New Sony QX100, QX10 leaked images and pricing emerges

Sony’s rumoured device that turns any iOS or Android device into a high-end camera is creeping closer to reality with these new leaked images. The expected price is a bit steep, but the functionality and specs seem pretty impressive whether you’re a casual photographer or not.

The QX10 is a wireless camera attachment for your smartphone. This lens-camera hybrid will have a built-in battery, NFC, and Wi-Fi so that you can pair and mount with your Android or iOS device. This screen-less camera will use your smartphone for controls so a dedicated app is to be expected.

As Sony Alpha Rumours suggests, the lens could be used separately from the paired device. So you could, in theory at least, put the camera lens on a tablet or even your forehead if you really wanted. It just needs to be paired.

“Non-compatible smart phones will use an adapter which just (presumably) adds the sensor and lets you clip the whole unit to your phone,” suggests Cult of Mac.

Apparently there are two versions. The QX10 will reportedly cost US$250 (R2 500) and feature a 1/2.3-inch 18 MB sensor paired with an f/3.3-5.9 lens. The bigger, beefier QX100 will reportedly cost US$450 (R4 500) with a high-quality 1-inch 20.2MB Exmor R sensor and a f/1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss lens. Quite pricey but for those high-quality camera lovers the QX10 could be a decent fit.

We reviewed Samsung’s phone-camera hybrid, the Galaxy S4 Zoom, earlier this week and Nokia’s Lumia 1020 camera beast has also left some ripples. However great these might be, you’ll have to choose between either Windows 8 or Android which in turn limiting your choices.

The QX10 lens-camera smartphone clip-on is expected to be announced today or sometime tomorrow. Earlier today Sony’s updated T3 head-mount display was also debuted right before the official IFA event’s time.

Image via Photo Rumours (sorry about the blurs, these are the only “official” photos currently available)