RX100 to complement X-E1

[mmbn]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a pocketable camera to complement my X-E1. After switching from the (first) NEX 5 which fitted large pockets, I'd like something really small as my always have with me cam....

Will I be disappointed from IQ/handling??

Cheers

Martin

 

[mmbn]

rosvo wrote:

... why not wait a bit and try the new fuji x20, maybe you'll feel more at home with it

As far as handling and (hopefully) IQ is concerned, I'd like to agree, but I'm afraid the X20 isn't really pocketable. Some time ago I had a closer look at the X10, but ruled it out for the same reason ...

 

[Joachim Gerstl]

The Fuji X20 is a big camera with a small sensor.

The Sony RX100 is a small camera with a big sensor.

I prefer later.

 

[Breidablick]

Joachim Gerstl wrote:

The Fuji X20 is a big camera with a small sensor.

The Sony RX100 is a small camera with a big sensor.

I prefer later.

Fair enough! On the other hand: I still prefer the X10 (X20?) because manual controls and manual zoom is more important to me than the bigger sensor size of the RX100.

 

[Brad Morris]

Breidablick wrote:

Joachim Gerstl wrote:

The Fuji X20 is a big camera with a small sensor.

The Sony RX100 is a small camera with a big sensor.

I prefer later.

Fair enough! On the other hand: I still prefer the X10 (X20?) because manual controls and manual zoom is more important to me than the bigger sensor size of the RX100.

The rx100 has ring based controls as well. Zoom can also be programmed to operate via the front ring if desired.

Granted, the controls are by wire and not mechanical.

 

[BRPWS]

I find the RX100 truly lacking in low light and the handling is terrible. I struggle to find the shutter release button when I was using it. The image quality cannot come close to the Fuji. As for focus, I did not find it any better than a Fuji and even if it was getting to press the shutter release was a pain.

 

[Brad Morris]

BRPWS wrote:

I find the RX100 truly lacking in low light and the handling is terrible. I struggle to find the shutter release button when I was using it. The image quality cannot come close to the Fuji. As for focus, I did not find it any better than a Fuji and even if it was getting to press the shutter release was a pain.

--
EPS

Lacking compared to What? It is a pocket camera! The Rx100 produces acceptable ISO5000 images in terrible light. It performs significantly better than my old D200 in low light levels.

this is an ISO4000 image

Granted my D700 and X-E1 do perform better but, unlike those cameras, it is pocketable and you have 20mp to play with.

The only handling issue that I see is the lack of VF and the flash controls do not have a dedicated button

--

500px

bradmorris.500px.com

 

[mngsmt]

Brad Morris wrote:

Wow! Now lens distortion seems to be quite horrible here! (sorry for the bad joke but what the heck happened to that photo?)

 

[marike6]

Brad Morris wrote:

BRPWS wrote:

I find the RX100 truly lacking in low light and the handling is terrible. I struggle to find the shutter release button when I was using it. The image quality cannot come close to the Fuji. As for focus, I did not find it any better than a Fuji and even if it was getting to press the shutter release was a pain.

--
EPS

Lacking compared to What? It is a pocket camera! The Rx100 produces acceptable ISO5000 images in terrible light. It performs significantly better than my old D200 in low light levels.

You keep saying that the RX100 performs better than the D200 (a DSLR that was released in 2005) but the fact it doesn't. The D200 provides over 1/2 EV better high ISO performance than the RX100 which provides about the same high ISO ability as the Nikon V2 (slightly less, in fact) and just a little bit better than the Fuji X10 which does have a VF and grip.

From DxOMark Sensor Ratings:

D200 Low-Light (sports) score 583 ISO

RX100 Low-Light (sports) score 390 ISO

X10 Low-Light (sports) score 245 ISO

this is an ISO4000 image

Granted my D700 and X-E1 do perform better but, unlike those cameras, it is pocketable and you have 20mp to play with.

The only handling issue that I see is the lack of VF and the flash controls do not have a dedicated button

The lack of a VF is a big deal for some as composing and shooting cellphone style with arms stretched out in from of you is not exactly the most stable shooting stance nor is the RX100's LCD particularly easy to view in bright light.

I should mention that the lack of grip found on cameras like the X10/X20 or LX7 doesn't exactly make it the most ergonomic, best handling camera around.

There is no doubt that the RX100 has a good sensor, good IQ, and video quality, but the claim that it beats even an eight year old APS-C DSLR is not at all accurate.

 

[marike6]

mmbn wrote:

Hi all,

I'm looking for a pocketable camera to complement my X-E1. After switching from the (first) NEX 5 which fitted large pockets, I'd like something really small as my always have with me cam....

Will I be disappointed from IQ/handling??

Cheers

Martin

If you want something really small, as in pocketable, the RX100 is a good choice. I don't think you'll be disappointed with IQ. You might me with handling. There is no grip at all, and the lack of VF means composing and shooting with outstretched arms camera-phone style. Personally, for snaps this is fine. For more serious photography, I generally prefer cameras with VFs and solid grips.

For this reason, I'd probably go for a slightly larger high end P&S like the new X20. You'll get better handling, IQ should be close numbers-wise (high ISO, DR, color depth), but you'll get the great Fuji colors which, IMHO, the Sony colors simply don't match.

So no, you won't be disappointed at all with IQ. You may be with ergonomics. You might also be surprised, as I was, that the RX100 doesn't have such a good macro mode. This may or may not matter for the kind of shooting you do. You'll love the photo IQ and video quality of the RX100, but as a camera, I'm cannot say. Some like it, some don't. I sold my RX100, and bought an X10. With the new X20 being announced, I sold my X10, and pre-ordered the X20. PDAF, an improved VF, X-Trans sensor with an OLPF should make sharpness/detail extremely good, 1080p60 at 36 mbps, similar to the RX100 are all features that should make the X20 a significantly better camera than the already excellent X10.

If you don't mind using smaller sensor cameras, the new Pentax MX-1 and Olympus XZ-2 look fantastic as well. Personally I'd rather have a small sensor camera with a faster lens f1.8-2.5 than the slower f1.8-4.9 lens of the RX100. Portrait or bokeh shots are just not the easiest to achieve at full telephoto because DOF is pretty deep.

Anyway, I don't want it to sound like I don't like the camera, just as a former RX100 user I wanted to mention a few of the problems I experienced with it. Most small, high end P&S that have RAW capabilities will be good choices for walk-around cameras.

Best of luck, Markus Arike

 

[mmbn]

Hi Markus,

thanks for your detailed statements!

I had a close look at the X10 a year ago but found it to be a little bit too large for my taste.

I'm looking for something really pocketable with great IQ and I think the RX100 (dispite not having a VF) meets this requirement best.

But I'm not telling you anything new ... thanks again!

Martin

 

[Brad Morris]

marike6 wrote:

Brad Morris wrote:

BRPWS wrote:

I find the RX100 truly lacking in low light and the handling is terrible. I struggle to find the shutter release button when I was using it. The image quality cannot come close to the Fuji. As for focus, I did not find it any better than a Fuji and even if it was getting to press the shutter release was a pain.

 

[JJJRRR768]

I just sold an RX100 due to the fact that it was too small for me and I like small camera, the IQ is very nice, the UI is not as nice but not bad, I found it getting hung up at times and I could not find a way out (not sure that will make sense but it would lock me into somewhere I did not want to be and I would have to shut it down and restart and I am not a complete idiot with cameras, so maybe me, maybe the camera). It is like a brick as far as design, I remember the Fuji being lambasted here at DPReview due to design, well the RX100 is just a rectangle, nothing more. The sensor is quite good, if you can handle the controls and like the UI then it is a great camera for you. I always shot RAW and AP, now I am considering the X20 and I know RAW will not be as easy in all cases but I think the jpegs will be quite good, the sony jpegs were not as good as the RAW if that matters. RAW support is widely available for the Sony. Good luck with your decision. I always carry a small camera case so pocketability is not as important to me as to others. I like to have the camera over my shoulder in a small domke or other such pouch.

 

[Asylum Photo]

My only beef with the RX100 is the lack of dynamic range expansion. I really like that about the X10/XF1, the EXR DR mode. I don't need huge files from a point and shoot, personally.

 

[Brad Morris]

Asylum Photo wrote:

My only beef with the RX100 is the lack of dynamic range expansion. I really like that about the X10/XF1, the EXR DR mode. I don't need huge files from a point and shoot, personally.