Sony RX100
The basics
The Sony RX100 is a digital compact camera with 20.3 megapixels Exmor CMOS sensor and an F1.8 lens. The RX100 also has a 3.6x optical zoom and shoots full HD video, which can be previewed on its 3-inch LCD viewfinder. Other RX100 features include face detection, auto focus and a sweeping panorama mode.
The good
As compact as the Sony RX100 is, it still feels very sturdy, not that we’d expect any less from Sony. The design is smooth, weighty and pleasing enough to want to be seen carrying one around. There’s a bit of a retro, yet modern charm about it. Good design extends to a sensible button layout that won’t confuse even the most novice of camera types. The RX100 is dead easy to use. Its features well-laid out and easy to find.
Another neat feature is the ring around the lens that adds some manual controls to the Sony RX100, used to alter the aperture just like a DSLR camera. The RX100 will also shoot in raw format - extending the picture options for those that love to tinker with their photos post-production.
You can preview those shots on the luscious 3-inch LCD viewfinder that provides the perfect way to preview your shots, even in the brightest of conditions. A nice array of point-and-shoot photo effects and filters let you add professional effects to photos without even trying. The miniature mode is a particular delight, making your subjects look like toys, and leaving only the centre of the shot in focus.
Picture quality throughout is very impressive. Colours are bright, natural looking, and have lots of detail even with the ISO setting cranked up. The RX100 also performs pleasingly in low-light conditions without blur or looking washed-out.
The bad
There are few real complaints to be had here, but it’s a shame the LCD viewfinder isn’t touchscreen, and the RX100 could be quicker to fix its autofocus on subjects - something bound to irk the more practiced photographers. You also won’t be able to use the fun photo effects on board when shooting in raw mode.
The bottom line
The Sony RX100 is a very impressive camera that is capable of producing some great-looking shots with lots of detail and a good colour spread. If you’re looking for a decent mid-entry compact digital camera, the Sony RX100 offers enough features to make it worth your while.
User comments (3)
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david key26 June 2012
"a decent mid-entry compact digital camera"? At £580 I wouldn't call it mid-entry - but the comment sums up nicely the worth of your "review". I think you can do better, David
Report as inappropriategihbpon03 July 2012
I think there are some things lacking in "the bad" section. It's all mentioned at http://www.squidoo.com/sony-rx100
Report as inappropriateshaddix24 July 2012
The RX100 has probably the fastest CD autofocus of any compact camera to date. Only phase change systems are faster and the RX100 is faster even than some of those.....
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