Practical addition to smartphone for casual photographers - with limitations

Although the built-in cell phone cameras today are much better than their predecessors, so they come but still quickly reach their limits. High pixel numbers alone do not make it up. What could be more than the thought, technically upgrade the smartphone or tablet via secondary camera? Manufacturer SONY has these thoughts here quite well implemented, although there is still some left to be desired in my opinion.

DELIVERY:
In the small, cylindrical shipping carton, a USB cable are (micro USB connector on normal USB plug), a wrist strap, a 11-language small Handbüchlein, the battery and the actual camera top together with support for smartphones. This fits well for the now quite large smartphone representatives. For tablets, there has been a separately sold mounting ("SPATA1.SYH QX-holder for Tablet"), but this is no longer even on the Sony page discoverable.
A memory card is just as bad here as a protective cover for the SmartShot-.

INSTALLATION:
Prerequisite is an Android or iOS-enabled smartphone with Wi-Fi or NFC functionality. I have tested it with NFC because: It's unlike WiFi totally easy and without any key or passwords input!

It must first be installed on the smartphone app PlayMemories Mobile. The Smart Shot camera attachment will be turned on its power button, then start the app on your smartphone, this recognizes the camera and open a connection, OK confirm. Already appear on the Streichelschirm the image and the menu sign at the edge to select camera modes and recording settings. All this is fairly intuitive to use.

Where the in scope but very limited Handbüchlein does not help, can be reduced to the corresponding SONY website detailed in experience. I Publish the link to it in the comment section.

HOW TO USE:
Basically this is no different than it should be known by the photo function of your smartphone. However, the camera responds with a slight delay, also saving the picture takes a few seconds. Is the smart shot no micro SD card is inserted, the pictures are stored in the memory of the mobile phone. Resolutions of 20 megapixels and video recordings need necessarily a memory card (microSD or Memory Stick Micro). My tests I've done with this here: SanDisk Ultra microSDHC 32GB Class 10 Memory Card (incl. SD adapter and a free Memory Zone app).

Quality (camera):
There is a whole range of recording formats (1: 1, 3: 2; 4: 3; 16: 9) from 2.1 and 20 MPixels resolution latter exclusively for the picture formats 3: 2 and 4: 3.

In good light, the image quality is convincing in the highest resolution at full line. Sharpness, color fidelity and contrast ratio can hardly be desired and are well above what smartphones can afford so today. But less light results in significant noise and artifacts to virtually unusable images. In these situations, it is better not to rely on the two automatic functions, but intervene themselves in the settings. Especially the automatic attempts made candlelight situations still make a brightly lit room, and clearly at the expense of quality. It if the SONY would still installed a flash would be nice.

QUALITY (VIDEO):
There are only two different quality levels can be selected: the record with 30 or 60 frames per second. This is done in full HD resolution and data rates to 16 or 25 Mbit / s for the image and 128 kbit / s for the sound. For the demanding post that is not to be used necessarily. The video recording capability has therefore for me only the value of a cute gimmick.

My short conclusion:
The Smart DSC-QX30 can be a successful addition for those who already put emphasis on slightly better quality photos, but do not want to drive so far, is therefore equal zuzulegen a full camera. Unfortunately, you must then but with limitations in the handling and the last bit of quality of life. The audience I see here at the casual photographer. Given what the DSC-QX30 does in sum, I think rounded up four Amazon Stars justified.

GOOD:
- Compact design, easy to use to typical smartphones
- Practical zoom range
- Very good photo quality under good lighting conditions
- Simple to install and operate primarily via NFC controller
- Thread for Tripod heads

Downer:
- Smartphone is in the holder not hinged, this complicates certain shooting situations
- Delayed reaction of the trigger
- Video recordings only with 30 or 60 frames per second
- Cover / Bag and memory card not supplied, but only sold separately
- Did not fire

I answer questions like in the comment section.