Sony's lens camera concept wasn't just a one-year wonder, as shown by Sony adding two new lenses at IFA 2014: the QX1 and QX30.
The basic idea remains the same. You attach these lenses to your phone and control them using an app. They don't need to be attached to the phone all the time, though, as they're wireless.
The QX1 (pictured) is a sensor and lens mount for proper, SLR-style lenses. It has 20.1-megapixel APS-C size sensor, the same sensor type as in Sony's proper, top-end cameras like the A6000.
It supports any E-mount and A-mount lenses of Sony's lens line-ups and has a bulit-in pop-up flash. It is, in effect, a way to turn your phone into a full-fledged mirrorless lens camera, which is crazy in a cool, "I'd like to try that" kind of way.
The QX1 also comes with a 'free-angle' shooting kit, which Sony says is "perfect for selfies and low/high angle shooting". It goes on sale in October for £249.
If the QX1 courts the serious photographer, the QX30 is firmly in the casual camp. It's a 30x optical zoom lens, the kind you find on popular compact travel cameras.
It has the familiar 1/2.3-inch size sensor, an F3.5 to F6.3 aperture range and 24mm wide-angle. It supports video shooting at Full HD, but also continuous shooting at 10fps. It will also cost £249 but goes on sale this month.
