Sony RX1 Compact Camera

The Sony RX1 may be the first compact camera using a 24 megapixel full-frame sensor. It also carries a manual aperture ring and fixed lens. The RX1 is often a true photographer’s camera, which can be reflected in the steep expense of $2,800. Additionally, most users will quickly realize it lacks some bells and whistles and will want to purchase peripherals, that will only up the price. However, for photogs with deep pockets, it doesn’t get a lot better than the Sony RX1.

The camera is 4.5×2.63×2.75-inches and weighs approximately a pound. It’s not pocketable, however easy to carry. The camera can be not weather-resistant. The RX1 doesn’t have a very grip, but does come with a textured/rubberized surface that wraps across the right side from the device. DCR said the digital camera is “expertly designed and comfy to hold and carry.” The control layout is well planned and your camera offers a lot of customization. There is multi-interface/hotshoe around the center with the top deck to get in touch accessories. DCR was disappointed within the location and size with the movie button which can be small and placed for the curved edge of the right side, rendering it difficult to access.

Due to the large amount of controls and customizations, users will rarely will need to go into the main internal menu, but DCR found the menus being logical and easy-to-navigate. The camera offers various modes including, auto, program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual, three user custom modes, movie, sweep panorama and scene modes. The Sony RX1 does not have an electric viewfinder, although users could buy one as a hotshoe accessory. The camera does have a 3-inch high quality LCD screen, which DCR notes is useful in low-light conditions, but is difficult to use outdoors.

The camera carries a speedy performance with little shutter lag and short shot-to-shot times. The continuous shooting speeds are five frames per second with locked focus and two fps in autofocus. DCR noted the autofocus is successful in good light but is often a bit sluggish in darker conditions and continuous autofocus is available in video mode. DCR also found the flash and image stabilization is normally good, but noted the flash won’t light up an entire room. The battery, which is charged in your camera, produced below 300 shots before dying, which DCR called “disappointing.”

The RX1 features a 35mm Carl Zeiss Sonar T fixed-lens as well as an aperture variety of f/2.0-F/2.2. DCR said the aperture range provides users having a broad low-light shooting range, good bokeh and great depth of field. Additionally, the lens delivers crisp, well-detailed images. DCR loved dealing with the manual aperture ring, but noted the manual focusing ring has a slow response time. The RX1 can shoot video fully HD 1080p along with a space-saving lower resolution. DCR found the recording quality being “not exceptional, but good,” and noted its “surprisingly clear audio.”

DCR referred to as image quality “stunning” and said hello “sticks out above the rest.” The images are sharp and well-detailed.  The RX1 has an ISO variety of 50-25600, which DCR found delivers accomplishment but should simply be used up to 6400 except in extreme circumstances.

Overall, DCR called the Sony RX1’s image quality “the unequivocal star- and rightly so.” DCR have also been impressed with your camera’s solid feature set and manual aperture rings, but was disappointed inside the LCD display, placement with the movie button and short life of the battery. The RX1 stands out inside the advanced compact camera category, but which has a hefty $2,800 price, it’s a computer device for professional and semi-professional photographers.