News & Reviews:   Sony Smart Shot

While the Sony Smart Shot or Interchangeable Wireless Lens cameras for smartphones have yet to be officially named or announced, a leaked press release has confirmed many of the features and tech specs rumoured for the two available models. So far, these models remain the Sony QX100 and QX10 and according to the press release will be announced on 4 September at 4pm in London. Tech specs and features are mostly confirmed as the higher-end QX100 will get a 20.1MP Exmor R CMOS sensor but adds a wide aperture ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens with 3.6x optical zoom and Bionz image processor. The QX10 on the other hand will get an 18.2MP Exmore R sensor with 10x optical zoom Sony G lens with a weight of just 113g. The QX100 will be priced at $500 (RM1651) while the QX10 will be priced at $250 (RM826). The video certainly looks official and seems to indicate that the mounting system will be built-in while the wireless lens itself will connect via the Sony PlayMemories app (which is available for both iOS and Android). No news on release dates in Malaysia but we'll probably get that information by tomorrow.

When we first covered the early rumours about a wireless lens, WVIL or the Wireless Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens came up way before the now upcoming Sony Smart Shot wireless lens. Released way back in 2011, the WVIL system isn't a real wireless lens but actually a concept exploring the possibilities of the wireless lens. Put up by the Artefact Group, it offered a look into what they thought would be the natural progression of digital photography with smartphones. While the Sony Smart Shot wireless lens could have come from a different source, the Artefact Group has explored the concept of a wireless lens so fully that there are even concept renders of possible accessories and even an easier to use camera app. We're practically days away from the unveiling of the Sony Smart Shot but if you'd like a possible view at the future of wireless lens check out the pics and videos here.

More images of the upcoming interchangeable wireless lens system for smartphones from Sony have appeared. TheSony Smart Shot wireless lens will still probably arrive in two versions, namely the higher-end Sony DSC-QX100 and consumer compact level Sony DSC-QX10. The new images show how the lens will connect to the frame which seems to be adjustable. The images confirm that the wireless lens will likely connect magnetically also confirming that they will probably be standalone systems complete with their own batteries and other features. No new tech spec information about the wireless lens so we assume that the previously outlined specs are correct. The official reveal should be within the next couple of days or during the IFA 2013 event but no exact details were available on release dates for Malaysia.

After seeing all the pics of the Sony Interchangeable lens supposedly for smartphones in the normal rather boring black, it was awesome when the wireless lens has made an appearance in white and gold. While the lens has been rumoured to be called the Sony ExpressOn other rumours now indicate that it may be called the Sony Smart Shot. Tech specs for the two models, the QX-100 and QX-10 remain the same though as the new name is likely to be a mashup of "Smartphone" and "Cybershot". As a reminder, the QX-100 will likely offer a 20.2MP CMOS sensor and price at $450 (RM) while the QX-10 will use an 18MP CMOS sensor with a price of $230. So far, no Malaysia release dates just yet, but we expect the lens to come out of hiding at the IFA 2013 this September.