Admiring Light
Menu
  • Home
  • Review Index
  • Shop Talk
  • Technique and Vision
  • Opinion
  • Portfolio
  • Site Index
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
Menu

Review: Sony DSC-RX100

Posted on February 8, 2013February 18, 2013 by Jordan Steele

Contents

  • 1Body Layout and Ergonomics
  • 2Operation
  • 3Autofocus and Image Stabilization and other features
  • 4Image Quality: Lens Quality
  • 5Image Quality: Color and Dynamic Range
  • 6Image Quality - Noise
  • 7Video
  • 8Conclusion
  • 9Image Samples

Conclusion

Pros:

  • Very compact, rugged body with a big sensor
  • Controls are within easy reach and very customizable
  • Good image sharpness throughout the zoom range
  • Outstanding dynamic range
  • Good noise handling, allowing for quality images up to ISO 1600
  • Responsive with very fast and accurate autofocus
  • High quality video mode
  • Very good out of camera JPEGs

Cons:

  • Camera lacks any sort of front grip, so can be slick and slightly awkward to hold
  • Some odd limitations on controls options such as the inability to have exposure compensation on the rear dial.
  • Slightly confusing ‘wheel’ paradigm when changing settings
  • Lens is soft on the edges and has relatively pronounced chromatic aberration
  • Macro mode is pretty soft.

Overall, the Sony DSC-RX100 is a serious camera.  Not just for those looking for a high quality point and shoot as their sole camera, but even for the serious photographer looking for a take anywhere camera.  While the limited aperture at the long end would make me look elsewhere as my only camera, I loved shooting with it as a ‘take anywhere’ camera.  Most importantly, I never really felt I was compromising my ability to get high quality shots when I left my OM-D in the car and was testing this little guy.

The RX100 is actually the perfect camera for someone looking to upgrade to something like a DSLR just for the image quality, but who doesn’t want to hassle with buying multiple lenses.  All those people who own a DSLR and the kit zoom with no intention of ever buying additional lenses should seriously consider a swap to the RX100.  It has similar image quality and capabilities in a much smaller package.

There are some odd interface issues that I eventually became used to, and the lens certainly isn’t perfect.  However, while it has its quirks, the Sony RX100 is definitely the finest compact camera I have ever used.

Image Samples

Dark Sunset - Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 100
Dark Sunset – Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 100
Broad St - Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 400
Broad St – Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 400
Leaning - Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 3200
Leaning – Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 3200
Door Shadows - Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 800
Door Shadows – Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 800
Reynoldsburg High School - Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 400
Reynoldsburg High School – Sony DSC-RX100 @ ISO 400

 

 

 

 

Pages: 1 2 3

5 thoughts on “Review: Sony DSC-RX100”

  1. Wolfgang Lonien says:
    February 9, 2013 at 5:44 am

    Nice review and great images as always Jordan – thanks. A colleague of mine got one of these in addition to his D800, and I’ve seen good results already. For me, µ43rds is small enough, but if I would be considering a pocket camera, this would be it at the moment.

    Reply
  2. ian pua says:
    February 12, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    great review Jordan. i read from a forum that you can go as wide as 25mm on this rx100 when shot in raw. did you notice something similar to this assessment? thanks.

    Reply
  3. Mark says:
    February 24, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    This a great little camera.
    We had a light festival in Melbourne, Australia on the weekend, I bought my 7D with me as well as the RX100.
    The 7D was to heavy and to big. I used the RX100 90% of the time and loved it. It really is a great little camera and the image quality is fantastic for the the size of the thing. I think I will buy the upgrade to the Nex 7 if this is the quality sonny puts out in their small cameras.

    Reply
  4. Pingback: Sony TidBits… | sonyalpharumors
  5. Jon says:
    July 27, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    I sold my Sony, as I hated the video button placement. This caused me a great deal of stress and my hands were too big for this camera. As a older gentlemen my eyes weren’t too good either. I opted for the Fuji XE2 and never looked back!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me:

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on RSSFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on Mastodon

Most Popular Posts

  • "Full Frame Equivalence" and Why It Doesn't Matter (288)
  • Fuji X-Pro 2 vs. Sony A7 II: Noise Comparison (70)
  • Fuji 56mm f/1.2 vs. Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron (63)
  • Review: Metabones Speed Booster (Canon FD to Fuji X) (56)
  • Review: Olympus OM-D E-M5 (48)

Recent Comments

  • Anonymous on Ready for Launch!
  • Jordan Steele on Canon EOS R8 – First Impressions
  • J Williams on Canon EOS R8 – First Impressions
  • Davide on Review: Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
  • Peter on A Tripod in the Sky – DJI Air 2S Review

Archives

©2023 Admiring Light | Theme by SuperbThemes
We use cookies to personalize content and ads and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You may consent to the use of cookies or opt out. Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

SAVE & ACCEPT