How small can a mirrorless camera be?

This is technically the smallest interchangeable mirrorless camera (with a large APS-C sensor)
Sony QX1. Using the Sony E Mount.

[@an_archy]

i love that they included the flash

[@FreakAzoiyd]

Who uses a flash like that anyway? You will probably even see the shadow cast by the lens in the picture, except for tiny pancake lenses.

[@DennisSantos]

That tiny flash popping out of what looks like a lens cap is hilarious.

[@Pouncer_Fox]

Yeah, I laughed at that too.

[@Lazo00100001]

I like it when companies take the risk to innovate!😍

[@risue08]

It's because these companies can afford it, realistically speaking.

[@doel89]

And fail and lose support

[@lidge1994]

​@@risue08 Yeah, but not all of them take a risk, like Apple for example.

[@drewmorrison]

@@lidge1994Apple lets everyone else take the risk first, then comes in a Sherlock’s them

[@osmuscas]

​@@risue08 sony can afford it

[@AlexandarHullRichter]

next we'll have the game "is it a camera or just a lens cap?"

[@xsterawesome]

The funny part is, the original patents for the QX1 refer to it as a lens cap camera, and The rest of the QX series (all fixed lens) were referred to as "lens style cameras".

[@MAST]

Haha, like "is it a cake or not?" or like spelling words.

[@h.seanhsu8965]

I was not expecting that flash thing 😂😂😂

[@MatthPeder]

I'd love to see them release a new version of this but with a full-frame 4K sensor.

[@snippingtool7810]

They already did it, well, sort of. Look up ILX-LR1 camera, a full frame "sensor only" camera intended for professional use, being most prominent to be mounted on a drone.

[@nindoninshu]

@@snippingtool7810 that's a lot bigger... and it doesn't even have a battery like this one does

[@CrestlessWave]

QX1 wasn't a standalone camera though. It was promoted as a smartphone mounted camera which connected with phone for using it.

[@tillorrly1128]

Which was a frigging amazing idea. To bad they let it die.

[@eccojedi]

Which was a marketing failure since it worked better as a high quality remote camera head. We already have cameras on our phones.

[@tillorrly1128]

@@eccojedi Sensor size, the ability to use proper lenses. Meanwhile phones and tablets have connectivity, pretty beefy processors and proper software. When traveling or for influencers this would be just the perfect combination, instead of a big heavy camera, just take a small sensor lens thingy. All the rest can be done on the mobile device.

[@eccojedi]

@@tillorrly1128 of course there’s tons of reasons to use it… but most of them are better served not attached physically to a handset, which ironically enough it could do pretty well within a certain proximity! I wanted one and never got around to buying it.

[@jamesraykenney]

I have to admit... That flash bit got me!

[@LeoMkII]

Looks like one of those astrophotography cameras

[@ladylamellae]

I was thinking the same thing, I wonder it that was the idea here, would save a good chunk of weight on a star tracker for sure. Including the flash feels pretty funny for any application so I am betting an executive insisted on it.

[@ladylamellae]

Just looked it up apparently you slap it on the back of your phone. Kinda goofy ngl, I bet the lag is super annoying to shoot with.

[@arsonburneracc]

​@@ladylamellaesnappiness made a full video about it and yea the phone experience is ehhh (based on some other reviews though looks like it depends on your phone, android works best since u can use nfc to pair) but they also sell little screens that connect wirelessly to them that seem to have less delay due to being purpose built for sony cameras. could be really nice for Astrophotography but the settings in the app seem too barebone to make it really feasible (though ive heard there are modded versions of the sony app that allow u to get more camera settings usually meant for other cameras so-)

[@Stop-All-War]

Xh1 + Battery grip looks CLEAN !

[@AbhinayKhoparzi]

Still rocking this one after almost nine years. If only Sony updated their software.

[@rishiraz1993]

The flash killed me 😂😂😂😂

[@domantasbronusas]

It flashed you 😂

[@beefchicken]

I’m still waiting for Pentax to release a Q with a 1 inch sensor. Yeah I know they discontinued the line, but one can hope.

[@Omgiamsotriggered]

Literally pointless in this day and age. Sony and Xiaomi are putting 1 inch sensors in phones, a whole dedicted camera for the same thing just isnt sought after anymore. Realistically cameras are getting less and less popular as phones advance, so even MFT these days is becoming obsolete. APSC or FF are the only ones that are gonna remain sought after in mostly pro work.

[@photo1416]

​​@@Omgiamsotriggeredэто так называемый "видиконовский дюйм" . Он гораздо меньше. Оптически смартфон не способен в данных размера охватить полностью большой сенсор. Только в размерах сильно отличающихся от компактности. Фотокамера - это все же специализированная система. Но для обычных потребителей смартфон всегда будет приемлемой - и понятней, а они диктуют рынок. Качеством картинки он обязан прежде всего , электронной и нейронной обработкой "на лету" . Но как правило , такая обработка бросается в глаза на мониторе. А продвинутым любителям и профи как раз была бы интересна подобная карманная камера .

[@zbigniew2628]

​@@OmgiamsotriggeredSmartphones are never going to have a good lens... Not to mention Sony phone had cropped sensor, so it did not use whole surface area of it.

[@gabl8a89]

I'm actually active user of Sony QX1, currently paired it with a 16-50 kit. What I love with this camera is the ability to take picture from many interesting perspectives utilizing your smartphone.

[@cpl366]

Does it require an app (Sony or otherwise) on your phone to work?

[@gabl8a89]

@cpl366 You may use this camera with Image Edge Mobile apps on smartphone. It pairs quite well with QX1 and I think Sony is still updating the apps to ensure the camera works on today's phone.

[@fall3n87]

I still regret to this day not getting this camera almost a decade ago. Such a cool concept and still potentially better than any smartphone camera today.

[@gitari44]

​@@fall3n87I had the camera. Decided to sell it 2 years ago. The sensor is too noisy. I recommend Sony a6000 instead. Also, it's video( qx1) was very poor

[@ladylamellae]

Is the display lag noticable? I assumed it would be super annoying but curious to hear from an actual user.

[@nikytamayo]

Have the 100. Such a fun toy. We need a full video!

[@Microwaveoficial]

Sony probably included the flash for the memes😂

[@mihaiserbanescu8676]

With that little flash it looks like one of those robots from the pixar movies.

[@sigmagamer364]

i like the pentax q7,it could be the best camera for traveling,tiny but with nice looking body and removable lenses,that outperforms most of the modern smartphone camera.

[@PhotoRam405]

This is the ultimate minimalist camera I’ve been looking for. Where can I get one

[@markmarkmark_]

only Ebay, or other sites which sell 2nd hand these cameras were discontinued a long time ago

[@parallax_aerial_photography]

Closest equivalent today would be the Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera, although that is video focused and lacks the smartphone integration. I think a modern version of this, perhaps with a fixed prime lens like the X100VI, could do rather well given the way the consumer photography market is going...

[@MichaelAivaliotis]

The back looks like it is just a part of something else.

[@thenegotiator9701]

the back is for mounting a phone to it as a screen

[@daveinportland]

I just picked up a QX1. It’s so much fun.

[@DirectingSven]

If you can external control from smartphone, it is pretty game changing.

[@hkhrm2003]

I used to own a QX1, and usually use it without connecting to the phone. Just like shooting it blind and always nice to see some interesting unexpected results. Such a shame they didn't make a gen 2 of the camera.

[@molybdnum]

Tell me more! I'm an Olympus Air owner (tons of fun, only m43 body I've held onto after switching to Sony) - I'd love to hear more detail about how practical the QX1 is as a shooting experience now with app support questionable. My gut is that an ultracompact MILC body (GM1 - a5000) is just a better overall package than the "displayless cylinder" family.

[@skylark6167]

what a weird camera. is the air still usable these days? seems like so many app-dependent things end up unsupported and useless.

[@gitari44]

I had the camera but sold it two years ago. Compared to Sony a6000 which I still kept (had both at the same time): 1. QX1 has a noisy sensor especially iso 800 2. It's video capability was poor...some weird color noise especially during low light. 3. Apart from the wow factor, everything else is better on a6000. I can operate A6000 with my phone too.

[@AndreyPermitin]

I hope they'll do a full frame one

[@inund8]

The qx1 was an amazing idea, and I really don't get why it didn't take off, even with prosumers.

[@markmarkmark_]

Bad user experience, mainly viewfinder lag, which can either be blamed either on Sony's app, or phone hardware at the time (2014) The 2nd problem was that it launched at $400 without lens, while Sony's equivalent proper camera, Sony a5000 cost $450 with lens included, most people just did not understand who this camera was for.

[@revzzrider]

sony qx1 was ahead of it's time, Even today if it launches it would be good companion for vloggers !

[@TheJmoneyp]

Bruh that flash pop up genienely made me 😮 😂out of no where

[@Techno-Universal]

The Sony QX 1 would be a really good camera for high quality hidden cameras in reality TV shows as in that case it would be externally recording to another device while it could also work really well as a high quality drone mounted camera! :)

[@gameon2000]

It's a perfect "Despicable Me" minion cam! 😂

[@SquareoftheyearFM]

That’s pretty smart. I use a QX10 for use on a 10m pole to take remote images where drones aren’t allowed

[@HeresMo]

At least they kept it as e-mount

[@geekblog174]

I had the qx-10 and love it. Suddly I sell it.

[@chrisogrady28]

Literally the size of a Nikon FTZ, can't believe it has a flash! This looks like the kind of thing used in movie shoots where you'd expect a go-pro on a lesser production, inside crashing cars etc

[@streetlegends]

Sony needs to bring this back.

[@ElCidCampeador1994]

This camera remember me the logitech camera which was presented few months ago.

[@paologiordano.photos]

Pair this with a 20mm pancake and you have the perfect street camera

[@stevedoesnt]

The CEOs son was like, “okay, but I get make one decision and it has to stay”

[@UnoriginalElephant]

At that point it's basically an astrophotography camera 😂

[@quirin-jr3xz]

I also have a xh1 Absolutely love it

[@asandax6]

Actually that's a good design if its modular and you can fit a grip and screen if you want to.

[@anub3207]

That would be an incredible fpv camera for smaller drones(like 7-10in)

[@topikdg]

“But u do have a flash” hahaahahah😂

[@MiracleWinchester]

Reminds me of Bag, the one-eyed alien, in My Stepmother Is An Alien 😅

[@ubacow7109]

THeres also the olympus air, and Yongnuo also made their own camera like this as well for demo once not sure if it ever made it to production though. Alice AI is working on a similar concept 2024

[@Soundwave857]

I would love to have one of those but due to how little got sold, people jack up the price like crazy, its even above the MSRP. Its a very torn down a5000 and that can be bought for 200 bucks used with lenses

[@LimitedWard]

That's hilarious that, of all things, they decided to include a flash! I can only guess the reason they put that in was for some sort of industrial imaging purpose. E.g. manufacturers might be using this camera to perform automated QA on a factory line. Edit: nvm looks like this is meant to mount on the back of a smart phone. That's actually a pretty smart idea.

[@magdielbaldemira3343]

The true mega compact

[@LawriesCameras]

Love my Q7

[@TheRealHarrypm]

I miss the NEX days, Sony had stuff like this, camcorders using E-Mount but they killed off and consolidated it all sadly.

[@lim2001burger]

I wanted one of these so bad, or the olympus air.

[@kennyadvocat]

Wish sony made a M43 camera like that.

[@dilatedjayou]

Q7 so much fun

[@user-en5gw8gj8d]

Now that is an actual POV camera🤣🤣🤣

[@tooniis1403]

the flash lmao

[@kieran2790]

the sony XQ1 came out in 2014, but you had to use yoàur smartphone to control it, with an attachement on the back of the cam. The goal was to turn your phone into an actual camera, but it wasn't really reliable

[@snippingtool7810]

I wonder if this camera can be operated without smartphone. It'll be cool for this to be mounted on a drone considering the size.

[@travisminneapolis]

Sony QX1?!? 😮

[@IFrAnIKOz]

Why is there a flash 💀?

[@greysuit17]

Why not?

[@KobieMC]

Because it's better than using the one on your phone. The Sony QX series are for mounting to your phone.

[@BrianMackey2010]

Oh but you do have a flash, thanks for this I for one didn't know :)

[@Gameplayer55055]

Can't wait until Apple adds this to the next iPhone

[@zodiacfml]

amazing this is from 10 years ago and not reiterated or replicated. this would have been more popular if stand-alone with screen and just add a strap for secure grip like those consumer camcorders

[@chenyansong]

They can make one fit in inside a smartphone

[@thebitterfig9903]

I feel like video-focused cameras with this form factor make sense. Stuff like the Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera, where you want to mount it on a gimbal or at the end of a boom, so size and weight being minimized is a high priority. But a photo camera with a pop-up flash? Yikes. One big advantage of a camera over a phone is ergonomics, so giving up the user experience benefits, and forcing someone to use a phone app just seems like a mistake. And considering that this and the Olympus Air died, it was a mistake.

[@jablosounds]

so wait you can just walk around with a camera the size of just a lens 😂😂

[@Massimo___36]

El podcast favorito de la diabetes

[@captain_fuzzieness3582]

Its a tragedy that its discontinued

[@Bora1333]

It can be size of your thumb pretty much

[@NetvoTV]

Why they include that flash d not amek it even smaller or include some more essential goodies or the flash is needed or useful in this camera's use cases?

[@nyrubin]

The zv1 I have is tiny n it’s a micro 4/3rds

[@itsfikree]

I want that pentaxxx 😍😍😍

[@rivingtonandstanton]

Not as small as the QX1, but the Sigma FP is quite small for a full-function professional camera

[@gene4000]

Olympus Air?

[@nikytamayo]

Slightly bigger, iirc, and a smaller micro 4/3rds sensor. But that with the 20mm pancake is a sweet package.

[@warth45]

no viewfinder but a flash is included is bonkers

[@parallax_aerial_photography]

I've seen bigger teleconverters, kinda want one though...

[@User_Unknown_15]

넘 좋아요 👍❤

[@nindoninshu]

please tell me how in the world you even managed to get one... it was apparently released at under $300?? but i only see a single one on ebay for over $800...

[@zogoe]

Wish canon made something like this. I was thinking bout buying then I realize I have no Sony lenses

[@cf8979]

Could be fun to adapt lenses to

[@zogoe]

@@cf8979 still money lmao

[@mudcud]

Could I buck tape one of those on my rb

[@user-zq3gn8vr9d]

這好可愛❤

[@Tamj_Bty]

Technical your phone camera is also a mirrorless camera 💀 Gopro too 🤔

[@noily8974]

Camera attached to a lens

[@tiravajra7645]

I think it's be Olympus air a01

[@bubbajoe165]

So im sure there is a designed purpose for this camera, but what is it?

[@backgammonbacon]

Look into dedicated astronomy cameras if you want to see what small looks like.

[@michaelmichael2382]

.. me when i look into my undies... 😢

[@GodOfWaaar]

imagine industrial cameras ...

[@tomclaisse7471]

What about the sigma FP smallest FF ;)

[@IFD2]

But why tho, also does it have mini hdmi?

[@Richard_Aldington]

the camera should be large, grippy and heavy

[@HJN67]

Now put a 70-200mm f2.8 on it and see how practical it is. Size isn't everything. Usability counts more. And to those that say I just don't get it, after putting a lens on it and attaching a smartphone to it, It is not any smaller than any other compact cameras - Just more useless. The QX1 is from 2014 and they don't make them anymore. Wonder why.

[@aironmanlegend2557]

If this consider a mirrorless camera, than my iPod touch is also a small mirrorless camera

[@HinLai4794]

sadly there is no qx2

[@itzmetanjim]

raspberry pi hq camera + pi zero 2

[@ronochow]

Hasselblad

[@mongini1]

slap the 400mm f2.8 on there :D

[@jake_bytheocean]

i have a really small mirrorless camera in my phone

[@Almost_Aussie]

My iPhone is a mirrored camera

[@Legalyjeremy]

What about my phone, its a pretty small mirrorless camera

[@DresdenFPV]

…and it was a total flop (also the alpha range wasn't that large and didn't compromise for being usable without a phone)