The Xperia Z1 is waterproof and comes with a G Lens designed to take clear and colour-rich photos
It also allows real-time video streaming straight to social networks
Detachable lenses can be fixed to a phone or used as stand-alone cameras
Called the DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100, they both have built-in Wi-Fi
Sony also said its Smartwatch 2 will go on sale by the end of September
Sony has unveiled its next-generation waterproof smartphone called Xperia Z1, pictured, with a 20.7 megapixel camera and 3x focus that loses 'zero clarity.' It also lets users stream videos being recorded on the phone straight to Facebook, in real-time
After months of teaser trailers and speculation, Sony has finally unveiled its next-generation waterproof smartphone called Xperia Z1 during the IFA consumer electronics conference in Berlin.
At its core it is still an Android phone yet many of the features have been designed to make it more like a high-end digital camera - taking advantage of Sony's expertise in the photography market.
Speaking at the conference, Sony's CEO Kaz Hirai added the firm has also designed it based on customer feedback, saying: 'We've been taking time talking to people to better understand what they need, what they demand from Sony.'
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Speaking at the conference, Sony's CEO Kaz Hirai, pictured, said: 'We've been taking time talking to people to better understand what they need, what they demand from Sony.' The camera-centric phone forms part of Sony's Xperia Z range of phones
Sony teased that 'something new, something extraordinary' was set to be announced on September 4 during a video that appeared at the end of August.
The Xperia Z1 has a 20.7 megapixel camera and a G Lens designed to take clear and colour-rich photographs, and its new Social live feature lets users stream videos being recorded on the phone straight to Facebook, in real-time.
It also comes with an LED flash, has a 5-inch display and includes a 3000 mAh battery to improve performance.
Other features include Social Live, that lets users broadcast videos live from their Xperia Z1 to Facebook, and see their friends’ comments and likes in real-time.
Its Info-eye visual search lets users take photos of items and landmarks, for example, and get related information.
During the conference, Hirai explained that with Info-eye users could take pictures of food, for example, and get wine recommendations
The Xperia Z1 has Sony's G Lens, pictured, designed to add richness to photos and reduce glare, alongside an LED flash. The device also comes with a Timeshift Burst feature that takes 61 photos in two seconds
The phone is now available for pre-order in black or white from network operator EE, Orange and T-Mobile.
All customers who pre-order the Sony Xperia Z1 through EE directly will also receive the Sony SmartWatch 2, worth £149.99 for free.
The Sony Xperia Z1 is available to pre-order on a range of 4GEE price plans and costs £29.99 on a £41 per month 24 month plan, providing unlimited UK call minutes and texts as well as 2GB of UK mobile data per month.
The Sony Xperia Z1 is also available 4G-ready on Orange UK and T-Mobile UK plans.
Other announcements from Sony included a range of detachable camera lenses.
The Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 lenses attach to any smartphone running Android or iOS, with a width of between 54-75mm and a 13mm thickness.
Sony said the lenses were: 'a dream come true for anyone who loves their smartphone but wants the photo quality that only a dedicated camera can deliver.
'And whilst they look like lenses, the DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 are complete cameras in their own right.'
The Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 lenses, pictured being held by Hirai, attach to any Android or iOS smartphone with a width between 54-75mm and a 13mm thickness. They have Wi-Fi and NFC technology built in and can also be used as cameras in their own right
The DSC-QX10 weighs 105g and has an 18.2MP sensor with a high-quality Sony G Lens and a powerful 10x optical zoom range.
It also has built-in Optical SteadyShot to reduce the amount of camera shake, keeping handheld pictures and videos steady and blur-free, even in low-light conditions.
The DSC-QX10 weighs 105g and has an 18.2 megapixel CMOS sensor with Sony G Lens
The DSC-QX10 weighs 105g and has an 18.2MP sensor with a high-quality Sony G Lens and a powerful 10x optical zoom range.
It also has built-in Optical SteadyShot to reduce the amount of camera shake, keeping handheld pictures and videos steady and blur-free, even in low-light conditions.
The DSC-QX100 has a 1.0-type Exmor R CMOS sensor with 20.2MP.
It additionally comes with a wide-aperture Carl Zeiss lens and 3.6x optical zoom with Optical SteadyShot.
Each lens has Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication (NFC) built-in meaning it connects to a smartphone wirelessly as soon as its attached to the handset.
Earlier this year, the Japanese firm unveiled its Sony Smartwatch 2 which is a combination of a watch with smartphone features.
It has a 1.6-inch LCD screen, is made from aluminimum and plastic and is said to work on the Android 4.0 operating system.
The Smartwatch 2 lets users to make calls, send and receive texts, take photos and listen to music, too and Hirai announced it will go on sale at the end of September and cost £149.99.
During the conference Hirai also recapped the details of products that were previously announced in the U.S in June.
Sony's Smartwatch 2, pictured, is shown of at a Sony event ahead of the IFA conference in Germany. Customers who pre-order the Xperia Z1 directly from EE get the device - worth £149.99 - for free
These include the Cyber-shot RX1R and RX100M2 cameras and the VAIO Fir and VAIO Tap 11.
Hirai also told the conference that the 4K Handycam will launch globally next month. Concept images of the device were released in January.
Among Sony's new line-up is also a range of high-resolution audio devices ranging from home players to headphones, and Sony's Walkman.
Earlier this year the Japanese firm unveiled its Sony Smartwatch 2, pictured, which is a combination of a watch with smartphone features. It has a 1.6-inch LCD screen and is made from aluminimum and plastic. Sony announced the device will be on sale by the end of September and cost £149.99
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