Sony 20.2 Megapixels Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 Review by LuminousLandscape

On May 16 2012, Sony announced the Cyber-shot RX100 digital compact camera featuring a 20.2 Megapixels sensor and fast F1.8 Zeiss branded 3.6x zoom lens. At the heart of the RX100 is the 1.0-inch type Exmor CMOS sensor that's specially developed by Sony which is approximately 4x larger than the 1/2.3-type sensors in traditional point-and-shoot cameras. The large sensor can take in more light while capturing images & movies with very low noise. The lens is the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* fixed lens with 3.6x optical zoom range and a wide F1.8 maximum aperture to let in additional light. The lens features 7 bladed circular aperture and an Advanced Aspherical (AA) lens element.

Other features of the RX100 includes support of sensitivity up to ISO 25600 (using Multi Frame Noise Reduction), 10 frames per second in full resolution, high-speed autofocus as quickly as 0.13 seconds, a 3-inch 1,229k dot Xtra Fine LCD display with WhiteMagic technology (use additional white pixels to boost screen brightness), a smooth control ring around the lens body for manual adjustments, as well as 6 different creative styles and a variety of popular picture effects including Toy Camera, Partial Color, and HDR Painting. The Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 digital camera is listed for about $650. Here's the summary of review by LuminousLandscape:

"Many cameras advertise that they are able to shoot stills while shooting video. In my experience thus far this is only partially true. Usually the video is halted briefly while the still is recorded, and then it resumes. With the RX100 there is no interruption whatsoever to video recording, but it takes a while for the still image to be saved so that another can be taken, and this only in JPG. Curiously, though this worked for me during the first few days of testing, when I returned to try this feature for purposes of timing tests it had stopped working and a no-stills possible icon was displayed. Though I spent some time trying various settings to try and ascertain the nature of the problem I could not, If the camera had been supplied with a proper manual I might have been able to, but alas.... Some folks discussing the RX100 online prior to its launch have gotten their knickers in a twist over the issue of DOF and sensor size. Yes - of course a 1" sensor is going to have greater DOF than a larger sensor at any given image magnification and aperture. But part of the magic of the RX100 is that while its sensor is smaller than APS-C or MFT it's still respectably large; large enough to provide reasonable DOF even at mid-range apertures and focal lengths.

The camera's image quality is nothing short of excellent, but my experience so far is that JPG quality is somewhat disappointing, especially at higher ISO. Regrettably, Sony like so many manufacturers, continues with their unnecessary pursuit of proprietary raw formats, and therefore until Adobe, Apple and others can get around to adding raw support we're stuck with Sony's Image Data Capture, which can only be charitably described as "barely usable". My first couple of days with the RX100 coincided with my being house-bound while recovering from some minor surgery. This restricted my shooting to exciting subjects such as my feet resting on the coffee table, though it was time well spent familiarizing myself with the camera. But, even though not the most aesthetic of subjects (my studio was unavailable), much can apparently be learned from stockinged feet. Using a beta version of one of the popular raw converters (life is literally too short for Image Data Capture) what became clear is that especially at higher ISOs JPGs appear to have overzealous noise reduction which strongly reduces resolution. Below are 100% on-screen crops of an ISO 1600 frame. The in-camera JPG is shown as-is while the raw file has had a few seconds worth of manual NR and sharpening adjustments. (An uncorrected raw would obviously tell us nothing of value). The results though speak for themselves."

Awesome Camera/Lens for it's purpose., gatorheadLuis - Jun 14 2013
I was looking for a high quality slim/lightweight compact camera to be my everyday camera I took with me to work, could take with me out to dinner, shot HD video, took SD cards and allowed for full manual controls if I wanted to get creative. The RX100 is the best camera for that purpose and I LOVE this camera for that purpose. My Panasonic GH3 with 12-35mm 2.8 and 75mm 1.8 is my go...

A story about Sony support, or lack of?, TEXAS ROCKS! - Jun 11 2013
Once upon a time, in a land far away lived a guy who loved Sony with all his heart. He felt like there was no reason to have anything else than Sony. So he went out and bought a TV (Sony), a DVD player (Sony), Camcorder (Sony), Game Console (Sony), MP3 Player (Sony), First, Second, and Third computers (Sony), First, Second and Third digital cameras (Sony), he even bought a new alarm c...

Camera Novice, A. McCall - Jun 11 2013
Best camera for someone getting into photography and who wants to take pictures like the pros. Strongly recommend to all....

Don't bother if you have an SLR., Adam J. Brown "Adam" - Jun 10 2013
If you have money to spend, or you don't want to fuss with an SLR and want above average point-and-shoot image quality, consider this camera. If you have an SLR, and just want a pocket camera to carry around when you don't really care about having top image quality, save your money and buy the Canon S100 at more than half the price. The difference in image quality is only noticeable u...