Smartphones have gradually become a standard carry-around IT device for consumers and with their rapidly enhanced camera technologies, most consumers have chosen to use their smartphones for daily photo shoots. However, because of space and weight limitations, smartphone cameras are still unable to match those of digital still cameras (DSC) and to fix the issue, Sony has launched Cybershot QX100 and QX10 lens-type cameras that can connect to smartphones through Sony's near-field communication-supported app.
The cameras provide flexibility to consumers for their photo shooting convenience, and compared to digital cameras with the same-level of specifications, they are also cheaper and easier to carry. However, the cameras' disadvantages in connectivity as communications with smartphones still have serious latency.
The cameras are meant to replace some conventional DSC demand and are expected to become competitors to non-Sony DSC vendors. Sony is currently said to be seeking OEM partners for these cameras.
Since the inconvenience from latency far surpasses their advantages, Digitimes Research believes the cameras will have limited success replacing other DSCs but if the communication issue is improved, consumers are likely to be attracted.