Mobile photography became popular when the first mobile with built-in cameras. And nobody cares about was that the resolution of VGA, that the quality is poor – still shooting outdoor recreation, travel, monuments themselves on the background or texture to your desktop.
Technology went forward, people flocked after him. The world saw monsters like Nokia N8 and the K-series camera phones from Sony-Ericsson. But really became popular mobile photo with the iPhone and Instagram. And now no one and did not look askance at people taking pictures on their mobile device.
But the rules of physics are inexorable – size matters. And so the criterion matrix significantly phones do not reach at least compact cameras. And then the good Japanese decided to help anyone who can not live without smart devices and mobilography (or just released another weird gadget?). So what is Sony QX-10 – full camera in the form factor of the lens, compact non-display or a simple addition to shooting enthusiasts on a mobile? Now try to understand.
When it gets hold of the device, and wants with genuine surprise to ask: what is that thing? Body entirely made of plastic and a sense of solidity is not – rather, the impression that after the first falling on something hard with the camera have to say goodbye.
The carcass consists of two parts: a removable attachment to a smartphone, which in addition to the two “feet” there is nothing, and most camera-lens. Front, behind curtains, you can find the hidden lens with 10x Zoom – respectively, a focal length of 35 mm equivalent would sound like 25-250 mm when shooting in 4:3. However, all the advantages of such a long-range optics kills aperture F3.5-5.9 (it’s a little darker than I would like). But incredibly pleased with the fact that the carcass embedded optical stabilization system: thanks to even shoot at the long end much easier.
From behind a plastic cover hiding the battery and memory card Micro SD.
Has found its place on top on / off button on the left – the shutter release and zoom lever. Right – the gauge charge and release lever rear. Below, on the verge of a projection tripod socket – Multi connector for connecting various accessories.
I still could not decide: this contraption that expands the boundaries of mobile photography, or vice versa – a smartphone extends the capabilities of this thing.
At first glance it seems that it’s just a lens for mobile, then you realize that it is a complete compact camera, display the role played by your smartphone. In the end, you realize that one complements the other and get to the truth will be extremely difficult.
Hidden within the matrix 18 megapixel Exmor size 1 \ 2.3” and processor Bionz. According to the characteristics – high-grade compact camera without a screen. The only reality is not so happy.
Surprises begin at Connecting Smart. On paper it looks easy – included QX10, entered the password from the Wi-Fi in mobile settings, run the downloaded application – and are using. In the real world a bit more complicated: connect times obtained from the fifth, rebooting phone, reading the mantras and spells and interspersing all this profanity. When this platform is not important – that iOS, which runs on Android all the same.
The second disappointment is the application itself.
Initially, the ability to shoot the shutter release button on the case – certainly a plus. After shooting surreptitiously becomes much easier. But there are times when you need skadrirovat correctly or just play around with the settings. And then you launch the application, and you know that nothing here is not provided.
Initially, we have touch-pad control camera zoom slider, shutter button and select the focus point tapom. And it seems that all is well, you only get into the menu.
Shooting mode – only P “Intelligent Auto”, and “Auto”. Picture format – only 4:3 or 16:9. ISO is not set shutter speed or aperture, too, metering is selected, video is written only in 1440 to 1080 (it was at the time the video review, but now, with the release of the update, and it fixed the record became available in Full HD). Well, that although exposure compensation left.
Speaking of settings, it is worth noting that the choice of parameters sensitivity fully automatic, but it is a very decent range: up to 1600 ISO in P mode, up to 3200 ISO in iAuto to 12800 and ISO to Auto. But I got the impression that the settings are set when shooting is not clear how. More precisely, the lack of light automatic decides not compensate by maximum values ISO, but due to aging. At least, I did not work to get normal pictures from the concert, because to a smartphone lens stubbornly did not want to be connected, and without a screen shot led to what you see below.
Image quality is decent for such a child. But avarice settings still prevents squeeze out all the juices. The dynamic range a bit lacking, although the same compact cameras, everything is much steeper.
According to the level of defects quibble particularly to nothing – nothing terrible is not here. In the sense that when viewing VEB eyes do not rush. But do understand, I hope that quality as a top glass from some 3-5 K bucks, will not be here. During operation, you will encounter and vignetting, and distortion and chromatic aberration in different degrees of manifestation. Not to mention that in sharpness Sony QX10 hardly win an “excellent”.
Wonderful advice: just try to take this product as an addition to your mobile phone or tablet, and life will become much easier.
Summary
In the end, we got enough obscure device. On the one hand, the concept of it is clear enough and simple – empower your mobile phone. It worked, probably with a bang – show me a single mobile device with a 10x zoom in. But at the same time, without setting in the application Sony QX10 – a device that works on a third of its capacity.
Given the price tag of 350 bucks, I’m sure it will fly. Only likely mobilography lovers or contact Sony geeks. Indeed, such a device is much better and cooler than the Chinese lens for mobile like this. But for everyday life or even as a substitute family soapbox such a device has not yet come up.
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