Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 First-impressions Review

September 2013 | By By Allison Johnson

The smartphone and the point-and-shoot are not, by nature, natural companions. One takes better pictures than the other but has difficulty sharing them. The other takes less inspiring images, but can share them instantly. One is easy to leave at home by accident, and the other is in your pocket at all times.

Camera manufacturers have been trying for some time to make compact cameras more like smartphones by adding Wi-Fi connectivity, but no attempt to date has been quite as bold as Sony's latest effort: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 and QX10 are sensor/lens modules designed explicitly for use with smartphones. Each unit contains a lens, sensor and processor and your smartphone provides the user interface.

With a shutter button and zoom toggle the QX100 and QX10 are able to operate as standalone cameras (albeit without an LCD or any way of checking composition) but they're designed to work in concert with a smartphone by way of Sony's PlayMemories Mobile app. Establish a connection between the devices, open up the app and your mobile device acts as the camera's LCD. Included with each unit is a mount that clamps to the backside of a smartphone.

The QX100 is the high-end model, and it's quite a step up: at its core are the best bits of the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II, based around the same 20MP 1-inch sensor and fast (at the wide end) Zeiss-branded zoom lens. The RX100 II's predecessor won a DPReview silver award when we reviewed it, and its excellent image quality was a major factor. In the RX100 II, Sony added a backside illuminated sensor to improve already good low-light performance, and our initial impressions of the updated model have been positive.

Sadly, although not surprisingly, the QX100 is a JPEG-only device. And not only is RAW mode unavailable, manual exposure control is limited too, to aperture priority and exposure compensation. There's no shutter priority mode here, nor fully manual (even though we can't see why there couldn't have been). HD video recording is available at 1440 x 1080 resolution, reduced from the standard 1920 x 1080 found in most compact cameras (including the RX100 II).

The RX100 II currently sells for $750; the QX100 has been introduced at $499.95. That's a sizable discount if you can live with the trimmed-down feature set.

Key specifications:

20.2 effective megapixel 1.0" Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor
28-100mm equivalent 3.6x optical zoom F1.8-4.9 lens
Limited manual control - aperture priority, auto and exposure compensation
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
MicroSD card slot
NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity

Camera manufacturers are doing their best to make nice with mobile devices by adding Wi-Fi and NFC, but nobody has solved the dilemma yet. Sony's bold attempt with the QX100 isn't just to work with your smartphone, it's designed to become part of your smartphone. The QX100 aims to produce better photos and facilitate easier sharing, all from one device.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

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Sony DSC-QX100 Smartphone Attachable Compact Camera●

$498.00

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Sony DSC-QX10/B Smartphone Attachable 4.45-44.5mm Lens-Style Camera	$248.00
Sony DSC-QX100 Smartphone Attachable Lens-style Camera	$498.00
Sony DSC-RX100/B 20.2 MP Exmor CMOS Sensor Digital Camera with 3.6x Zoom	$598.00
Sony DSC-QX10/W Smartphone Attachable 4.45-44.5mm Lens-Style Camera	$248.00
Sony Lens Style Camera Cyber-shot DSC-QX100	$1,212.49
Sony DSC-WX10 Cyber-Shot 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with 7x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom G Lens and Full HD 1080/60i Video (Black)	$319.97
Sony Original BN1 Battery, Case, and Mini Tripod Bundle for Sony CyberShot DSC-W710, DSC-W730, DSC-WX80, DSC-TF1, DSC-TX66, DSC-TX30, DSC-T110, DSC-T99, DSC-TX5, DSC-TX7, DSC-TX9, DSC-TX10, DSC-TX100V, DSC-TX200V, DSC-TX20, DSC-W310, DSC-W320, DSC-W330, DSC-W350, DSC-W380, DSC-W510, DSC-W530, DSC-W560, DSC-W570, DSC-WX5, DSC-WX9, DSC-WX70, DSC-WX150, DSC-W610, DSC-W630, DSC-W620, DSC-W650, DSC-W690, DSC-QX10, DSC-QX100	$32.99
Sony Original Case for Sony CyberShot DSC-W710, DSC-W730, DSC-WX80, DSC-TF1, DSC-TX66, DSC-TX30, DSC-T110, DSC-T99, DSC-TX5, DSC-TX7, DSC-TX9, DSC-TX10, DSC-TX100V, DSC-TX200V, DSC-TX20, DSC-W310, DSC-W320, DSC-W330, DSC-W350, DSC-W380, DSC-W510, DSC-W530, DSC-W560, DSC-W570, DSC-WX5, DSC-WX9, DSC-WX70, DSC-WX150, DSC-W610, DSC-W630, DSC-W620, DSC-W650, DSC-W690, DSC-QX10, DSC-QX100 (LCS-CTBN)	$19.99

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Comments

Total comments: 137

What I'd like to see is a sensor/nex mount of similar design with full support for af lenses through a adapter. I don't care too much about the clamp either. Wifi offers much more and truly disconnected opportunities

0 upvotes

Seems like we are going to run through a lot of bad ideas before arriving at the inevitable most logical conclusion (largish sensor cameraphone). Nikon's V1 system would still be with us today if they had introduced it as an Android phone (and came with a pancake lens- I don't know what the lineup was). An "RX-10" APS-C camera from Sony would be a hot item with a thin design, collapsable fixed focal length lens and full on 4G phone capabilities. Hell, even if it were thicker I wouldn't mind- most of my phones (Ericsson P800/900, Treo 650, G1) have been pretty thick; I think serious photographers would be OK with a bigger phone if it could take pictures like a "real" camera.

I suppose Sony deserves credit for taking a risk, but it was a stupid risk and doesn't really address any of the issues facing phone photography. If I have to bring an extra device that won't fit in my pocket I will bring my cheaper, easier to use, faster NEX-C3 + kit lens.

0 upvotes

The Nikon 1 system is still with us today with three current models.

1 upvote

not a good idea unless the module can be attached to the phone for hours while the user is on the move, playing twitter/facebook, and making phone calls, or it will be little more than a smaller P&S (the user will have to take care of a separate device) and worse it cannot be used without a phone.

I'd prefer a CCM = conformal camera module similar to Nokia 808 but more powerful, better be powered by the battery of the phone (like USB).

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I admire the courage and the bold move to exploit a smartphone as user interface. Android 4.x is quite mature now.

I take many pictures with the Samsung Note 2 while on the move, but – do not get the IQ I really want.

For flexibility I could now take the lens/sensor combo into the pocket. The smartphone is with me anyway. Traditional cameras look inferior for such situations: More bulk plus the phone.

I see a major trend being opened. Simple but great idea nobody thought of to date. Congratulations to Sony for this true innovation.

4 upvotes

Clever idea, but this is a niche product if ever there was one. Most people who have an extra $500 in their pockets would quite rightly prefer using it to buy a real camera instead of a glorified add-on for their smartphone.

1 upvote

As soon as the next crop of P&S cameras, m43 cameras, and others similar come out with better connectivity to our smart phones and tablets, these "clip-on" cameras will all but be forgotten.

1 upvote

I have to call fail. I went from fail to "ok maybe this makes sense" to "mm no."

Here are the issues as I see them:
- Now you have to worry about not one but TWO batteries and charges. I don't like the idea of my phone getting battery dead because I was taking shots.
- The "cool" aspect and possibilities of this combo is to use the lens/sensor in a different position from the LCD/viewfinder as shown in the shot- and here's the biggest problem-

How is this any different from the latest Olympus, Sony's own RX100 MK2, and more to come cameras? What exactly is the difference?

- Finally- give me some buttons and levels (mechanical) over full on touch screen control any day. There's something to be said about camera response, muscle memory here and the ability to change settings while *looking* at a view finder 100% - not obscure it with touching here and there.

It makes business sense if enough people think "it's kewl" whether it's good or not.

2 upvotes

" I don't like the idea of my phone getting battery dead because I was taking shots."

This makes no sense. The thing has its own battery and therefore probably drains your phone's battery less than it would from taking its own pictures. If anything it will save the phone battery from draining.

0 upvotes

Too bad they stripped this little sucker down....looked like a great little twist on imaging. Heck, I could even forgive the lack of RAW files but the removal of things as basic as manual settings, focus peaking and ISO make this a no-go for most enthusiasts.

1 upvote

I don't personally think RAW is a forgivable omission. And that combined with the lack of manual control really makes it an uninteresting proposition. I think Sony bungled this one up.

2 upvotes

I see little point in this 'camera' given it's size. I also see little point in putting a 1" sensor in it and then NOT allowing raw capture (or full HD video).

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

2 upvotes

The picture of the woman with red fingernails grasping the phone firmly by the screen and rear face show one possible problem. Ultra-thin smartphones with edge-to-edge touch-sensitive screens are awkward to hold in camera mode anyway, they need to be held gingerly by their emaciated edges whilst avoiding all brushes against the screen. So her firm front-to-back grip, whilst ergonomically desirable, is a no-no.

I'd prefer if it was designed to be grasped singlehanded by the throat of the camera, complete with physical shutter button, leaving the other hand free to make control adjustments via the touchscreen as required. A much steadier and surer grip.

PS
Why can't it use the LED 'torch' function available on most smartphones as a focus assist lamp?

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Ah! I now see that the lens does indeed incorporate a shutter button of its own. So maybe it is possible to wield the assembly by grasping the lens, rather than trying (as illustrated) to hold it all by the slender phone only.

0 upvotes

After reading the review of the Nokia with the 41MP sensor, that seems like a more refined way to go, and closer to being practical. I think a sensor in the premium small sensor category (Panny LX-7 size) would be a whole lot more practical. The 'year later, paid down fixed costs' price needs to be about $200. If the module were smaller it would work better as a standalone sports vid camera, maybe with a housing. Lots of potential, but this seems like an over-reach in terms of the sensor vs. quality tradeoff. I doubt Sony will go away on this. They clearly are doing the interesting stuff, leaving Canon (in particular) spinning out in the curves.

0 upvotes

Is time really that precious that we can't just send our pictures to our phone via a WIFI enabled camera or card? Sorry, but it makes no sense to me. Seems like this will be added to another "back to the future" article very soon.

1 upvote

My first impression: I'd rather have a WiFi enabled camera like the RX100II and a control app for my smartphone. To me this is more of a software challenge. Sure - you are saving an LCD screen but to me the QX cameras look rather awkward.
In addition - if really the use case is to allow fast sharing of photos then why use an expensive and rather high quality camera? I have not really followed quality of smart phone cams vs. P&S cameras. If i take my iPhone4 as comparison there is a lot of ground between it and an RX100. I'd say that if sharing is the target i'd start with something that is in terms of quality spec'ed for that.

1 upvote

Dpreview, if you have the Samsung NX camera (yes expensive) But please test it with this lens to see if it works!

I think that would be interesting to have move anywhere lens linked up to a real camera with a view finder.

0 upvotes

Just get an LCD finder for your phone then.

0 upvotes

Still seems a rather odd solution compared to a compact Sony camera with built in wireless. Perhaps in future models they will figure it out. For now, this looks destined for the 2023 edition of DPR's digital camera history article.

3 upvotes

If Sony doesn't vamp up their app - making ISO control and Raw files available - would it be possible to control the thing with third-party apps or any kind of "hacks"?

3 upvotes

PlayMemories is really the weak link in this chain -- as lack of tether support has been a weak point for most Sony cameras. Sony should not only improve the PlayMemories app, but provide an open API that will allow wireless tethering of this and all their wifi-enabled cameras with essentially all camera functions remotely accessible. For example, why not provide a software interface that lets the standard Android camera API ( http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/media/camera.html ) control it? That would enable all sorts of 3rd-party app development. Presumably the same API would then also work for things like the latest NEX models, giving a nice upgrade path....

1 upvote

What this review didn't talk about is what is gained by using a modular camera/lens combined with a smartphone. You get the Camera SDK so that you can write custom android apps for it. I think this is more about the software than the hardware. Tons of possibilities.

3 upvotes

Nice vivisection concept. But no thanks. I have the RX100 and sadly many other cameras of varying sizes. Even with the RX100 in my backpack I have a tendency to reach for my iPhone. As mentioned in another post, I print rarely, I share daily. I am a committed iAll gadgeteer. I will await the time in the near future when the lens tech allows for optical zoom on an iPhone and then I'll have it all. As I was typing it popped into my head when and why I need my D7000, speed. Birds landing on the water, sporting events (even the amazing Snappy Cam app not good enough), my kids, kids running around, etc. I do not wish to lug a "lens" around, thanks Sony but no...I'll just phone it in....

0 upvotes

Thx for letting all of us know.

1 upvote

This doesn't really solve any of the current problems for the user because you still have to carry two devices. Not only that, but now you still have two devices, but your camera can't be used without your phone. So you can't ever just go out with your camera as a single device.

Also consider that in the time it takes to snap the camera on your phone and start the camera app, you could have powered on your regular camera, taken the photo, powered down and gone on your way.

I think pairing a real camera with a smartphone via NFC and WiFi makes more sense. It gives you a more powerful camera for regular use, and still allows for all the functionality of this setup.

6 upvotes

"I think pairing a real camera with a smartphone via NFC and WiFi makes more sense. It gives you a more powerful camera for regular use, and still allows for all the functionality of this setup"
-Just get the RX100 II then and you're done...!

1 upvote

Exactly my point, not sure what benefit this is adding over existing products.

0 upvotes

I like the idea of it a lot. The first thought was that it would be perfect for my wife who is always out taking pictures with her G12 AND iPhone 5 (one pic for later and one to share on FB right away). If she can do both conviniently, G12 would most likely stay home most of the time. $500 is a bit steep, though and the idea that she would have to clip and un-clip the lens all the time, establish the connection, etc to take pictures will most likely not be popular with her and many like her.
One way to find out: order on Amazon, try and return if this product doesn't meet her expectations.

2 upvotes

The Canon G16 has built in WiFi that can share photos anywhere via an app on her iphone.

0 upvotes

true but it means she will stall have to carry two devices and add a hustle of picture transfer. Eye-Fi SD cards are even cheaper but still don't solve the problem. The path that Sony opened might lead to some very "pancake" like zoom lenses that could be easily attached to the phone and left on it for some time. That would solve the problem. Let's wait and see.

0 upvotes

" $500 is a bit steep, though"
I agree, there's where the QX10 ( $250 ) comes in as a great value!

0 upvotes

Besides the lack of control and no raw, it would have been nice to have a flash on this unit (unless I am incorrect) I did not see one. Also, can you use the app to trigger the shutter or will it only fire from the camera? That would be BAD! IMHO this product might have a chance (even with all the other draw backs) if these two things were included. I could then see using it remotely (on a monopod or remotly mounted) and being able to capture shots that I could not get otherwise (think animals, street photos, sports, etc...). And we all know how poor the quality is on any phone LED flash. That having been said, if there is no strobe on the unit, perhaps the app could at least sync and fire the phone flash in order to provide some lighting support...

0 upvotes

Sony has an uncanny ability to underestimate the target markets for their products. This camera is a bold and daring idea - perfect for all sorts of applications including travel and street photography. Heck - pair it up with an iPad Mini and you've go a good starting place for a digital field camera.

Unfortunately Sony has crippled this little dude so badly it will probably become a footnote in history. Heck - anyone willing too settle for a glorified point and shoot will be happy enough with the camera that's already on their smartphone.

I understand market segmentation, I just don't understand Sony's take on it.

6 upvotes

Smartphone cameras actually still have really lousy IQ, even when compared to P&S, with very few exceptions. IMHO most are just to help in a situation when you can't reach to a camera and need instant sharing. Anyway, it looks like Sony is testing the market and if it turns out that the QX's have a reasonable acceptance we'll soon see upgraded versions through firmwares and new models. Other brands will certainly jump in too!

2 upvotes

When it rings while in the middle of shooting, picking it up and having this whole set-up up the face/ear would be a scene :)

5 upvotes

WTF the price is ridiculous, you can just get a RX100

5 upvotes

Exactly my thought !! hahaha insane !
I don't get why this is better than a normal point and shoot cam with Wifi..... arfh !

0 upvotes

So you have your phone in your pocket, but where do you want to leave the lens//camera? I don't think this is going to work.

1 upvote

Not sure who the target market is for this thing. Enthusiasts will just get an RX100II. Consumers won't appreciate the improved IQ and will just use their phone's camera -- especially at $500. So who buys this?

5 upvotes

People said many negative things about the RX100 as well. And yet, I think it was one of the best sold Sony cameras.

Things like these sensor-cameras we will simply have to wait and see.

4 upvotes

I can't see a tripod mount anywhere. There certainly is the space for one. I think it would be helpful for a device like this.

0 upvotes

There is a tripod mount on the bottom.

4 upvotes

There is a tripod mount.

Richard was few seconds faster than me :p

Comment edited 25 seconds after posting

1 upvote

It appears the only positive gain for a system like that is instant sharing of pictures, everything eles IS a BIG step back, over than say carrying a RX 100. Bulky, unballance, two parts, loss of functions, in my view only people who want the latest gizzmos will buy.

The way to go is make Wifi on ca,eras better for photo sharing..

I think it's good Sony is adventusome, all credit for pushing the envelope, but this ideal will fail....

To quote a GF do thay think we are stupit!
Laughing....

Dave

0 upvotes

The most positive part of this product:
It might force Sony to update the PlayMemories application (or even open up its APIs), some thing that would (for most other companies except Sony) be a good thing for my RX100M2 camera.

1 upvote

Samsung got it right with their integrated Samsung galaxy camera design.

This contraption looks as if the lens/camera could easily fall off if you tried to answer the phone - an expensive mistake.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 137