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Sony packs entire camera into snap-on smartphone lens

Sony's rumoured snap-on lenses for Android and iPhone will pack in an entirely separate image sensor, according to Sony Alpha Rumors.

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Michelle Starr Science editor
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
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Sony's rumoured snap-on lenses for Android and iPhone will pack in an entirely separate image sensor, according to Sony Alpha Rumors.

The DSC-QX10. (Credit: Sony Alpha Rumors)

Two rumoured upcoming lenses from Sony will deliver an upgrade to your Android or iPhone camera, Sony Alpha Rumors has reported, by packing in its own image sensor and using your phone as a viewfinder. The DSC-QX10 and DSC QX100 have squeezed in everything you need to take photos, except for a screen and controls.

Each lens will be equipped with a built-in sensor, a Bionz processor and an SD card slot. It will snap onto the smartphone magnetically, and communicate with it via Wi-Fi or near-field communication (NFC).

(Credit: Sony Alpha Rumors)

The larger of the two lenses — the QX100 — will use the same sensor found in the RX100 II and Zeiss lens, while the QX10 will feature 10x zoom and a 1/2.3-inch, 18-megapixel CMOS sensor.

No pricing or release date has been announced, but with Sony due to hold its IFA press conference on 4 September, we'll hopefully find out more soon.