Smartphones and tablets are compelling platforms for implementing embedded vision applications for numerous reasons, as I've already written and spoken about on several past occasions. High-resolution image sensors combine with robust application processors (often containing dedicated image processor and/or DSP cores) and equally robust operating systems and APIs, and high shipment volumes and service provider subsidies translate both into large potential customer bases and low prices. But cost and form factor pressures also often lead to sub-optimal optics. Lens assemblies are predominantly-to-completely plastic-fabricated, complete with requisite distortions, optical zoom capabilities are largely absent, and pixel interpolation-based "digital zoom" algorithms historically have produced sub-par results (although encouraging progress has recently been made in this regard).
Smartphone suppliers offer varying approaches to delivering meaningful zoom capabilities to their latest-generation products. Most, as CEVA's Super-Resolution announcement from earlier this year suggests, are harnessing a completely software-based approach in conjunction with conventional-resolution image sensors. In the case of Nokia's Lumia 1020, software-supplied (and processor-delivered) "smarts" combine with ultra-high resolution camera source images. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy S4 Zoom, as its name implies, bolts a true optical zoom lens onto a smartphone foundation. Each approach has its merits and shortcomings. But they all require that consumers purchase new hardware in order to take advantage of them, a particularly unappealing prospect (at least for consumers…the converse is the case for manufacturers) in times of fiscal constraint.
Sony thinks it's got a solution, two actually, although I'm admittedly skeptical no matter that I commend the company on its inventiveness. Sony's Cyber-Shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 optical zoom accessories (here's a teardown of the latter) were unveiled at the IFA show earlier this month. They're designed to be attached to the rear of a smartphone (not necessarily Sony's; a variety of both Android and iOS-based devices are supported), where they mate over NFC, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to the handset, are controlled by software running on it, and leverage its front-facing LCD or OLED as their viewfinder. In the process, they supersede any camera (and associated software and processing resources) that might be already built into the smartphone.
Below are specifications for both devices, courtesy of AnandTech's coverage:
|
|
Sony DSC-QX100 |
Sony DSC-QX10 |
|
Resolution |
20.2 MP |
18.2 MP |
|
CMOS image sensor format |
1/1.0", 2.4µm pixels |
1/2.3", 1.3µm pixels |
|
Image sensor size |
13.2mm x 8.8mm |
6.2 x 4.6 mm (approx) |
|
Lens specifications |
10.4-37.1 mm (30-108mm equiv), F/1.8-4.9 |
4.45-44.5 mm |
|
Integrated SoC |
Sony "Bionz" ISP |
Sony "Bionz" ISP |
|
Storage |
microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
|
Video recording capabilities |
1440x1080p30 |
1440x1080p30 |
|
Price |
$500 |
$250 |
|
Availability |
Late September (available for pre-order at Amazon) |
Late September (now stocked at Amazon) |
Given the products' formidable price tags, not to mention the incremental bulk that they add to the foundation hardware, I'm uncertain as to how many of either variant Sony will end up selling. Consider, for example, that Nokia's Lumia 1020 is now priced at only $199 on contract. And just a few hours ago, I saw a 16 Mpixel standalone point-and-shoot camera (waterproof, even!) on sale for $140. Nonetheless, these new Cyber-Shot accessories may still be of interest to embedded vision developers, especially if Sony provides third-party access to the products' "Bionz" ISPs either directly or via published APIs.
