Sony Malaysia officially launch Xperia Z1 and QX lenses

Wow I was staying up late last night watching IFA at Berlin for Sony and Samsung presentation and today Sony Malaysia is ready for regional launches Sony Xperia Z1. Sony Xperia Z1 is the company latest flagship and it is an upgrade of the Sony Xperia Z.

So what do you expect to see in the newer flagship? Well it is the same 5" FHD display but it is paired with Triluminous and X-Reality for mobile display just like the Xperia Z Ultra. It is also rated IP58/55 for water and dust proof.

Here the key specification for Sony Xperia Z1 :

• 5" TFT Triluminous display of 1920 x 1080 pixels and X-Reality for mobile
• 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal memory with microSD slot
• 20.7MP EXMOR RS back facing camera with 1080p video recording
• 2MP front facing camera with 1080p video recording
• IP58 Waterproof
• LTE
• NFC
• 3000 mAh
• Android 4.2.2
• 44 x 74 x 8.5mm
• 170 grams

On the glance of the spec, you will know Sony are packing up with the latest technology all into the Xperia Z1. The latest snapdragon 800 processor, the 3000 mAh battery pair with Sony Stamina Mode and also the awesome display. If only Sony Xperia Z1 could come with Android 4.3 out of box, it will be perfect.

On the left side of the phone, the microSD slot, micro USB slot and also dock connector easily spotted. On right side is the micro SIM slot, Sony signature power button, volume rocker and also the long lost physical camera shutter key. On top of the device is waterproof 3.5mm jack phone and bottom is the large speaker grill.

The main highlight of Sony Xperia Z1 is the camera. The camera packed with 1/2.3" EXMOR RS sensor size and Sony own imaging processor known as BIONZ. The G lens is 27mm wide with F2. Here some sample images I took using the phone camera.

To be honest I am abit disppointed with the over compressed processing again from Sony for the 8MP (first photo) image. The 20MP (Olympus photo) look much better though. Hopefully the software is not final and Sony will tweak it more.

Sony camera also included few new features :

• Social Live : Broadcast precious moments live from Xperia Z1 to Facebook and get your friends comments right on your screen.
• Info-eye : Innovative visual search function that provides related information on landmarks and on items such as books or wine simply by capturing them with the camera.
• Timeshift burst : Capture the perfect shot every time - Xperia Z1 takes 61 images in 2 seconds - a second before and after pressing the shutter - so you can scroll back and forth to find the perfect image.
• AR Effect : Overlay a selection fun, customizable animations to create pictures using Sony SmartAR augmented reality technology.

The Timeshift burst is something nice to have by a click of shutter. Don't expect a shutter burst sound. It actually took 61 images in 2 second without you realising it. The AR Effect is something fun to play though. Info-eye wasn't really reliable but I found out that it is nice to use for name card where it captures all the info and given option to save it as contact.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is running the latest firmware with latest UI where X-Reality and multiple small apps present.

Sony Xperia Z1 will available on early October. But sadly pricing still unknown.

HANDS ON VIDEO COMING SOON

Beside Sony Xperia Z1, we get to hands on on the long awaiting QX Lenses, QX10 and also QX100.

Sony Cyber-shot QX10 Key Specification :

• 18.2 megapixels
• 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) Exmor R™ CMOS sensor
• BIONZ image processor
• ISO 100 - 3200
• 25–250 mm F3.3 - F5.9 G Lens
• 1440 x 1080 (30 fps) video recording
• 62 x 62 x 33 mm
• 105 grams

Sony Cyber-shot QX100 Key Specification :

• 20.2 megapixels
• 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) Exmor R™ CMOS sensor
• BIONZ image processor
• ISO 160 - 6400
• 28–100 mm F1.8 - F4.9 ZEISS Lens
• 1440 x 1080 (30 fps) video recording
• 63 x 63 x 56 mm
• 179 grams

Both lenses is the new accessories to paired with your smartphones. Well it support Androids and iOS devices as long as your phone has Sony PlayMemories Mobile app. The lenses can be easily paired up with NFC. However for phone without NFC, the connection has to establish manually throw the apps. Well it might look ridiculous but it is awesome :P

Both lenses come with their own optics, image sensor, removable battery, memory card slots, zoom controls and shutter buttons. The lens can be easily attached on the smartphones with the clip/bracket. Of course, you are free to take it out and use the lens to point whichever direction and angle you want since it already paired wirelessly with your phone and your phone act as the viewfinder.

The QX100 allowed A and P mode selection only while the QX10 only P mode. Of course, Auto and Superior mode is present on both lenses.

My personal opinion, the QX lenses is a neat and flexible accessories. Imagine the possibility you can create with the lens regardless any angle or any self portrait you gonna do with the lenses. For those who confuse between the lens, QX10 has smaller sensor but can zoom futher while QX100 has bigger sensor but can't zoom more. Here the sample photos taken by both QX100 and QX10.

QX100

Sorry for the defocus images in QX100 coz I noob don't know that I had to click the screen on my phone to focus.

QX10

Both lenses will available in Mid October. Pricing still unknown but hopefully it is cheap enough to attract more user :)
I won't hesitate to get QX100 and used it as my compact camera along with my smartphones!

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V Review

It is time for full review for this superzoom babe I had. I gotta admit I am having fun with compact sized camera and kinda started to abandon my Olympus E-P3. Alright my review will be divided into few parts, so let's start with something you all familiar with ;)

Key Specification

• 20.4 megapixels
• 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor
• BIONZ imaging processor
• ISO 100 - 3200 (6400, 12800 with boost)
• 24–720 mm with f 3.5-6.3
• 3-axis SuperSteady Shot image stabilization
• 3″ Fixed 921,000 dots XtraFine LCD Screen
• 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) video recording
• Built-In Wi-Fi and GPS
• Lithium-Ion NP-BX1 battery
• 272 g
• 108 x 64 x 38 mm
• RM 1,499

Ease of Use

As a travel zoom camera, Sony willing to take a step to offer 30X optical zoom (24–720 mm) and yet retained the camera body in the smaller form with maximum apertures of f/3.5 at the 24mm wide-angle setting and f/6.3 at the 720mm full telephoto setting. It is such a joy using HX50V with everything from ultra-wide landscapes to candid long-distance portraits within easy reach. The 24mm just wide enough for my liking and I wouldn't wanna go back to 28mm. Yes the 4mm make a difference!

HX50V has simple layout on top and back facing of the body. Unfortunately it wasn't so suitable for manual setting (M,S,A,P MODE) shooter that shoot aggresively. The control button could be pain in ass. It is just good enough for casual shooter who want to shoot in manual setting. Sadly there's no support for the RAW file format, which would really have been the icing on the cake for serious photographers looking for a backup pocket camera to their DSLR.

There is also a hotshoe which Sony called it 'Multi Interface Shoe.' It can be used for attaching one of a range of accessories, including a more powerful flash, an electronic viewfinder (FDA-EV1MK), and even an optical viewfinder (FDA-V1K). I have tried with my both Nissin and Yong Nuo flash unfortunately it doesn't trigger. Guess it need a flash it can TTL with.

The HX50V also offers built-in wi-fi connectivity. You can wirelessly transfer your photos to a smartphone or tablet that's running the free PlayMemories Mobile app, or directly to a networked PC for easier backup. You can also view on a DLNA-compatible TV via a wireless router, or send them straight from the camera a TV that supports Wi-Fi Direct. Finally, you can take control of the camera using your smartphone (fire the shutter, set the self-timer and operate the zoom), handy for including yourself in the frame or even more remote shooting.

However the photos transfer via Wi-Fi to the phone or tablet wasn't in full resolution. Abit disappointing in this though. Other than that, it is a killer features for all social media lover to have. I did transfer the camera photo to my phone and allowed me to Instagram it instantly during my HK trip ;)

if you're curious on how far 720mm can zoom, check out my video below :)

Autofocus

Autofocus speed has been very important to me since I have adapted Olympus E-P3 as my main shooter gear. The HX50V no doubt, can focus very fast on day light even on wide angle or telephoto. However, it suffer alot during lowlight.

I brought it to the concert at Good Vibes Festival few weeks back and it is abit pain in ass to focus in telephoto. It often miss to focus or sometime just refuse to focus. Not to mention it is slow. I won't blame that since I know compact camera limitation still there. The lens also not a fast lens for low light. You'll need to sacrifices ISO to gain faster shutter speed when shoot in telephoto when you're shooting action. Well, after all it wasn't a camera for action/sport.

ISO and Noise

As the spec, Sony HX50V comes with ISO ranging from 100 - 3200 (6400, 12800 with boost). It is undeniable that the camera sensor and imaging processer play important roles in noise reduction. I got a habit turning off the noise reduction and also noise filter to all my camera. The HX50V won't be exceptional.

In this ISO and Noise sample, I divided it into 2 parts simply shoot with wide angle (24mm) and also telephoto (720mm).

24mm with 100% crops

ISO 100

ISO 200

ISO 400

ISO 800

ISO 1600

ISO 3200

ISO 6400

ISO 12800

720mm with 100% crops

ISO 100

ISO 200

ISO 400

ISO 800

ISO 1600

ISO 3200

ISO 6400

ISO 12800

Overall I will say it has produce a very good image quality. Well not until ISO 800 where image started to look soft. Not worth using ISO 6400 and 12800 as it will completely destroyed your images. Other than that, I am very satisfied with the HX50V.

Video

The HX50V come with various format for video recording - 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps). I often shoot in full HD and the 1080p allowed me to shoot in 60fps. This cause the action and movement in the video become silky smooth which some of our eye couldn't accept it. I did shoot alot video during my HK trips but I am still in progress editing it. Meanwhile, here 1 of the low light video I shoot during my visit to Disneyland :) Enjoy!

More Photos

I have a bunch of photos taken in HK using this camera. Be it daylight, lowlight or even on telephoto, I enjoy using it during my trip. Same goes to some casual event I attended.

Verdict

What I like : -

• Small and light. Easy to put in my jeans pocket.
• The wide angle lens and telephoto.
• Wi-Fi for easy transfer photos.
• Hotshoe (though I have no chance to use it at all)

What I dislike : -

• Slow autofocus on lowlight
• low battery life

What I hope in future : -

• 
  
• Faster lens eventhough it sacrifice abit the camera size
• Faster autofocus
• Bigger sensor for the 20MP, either 1/1.7" or 1" like sibling, RX100mII. Don't mind sacrifice abit the camera size
• Longer battery life
• Mic jack so that I can use my Rode Mic :P

Ok I guess I am asking too much. Overall, I am very satisfied with the HX50V. It has become my everyday camera to bring out for casual usage but still nowhere near to replace my main shooter when come for jobs or events. For those who looking for superzoom travel compact, this is highly recommended to you :)