Sony is crafting a new high-end lens system designed to work with smartphones, according to documents and photos published by Sony Alpha Rumors. First unveiled in photos last week, Sony’s lens accessories are actually fully functioning standalone cameras that are designed to attach magnetically to an iPhone or Android phone and connect to an app via Bluetooth.



Leaked manual pages suggest that there are two lenses in the works, based on existing Sony hardware. The DSC-QX100 (featuring components from the RX100M II camera) comes equipped with a 20.2-megapixel sensor and a f/1.8 Carl Zeiss lens with 3.6x zoom.

The lower-end DSC-QX10 (with components from the WX150 camera) includes an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor and an f/3.5–3.9 lens.

Both lenses feature a power button, microphone, display panel (with indicators for battery life and SD card), a tripod mount, a dedicated shutter button, a multifunctional jack, and a zoom lever. The higher end version also comes with a ring control.



It is unclear how Sony intends to price these extravagant smartphone accessories, but the existing camera hardware retails for $400 to $750. The new lenses are expected to be unveiled at an upcoming September 4 media event.