Sony launches Xperia Z1, the new super-shooter smartphone

MANILA, Philippines - Sony recently unveiled its new addition to the Xperia Z series, the Xperia Z1, which sports a sleek, more waterproof and tougher frame than its predecessor.

With this new flagship smartphone, Sony outruns rivals in the race for the most innovative camera phone as it boasts of powerful technology that revolutionizes mobile photography experience, as well as enhanced entertainment features.

The slimmest smartphone in the world yet, the Android-powered Xperia Z1 was made more durable with a superior-quality frame — both the front and back are made of heavy-duty tempered glass, making it more water- and dust-resistant.

Users can even take pictures while swimming in freshwater for up to 30 minutes. It can even be used while diving up to 1.5 meters.

The Z1 combines the best of Sony’s technology, entertainment and wide range of companion products that allow users to enjoy an innovative camera experience.

“We want to create new user experience and provide great mobile phone experience for our consumers,” said Matthew Lang, Sony Mobile Communications’ corporate vice president and head of Southeast Asia and Oceana CU, during the Southeast Asia launch of Sony Xperia Z1.

Jason Smith, Sony Mobile Communications’ director of marketing for Southeast Asia and Oceana, who was also there during the launch, underscored the features of the new smartphone: “People are changing the way they use photography… it’s not forming an image anymore but sharing experience.”

With more people clicking their mobile camera phones and sharing photos more often these days, Sony has made Z1 more capable of providing higher resolution images with more improved quality of its display.

This new handset shows off a massive 20.7-MP camera, powered by a combination of a large 1/2.3-inch 20.7-MP Exmor RS for mobile image sensor, Sony’s award-winning G Lens and intelligent BIONZ for mobile image processing technology.

What makes picture taking with Z1 much easier is the Superior Auto feature, which automatically adjusts the camera settings for any scene. Another good news for camera enthusiasts is the SteadyShot which enables them to shoot beautifully smooth and stable videos as well.

The Xperia Z1 also has high shutter speeds and Clear Zoom system (3x clear image zoom), which allow users to capture quality images even from a distance — without blurring the shots — unlike the results from the digital zoom on other phones.

To make the mobile photography experience more innovative and enjoyable, Sony also included a set of cutting-edge, built-in applications, including the Social Live, which lets users to live-stream videos via Facebook; Info-eye, which provides relevant information on subjects captured through the camera lens; Timeshift-burst, which captures 61 frames within just two seconds — starting even before pressing the shutter, enabling users to capture the best image; and the AR Effect, which features some fun animations to the photos.

Xperia Z1 also delivers the best of mobile entertainment among other smartphones, thanks to the advanced Sony Bravia technologies. Viewing experience with this handset is more powerful with its large, high-resolution five-inch Full HD Triluminos display for mobile, creating more vibrant and more realistic images.

It is also fully equipped with advanced hardware specifications such as the 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It also comes with 4G LTE support for faster Internet connectivity and 3000mAh battery that enables up to 19 hours of talk time.

If the Xperia Z1 alone wowed consumers, Sony has also come out with detachable lenses that connect to Android or iOS smartphones through Wi-Fi or NFC, enabling users to take higher-quality photos.

The QX10 and QX100 are high-performance “lens-style” cameras designed for mounting on smartphones and operated through the smartphone screen, allowing users to capture 18.9-MP images with their smartphone.

They can also perform as a camera remote or can be attached to the mobile itself. With Wi-Fi connection, the smartphone can be used as the viewfinder, shutter trigger, and backup storage while the lenses deliver quality photos. It can even take a picture even from a distance.

Sony’s Xperia Z1 is expected to be released in the Philippine market next month.