Sony DSC RX100 Hands-on Preview: Digital Photography Review

First Impressions

We've only been using the RX100 for a few days, but our initial impressions are mostly positive. We haven't been able to look at its Raw output yet, but JPEG image quality is certainly a step above what we'd expect from Sony's high-end small-sensor Cyber-shot compacts. The RX100 is very responsive, both in terms of autofocus speed and general picture-taking, and this combination of a genuinely compact form factor and enthusiast-level performance and customization is very attractive in everyday use.

Despite being a Cyber-shot, the RX100 takes many of its menus from the Alpha series. This means they're somewhat dense, multi-tabbed menu system, but there are plenty of options, including the ability to adjust the upper and lower limits used by Auto ISO (A feature previously reserved for the range-topping A77 and NEX-7). With this in mind, we're disappointed by the incongruously laggy zoom operation in playback mode (a frustration that many Sony users will be only too familiar with) and as we get used to effective touchscreen interfaces in other models we find ourselves wishing we could control AF point selection by touch. These, however, are minor niggles in the grand scheme of things.

Of slightly more concern in use is the slim, free-rotating Control Dial around the RX100's lens barrel. This control takes quite some getting used to. Although it works wonderfully for adjusting focus and lens zoom, the lack of detents means that changing functions like ISO or exposure compensation - which are set in discrete steps - feels distinctly odd at first, especially if you turn the artificial 'click' sound effect off. Accidental operation is a danger too, when working with any control which offers little or no haptic feedback. More than once during our shooting, with the control ring set to control exposure compensation, we've ended up with over or under-exposed images as a result of inadvertent ring rotation.

Overall though it's hard not to be impressed by the Tardis-like RX100. A list price of $650 will raise a few eyebrows (since we suspect that a lot of consumers will miss the significance of the large sensor and simply see a small, expensive camera) but this is inevitable. Ultimately, Sony has managed to pack a 1-inch sensor and a 28-100mm equiv. zoom lens into a body that fits comfortably into a shirt pocket without sacrificing usability or manual control, and that's no small feat. We can't wait to start running the RX100 through our full gamut of studio and real-world testing, but until then, feel free to examine and download our gallery of sample images and let us know what you think of the camera in the comments.

Preview video

Comments

Total comments: 539

Does it support usb in-body charging? Would be great!

1 upvote

It does. And comes with a 1.5A charger plug, for faster USB charging. I'll add a bit about this in a minute.

2 upvotes

Question for dpreview reviewers...how does the zoom works when used with the front control ring? it seems that its not possible to have step zoom, like the S90 and the LX5 and all ricoh cameras, but is it easy to at least leave a favorite Flenght on the memory?(custom) like 35mm EQ? thanks...

0 upvotes

You're right, it doesn't step between classic focal lengths. It works in tiny discrete steps (because it's a stepped zoom), and has 28, 35, 50, 70 and 100mm equiv marked, so you can consistently get back to the same point.

Focal length doesn't appear to be one of the parameters saved for Memory Recall.

2 upvotes

Thank you Richard....

0 upvotes

Pity about the 20MP sensor. For that size sensor, 12 mp with more DR would have been a better choice, IMO

4 upvotes

True. Though noise performance and sharpness is good, the images look flat. I guess I'll still be sticking with my quirky 4.7MP cam for more DR scenes.

0 upvotes

From the sample, there is a good DR, the truck, with reflexion on bumper, white store on the backgroud and black tire are a good sample, the house with green plamtree and white wall too But i'ts seems there is some shadow enhancement and noise reduction applied, giving less detail in shadow, i suppose it's the price to paid for 20mpx sensor. I'm impatient to see what raw files gives :)

0 upvotes

Does it support UHS-I? 20 mpix RAW just demands it.

0 upvotes

According to IR review, the raw writing times are "blazing fast"

0 upvotes

IR test the camera with a SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s UHS-1 SDHC card (what a lengthy name :). And results are good, it's one of the few camera thaht makes full use of such speedy cards.

Comment edited 29 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Awesome, but does Sony have to pay Canon royalties for the design?

Comment edited 14 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Naaah, they go to Nikon, actually...

0 upvotes

Canon? just compare the shape with Nikon J1

0 upvotes

What design?

2 upvotes

And the name too :) S100 vs RX100 ;)

0 upvotes

Yes Canon. Neither J1 nor P300 have the control ring.

0 upvotes

I like it. Very good spec for a real compact camera. It doesn´t compete with my Canon G1X, wich has a larger sensor and a fantastic image, but has a true compact it might be my first choice for a second camera

1 upvote

Can't beat the Pen with a 14mm pancake and 45mm 1.8. Pen is just as portable with the pancake and the 45mm blows away the Sony for bokeh. In normal use, this Sony is going to be no different than any compacts i.e. massive depth of field.

0 upvotes

Strange, some of us like massive depth of field. We even get stacking software to extend it.

4 upvotes

Perfect for LX5 replacement.

1 upvote

No... I am keeping the LX5, and got a OM D E M-5 to go with it.
(only if one doesn't have a LX5- or similar- then maybe yes, this large sensorSony looks like a very nice little camera)

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Mr. Butler, I have to say....I'm LOVIN' that Blazer....Love.....LOVE!!!

2 upvotes

To me the images look a bit too smooth--lacking a certain crispness.

0 upvotes

We must wait for raw, maybe it's the jpeg engine, maybe the high pixels count and noise reduction, maybe be low in camera sharpen.

0 upvotes

Awesome.... This is what this sensor size is made for.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 7 minutes after posting

6 upvotes

This is what I dreamed of!

0 upvotes

Colors seem well balance . Contrast seems a bit lackiing . Sharpness is ok at low iso but the higher it gets the softer the details . Seems that the noise reduction is rather agresive .

0 upvotes

There aren't many photo samples at F1.8... That was a main selling point. But at 649$ ??? How do they price these things... Maybe 400$ would be more realistic for a compact.

0 upvotes

The price of compact cameras tends to drop pretty quick.

2 upvotes

Almost perfect, but why not 24mm wide?!?!?!

4 upvotes

I'm relieved that it doesn't go to 24mm. This was the first thing I looked for because it would mean soft corners. At 28mm, they may be able to pull it off, even such a compact lens.

3 upvotes

The first thing I look for is 24mm wide, I won't live without it anymore, so if a camera lacks it.....then it goes on the pass list.

1 upvote

The "sweep panorama" feature compensates for that

0 upvotes

Those samples look great! And no orbs, moreover! I just bought an X10 and send it for repair (sensor replacement). Hope I won't regret it...

0 upvotes

Orbs in DSC01194, look at the highlights in the car grille.

0 upvotes

Interesting little camera. I hope they will improve the lens range since you can't change lens. 28mm is a bit too tele for me when going on holidays and I shoot a lot of architecture and landscape. A 24-120mm would be great if it doesn't affect the IQ.

3 upvotes

But it will affect the image quality. These camneras go through an evolution. They start out with a 28mm wide end that's pretty decent. Then, consumers want 24mm so they extend the range to 24mm and the corners are soft.

0 upvotes

For wide architecture and landscape shots, try image stitching software like Image Composite Editor. It really does a remarkable job. I won't claim that wide lenses are obsolete, but these days you can get the same composition with two or more non-wide images, and some post processing. Provided your subject's not moving of course... ;-)

0 upvotes

Nice jacket, Simon! I think my grandmother had that same pattern on one of her couches. (Just kidding - the jacket is stylish, no doubt)

Interesting camera, the RX100; it may be the middle ground between an S100 and X10 - pocketable like and S100 but with an even larger sensor than the not-really pocketable X10. However, I'm going to bet the RX100 won't have Fuji color. I'm not eBaying my X10 yet, but I might get the RX100 over the S100 if I buy a smaller camera than the X10.

1 upvote

I would not recommend the Canon S100 to anyone. I bought mine in Feb this year. It was taking fantastic shots, and then suddenly developed the infamous lens error fo r which the Powershot series is notorious. Repair costs 80% of the camera price, so I have put it away.

0 upvotes

I wish they kept it to a respectable 12mp and kept the noise down more. The last thing you want to carry with this thing is a fill flash. Seriously, 20mp?

2 upvotes

Resize the 20mp to 12mp with good algorithm and the noise will be the same as if it was 12mp native sensor

3 upvotes

Did you look at the ISO6400 sample? Even at 100% is looks awesome, but resize to 12mp and it's phenomenal! And at the lowest ISOs, the per pixel sharpness is quite good for jpgs

The latest sensors no longer trade pixel density for overall image noise. The smaller pixels allow you to make the trade yourself in post, which I think is ideal. I also have a D800, and the performance of that sensor is in no way, shape, or form a compromise despite its huge mpix count.

1 upvote

The noise would not be lower if they lowered the pixel count to 12mp, when the resultant image is viewed at any set image size.

1 upvote

As has been said/inferred, the average potential buyer won't need the extra resolution. I personally welcome these compact cameras with higher IQ but to be honest unless you are printing your work what's the point?

0 upvotes

I am very surprised how small the RX100 is. Almost as small as S100, and with similar lens spec, but with a much bigger sensor inside.
Rellay like the smallness and that it has an integral lens cap. Makes for easily stowing away in your jacket or a pouch in your computer bag.
It is a camera you can really bring along always.

I would have liked just a little bit of grip. Cant see why we cant have a grip that doesnt potrude further out than the lens when powered off. That wouldnt have compromised the smallness of the camera.

5 upvotes

I`m curious how "responsive focus speed" translates in real world usability. You know, low light and stuff... Because, the IQ is pretty impressive. I cannot appreciate DR just from those samples, tough.

2 upvotes

Very nice, small & stylish - can't wait to see the RAW output

unfortunately i'm spoiled by the files from my 5n and 5D3 - and while it looks MUCH better than any other point and shoot - it just misses the cut, might have been better at 16mp - or maybe it's a lens thing, just looks alittle muddy in the fine detail department - hope the RAW solves this - if it does - i'll be first in line :)

0 upvotes

I can say only one word.. WOW!

3 upvotes

Thats seriously compact (considering the sensor size)!

I wonder if the xz-1 replacement would be as small. If not, here's hoping to 4/3 sized sensor.. but thatll never happen.. the optics would just be too big - unless it has single focal length.

On another note.. wish they weathersealed these enthusiast compacts so you can take them anywhere.

3 upvotes

I really hadn't thought of that before now, but you're quite right about weather sealing. This type of camera is likely to be used in the rain, on a boat, or carried in a sweaty shirt pocket and needs the protection more than a DSLR

1 upvote

I need a compact camera with a wide sensor, but i didn't need 20mpxls...
Too bad, it looks like a nice camera.

0 upvotes

n/a

Comment edited 10 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Then dont use them. You can scale down.

2 upvotes

NEX-F3 (with kit lens) - 600$
RX100 - 650$
NEX-5n (with kit lens) - 700$ (I paid mine 650$ :-))
SONY has filled all gaps and has camera for everyone needs. Bravo!

5 upvotes

E-PM1 dual kit with 14-42 AND 40-150 - $499. Twice the sensor, 3 times the range, faster focusing and ability to install a faster/wider/longer lens if needed.

0 upvotes

Yeah, and the NEX camera has APS-C sized sensors which are larger by about a factor of 16x over the compact 'mom-and-pop' type of PS cameras with 1/2.3" sensors. The new Sony however is still an improvement by an increase in sensor size of about 4x over the mom-and-pop cameras. The NEX with a pancake (16mm, f1.8) in the kit is not a bad deal, comparatively speaking.

3 upvotes

That EPM1 kit has slower lenses and worse ISO performance, both conspiring to make it a worse low light kit.

3 upvotes

RicksAstro, you cannot tell anything about "worse ISO performance", after all this sensor is just a half of m43.

0 upvotes

Finally, a step in the right direction. A small, reasonably fast-performing, versatile compact camera with wide, fast, sharp zoom lens, bigger sensor, presumably nice HD video, all wrapped in good looks... what's not to like? It is a quite cleverly balanced little thing. Areas to improve include constant maximum aperture and price - 650 € is steep. Improve on that a bit, and then we are talking!

1 upvote

Ooooo it has 24p. How about manual video controls?

0 upvotes

Move on up to a higher level camera.

0 upvotes

I agree in that much of the processing and choices seem to be software - the hardware is there, but to protect the rest of the line they "seem" to just not allow the choices - how about 720p@60p or vga @ 240hz - which is great for checking your golf swing...

0 upvotes

Nice. Let's hope it scores higher than the J1/V1 sensor in DxOMark, and also lower it's price slightly. I also don't mind it being slightly larger too as long as the effective aperture increases, especially on the long end. Also, I'd like to see it having a lower ISO. At this pixel count and sensor size, the base ISO should be lower too, at least 50, but 25 should be possible.

0 upvotes

Sample shot DSC01165 (the one with the two birds) - is this really an ISO 125 example? I am a bit disappointed concerning all the smearing and loss of detail ...

0 upvotes

The file has a 2x digital zoom applied. You can see it in the full exif. It's obviously the "Clear image zoom" or whatever it is called. If you scale it down 50% you see it has just the same detail as other low ISO shots.
Frankly, I am just amazed at the detail that this thing captures at low ISO.
And check the low light ISO 2500/3200 portraits. For an out of camera JPEG that is just too cool (for the size of course). Good job SONY!

3 upvotes

DSC00141 looks very sharp.

0 upvotes

Thank you bman for the info. In the office i am on a mac and can't study exif data. But i am going to download the file and "study" it.

0 upvotes

It is in the notes when you view the image. It is shot with 'Vlear Image Zoom.'

0 upvotes

25600 ISO in a 20mp camera with a pretty small sensor? Ah the Sony Cybershot love of smeary, over processed Noise Reduction. Hopefully I'm wrong.

2 upvotes

Whish is where RAW comes in :)

1 upvote

I'm pretty sure their multi-shot/steady shot stuff at really high ISO will only be JPEG. However, if Sony can pull off RAW noise within 1-1.5 stops of a Nex5-N (say up to 3200 or 6400), I'll buy one.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I agree here - hopefully they will allow adj of the processing as some images are more impressionistic than "real" in some of their cheaper lines - really unflattering compression.

0 upvotes

I just bought a Fuji X10. I love it . . . perfect for my needs and shooting style. The fast lens and "large" sensor are its best qualities making it capable of bokeh shots - something I doubt can be achieved with this new Cybershot. Yes teh RX100 has a larger sensor . . . but f/4.9 at the long end . . .

1 upvote

You can get an idea about the cameras' relative abilities to deliver blurred backgrounds from the 'equivalent aperture' column in the table on page 1. From this there's minimal difference between the RX100 and X10; just 1/3 stop in favour of the latter.

2 upvotes

You *do* understand the equivalent apertures are similar, right? And that there's no such thing as "bokeh shots" and only n00bs who listen to salespeople too much use the term "bokeh shot"?

Learn what bokeh actually means. It's NOT the same as "blurred background".

3 upvotes

@Rashkae, you are referring to the "quality/rendering" of the background blurring when talking of bokeh?

Comment edited 24 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Does it overheat in video mode after about 10 minutes like the Nex 5N and Nex 7?

0 upvotes

You might want to get your nex-7 and 5n checked if they overheat in 10 minutes. My 7 certainly does not overheat, not even my a77 has had the issue (still pending hot summer weather on that one though, max I've used it in is 34c, but in those temps I do not shoot test video's and real video's in my case do not consist of shots over max 2 minutes)

0 upvotes

Good work, Sony.

The sensor size is right smack in the middle between the G1x 1.5", the Micro 4/3 and the smaller Fujifilm X10 2/3" and Canon S100 1/1.7".

Nikon CX (1 series) and Sony RX100 now share the same size sensor where there used to be a great big gap. That gap has now been filled by no less than 2 players, with more brands to come into the fold, quite expectedly.

Now the battle will be in the User Interface System, which sadly (for both Nikon and Sony) Canon is still king. Fortunately, Canon has not yet stepped into this territory, so that's a great head start.

1 upvote

To me, I don't really care about sensor size, the thing that appeals me is sensor efficiency and effective aperture.

1 upvote

I can't wait to read the full review when it's posted in 6 months! ;)

3 upvotes

LOL "TARDIS-like" would have sold me, especially if it came in blue!

Too bad about the tripod mount but I guess most people don't mount these.

Will it do full manual exposure settings for Video?

Thanks everyone (readers too) for the great site

Comment edited 54 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

Ah ha... Now Sony is moving into 1" sensor market trying to make a little bit of everything. I still like the Nikon 1 concept of the interchangable lens mirrorless camera. Maybe I like to compare with the Nikon J1 in term of how much it can offer to me and my needs.

0 upvotes

Looks great, IQ is great, this will be a huge success for Sony.

2 upvotes

seems like leapfrogs the competition in a number of stats (my favorite of all things is the built in lens cover :). very nice. but why no evf or at least a slot for adding one?!?! WHY?

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Cos it'll compromise the size? besides I think it's kinda awkward holding such a small sized camera to your eye while trying to change settings (worse if you're left master eyed) as your thumb will probably hit your nose.

1 upvote

lots of people are using xz1 and lx5 with vf and loving it... its a matter of personal preference of course but for me shooting through a vf feels like "right". holding up the camera a couple feet away from your face squinting at a lcd is just less immersive, i feel less connected to what im doing and take crappier shots :)

0 upvotes

I don't think any of the NEX with its kit lens could produce as good images...

2 upvotes

Sample images looks good...even the higher ISO images are pretty impressive for such a small camera. I am very interested but price is overly ambitious. At $650...its up against mirrorless cameras. Granted its much smaller but how will it stand up in terms of image quality?

0 upvotes

Dpreview gives wrong information.
Is it f1.8-f4.9, as is in the comparison table.
Or is it f1.8-f5.9 as is in the specs table.

0 upvotes

4.9, as per the picture at the top of the page (and all the references in the text). I've updated the specs.

0 upvotes

just look at the pic: 4,9

0 upvotes

The aperture varies f/1.8-4.9 as you zoom from 10.4mm to 37.1 mm. f/4.9 is the maximum aperture when fully zoomed in.

The aperture varies f/1.8-5.9 as you open and close the iris (I assume at 10.4mm). f/5.9 is the minimum aperture.

0 upvotes

IQ is better than xz-1 or not? I'm not talking about pixel detail, but color representation/ low light capabilities/ depth of field effect/ speed

0 upvotes

from the samples i can't tell about PQ compared to the XZ1. I am under the impression the new Sony has "problems" with resolving fine details. Look at all the smeared grass in the examples, furthermore there is quite an amount of noise even at iso 125. Wonder why dpreview didn't take a shot at base ISO of 100.
Concerning the XZ1 it will be quite difficult for the new sony to match those outstanding colors the XZ1 reproduces. I am exclusively shooting RAW on the XZ1 and the amount of detail the XZ1 retains is quite impressive. Especially fine textures such as grass or ground. We'll have to wait for the first RAWs of the Sony and how they differ in terms of quality form the JPGs ...

0 upvotes

I recently bought a XZ-1 hoping XZ-2 will not show up anytime soon. And then the news of RX100 pops up :)

I think RX100's optics capabilities would be below XZ-1. XZ-1 maintains F1.8 - F2.5 throughout the zoom range where as RX100 goes from F1.8 - F4.9, a big difference. I think XZ-1 achieve this with slightly larger physical build in lens components structure hence, the larger overall physical size as well compared to RX100 or Canon S100. And I would say XZ-1 lens are hard to beat. However, RX100 capabilities are yet to be seen.

The sensor is a different story. I think RX100 sensor is much better than XZ-1 regardless of the pixel density and sensor size. XZ-1's main bottleneck is the slight old/nosier sensor at high ISO settings. Interesting to see how RX100 would perform under ISO 400 compared to XZ-1. However, It would have been nice if RX100 settled for lower pixel count, something like 16MP or less.

All and all RX100 is a welcome addition to large sensor compact camera list.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 8 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Nice but not so fond of the colours. It'll be perfect if the sensor is pair with lenses like the XZ-1 or LX-3.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Of course, 20MP is a joke, the lens cannot resolve it (as you can see from the full size samples). 10-12MP would be enough.
What with the AF speed?

1 upvote

20MP is a marketing ploy. Lets be brutely honest most of us could get away with 6MP- easily.

0 upvotes

Even at 100% samples are pretty sharp to me, of course you don't get twice as much details with 20mp that you would get with 10mp but still you have much more
to me then it had to have 48mp BSI sensor, and with 4 to 1 pixel binning you would get very sharp 12mp pics with much less noise thanks to using all potential of sensor surface by using BSI technology

1 upvote

This larger sensor has a comparable pixel pitch to the Canon S100 or the Fuji X10, and the latter has a much faster lens at the long end of the zoom (all have similar apertures at the short end), so I don't see what the fuss is about. I wish Sony did like Nikon and kept the mega pixels at a reasonable level, but at 20mp I don't see much of an advantage for this new sensor over some of the competition.

0 upvotes

People keep bashing the MP, but these samples look sharper than Nikon's 1" sensor.

8 upvotes

Good point! Why use a larger sensor if they're just gonna use the same size pixels??? Shallower depth of field maybe?? Unrealistic print sizes? ...or just to be able to say "Mine's bigger on the inside" ;)

1 upvote

more pixels could be an advantage in RAW processing for lens corrections and correcting camera shake etc. in PP. Even better if they manage to do things internally like with the Nokia 808, but I guess the Sony doesn't have the processing power for that. So ... depends on the quality of the RAW output if we will see a real advantage. A 'Zeiss' lens should be able to make good use of those 20 MP (the lens on the 808 is a prime, but it handles 39MP instead of just 20).

2 upvotes

These look GOOD. Download them full size and they just get better. I'm impressed.

1 upvote

Ultra fast lens, high ISO performance of a Nikon 1, truly pocketable = ultimate indoor party/social camera.

This spec wise seems to have the best combination of all the factors that make a great indoor casual camera.

6 upvotes

Large sensor? Let's not get too carried away with an 1'' sensor. Compared to an ASP-C, it is still very small. Lens is F1.8 - F5.9
These two factors make isolation of subject against a blurred background unsuccessful, except in macro-mode.

I hate it when dpreview is 'plugging' new cameras with the argument of a big sensor, while it is definitely not.
People who buy this camera will buy a dslr a year later, mark my words. A camera like this one is not expanding, but limiting creativity.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I want to buy a camera like this for concerts. I already have a DSLR.

1 upvote

Grow up. If it had an m4/3 sensor, people would complain that that's small compared to APS-C. If it had an APS-C sensor, people would complain that that's small compared to FF. A 1" sensor is definitely large compared to practically every other pocketable P&S camera out there. Any buffoon can see that.

To say that this product is "limiting" compared to a full-fledged DSLR system is ridiculously inane. Of course it's limiting compared to a DSLR. But many potential buyers of this camera already have DSLRs. Unfortunately, you can't put a DSLR into your pocket! So one can say that a DSLR is "limiting" because you can't carry a DSLR in your pocket, and thus you can't carry a DSLR into the same kind of environments that you can quite easily carry this tiny Sony. Lots of DSLR shooters want to have both a DSLR system, *plus* they want a tiny pocketable camera like the RX100.

Get real. This tiny Sony isn't meant to be a DSLR replacement. It's a supplement or complement.

Comment edited 9 minutes after posting

14 upvotes

THe sensor is downright gigantic compared to anything else that is this portable. Also, I bet most people who buy this camera already have a DSLR and want something pocketable with minor image quality compromises.

4 upvotes

Everything said here is very true but I agree with Ivan, still too small for me. I draw the line at 4/3" with an undiffracted 2.8 100mm equivalent lens, until that's made into something that'll fit into my jean's pocket I'm fine sticking with my 1/2" sensor. Now be nice!

1 upvote

it competes with cameras like S100, XZ1, LX5 etc. If the Sony offers clearly better image quality it will be an attractive product. The others are cheaper and probably a bit better for handling/control, but the Sony still seems a good choice if you want high image quality and flexibility in a very small package.

3 upvotes

Total comments: 539