Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 Review: Digital Photography Review

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1

Price
MSRP	$2,800/€3,100/£2,600
Body type
Body type	Large sensor compact
Sensor
Max resolution	6000 x 4000
Other resolutions	6000 x 3376, 3936 x 2624, 3936 x 2216, 2640 x 1760, 2640 x 1488
Image ratio w:h	3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	25 megapixels
Sensor size	Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Color space	sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array	RGB Primary color
Image
ISO	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
White balance presets	9
Custom white balance	Yes (1)
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
File format	RAW (ARW2.3 Format) RAW+JPEG JPEG
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.)	35 mm
Optical zoom	1×
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Face Detection
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes, built -in LED type
Digital zoom	Yes (14x)
Manual focus	Yes
Normal focus range	25 cm (9.84″)
Number of focus points	25
Lens mount	None
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	3.00″
Screen dots	1,229,000
Touch screen	No
Screen type	Xtra FineTFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	None
Photography features
Maximum aperture	F2.0 - F22.0
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	Program Auto Aperture Priority Shutter Priority Manual MR (Memory Recall) 1 / 2 / 3 Movie Sweep shooting Scene Selection Intelligent Auto
Scene modes	Portrait Landscape Sports Sunset Night Portrait Night Scene Hand-held Twilight
Built-in flash	Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range	6.00 m
External flash	Yes (via hot-shoe)
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Drive modes	Single-frame advance Continuous advance Continuous adv Priority AE Speed Priority Continuous Self-timer Self Portrait Self-timer Continuous Self-timer
Continuous drive	Yes (2.5, 5 fps)
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	(3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	No
Videography features
Format	MPEG-4 AVCHD
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Videography notes	AVCHD: 28M PS (1920×1080, 60p/50p), 24M FX (1920×1080, 60i/50i), 17M FH (1920×1080, 60i/50i), 24M FX (1920×1080, 24p/25p), 17M FH (1920×1080, 24p/25p)
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Mini)
Wireless	Eye-Fi Connected
Remote control	No
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion NP-BX1 battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	270
Weight (inc. batteries)	482 g (1.06 lb / 17.00 oz)
Dimensions	113 x 65 x 70 mm (4.45 x 2.56 x 2.76″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None

GearShop

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 Compact Camera●

$2,798.00

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Sony DSC-RX1/B DSCRX1B DSC-RX1 DSC-RX1/B RX1 DSCRX1 Cybershot Full-frame Digital Camera ESSENTIALS Bundle with 32GB High Speed SD Cards (qty 2) Spare Lithium Batteries (Qty 2), Spare Battery Charger, Deluxe Multi Coated Filter Kit, Padded Case + More!	$2,798.00
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Comments

Total comments: 9

The Leica comparison in the Introduction is dated. Leica now offers the X Vario at basically the same price point, but with a zoom. I prefer it, from the little testing and comparing I've done.

0 upvotes

Is "it" the Sony or the Leica?

1 upvote

why would a working pro consider this camera when they can get a nikon D3100 + a 35mm 1.8 lens for about $500, which will practically do the same thing for a fraction of the cost and still have the option of taking the lens off. And no, Sony is not a better brand than Nikon as far as cameras go and hopefully never will be in my lifetime because most photographers own Canon or Nikon lenses which makes Sony practically on the island of their own. I can't even put my canon flash on this thing so why would I even consider this as my 2nd camera?

It's not like the rx1 will fit into my pocket, I still have to hang it around my neck which makes this camera irrelevant in my opinion as far as compacts go...

This camera is aimed at a rich audience but then again if you have an RX1 and not a Leica M9 than you are not very rich, are you?

Who is the target market here?

I am off to look at Canon S120, that's my next camera I will be buying for my wife to take great family photos and videos.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 8 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

$4000 for this fixed-lens....This has to be the biggest joke of the year.
At that price, I can buy a real full-frame slr.

0 upvotes

when you own one you can comment, I have a 5d3, Fuji xpro1, and this Rx1R.. guess which one is most portable, shoots the best Raw images, and is the most fun to use?

1 upvote

You can also lug around a big camera.

0 upvotes

The JPEG quality rating is below that of even the Fuji x100, & significantly worse than the Fuji x-E1.
So I am not sure How dpreview can say that the the JPEG is one of RX1's pros?

0 upvotes

This is the Erminox of the 21st century! Someday tyros will handle one in a camera show and wonder how a few folks could spend that kind of money for a bauble.

0 upvotes

The best of the best for less than the cost of a medium cost Lecia lens!

0 upvotes

Total comments: 9