Sony has announced the Alpha QX1 and Cyber-shot DSC-QX30, expanding its line of ‘lens-style’ cameras ready to be paired with a smartphone. The QX1 is an interchangeable lens model, containing a 20MP APS-C sensor and a Sony E-mount for use with lenses designed for Sony’s mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. More like the existing QX10 and QX100, the QX30 is single unit containing a sensor and lens, providing a 20MP 1/2.3″-type sensor and a longer 24-720mm equivalent optical zoom with OIS.
Both modules contain Wi-Fi and NFC for quick pairing with a smartphone, as well as a collapsable clamping mount for a physical connection to your mobile device. The QX1 also includes a built-in flash as well as Raw+JPEG shooting, items not offered in any of its sibling models. While 1080p HD video is included, the QX1 offers a maximum frame rate of 30p, while the QX30 provides 1080/60p HD video.
The QX1 will be available in November for $399.99, and the QX30 will be available in October for $349.99.
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Press Release:
Sony Expands Innovative Lens-style Camera Line with New Interchangeable-Lens Model and 30x Zoom Model
QX1 with Large APS-C size Exmor CMOS Sensor Compatible with Sony α Mount System* Lenses; QX30 w/ Versatile 30x Zoom G Lens
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 3, 2014 – Building on its strong history of innovation in the digital imaging market, Sony Electronics has today announced two additions to their unique line of Lens-style Camera.
Designed for mobile photography enthusiasts, the new high-zoom DSC-QX30 and E-mount interchangeable-lens ILCE-QX1 models combine the power of a premium compact digital camera with the convenience and connectivity of today’s smartphones, utilizing Wi-Fi® connectivity to instantly transform a connected phone into an extremely powerful photographic tool.
The new cameras utilize the latest version of Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ application (version 5.0 for Android and iOS devices) to connect wirelessly to a smartphone quicker than ever, converting the bright, large LCD screen of the phone into a real-time viewfinder with the ability to frame shots, adjust zoom, release the camera shutter, start/stop video recordings and control other basic camera settings. The new app version 5.0 features an updated user-friendly interface that adds gridlines for easy image framing and a mirror mode ideal for self-portraits.
For added convenience, the app can be activated using NFC one-touch with compatible devices. Once pictures are taken, they are saved directly on both the phone and the camera, and can be shared instantly via social media or other common mobile applications.
New QX1 Interchangeable-lens Version
The new E-mount ILCE-QX1 model is the world’s first lens-style camera that gives photography enthusiasts a whole new way to take advantage of their α Mount System* lens collection.
Compatible with Sony’s growing range of E-mount lens offerings including zoom, portrait, wide-angle, macro and more, the new QX1 camera features a built-in 20.1 megapixel APS-C size Exmor CMOS sensor that grabs huge amounts of detail for landscape shots and beautiful ‘bokeh’ background defocus. It’s teamed with Sony’s advanced BIONZ X processor that now features improved area-specific noise reduction for stunning low-light images.
The unique new QX1 camera features a wealth of other premium features, including Superior Auto, RAW image shooting and a pop-up flash to brighten up portraits in backlight situation, gloomy interiors and night scenes.
New DSC-QX30 30x optical zoom Model
The new compact sized DSC-QX30 camera brings the power and versatility of a 30x optical zoom lens to mobile photographers, eliminating the frustration and poor quality commonly experienced when zooming-in using a smartphone camera. Additionally, the extensive 30x zoom is aided by Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization to minimize camera shake throughout the zoom range. Clear Image Zoom is also available, utilizing advanced color and pattern matching technologies to allow the QX30 to reach an impressive 60x magnification digitally without sacrificing pixel count.
Awesome zoom power is matched by lock-on AF and speedy continuous shooting at up to 10fps, letting photographers capture fast-moving action with an accurately focused burst of split-second images. For video enthusiasts, the QX30 model can also shoot Full HD video at a smooth 60p frame rate at the touch of a button.
Pricing and Availability
The new QX30 and QX1 lens-style cameras will be sold for about $350 and $400, respectively. The QX30 will be available this September, and the QX1 will be available this November at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.
* Requires Mount Adaptor when attached with A-mount lens
Specifications
| Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 | Sony Alpha QX1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| MSRP | $350 | $400 |
| Body type | ||
| Body type | Compact | |
| Body material | Composite | |
| Sensor | ||
| Max resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 5456 x 3632 |
| Other resolutions | 5456 x 3064, 3872 x 2576, 3872 x 2176, 2736 x 1824, 2736 x 1536 | |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 20 megapixels | |
| Sensor photo detectors | 21 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm) | APS-C (23.2 x 15.4 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Processor | Bionz X | |
| Color space | sRGB | |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter | |
| Image | ||
| ISO | Auto, 80-3200 | Auto, 100 – 16000 |
| White balance presets | 6 | 10 |
| Custom white balance | No | |
| Image stabilization | Optical | No |
| Uncompressed format | No | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Normal | |
| File format |
|
|
| Optics & Focus | ||
| Focal length (equiv.) | 24–720 mm | |
| Optical zoom | 30× | |
| Maximum aperture | F3.5 – F6.3 | |
| Autofocus |
|
|
| Autofocus assist lamp | No | |
| Digital zoom | No (2X) | Yes (2X Clear Image Zoom) |
| Manual focus | No | Yes |
| Normal focus range | 5 cm (1.97″) | |
| Number of focus points | 25 | |
| Lens mount | Sony E (NEX) | |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× | |
| Screen / viewfinder | ||
| Articulated LCD | No | |
| Touch screen | Yes (via smartphone) | |
| Screen type | Depends on connected smartphone | |
| Live view | Yes (via smartphone) | |
| Viewfinder type | None | |
| Photography features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 sec | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 sec | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes |
|
|
| Built-in flash | No | Yes |
| Flash range | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) | |
| External flash | No | |
| Flash modes | None | Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/160 sec | |
| Drive modes |
|
|
| Continuous drive | 10 fps | 4 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2, 10 secs) | |
| Metering modes |
|
|
| Exposure compensation | ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | No | |
| Videography features | ||
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p) | 1920 x 1080 (30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4 | |
| Microphone | Stereo | |
| Speaker | None | |
| Storage | ||
| Storage types | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro | |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | |
| HDMI | No | |
| Wireless | Built-In | |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC | |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) | |
| Physical | ||
| Environmentally sealed | No | |
| Battery | Battery Pack | |
| Battery description | NP-BN, NP-BN1 | NP-FW50 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 200 | 440 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 193 g (0.43 lb / 6.81 oz) | 216 g (0.48 lb / 7.62 oz) |
| Dimensions | 68 x 65 x 58 mm (2.68 x 2.56 x 2.28″) | 74 x 70 x 53 mm (2.91 x 2.76 x 2.09″) |
| Other features | ||
| Orientation sensor | Yes | |
| Timelapse recording | No | |
| GPS | None | |
Started out doing photography at the age of 6 using an uncle's old 1940 kodak brownie box camera. At 15 years of age, I decided to buy my very own 1975 Praktica SLR camera. I now shoot with a Nikon D850. I do unpaid TFP and commercial paid work.