Sony DSC-QX30 and Sony DSC-QX1 Lens-style Cameras Preview

Earlier today Sony announced two new products. Exactly a year after announcing the first generation of its Lens-style Cameras, Sony is announcing a refresh with a twist – 2 new models with longer zoom and a version with the ability to accept any e-mount lens.

The two new models are the Alpha QX1 and the Sony DSC-QX30. The Alpha QX1 is a strange creature – you can think about it as a mirrorless camera with a smartphone instead of an LCD. It has the same sensor and general technology of the A5000 but has no LCD. instead you will use the screen of your mobile device over WIFI to capture images or videos (at up to 1080p @30p).

The Sony DSC-QX30 is actually an update to the not too successful Sony DSC-QX10. The new model has a  24-720mm (equivalent in 35mm) lens with a tiny 1/2.3″ 20.4 Megapixel Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor and more than a basic max aperture of  F3.5-6.3.

Both units have built in WIFI+NFC for connectivity with a smartphone or tablet, built in battery (good for up to 200 shots on the QX30 and a much more impressive 440 shots on the QX1 with the much more common NP-FW50 battery). Both cameras use the (very annoying) microSD memory card format.

As for pricing – the QX1 will cost you around $400 (this is without a lens mind you) while the smaller sensor long zoom sibling QX30 will set you back $350 (this time with the built in lens).

A promo video of the new Sony ILCE-QX1

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz-9ThFyhdg[/youtube]

Update: a Sony SGNL video on the new QX30 and QX1

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcB-ohKJfRg[/youtube]

If you don’t want to miss any new photography product be sure to check out our product photography section on our photo gear channel.

Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.

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