Sony IFA 2013 Press Conference LIVE STREAM: Company Unveils QX10 Camera Lens Attachment and Z1 Smartphone

Sony has confirmed its plans to sell two accessories for smartphone cameras that can connect to the device via a WiFi connection, allowing them to take higher-quality photos.

The devices will be compatible with iOS and Android smatphones and, according to BBC News, will mark the creation of a new category of products that augment smatphones cameras to make them capable of taking better quality photos.

The Japanese tech giant announced the products along with a news amrtphone that features a 20.7 megapixel camera and an above average image sensor. The Z1 will be the perfect candidate for this new camera lens accessory. The launch goes along with a recent trend of high-quality camera devices that are attached to similarly high-quality smartphone devices.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 made waves in the mobile phone community when it was unveiled by the company in July. Currently, Nokia is undergoing a merger with Microsoft. This will mean that if the Lumia line is successful, the company now has a major backer to help it perfect the brand.

Sony's idea is a little broader than customers can get with the Nokia Lumia product however. The Lumia has all of its camera features, including lens, built right into the phone. The Sony Z1 can work as a standalone smartphone for those who wish to purchase it and can then be augmented with the new attachable lens accessory should someone decide he or she wishes to take better quality photos. By doing this, Sony not only puts itself right in competition with the Lumia but all other smartphones as well and it does so simply with the use of the feature as an additional accessory rather than a smartphone platform all its own.

The QX100 features a smaller 3.6x zoom but a bigger sensor with a resolution of 20.2MP. Its aperture goes as wide as f1.8 - allowing more light in - meaning it should be more adept at taking photos in dark conditions. It offers manual focus as an option. Once fitted, the battery and memory stick on the QX10 weighs about 3.7oz. It will cost users $593.