Review: Sony Cyber-shot RX100
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The F1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens of the Sony RX100 has a 35mm effective focal length of 28-100mm
Sony is billing the Cyber-shot RX100 as "The professional's compact camera" ... but does it live up to the hype?
The 1.0-inch sensor in the Sony RX100 means it can capture photos with considerably more detail and should be able to cope better in low light
The scene mode on the Sony does a good job of ensuring users have the right settings for most situations
Measuring 4 x 2.3 x 1.4 inches (101.6 x 58.1 x 35.9 mm) the aluminum body means the RX100 is strong while still weighing just 240 g (with battery)
The sensor in the RX100 is around four times larger than the 1/2.3"-type used in many point-and-shoot cameras
A Control Ring that surrounds the lens body on the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 allows users to adjust exposure, zoom and other functions with a spin of the fingers
When shooting RAW with the Sony RX100 there is a good dynamic range which allows for recovery of highlights and shadows
The large sensor of the RX100 allows for good quality images even in low light conditions
The 20.2 megapixels of the Sony RX100 allow it to capture an amazing amount of details for a compact camera
The quality of images produced by the RX100 can be outstanding for its size - many look like they could have come from a mid-range DSLR
It's when you import your shots from the Sony RX100 onto your computer that you really have the "Wow!" moment and fully appreciate what this little camera can do
It's when you import your shots from the Sony RX100 onto your computer that you really have the "Wow!" moment and fully appreciate what this little camera can do
Another nice touch of the RX100 is the ability to capture high-res stills at the same time as recording video, without causing any interruption to the video
The Sony RX100 consistently produces exceptional quality images which can be so good you'll question whether you need to take a bigger camera out with you
Even in AF-C (continuous tracking) the RX100 performs admirably and is capable of keeping up with the action
The F1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens of the Sony RX100 is nicely sharp across the full frame and suffers very little distortion in the corners
This Sony Rx100 would make a great carry-everywhere camera for a professional or experienced photographer who wants to shed the weight and bulk of their DSLR camera and lenses for everyday use
For macro photographers, the minimum focus distance is 5cm (0.16') at the wide end of the lens, and 55cm (1.80') at the telephoto side of things
Even in AF-C (continuous tracking) the RX100 performs admirably and is capable of keeping up with the action
With the RX100 you can capture images in lighting conditions that other compact cameras would be scared of
This image was shot with the Sony RX100 at ISO 6400 and goes to show that you can get usable shots in lighting conditions it might not have been possible to with previous compact cameras
Illustration and Watercolor features ... why did Sony add them to the RX100
Sweep Panorama mode allows you to easily take a series of images by sweeping the camera horizontally or vertically
Article Summary
Compact cameras have been struggling recently, many people choose to use a smartphone for their picture-taking requirements, while more demanding photographers opt for a mirrorless or DSLR camera. But packing a large 1-inch-type sensor into its otherwise compact body, the Sony RX100 could offer enough of a boost to image quality to justify a spot in your pocket. I spent a bit of time with the compact powerhouse to find out if it does.
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