Sony QX10 Review

The Sony QX10 and QX100 were announced earlier in the year 3rd quarter of 2013 and I shared about the press release and information in an earlier post here! Personally, I was intrigued with the 2 lens-style camera designed by Sony and I was wondering with great interest how do I go about using it in my photography adventures? My wish was granted when I was given the opportunity to take the Sony QX10 for 2 weeks to play, test and review this niche segment of photography lens/accessory.

2T2J6424

The Sony QX10 and QX100 are innovative and revolutionary in designs, ideas and purposes. It’s like a mix between a photography accessory, video camera accessory, as a portable video camera and a portable detachable lens for photographers. I took the Sony QX10 out, on a daily basis (almost) and put it to the test and letting my friends play with it and enjoying themselves too with the Sony QX10 during media events. It was versatile and we can even take selfie shots by looking through my iPad while the Sony Memories Mobile App was switched on. At a media event that I attended, I got my fellow photographer friend Kevin to bring the Sony QX10 and walk around, do a live video recording of the guests while we were viewing the video recording at the table!

During the 2 weeks with the Sony QX10, what were my thoughts and views of this interesting accessory? Here are the pros and cons from my personal observations compiled during the review period.

Pros

–       Versatile and fun

–       Lightweight

–       Live video camera recording  / viewing

–       Easy to connect the QX10 with the smartphone/tablet using the Sony Memories Mobile App

–       You can take photographs from many different angles and perspectives using the Sony QX10

–       View from the smartphone/tablet using the Sony Memories Mobile App and observe the surroundings/happenings and watching live photographs taken and uploaded for viewing

–       Clip on the smartphone and it “transforms” the smartphone into a handy digital camera

–       Converts the smartphone into a compact digital camera

–       A useful and versatile accessory to complement the smartphone and/or tablet

–       Fun and easy to use video camera

–       A friend can bring the QX10 camera around and take photograph or video while you are observing the “show’ on your smartphone or tablet

–       Good balance of the QX10 with smartphone when attached to the smartphone (iPhone 5 in this review)

–       There is pretty decent bokeh from the QX10 glass

–       QX10 Macro function/capability is pretty good

–       You can place the QX10 on a small or big tripod and it can transform into a remote camera to photograph street, wildlife or a video to record events

Cons

–       Battery life drains fast when connected to the Sony Memories Mobile App and doing video recording function

–       Very small LCD panel on camera

–       There is a bit of lag when connecting the QX10 with the Sony Memories Mobile App via Wi-Fi

–       On/Off button is small and it sinks in when pressed too many times

–       If you are using handheld to shoot with the QX10, even though it is lightweight, there is not enough grip on the QX10 to ensure that our hands doesn’t move when taking photos.

–       Might be a bit bulky to be put into your pocket when the QX10 is attached to the smartphone (My smartphone is an iPhone 5)

Interesting features that can be adapted for the Sony QX10

–       Mount on tripod to record or photograph movements of people

–       Put a lanyard and hang it around the neck do photograph or record

DSC00031

DSC00084

Here are the technical specifications for the Sony QX10 –

   Model DSC-QX100 DSC-QX10
Image Sensor 1.0 type (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor 1/2.3 type (7.76mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor
Effective resolution Approx.20.2 megapixels Approx.18.2 megapixels
Image processor BIONZ BIONZ
Lens Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T[1], with 7 elements in 6 groups (4 aspheric elements including AA lens) Sony G Lens, with 7 groups (including 4 aspheric elements)
Maximum aperture F1.8(Wide angle)- F4.9 (Tele) F3.3(Wide angle)- F5.9 (Tele)
Focal length (35mm equivalent)(still image 4:3) f=28-100mm f=25-250mm
Optical zoom 3.6x 10x
ISO Sensitivity (Still Image)[2] ISO160-6400 (iAuto), ISO160-25600[3](Superior Auto), ISO160-3200 (Program Auto), ISO160-3200 (Aperture Priority) ISO100-3200 (iAuto), ISO100-12800[4](Superior Auto), ISO100-1600 (Program Auto)
Movie record MP4: 12MP (1440×1080/30fps) MP4: 12MP (1440×1080/30fps)
Image stabilisation Optical SteadyShot™ (with Active Mode for movies) Optical SteadyShot™ (with Active Mode for movies)
Focus type Contrast detection AF Contrast detection AF
Focus Modes Single-shot AF; Manual Focus; Touch AF Single-shot AF; Touch AF
Shooting modes Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Movie Mode Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto, Movie Mode
Wireless networking Wi-Fi: Send to smartphone / control with smartphoneNFC: One-touch remote Wi-Fi: Send to smartphone / control with smartphoneNFC: One-touch remote
Dimensions (WxHxD) Approx. 62.5 x 62.5 x 55.5 mm Approx. 62.4 x 61.8 x 33.3 mm
Media card compatibility Memory Stick Micro™ / Memory Stick Micro™ Mark 2 and Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher) Memory Stick Micro™ / Memory Stick Micro™ Mark 2 and Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher)
Weight (main unit only) Approx. 165 g Approx. 90 g
Weight (with supplied battery and Memory Stick Micro) Approx. 179 g Approx. 105 g

For more information on the Sony QX10, here’s the link to the Sony QX10 website!

DSC00069

Without having the chance to play and test the Sony QX10, it might be a bit tricky for photographers to know how it really can work for you. Overall, I am impressed with the image quality and output of the Sony QX10. It’s an accessory that will be ideal and handy for smartphone users, something they can bring it out on a daily and casual basis in your bag while on the go.

In my personal opinion, with the entry level photography and leisure photography segments currently fragmented even further and changing a lot over the past few years, especially with the boom and rise of the smartphones with powerful cameras and photography apps available.  With compact digital cameras facing a huge battle on its own, along with mirror-less cameras stealing the market share and making headlines, innovative products such as the Sony QX10 would be able to provide an alternative solution to the smartphone users with a photography lens and accessory for their smartphone.

The Sony QX10 is innovative and revolutionary, it will definitely be suitable for some of you smartphone users/photographers out there!

* I would like to thank Sony Singapore and Waggener Edstrom Worldwide for the Sony QX10 review opportunity *


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *