Howard Schatz photos. Here he is - a talent! On the other hand, if you say that someone is "angry", everyone will have their own idea of ​​what it looks like

Modern smartphones compete almost equally with digital cameras, second only to them in the size of the matrix and the optical properties of the lens. Interchangeable lenses for smartphones increase the camera's viewing angle, optically bring the subject closer and make it possible to take macro photographs.

Lens type

The Fisheye lens (aka “fish eye”) is designed to create spherical images. This is an ultra-wide-angle lens, the viewing angle of which can reach 180 degrees, but the straight lines at the edges of the image are distorted. Fisheye captures large objects in their entirety, even at close range.

A telephoto lens has a long focal length - it is used to photograph distant objects. Most interchangeable lenses have a fixed focal length, but zoom models are also available. The interchangeable telephoto lens has optical zoom, which gives a higher quality image than digital.

Super-Wide is a wide-angle lens with a camera angle of up to 82 degrees. Since smartphone manufacturers rarely indicate the field of view angle of the built-in cameras, it is difficult for them to accurately determine this indicator. A wide-angle lens is used to photograph architecture and landscapes.

A macro lens is used to take pictures of flowers, insects and any other small objects. In most cases, an optical macro lens shows better results than the software macro mode on a smartphone.

Mount type and form factor

A replacement module is a lens for a smartphone, made in the form factor of a separate accessory. It can be attached to the back of the smartphone or connected via an interface connector. The lenses in such modules are actually independent digital cameras - they can be equipped with optical stabilization, optical zoom, and even their own flash.

A smartograph is a replaceable module with a lens that is attached to a smartphone. As a rule, it is equipped with its own memory, battery and has its own controls. The interchangeable modules have lenses with optical zoom and a built-in flash. Some of the devices are compatible with interchangeable lenses for professional and semi-professional digital cameras and are equipped with a full mount. When shooting, the viewfinder is the screen of a smartphone, with which the lens is connected via wireless communication (most often Wi-Fi).

External cameras and video cameras, including those that take photos and videos in 360° format, not only broadcast the image to a smartphone, but also connect to it directly. These cameras have their own battery and memory card slot.

An attachment is a type of mount that allows the lens to be mounted on a smartphone without a case or with a very thin case. Fastening attachments are usually designed only for one model or family of smartphones. The attachment indicates which smartphones it is intended for.

The clip secures the lens over the lens of the built-in camera, even in a case, but you need to make sure that no light gets into the gap. This universal type Mounting - a lens with a clip can be installed on both the main and front cameras. The lens is held in place by a spring, so shaking the smartphone while shooting is not recommended. You should also not attach the clip to a smartphone in a thick case - it may slip off.

A magnet is a rather exotic type of fastening; it is used only with smartphones with a metal case. Sometimes it is found in hybrid designs - when the lens base is attached to the smartphone with a clip or attachment, and the lenses are held in place by a magnet. The magnetic fastener is also designed for additional fixation of lenses in the form of replaceable modules for a smartphone.

Materials

Depending on the type of mount, interchangeable lenses are made of plastic or metal, and lenses are made of glass or plastic. Plastic fasteners are safe for the smartphone body, but plastic lens lenses are easy to scratch.

A metal rim around the lens can protect it if it falls, but metal fasteners significantly increase total weight smartphone with lens.

Reference article based on the expert opinion of the author.

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Review of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100: like the real thing

Let's start with the fact that one of the smartphones - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 - was already in our test laboratory. In that previous article, we got acquainted with the device, studied how it interacts with a smartphone, and took the first pictures with it. However, since Sony smartphones not only have their own optics, but also a matrix, they can be considered full-fledged digital point-and-shoot cameras. Okay, okay, almost full-fledged: yes, they don’t have a display. Nevertheless, we will test them and treat them as full-fledged compacts - with all rigor and without any concessions. It’s not for nothing that the manufacturer included them in the Cyber-shot series of compact digital cameras.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 - white, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 - black

When we first met the younger model - the QX10 - we did not consider the camera as a serious rival to ordinary “compacts”. Still, the resulting images could compete, for example, with photographs taken on the Samsung Galaxy S IV, but nothing more. Let’s admit, we wrote off the device as a toy-trinket. We hasten to correct ourselves: in the process of detailed study of new gadgets, our opinion gradually changed. Many people know that dozens of lenses of various types have been released for smartphone cameras - fisheye lenses, telephoto lenses, and even macro lenses. True, the quality of the image obtained with their help was often not liked by users. Smartphones are designed to change this - with their help, even an old communicator can get a good camera. Therefore, at the very least, Sony should be given a bow for attempting innovation. Camera lenses also have a zoom, so adored by many users of digital point-and-shoot cameras, and even a feature favored by more advanced photographers manual settings photo parameters. Simply put, now everything looks the same as for owners of real digital cameras.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 - in our test laboratory for the first time

This time we had at our disposal both smartographs on the market: the younger DSC-QX10, which we studied last time, and the more serious DSC-QX100. The difference between them is colossal - the manufacturer estimated it at ten thousand rubles. The QX10 will empty the pockets of buyers by a very humane 8,490 rubles (recommended retail price), while the QX100 will ruin them by as much as 18,990 rubles. Despite the fact that the devices are similar externally (we'll talk about this a little later), internally they are completely different. And that's why.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 left, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 right

The manufacturer notes that the sensor of both cameras is made using Exmor R CMOS technology (Sony's proprietary back-illuminated matrix), which achieves greater light transmittance. As a result, photos in low light conditions are more saturated. The younger model - QX10 - is similar in characteristics to an entry-level “compact”: a small, 1/2.3-inch matrix paired with low-aperture optics with a maximum relative aperture of ƒ/3.3 at the short end and ƒ/5.9 at the long end. Perhaps the most noticeable advantage of the camera is its tenfold zoom lens, covering a focal length of 25-250 mm in 35 mm equivalent. The Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 cannot boast of this - it only has a 3.6x zoom, covering a range from 28 to 100 mm (again, converted to 35 mm format). But the older model has a one-inch matrix and high-aperture optics made by Carl Zeiss with a maximum aperture of ƒ/1.8-4.9. Thus, the advantages of a large zoom are offset by the quality of the output image - we predict that the QX100 should be much better. It’s easy to figure out which of the cameras is the older one based on its dimensions - the “ten” is much smaller and almost twice as light as the “hundred”. The latter's characteristics are similar to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II compact camera, which we tested a few months ago.

Let us remind you if anyone has forgotten or was too lazy to study the material dedicated to the DSC-QX10 smartograph. The main feature of the new Sony cameras is that they look like interchangeable lenses. The devices turned out to be very compact and portable, if you do not take into account the lack of a display and, as a consequence, the impossibility in practice of shooting without a smartphone or tablet - “shooting” blindly is frankly inconvenient, and the percentage of defects during such shooting is off the charts.

When shooting, the camera lens can be held in your hand or attached to a smartphone. For this purpose, special sliding latches, similar to wings, are provided on the smartograph body. True, their scope is not enough for some six-inch giant like Sony Xperia Z Ultra. However, to put it mildly, the smartphone was able to fit on the rather large Samsung Galaxy Note II, but it won’t fit on anything larger. You can also buy branded cases with supposedly a bayonet mount and turn your phone into an almost “mirrorless” camera, but for now they are only available for Sony Xperia Z1.

Smartphone mounts on the back of the cameras

Hidden under the mount is a 600 mAh battery (2.22 Wh, 3.7 V), which is powered by the usual microUSB 2.0. The camera control keys - the power and shutter buttons, as well as the zoom lever and the already mentioned "USB" interface are scattered along the body. It is unusual to use the keys located on the body of smart phones - it is much more convenient to control devices from a phone or tablet.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 smartphones with standard mounts removed

Viewfinder

The shooting process is the same as in the case of a traditional digital camera - after attaching the device to the body of the smartphone, the resulting gadget cannot help but resemble a twin brother from the family of traditional “compacts”. Full likeness requires the dedicated Play Memories Mobile viewfinder app (available for Android 2.3 or higher and iOS 4.3 or higher) to take pictures. The main advantage of the program and its common feature with the line of digital cameras is the almost complete copying of the interface and control system from the body of a standard point-and-shoot camera. If you have at least briefly interacted with any modern camera before, then you should not have any difficulties when using Play Memories - all the controls and functions are so intuitive.

It is noteworthy that in smartographs, that is, in Play app Memories, there are several shooting modes. Among them there are no prepared settings for creative shooting, but there is a much more valuable semi-automatic mode - “aperture priority”. True, it is available only for the older model DSC-QX100. However, the “ten”, with its low-aperture optics and tiny matrix, does not need it - anyway, with such “hardware” it will not be possible to control the depth of field. In any case, the losses of the younger model are not great - the three automatic (“Intelligent Auto Mode”, “Super Auto Mode”, “Auto Program”) modes available for both cameras are enough for the eyes. The automation quite quickly and almost accurately estimates the exposure and white balance in the frame. Sehr gut!

The “Intelligent” and “Super Auto” modes are similar to each other, with the only difference being that the first displays the type of scene on the screen (for example, “macro” or “portrait”), while the second does its job without such prompts. The quality of images obtained when shooting in these two modes is the same. “Auto program” allows you to adjust the exposure - from -2 to +2 EV.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 model has a very convenient “manual” shooting mode. To change parameters, you need to click on the box of the desired parameter and thereby activate a virtual wheel with a possible adjustment range. In some ways, this interface is reminiscent of the software menu in touch camera models Canon EOS (650D, 700D). In addition, in the settings section you can select one of many white balance “presets” or set the value manually (from 2500 to 9900 K). For some reason this option is only available in Aperture Priority mode. However, auto modes don’t need it - they themselves do an excellent job of setting the “correct” white balance.

The DSC-QX100 model has a focusing ring on the body, with which you can manually focus on the subject. True, it is not very convenient to use due to the small size of a smartphone with a camera lens. It is better to entrust this task to automation - it copes with it conscientiously.

Autofocus

The autofocus system of both camera lenses works without any noticeable difficulties. Gadgets are able to “catch” focus almost accurately even in low light conditions at any focal length. The only inconvenience is the very large difference in the minimum focusing distance at different zoom positions. Moreover, both the QX10 and QX100 suffer from this. At a wide angle, both gadgets can focus at a distance of just five centimeters from the subject. This is hardly suitable for macro photography - it will turn out to be some kind of too wide-angle macro. It would seem - shoot an object close at a longer focal length. But no! At the “long end”, the minimum focusing distance increases significantly: the “older” model DSC-QX100 is capable of focusing at a distance of half a meter, and the QX10 will need more than a meter for this.

Photo tests

Due to the lack of an “aperture priority” mode on the QX10 model, a comparative test with the same parameters for two smartphones cannot be carried out. Moreover, manual ISO sensitivity setting is not available on either camera. To force the camera to raise the ISO, we had to resort to manually adjusting the exposure. Because of the nuances described, we preferred to test the cameras separately.

Photography was carried out at the widest possible focal length - 4.45 mm. Full-length fragments of the central part of the frame were selected as samples for comparison. Excess grain in the image is practically absent in frames with low photosensitivity, and the quality of the picture as a whole is pleasantly surprising: there are practically no artifacts. With increasing ISO, the expected slight deterioration in image quality is observed: noise comes out, as well as artifacts of their software suppression. Please note that thanks to the built-in software “noise reduction” (which, by the way, cannot be turned off in the settings), it is quite difficult to detect color noise, and contrast noise is also not very pronounced. Generally overall quality images can be rated as acceptable. For this class of technology, certainly.

Images with an aperture value of ƒ/3.3 were surprisingly quite sharp.

FR 4.45 mm, 1/60, ƒ/3.3, ISO 100

As you approach the edge of the frame, the sharpness decreases somewhat, but the overall detail of the image does not drop much. In general, throughout the entire image field there are no special complaints about the level of detail.

The QX100 handles video shooting almost perfectly. There are no claims here about the correctness of the definition of white balance. The image stabilizer does its best and does a pretty good job of properly suppressing camera shake. The QX100 lets down its autofocus a bit: there are misses here, especially when zooming on a moving subject. But when given the first opportunity to evaluate contrast-based sharpness, the QX100 does so quickly and accurately. By the way, the camera’s intelligence is well supported in this matter by the increased aperture of the optics (ƒ/1.8), so even in low-light conditions, the video shooting process will not create any particular difficulties for the operator.

We shot a similar scene with the DSC-QX10. The younger model performed significantly worse in video shooting mode than the QX100. Here the lens aperture played a fundamental role. Due to savings on the optical properties of the equipment, a greater load falls on the software part of the camera. After all, the matrix will have to cope with the lack of light in the frame, since it is by no means limitless possibilities photosensitivity. The maximum ISO value is 3200 for both models, but even this is not enough for the “junior”: noise becomes noticeable in the video, and, frankly speaking, there is too much “blockage” in the shadows, so it’s hardly possible to shoot video at night on the QX10 - The videos come out too dark. Otherwise, the situation is almost similar to that of the QX100. Here, failures in autofocus accuracy are also noticeable when changing the zoom position, although the older model coped with them more quickly. The white balance assessment also turned out to be less accurate - the color temperature was recorded several hundred kelvins higher than the real one.

In general, it remains to be noted that the video recording function on these models is intended for beginners and amateurs and does not pretend to be more professional level. Indeed, at first glance it may seem that the picture quality is more than high (even at night), but this is achieved by all kinds of video stream compression technologies, where moiré appears in place of noise, and frame-by-frame detail decreases due to the averaging of adjacent frames. However, the DSC-QX100 will have plenty of capabilities for amateur video shooting.

Autonomous operation

Both cameras are powered by a 600 mAh lithium-ion battery (2.22 Wh, 3.7 V). The charge is enough for an average of 250-300 shots when paired with a smartphone. It should be taken into account that O Most of the energy is consumed by transferring pictures via Wi-Fi. Therefore, to extend battery life, you can try to take photos blindly. True, the percentage of successful shots, of course, will decrease significantly. So it’s better to have a charger on hand and “power” the smartphones after each shoot.

Conclusion

We communicated very closely with smartographers throughout the week and were still unable to determine our attitude towards them. On the one hand, this is a truly new product, which has no analogues. The idea is very interesting - to turn any more or less modern smartphone or tablet into a system camera. Sony had everything to implement it properly: technically the smartographs turned out to be quite suitable. In particular, the older Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 left a very pleasant aftertaste. This is truly a full-fledged advanced “compact” in a miniature body, and the quality of the image it produces is appropriate. The younger smartograph deserves a less clear description. On the one hand, it's still the same interesting invention, and it costs much more reasonable money. On the other hand, is it worth bothering so much (there are no more precise words to describe this process) in order to end up with a camera from the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom? We don't think so. Therefore, if you have a desire to touch the new product, we recommend looking towards the DSC-QX100, even if it is much more expensive. After all, many of us are not rich enough to buy cheap things. With regard to smartographs, this statement is as true as possible.

Now, is it worth buying one of the new products, or is it easier to get a traditional digital camera, or even an entry-level SLR? Indeed, exactly easier do the latter. The fact is that Sony engineers missed the point. There is a product and it is good. But its interaction with users’ smartphones and, most importantly, with the users themselves is quite crude. Operating lens cameras is not very convenient. Software needs improvement, various kinds of errors appear from time to time, which are not at all expected. Let us repeat, perhaps these are shortcomings of our test copies. However, be that as it may, someday smartographs will be brought to fruition - and then many will like them. In the meantime, this device is only for geeks.

Have you always wanted to take great photos with your smartphone, but lazy manufacturers still won’t put normal cameras in their devices? Sony solved the problem by releasing a “smartograph” - an “attached camera” that works with most mobile devices. The quality of photos and videos is 5 plus, but there is a big “but”.

Traditional amateur cameras have never been as advanced as they are today, and never have buyers been more indifferent. Ordinary users are increasingly choosing smartphones, the best of which are capable of taking excellent photos. But manufacturers are not giving up, trying to maintain this market with new innovative products.

Sony, a company with a wealth of experience in digital photography, offered unique solution, magically giving a smartphone the photographic capabilities of a high-quality digital compact - the DSC-QX100 smartograph:

From the very nomenclature of the name (DSC - digital still camera) it is clear that this is a camera. However, it is devoid of a screen and any interface, and the only controls left are the shutter button and the zoom ring.

All control is carried out from an application on a smartphone (iPhone or Android device), with which the QX100 is paired via Wi-Fi. From the screenshots it is clear how the work is organized:

When paired, the camera acts as an access point to which the smartphone connects instead of the main network. That is, if you shoot within WiFi coverage at home or in the office, you will then have to reconnect back to share photos. And yet, do not lose the password for the WiFi camera printed on the user manual.

Mechanically, the QX100 interfaces with the device more simply - using a sliding spring-loaded mechanism with soft rubber, non-scratching “feet”. An iPhone transformed with the help of a smartograph into a “photocyborg” looks like this:

The mount is only relatively strong, so the user's manual recommends attaching the included wrist strap to the camera and keeping it on at all times.

First, the good stuff - the pictures and videos are great, it’s surprising and even a little strange to see such quality on a smartphone screen, especially for night photography. We have the hardware to thank for this, which is a modification of the flagship compact camera Sony RX100 II average cost 28,000 rubles. This is what the recipe for success looks like:

• 1" back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor with 20.2 million effective pixels
• lens with a focal length of 28 - 100 mm (when shooting 4:3 photos)
• maximum aperture F1.8 (wide-angle) - F4.9 (tele)
• 3.6x zoom

And this is what the results look like, this is the level of a good mirrorless or budget DSLR, previously achieved by Sony in the premium digital compact RX100 and its second edition (click, to view in full size):

The original photos and videos taken with the Sony QX-100 can be downloaded from the Dropbox gallery using this link. To get an adequate idea of ​​the capabilities of the QX100, you need to download the video, and not view it on the website - Dropbox, like other hosting services, compress it with a huge loss of quality in order to speed up online transmission.

If, for example, you decide to amaze your friends on social networks with masterpieces of landscape or staged photography, impressively detailed macro shots (minimum focal length - 5 cm), then the QX100 will allow you to cope with the task with a bang, really making it as easy as possible to transfer pictures to an Internet-connected device (you can also process it to enhance the impression in some Snapseed).

This is also a great option if you need a "spy" camera for secret shots, or have just always wanted to shoot with the lens separated from the camera (for example, raised above the heads of the crowd or lowered almost to the ground, stuck in a rabbit hole, or you want to watch into a smartphone, to see what is happening behind you, well, in general, I think the idea is clear).

Then you can calmly and slowly transfer full-size photos to your smartphone (only a 2-megapixel small copy is automatically downloaded) and edit them (alas, there is no possibility of shooting in RAW). It’s also important not to forget to turn off the gadget, or at least - the constant transfer of images from the camera to the smartphone in Live View mode, which sometimes lags, drains its battery literally before our eyes.

But for quick shooting - namely, a randomly captured frame is often the best - the innovative device is absolutely not suitable. While you turn it on, connect it with a clothespin to the smartphone body and launch the application, the frame will be lost. Walking around with a “smartograph” weighing 180 grams constantly attached to your phone is also not an option; the design will not fit into any jeans pocket:

Those who hope to get all the settings familiar to even advanced amateur cameras in the QX100 will be disappointed. You can really influence the quality of the resulting image only to a limited extent. Namely, there is an aperture priority mode, exposure compensation, and a choice of white balance presets (there is no manual adjustment or setting to a white sheet). You can choose manual or automatic focusing. The rest, including turning on the night mode, is left to the automation. There is no full-fledged manual mode, which is found even in many more expensive point-and-shoot cameras, or at least a shutter priority mode. But we are talking about a camera that costs 19,000 rubles, which is exactly how much the Sony QX100 costs.

On the one hand, I really don’t want to scold Sony. “Smartograph” takes excellent photos and videos, the quality of which is unlikely to ever be achievable in the smartphone form factor without the invention of fundamentally new photography technologies. However, it is immeasurably more convenient to do all the same things with a compact camera, such as the RX100, than to use a small, but at the same time strangely bulky accessory. You can solve the problem of sending pictures to the Network using any Wi-Fi-enabled camera or simply by purchasing. You can edit comfortably and again send it to the Internet from an iPad by purchasing an adapter for reading SD cards.

In general, Sony has created a device that takes excellent pictures and videos, but it is extremely inconvenient to use. It’s hard for me to imagine that anyone other than geeks fascinated by the exoticism of the QX100 would be willing to pay 19,000 rubles for the device. Those who want to conveniently and quickly take mirrorless or inexpensive DSLR-level photos directly on their smartphone can only dream further.

It's no secret that compact cameras today are losing popularity and leaving the market, giving it to smartphones. Although quite a lot of time has passed since the beginning of September and the QX-10 and QX-100 models announced by Sony are no longer difficult to find in many stores, these cameras are still perceived by many as a curiosity, approaching them with curiosity and some caution.

Sony DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 smartphones: field testing of “wireless lenses”

People have already begun to come up with unusual-looking cameras different names– “wireless lens”, “smartograph”, “lens-style camera”... Perhaps electronic innovations have not caused such a lasting resonance for a long time. So we decided to get to know this couple a little closer and expand somewhat on what was published earlier.

It turned out that there were also a lot of people who wanted to, so we didn’t have much time to get acquainted, especially with the older model.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10

Previous experiments with modular devices. Perhaps Sony was also prompted to move in this direction by something inherited from the archives of the once absorbed Minolta company, which released the Dimage V model at the end of 2004. At that time, they never dreamed of any Wi-Fi in the camera, but the ability to “unfasten” the lens from cameras and filming from non-standard angles was provided by the cable.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Today, you can control the shooting process via Wi-Fi on many SLR cameras; transferring images over the network has also ceased to be a novelty.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

QX series cameras are interesting, first of all, not for their technical characteristics. Most of their “fillings” are previously proven solutions. It's funny, but the innovation was not the introduction of something new, but the removal of the usual, seemingly self-evident thing - the display. Sony sculptors were the first who were able to cut off “unnecessary” functions, transferring all camera control to a smartphone, while reducing the camera itself as much as possible.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

The older model QX100 is based on the top-end RX100. The basis of the younger model, apparently, was the Cyber-shot DSC-WX100.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

In the case of the older model, you will have to pay slightly less for the image quality known from the RX100, and the weight of the new product is approximately two times different. Although you can’t stuff the black cylinder into every pocket, the chances that the owner will not be too lazy to find a place for it in the bag are much greater than for the RX-100 “brick” weighing about 240g.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

With the younger model, the savings in weight are insignificant, although the gain in size is obvious. However, the recommended price turned out to be even slightly higher than the usual “soap box”. Before the older model arrived at the editorial office, we just had time to figure out “why pay more?”

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

Although the QX cameras are quite capable of shooting autonomously, using them without a smartphone is not very convenient. The camera can be “sharpened” in a few days, but still too high a percentage of snapshots taken offhand go into the trash, and the few interesting shots need significant processing.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

Using the “smartograph” by attaching it to a smartphone turned out to be quite convenient. The “clothes clip” holds smartphones of different sizes quite securely. It is most convenient to hold such a composite camera with your left hand under the lens, with both the zoom lever and the shutter button under your thumb. For the older model, there is also a ring, which, depending on the selected mode, allows you to control either manual focusing or zoom. At the same time, control is also available using the smartphone screen. However, the traditional camera still seems noticeably more convenient in terms of ergonomics. But as soon as you unhook the smartphone from the camera, the latter’s potential begins to gradually unfold. Although shooting while holding the camera in one hand and the phone in the other is not very convenient, it becomes possible to get to unusual angles.

It seemed very convenient to use “smartographs” with a small tabletop tripod. As it turns out, a tripod is useful not only in twilight - holding the cylindrical QX body in one hand is not very convenient to control the horizon. These models do not yet have a built-in level indicator. It turned out that most users reflexively tilt their smartphone so that the image on the screen is rotated properly. So the picture on the smartphone screen does not always help to straighten the horizon. Very interesting results can be obtained when a smartphone is in the hands of one person, and the smartphone that controls it is in the hands of another. At a distance of several meters the system works quite stably. True, this functionality is interesting, rather, as a new gaming application for gadgets.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

Pictures can be transferred to a smartphone immediately, or can be saved to a memory card installed in the camera. You can transfer a full-size image or a small copy to your smartphone. It’s interesting, but the time it takes to transmit a full picture and a two-megapixel “preview” via WiFi differs, but in a much smaller proportion than the amount of information transferred. This is probably due to the peculiarities of the camera firmware. A small problem, also related to WiFi, was found in both the older and younger models - outdoors, for some reason, the connection between the camera and smartphone is occasionally interrupted, although indoors there are no problems. Possibly the cause is low temperature. Getting the bundle back to work is not difficult – you just need to restart the application on your smartphone.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100

The PlayMemories Mobile application itself is simple and easy to use. But after turning it on, you shouldn’t expect that a full set of camera settings will appear on the smartphone screen. With the older QX100, it is possible to select shooting modes, in particular, aperture priority is available, but there is neither a full manual mode nor the ability to shoot in RAW format. Unfortunately, manual setting of the ISO value is also not provided. For the younger model, the choice of settings is even more modest. Supporting some of the functions would require a significant complication of the camera design; the other part is apparently blocked at program level. It’s more likely that it wasn’t even originally developed. On the one hand, it makes no sense for a manufacturer to create competition between its own models of different lines; on the other hand, if successful, it will be clear what to add to new models. Well, thirdly, let us remember that such a solution will be of interest to those who will not carry a camera with them. And even more so dealing with numerous “extra” settings.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

Another element that these cameras lack is a flash. It would probably be interesting to be able to control both the camera and external flash from a smartphone, but with two hands, not many people will be able to deftly handle three objects. The ability to use a smartphone's flash in conjunction with QX cameras is also not provided. As it turns out, the lack of flash doesn't hurt these cameras at all. A small tripod or any suitable surface - and you can easily shoot in twilight or almost complete darkness. If, for example, in a club or restaurant you manage to ask your friends to freeze, then there is a chance to get a noticeably better photo of your company than what your new expensive smartphone will produce, even with a flash. If there is a lack of light, you can use the “Superior Auto” mode - several pictures will be taken for subsequent “gluing” into one, which at times significantly enlivens the picture. You don’t even have to freeze, but simply switch to video mode. Both the younger and older QX cope very well with videos, even in very low light. Yes, in both photos and videos you can be in the frame with a new smartphone in your hands.

It's nice that the compact and lightweight NP-BN battery provides the cameras with a sufficient power reserve. And it’s easy to charge the camera via a standard micro-USB connector.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

Unfortunately, cameras cannot operate when a power source is connected. This feature could be useful, for example, in time-lapse photography. This mode is not provided in the PlayMemories Mobile application, but several pictures per day can be taken manually.

As it turns out, the QX models generate a lot of different “wants” for different users. At the same time, the functionality that they would like to receive is, in the vast majority of cases, not an attempt to return something from the lost “traditional” one. It seems that if the QX models take root on the market, many more surprises await us.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

After several days of communicating with the new QX, you stop perceiving them as cameras. The “photo origin” of these gadgets, thanks to the functionality that has opened up in them, fades into the background. This explains the desire to test the camera lens in conditions atypical for a normal camera. At the same time, the older model still seemed more conservative to us. Although a large matrix and a quite decent lens allow you to get an image of very decent quality, with the QX100 you feel some constraint, which is primarily due to the noticeably truncated controls compared to the RX100. This nature of the device quite accurately outlines the circle of its potential buyers - these are quite wealthy people who do not want to dive into the intricacies of photography. Buying a serious camera for rare subjects of interest to them will not be considered advisable, and the quality lower than that of the QX-100 will not be considered sufficient. The younger model, on the contrary, seemed very easy-going and friendly. At one point you can move from a fairly deep macro to examining details on the other side of the street. And the opportunity to take a photo by placing the camera “inside” the object is simply unique. No traditional camera simply can be in such shooting positions due to its size. The significantly more democratic and even mischievous nature of the QX10 makes the potential audience for this device wide and very diverse.

Photo taken Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100.

Clicking on a thumbnail will open a full-size image.

With all the features and identified shortcomings, the “first pancake” was clearly not lumpy. But it is unlikely that for Sony the introduction of such unusual cameras to the market was a bold experiment. This looks much more like a fairly accurate calculation, especially if you compare the recommended prices for the models new series QX with similar “traditional” models. A reasonable amount of risk can easily be justified by the size of the potential audience, because these are not only bloggers who instantly send their latest photos to the Internet. This is any smartphone user who does not want to burden himself with a separate camera, but at the same time is not too happy with the quality of the built-in one. An external lens and a matrix with a “non-telephone” size are already in some way a guarantee of better image quality than in a phone.

What else do you need from a good adult toy?

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Alexander Lyubimov

Compare two descriptions of human calibration:

At that moment, he began to worry and was somehow surprised at first, and then withdrew into himself and thought about something good and pleasant.
- When he gets excited, he blushes a little, his breathing becomes more erratic, his head tilts a little to the right and his hands clench into fists.

In the first case, a person rather tells his opinion. But each person usually has his own ideas about how exactly someone gets excited, surprised and withdraws into himself. If you frown, someone will say that “he is upset,” someone that “he is thoughtful,” and someone that “he is angry.”

On the other hand, if you say that someone is “angry”, everyone will have their own idea of ​​what that looks like. One will imagine him rushing about in anger, the other - hunched over and offended. But, most likely, this will not coincide too much with what actually happened.

In order for this information to be used, it must be presented in the most understandable and unambiguous form. Most people still have a more clear idea of ​​what intermittent breathing and tilting the head to the right are than what “withdrawal” looks like.

Sensory-obvious description: external signs that you notice and describe and that other people can easily verify.

Rule "3 on 3"

Following important rule: you need to define for a given state

at least 3 signs, each of which is repeated at least 3 times.

• That is, you need to find at least 3 sensory obvious differences in the calibrated state. This may concern posture, movements, changes in voice or use of certain words. For example:
• Slight tilt of the head to the left.
• The voice is higher.
• Constantly uses the word “for example.”
• Breathing is frequent and uneven.
• The right cheek twitches slightly.
• Tapping your fingers or rhythmically moving your feet.
• Please note that changes in state are manifested at all “levels” - in voice, posture, movements, speech, but may be subtle. But if you are observant enough, you can find even the smallest differences that a “normal” person simply wouldn’t notice.

On the other hand, there can be a lot of signs, so choose those that are easier for you to identify and track.

And repetition 3 times is necessary in order to be sure that the signs relate specifically to this condition. And then people are like that, I asked him to imagine a banana - and he thought about Africa, then about crocodiles, imagined how a crocodile was biting him... And fear suddenly appeared on his face, not pleasure.

Exercise “Sensory-obvious description of a state”

Let's practice making sensory-evident descriptions. At the same time, it is better not to name emotions: sadness, joy, fear, surprise - as soon as you name something with a word, you become attached to the meaning and look for the “right signs”. Just “state 1, 2, 3...”.

There is such a photographer as Howard Schwartz. He likes to give the actors tasks and then take pictures of the results. This assignment is for Emmy Poehler.

1. In the middle of the night, you decide to look at your new boyfriend's email. In the mailbox you find correspondence between him and three other current girlfriends.

2. You are a wealthy lady from Park Avenue. You stopped by your husband’s work and wanted to surprise him. Entering his office, you find him red-handed with his secretary.

3. You are a slightly deranged homeless woman, you have just been arrested for vagrancy.

So. Below is a series of photographs, and each one must be given a set of sensory-obvious descriptions: at least three external signs with the help of which the states can be distinguished from each other.

Since we are working with photographs here, we will have to leave only the first three from the “3 by 3” rule - about the signs. With repetitions another time.