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.Â
The QX1 will be available in November for $399.99, and the QX30 will be available in October for $349.99.Â
Jump to:
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. Â
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. Â
The new cameras utilize the latest version of Sony’s PlayMemories Mobileâ„¢ 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.Â
For added convenience, the app can be activated using NFC one-touch with compatible devices. Â 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. Â
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. Â
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. Â
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.Â
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. Â Additionally, the extensive 30x zoom is aided by Optical SteadyShotâ„¢ image stabilization to minimize camera shake throughout the zoom range. Â 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. Â
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
| Â | 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.