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Sony Xperia Z1 teased again: G lens confirmed

posted by Victor H. / Aug 26, 2013, 5:37 AM

Sony Xperia Z1 teased again: G lens confirmed

The Sony Xperia Z1, the phone we’ve been referring to as the Sony i1 Honami, will indeed feature a new Sony G lens. Sony continues teasing a mysterious device that by all clues is the Xperia Z1 and now we get to see the rear camera with a single LED flash and the letter ‘G’, allegedly standing for G lens. Sony Mobile China also confirms the official unveiling of the device will happen on September 5th in China. In all likelihood, this means Sony will indeed unveil the Xperia Z1 on September 4th in Berlin (the difference in time zones should explain the different dates).

“Have we captured your attention yet...? #bestofSony,” Sony says in a post, playing with words as capture can also refer to the camera on the Xperia Z1. The earlier teasers showed a handset that looks nearly identical to the Xperia Z, but rumors agree that it will have one huge upgrade in the form of a 20.7-megapixel camera.

The G Lens is a name Sony uses for high-quality lenses used in its DSLR camera and it claims they are comparable to Zeiss optics in quality. The company claims G Lenses are known for their Grace (meticulous attention to design, looks and materials), Gather (most G Lenses offer maximum aperture and sufficient brightness even in low-light conditions), and Gratify (minimum flare inside the lens barrel).

We have already seen Sony confirm in its teasers the Xperia Z-like looks of the Z1 and the dedicated camera shutter key. The company also teased that the Z1 will be water-resistant like its predecessor.

Here is a quick rundown of the rumored specifications for the upcoming Sony flagship:

Shock-, dust-, shatter-, water-proof, IP 55/58
5.0-inch 1920x1080 pixel Triluminos display, 16% wider colour gamut
Carbon fiber frame; Dragontrail tempered glass front protection; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 back protection
2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 (Krait 400) chip
Adreno 330 GPU
16GB expandable memory, microSD card slot
3100 mAh battery, new improved STAMINA mode
MHL / Miracast / NFC / Bluetooth 4.0 / LTE / Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n; a/c)
Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
20.7 MP rear camera with G lens (using Exmor RS CMOS sensor), f/2.3 aperture, capable of recording 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution videos at 30fps (using BIONZ imaging engine for still photos and X-reality Pro video engine for videos)
2 MP Exmor R front-facing camera capable of shooting 1080p full HD resolution videos at 30fps
IR Remote
4G LTE connectivity
Dual (Stereo) speakers
144 x 73.9 x 8.3mm

Sony teases Xperia Z1

View more + 3 images

source: Sony Mobile, Sony Mea

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46 Comments

1. tahnik

Posts: 201; Member since: Jul 17, 2011

In my opinion,they have really good camera but it's their software which is unable to make use the best of their hardware. Anyway I own a cybershot which has G lens,And it's amazing... Don't disappoint this time Sony... Make.believe

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 5:41 AM 16

5. sri_tech

Posts: 188; Member since: May 21, 2013

They might have a good camera in Honomi, but I am not sure until its released and tested. Because all their cameras in Xperia's are lackluster. They could have done much better when you consider that they provide lenses for many companies including iphones and cameras on their old symbian phones are good. It cannot do better than Lumia 1020 because the lense is very small compared to 1020 but if this phone's camera can outperform all the androids and iphone that will be great achievement.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:00 AM 7

15. LetsBeHonest

Posts: 1548; Member since: Jun 04, 2013

It'll be all round decent performer,which is the purpose of smartphone.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:21 AM 10

39. buccob

Posts: 2980; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

I agree, but tahnik has a point... I actually like Sony's software as an Android Skin, and they have included quite a few useful features... small apps, quick toggles... But their camera software and optimization is way behind of what they could offer...

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 3:48 PM 0

41. Martin_Cooper

Posts: 1774; Member since: Jul 30, 2013

Im sure the phone will look amazing, feel amazing, great build quality, but im pretty sure the camera wont be something innovative and amazing because SONY simply doesnt know how to make a good mobile phone camera like HTC. They made a whole fuss about ULTRA PIXEL in ONE and this and that and at the end the 1 year old iPhone 5/Galaxy S3 takes better photos. History says a lot about SONY smartphones and their mediocore cameras. Its so funny that a company that makes DSLR's, mirroless and all kind of cameras and is considered one of the best just cant make a good one for their phones.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 4:36 PM 0

8. tiara6918

Posts: 2263; Member since: Apr 26, 2012

Their new products are the ones that are disappointing. I still have an old sony cyber-shot g series at home and it took better pictures than some of their higher pixel models. In my opinion zeiss is still better than g lens

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:03 AM 0

12. wicpromd

Posts: 266; Member since: Aug 20, 2013

i just wonder what lens they used in Cyber-Shot K800i ,the legendary camera phone that was one of the best camera phone from SONY

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:13 AM 2

23. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

According to Amazon's Product Description it has "Carl Zeiss optics."

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 7:45 AM 1

21. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

This phone has REALLY peaked my interest. I wonder IF Verizon would carry this SEXY machine. I am really going to consider this phone even though I want the Samsung Galaxy Note III. The Sony Xperia Z1 is one heck of a phone on paper. I REALLY just want to see it already. Let's hope Verizon carries this phone, because indeed Verizon needs a bada$$ Sony phone.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 7:21 AM 2

24. a_merryman

Posts: 749; Member since: Dec 14, 2011

Sadly, they probably won't. Neither will Sprint I imagine. Sony never gives us people on CDMA carriers any love :( Which sucks b/c this literally sounds like the perfect phone for me: -Premium Materials -Sturdy design (water/dust and shock proof) (This one especially) -Stereo speakers (hopefully as good as the BoomSound ones on the One) -That absolutely gorgeous Triluminos Display -Big battery -Snapdragon 800/Adreno 330 -What should hopefully be an amazing camera Honestly, the only things I think they could add to make it better is the option to boot stock, wireless charging, and have the base storage model be 32 GB. They have literally checked every box.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 8:24 AM 2

32. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

To me I always root my devices so Stock UI really doesn't bother me one bit. If Sony wants to be a player in the Mobile world they need to release their phones on ALL networks. Verizon would be a HUGE market for them. If Sony were smart they would put a phone on Verizon, that phone should be the Xperia Z1. +1

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 9:27 AM 1

34. a_merryman

Posts: 749; Member since: Dec 14, 2011

Yeah, I've rooted and jailbroke all of my devices as well. It would still be nice to have the option though. Especially for the people who want the clean android experience but are too paranoid to root. Yeah, even the smaller carriers like US Cellular. And MVNOs. Make it tri-band (for sprints version for their LTE network) and throw it on Sprint and I will preorder it for myself.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 9:39 AM 1

45. heyhi

Posts: 137; Member since: Feb 19, 2013

i dont think it will have stereo speakers. according to these pictures on gsmarena, i see only one grill on the bottom. http://www.gsmarena.com/more_sony_xperia_z1_honami_live_photos_arrive-news-6649.php

posted on Aug 27, 2013, 12:51 AM 0

29. jb4674

Posts: 145; Member since: Apr 05, 2013

I really don't understand why Verizon continues to prefer/rely on CDMA for their phones....

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 8:50 AM 0

31. a_merryman

Posts: 749; Member since: Dec 14, 2011

Because that is the 3G network VZW went with? They dont prefer CDMA, they do however still need and rely on it for their voice networks. VoLTE isn't ready to be deployed yet, let alone trusted solely to handle all of VZW's calls. Do you think it would be a smart idea for VZW to use a technology that isnt ready and is unreliable for that application currently to handle all their voice traffic? Or are you suggesting they rip out all the CDMA bits of their network and convert them over to an also dying techonlogy like HSPA+? Because that makes perfect business sense. /s

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 9:22 AM 0

40. GeekMovement unregistered

I agree, but I'm still excited and I'd still get this phone if it were to come to Sprint. Would have been amazing if it came with 3gb of ram, but I own the Sony 24-70mm CZ lens and it is pretty darn amazing. I don't doubt Sony when it comes to camera, I just hope the call quality is better than it's older devices.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 3:57 PM 0

43. TROLL

Posts: 4851; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

Just let down by not having: 3Gb Ram Xneon Adreno330x6 GPU S800 clocked at max 2.6Ghz Sapphire Glass Tegra4 A15s 32Gb 64Gb memory 3300Mah 500ppi Carl-Zeiss optics ™ Cyber-Shoot

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 7:09 PM 1

44. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

troll u should at least make your own phone u better like it........lol

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 7:52 PM 1

2. pwnarena

Posts: 1129; Member since: Feb 15, 2013

i really hope sony does not disappoint this time. i still want to be a fan.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 5:54 AM 1

3. istitch

Posts: 181; Member since: Mar 19, 2013

The balance.. Good camera, good design, rugged, decent battery, good display, nice speaker what else can you ask for?

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 5:54 AM 1

6. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

Good price. :)

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:00 AM 8

13. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Availability on VZW?

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:15 AM 2

14. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

Not just Verizon Wireless, if Sony releases the Honami to four major carriers in the U.S, it can punch Samsung in the face.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:18 AM 2

28. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

Buy it unlocked and put youre Verizon SIM card in just make sure it's compatible with cdma network.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 8:49 AM 0

4. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

I think this time they'll come up with great camera unless like its predecessor which was very behind in camera comparison with other flagships. Hope they would optimize their software.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 5:59 AM 0

7. wicpromd

Posts: 266; Member since: Aug 20, 2013

SONY is really hiding something previous leaks mentioned TEXT below that G lens and now its nothing SONY

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:02 AM 1

9. tiara6918

Posts: 2263; Member since: Apr 26, 2012

I'm glad to see that sony is finally becoming serious with their new xperia handsets, those incredible specs better bring out an awesome performance

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:05 AM 0

10. Napalm_3nema

Posts: 2236; Member since: Jun 14, 2013

I was hoping for f/2.0. Oh well..

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:07 AM 0

16. wicpromd

Posts: 266; Member since: Aug 20, 2013

does it makes any difference if its f 2.3 or 2.0?? sorry but i really have no information about this "f" that stands for??? anyone can explain it?? how will it effect??

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:22 AM 0

18. spiderpig2894

Posts: 597; Member since: Jan 10, 2012

It means aperture. Smaller number means that it has a bigger hole to the sensor making more light to pass through the sensor to provide better low-light imaging.

posted on Aug 26, 2013, 6:38 AM 0

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