Why Sony's smartphone camera accessory is a good thing to have

New Delhi: Sony on Wednesday not only launched its new waterproof smartphone Xperia Z1, but it also took the wraps off its new lens-style cameras - DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 - which can also be used on most of the smartphones via an adapter. While the major tech behemoths are busy in coming up with the successors to its flagship devices, the introduction of the external smartphone lenses by Sony is indeed a fresh move. The DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 lenses have a 18.2 megapixel and 20.2 megapixel sensor, respectively. While the DSC-QX100 has 3.6x optical zoom capabilities, the DSC-QX10 comes with 10x optical zoom capabilities.

What makes this accessory a must have is its ease of use and portability. Users can simply mount it on any smartphone and can enhance their mobile shooting experience. You can simply remove the lens when you don't need it and can snap it when you want. Thus you can enjoy a complete high-end shooting experience with your phone without having to compromise your smartphone experience. It is likely to bring some relief to those photography enthusiasts who prefer to carry their standalone high-end cameras.

Another plus point is that it will work across devices, meaning the device is not only comptabile with Sony smartphones but it will work with other Android and iOS smartphones too.

You can manually adjust focusing and zooming via the SLR-style control ring - a feature that is unavailable on smartphones - as well as use your smartphone screen to manually control the aperture, exposure and more.

The DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 are complete cameras in their own right, and all camera features can be operated through your smartphone screen. This includes the shutter release and zooming, as well as settings for aperture, exposure, white balance and more. A shutter release button and zoom lever are also provided on the camera body.

The lens-style cameras uses Wi-Fi to connect with your smartphone and also links with NFC-compatible models. The images you shoot are automatically saved in both the camera and your smartphone. The new Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 will go on sale in Europe from the end of September 2013.

These smartphone lenses are likely to be welcomed by shutterbugs and if it happens it may make bulky devices like Galaxy S4 Zoom obsolete where an improved shooting experience comes with weight.