Sony Cyber-shot RX100 final thoughts
After years of essentially squeezing digital sensors into traditional SLRs, we’re really living in a golden age of camera technology right now. Into the melting pot are mirror-less system cameras, large sensor compacts, cameras with fixed mirrors and what could be the last of the traditional DSLRs. We’re seeing the ability to compose with a variety of technologies, focus and capture faster than ever before, grab HD video and stills at the same time, and apply a raft of processing tricks in real-time.
Sony is without a doubt at the forefront of this innovation and while the slower moving giants of Canon and Nikon continue to tread carefully so not to cannibalise sales of their existing ranges, Sony seems refreshingly unencumbered by the same strategy. After all, here’s a company which now offers four very different types of cameras to anyone wanting a big sensor: there’s traditional DSLRs, fixed-mirror SLTs, mirror-less NEX and now the compact RX100 to choose from. To be honest Sony arguably has no better idea than anyone else which form factor will triumph, but it’s covering all bases and for that I salute them.
Of all the options, I’m most excited by the new RX100 as it really seems to tick two boxes which so far have been mutually exclusive: a truly small camera with a big sensor. Canon’s G1 X may deliver great quality images with its 1.5in sensor, but it’s just too big for me, not to mention marred by a number of handling issues. Panasonic’s LX and Olympus’ XZ series are very nice, but I personally feel they’re too big given their small sensors - they’re just too close to the greater quality and flexibility of a small mirror-less CSC like the Panasonic GF5 equipped with a pancake zoom. Indeed of all the enthusiast compacts to date, Canon’s S-series have been closest to my ideal with their genuinely pocketable bodies, but again they’re compromised by small sensors.
Sony could have gone down the route of creating a feature-packed Canon G-series clone complete with hotshoe, viewfinder and articulated screen, but instead they’ve opted for the approach of the Canon S-series. As such it skips what are arguably unnecessary features for a compact in order to achieve a much smaller form-factor. To me this was absolutely the right choice - I’d sooner lose some features I already have on a bigger camera in order to produce a much more portable device I can squeeze into a pocket and happily take anywhere.
Of course those who intend to use the RX100 as their primary camera may be disappointed it doesn’t have a viewfinder and hotshoe, but they’re already catered by the G1 X or any number of other existing choices. What we didn’t have until now is a genuinely small body with a big sensor and zoom lens and that’s what Sony’s delivered here. Sure it may be thicker than the S100, but it has a sensor with almost three times the surface area, not to mention a brighter lens, 10fps shooting and a boatload of clever modes.
If the quality and handling lives up to expectations I reckon Sony will be onto a winner, even with the relatively high launch price of $650 USD. I’m sure I won’t be the only one thinking of trading their PowerShot S95 for one come July.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Cyber-shot_DSC_RX100/