significantly for users of E-mount cameras (such as the Sony Alpha 6000 and NEX-7) who want a smaller camera to use with their lenses, the QX1 can record raw files as well as JPEG images. This means that they will have the same post-capture control over their images as they get with their usual camera.
The QX1 uses a battery from the E-mount camera system and this enables around 440 shots to be taken.
Build and handling
At 74×69.5×52.5mm the XQ1 is only a little bigger than the Sony 16-50mm lens that it will be sold with as a kit (it will also be available body only). It also weighs just 216g, which makes it lighter than many traditionally styled cameras; the Sony A6000 for example is pretty compact but it weighs 285g (body only).
There’s an expanding clip that allows the QX1 to be attached to a smartphone as well as a tripod bush that enables the camera to be supported by a tripod.
Unlike the QX10 and QX100, a Sony E-mount lens must be mounted on the QX1 before a shot can be taken.
Sony is planning to upgrade its PlayMemories Mobile app when the QX1 goes on sale to allow aspects such as raw recording to be set. These upgraded features will not be extended to other QX-series cameras.
Early verdict
Sony is pushing digital camera development forward more than any other manufacturer and looking for new ways for photographers to integrate their hobby into their lives.
Many photographers carry a smartphone everywhere and a unit that enables them to use it to control a high quality camera that accepts their Sony lenses is an interesting approach. The problem is that a connection needs to be made to the smartphone and currently, even with NFC-enabled devices, this introduces a slight time lag, so it’s not as quick as powering up a standard camera.
That said, I can’t wait to try a full production sample of the QX1 and see what it’s capable of.
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