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Dynamic range and Noise pages added to Sony RX1R Preview

Jul 4, 2013 at 20:00:25 GMT

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We're working on Sony's flagship compact camera, the 24MP RX1R, and as part of our usual testing we've updated our preview with noise and noise-reduction analysis, and our standard page looking at dynamic range. This is in addition to our studio comparison scene pages, and a real-world samples gallery showing just what the RX1R - which lacks an AA filter - can do. Click the links below to go to our updated preview.

Click to read our preview of the Sony RX1R - now with noise and dynamic range test pages

STUDIO SAMPLES SONY

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R Compact Camera●

$2,798.00

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Sony DSCRX1R/B 24MP Compact System Cyber-Shot Digital Still Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Black)	$2,798.00
Sony DSCRX1R/B 24MP Compact System Cyber-Shot Digital Still Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Black)	$2,798.00
Sony DSC-RX1/B Cyber-shot Full-frame Digital Camera	$2,798.00
Focus Camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2/B RX100M2 RX100M II RX100MII 20.2MP Wi-Fi Digital Camera with F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens and Full HD 1080p Video at 60fps + Sony 64GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + Wasabi NP-BX1 Battery Pack + Sony Camera Case + Micro HDMI Cable + Focus Multi Memory Card Wallet	$748.00
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2/B RX100M2 RX100M II RX100MII 20.2MP Wi-Fi Digital Camera Bundle with Sony 32GB Memory Card + Wasabi Power Replacement Battery for Sony DSC-RX1 + Sony Black Carrying Case + Wrist Grip Strap + Camera Accessories	$768.00
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2/B RX100M2 RX100M II RX100MII 20.2MP Wi-Fi Digital Camera Bundle with Sony 32GB Memory Card + All-in-One Card Reader + Sony Black Carrying Case + Wrist Grip Strap + Camera Accessories	$748.00
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 II Wi-Fi Digital Camera (Black) with 64GB Card + Battery & Charger + Case + Flash + Tripod + Accessory Kit	$799.95
Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera RX1R RX1R/B RX1 DSC-RX1R/B 64GB Electronic...	$3,149.00
Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera RX1R RX1R/B RX1 DSC-RX1R/B 32GB Deluxe Kit	$2,899.00
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 II Wi-Fi Digital Camera (Black) with 32GB Card + Case + Battery & Charger + Tripod + HDMI Cable + Accessory Kit	$749.95
Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera RX1R RX1R/B RX1 DSC-RX1R/B 64GB Optical...	$3,297.00

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Comments

Total comments: 32

I think DP could have used something else as a better example of "compromise" than the link to The Onion's op-Ed on the supreme court ruling on gay marriage. Like, something having to do with photographic equipment, for example.

0 upvotes

Probably that little red R on the camera is in many ways cooler than the little red dot. Splashing out all that money on a common non U camera brand shows more style in many ways than buying a Leica. I think if I win the lottery this would be a tempting subtle way to show one's wealth to those that know. Having to post process all the moire out sounds boring but I suppose I can get someone to do that for me.

1 upvote

I know this will probably fall on deaf ears, but:

I ask anyone who's intrested in these cameras to resist buying them- and instead send an email/Facebook/Twitter message to Sony- let them know that excluding a Viewfinder in a camera is NOT ok. They're doing this to save money & increase the profit margin(and not pass the savings on to the customer). These are cameras, not cellphones. It's not ok.
It's only a matter of time before other camera manufacturers look at what Sony is doing and say- " If Sony can get away with it, we can too). Think it won't happen? Wait and see...

4 upvotes

Here comes the conspiracy nut cases....

There is no "conspiracy" to "not pass profits to customers". It is simply a matter of design decision. Add a built-in EVF at the cost of increasing the physical size of the camera (which will make the camera less desirable for some buyers), or make the EVF an external piece (which will make the camera less desirable for others) and keep the camera smaller/lighter.

Yeah, it's as simple as that, genius. There is no grand conspiracy.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 4 minutes after posting

5 upvotes

samhain is not really exact to what he's trying to say; as the viewfinder concern could mean two things. Is it excluding a built-in EVF or excluding the removal/external EVF?

anyway,the problem here is not Sony but their competition. there is nothing out there that is similar or near the RX1, and some people are willing to pay for that.

0 upvotes

If you need a vf, just don't buy one. Simple as that. Sony will get the message, and the people who are OK without a built-in vf can continue to buy this camera. Not every camera needs to be the same.

2 upvotes

I enjoy the fact that the EVF is hinged and that it is removeable when I don't need it. Many others feel the same way.

Perhaps a different camera for you?

0 upvotes

Sony invited me to a full day event to use this kit, and I shot a thousand photos with it in all sorts of cases.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=27604349@N03&q=RX1

The EVF and OVF are premium items, but the real beauty of this camera is that you can take that off to make it far more compact. I welcome that and don't think it's a good comparison to camera phones at all.

This isn't a fleecing of consumers. This camera is a premium item with amazing performance. The crazy $800 OVF seemed excessive to me, but after using it for a few hundred photos, I actually loved it, and if I was in the market for this kit, would buy it with that option instead of the EVF.

This camera isn't for everyone, but it's far more inexpensive than a Leica (easily by a third of the price), and personally, I'd pick this over that any day.

Compared to my X-Pro1 with a similar lens, it's a close comparison, but Full Frame, and higher megapixels, makes it worth the extra cost in comparison.

0 upvotes

I hope this means a firmware update for the RX1. I'd like to see faster startup time, much faster wake time, a fix for the shutter button power drain and tweaked AF.

1 upvote

Shutter button power drain?
What the hell are you talking about? I always leave my camera on even when traveling (I use the original Sony's leather jacket) and battery NEVER gets drain....

0 upvotes

I've read this elsewhere but haven't confirmed it. There are reports that having constant pressure on the shutter button (using one of those big button things and a case that is too small) will drain the battery even if the camera is off.

I figured I'd add it to my wish list in case it is a real issue. As you can see my list is quite short since I'm happy with my camera. I'd like to see a faster wake time since I have missed some shots due to this.

1 upvote

I'm wainting for an rx10 - apsc version of this beauty :)

0 upvotes

Funny. Maybe camera manufacturers should just make the same models with every available sensor....oh wait. Then there'd be something else wrong or missing. There isn't likely to be a "rx10" with apsc. Frankly, the sensor in the RX1 is just fine for 99.99% of the posters in this forum, and for those with the money and who truly need more sensor there's the rx1r.

0 upvotes

Sony is a top innovator. This is one of the results. Their decisive sensor technologies are another and for a long time. the example of their RX 100 update is what I call The update. They are not alone it stands to reason but they really are a standout for me.

2 upvotes

I can think of a list about 8 items long that would have made it a better update. Don't be so easily impressed when spending 3k on a camera- I say.

This isn't to say the RX1R isn't a nice camera as is, it certainly is, but as a successor, it could be improved upon quite a bit.

1 upvote

Apart from the RX 100 update and from the other I mention I mean the RX1. I see the 'R' insignificant yet a nice version of the RX1.
Hynek

0 upvotes

@cgarrard
The RX1R is not the replacement for the RX1.

It's funny but one of the biggest misconceptions people see to have is that the RX1R is the 'new' model... It isn't, it is simply a variation, very much in the same way that the D800 & D800e are not successor models.

The RX1 is barely in the market for 6 months. Expecting a host of improvements or a significant tech change inside the same model generation is shortsighted at best.

RX1R is a sign of options and choice for the demanding user, and the RX lineup will surely go beyond where we are now.

2 upvotes

we are all human. even the sensors made by Panasonic (replacing Kodak as the worst sensor maker) are not so bad. it's interesting that Panasonic can do fast readout for fast contrast AF while Sony failed to do the same with their industry leading column ADC.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 7 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Slow AF for RX1? It's not a sport/action camera! It perfectly does its job at a reasonable speed: it's not a Reflex. I never missed a moment because of its "slow" AF. Try the Fuji and THEN complain...

2 upvotes

"This highlight capability is paid for in the shadows, where the RX1R clips to black rather sooner than some of its rivals."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the graph would appear to indicate that the only camera that doesn't clip to black as soon as the RX1R is the D600.

0 upvotes

There are more cameras on heaven and earth, my dear Horatio, than the three we've picked in the default comparison window ;)

5 upvotes

You can't pick and compare Sigma's recent cameras that have far better image quality at lower ISOs (what most people shoot at) and at fraction of the price. Why is that?

Comment edited 8 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Correction Michael : the Pentax 645 knocks it into a cocked hat

0 upvotes

I stand corrected ;)
The 645 appears to be equal to the D800 & D600. Olympus E-M5 appears to be better at not clipping to black than all of those cameras. Am I missing something again (is gradation normal equivalent to DRO off & ADL off)?
Are there any cameras that beat the RX1R in terms of not clipping to white?

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

"There are more cameras on heaven and earth, my dear Horatio, than the three we've picked in the default comparison window ;)"

How bloody patronising is that, wink or not! Out of order Barney Britton.

0 upvotes

Good lord. Grow a backbone. He simply says that there are more cameras to noodle with than the d600.

0 upvotes

not in the least patronising ; a timely and well phrased reminder for the brand-centric fanatics to look around a bit more at what's going on

0 upvotes

If the idea was previously buying this camera, okay, buy the RX1R(maybe), but if the idea was evolve of the previous model, it is better to be quiet and stay with the previous model.

1 upvote

How dense can you be? It's been mentioned quite a few times that the RX1R is not a successor of the RX1, but rather a side-by-side, like the D800 and D800E.

1 upvote

Only an idiot demeans the intelligence of a poster they don't know, roomnoxil.
See how that works?

Comment edited 36 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

Nothing I said goes against that or going?, But there is always people who read the way gives them more interest. Are options, and having options, I would choose the latter model. And this is MY opinion. Do not put words that do not exist please.

I started this way: "If the idea was previously buying this camera..."

1 upvote

I was looking for my comment, and realised i replied to the wrong place :|

0 upvotes

Total comments: 32

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