Professional "Large Sensor" Pocket Camera

RX100 Raw format

Pros: good small-size companion to bulky DSLR

Cons: yet another proprietary raw format

I use Lightroom and CS6 to manage and process my photos. The Adobe Raw Converter of course does not support this new raw format. So I lose all the benefit of shooting in raw format. Why doesn't Sony support the DNG format? If not directly off the cam, then at least as an output option for the Sony RAW Converter? This is disappointing!

Almost perfect

Pros: Excellent picture quality. Fast even in low light. Compact and pocketable.

Cons: Loss of mode dial function in scene select if guide is turned off.

The best camera is the one you have with you all of the time and this one exceeds in that department. I never have my DSLR with me when I need it and my camera bag has gotten so heavy with lenses and accessories that I've even started leaving it home on trips. This corrects both of those problems. It has replaced and far exceeded my prior Cannon S90. Picture quality and color are exceptional. Moves are likewise excellent. The ability to shoot stills while filming is a plus. Once you figure out the speed shooting modes it is quite usefull. (The fastest mode @10 fps does not refocus or re-meter after the first shot so follow up shots are often blurred. The 2.5 fps mode does both and quality is excellent.) Place the camera in normal speed shutter mode (2.5 fps), shutter priority @ 1000, and aim at fast moving children or pets and prepare to be astounded. A few areas that could be better. If you are an advanced shooter and wish to turn off the mode guide you also lose the ability to quickly use the mode dial to select scenes while in that mode. Should not have to go into menus for that. Manual is poor.... have to play with the camera a bit to figure it out. Should have external charger for a second battery. Software is poor for burning movies. Works better transferring files onto a media server and playing over home TV that way. Would I recommend this.... YES. Is it a DSLR replacement..... it's the closest in pocket size that I have found. Good work Sony!

Almost perfect

Pros: Excellent image quality (but see my reservations below), compact size, great lens

Cons: Some issues with image resolution at longer focal lengths, not great battery life

I have been waiting for a camera like this for a number of years. I mostly shoot DSLR, but I have bought several P&S cameras over the years (mostly Canon) and was never satisfied with them. The image quality that this camera gives from ISO 80 to 800 is nothing of outstanding (however, see some of my issues below). In auto mode, white-balance in images is outstanding, and it is easy to change to specific settings from either the Menu or Function buttons. The camera is small enough that it will fit comfortably in a pocket if you have baggy shorts or pants (people with tight-fit jeans, please don't try), even if it is inside a small camera poach. Now for the issues I have with this camera: 1) The lens is superb at its widest aperture (f/1.8) and lowest focal length (28mm). However, once the aperture gets smaller, especially past f/5.6, and at longer focal lengths, I find that small details in images can get quite mushy, even when shooting on a tripod with image stabilization off (to avoid having the sensor move during image capture). The lens at longer focal lengths is just not that great, and I try to avoid mid- to telephoto ranges. 2) Battery runs out too quickly, I get perhaps 200-300 shots out of it (which of course depends on how much one uses the LCD display). I also would prefer to charge the battery with a separate charger, like many have already mentioned. 3) The LCD display is excellent, giving bright saturated images. However, when its brightness is set to “Sunny Weather” (and not Auto, which is the default), I have found that it consistently has a problem displaying saturated yellow colors, and also reds to a lesser extent. The yellows tend to bloom to an ugly off-green color, even when the colors in the JPEG file viewed on a color-calibrated monitor are perfectly fine (I have set my camera to shoot RAW+JPEG high rez). In “Auto” mode, the files display properly.

Always Wanting More Features

Pros: Size, Performance, Features

Cons: Flash Output

The RX100 is no doubt currently the Best In Class for a compact size camera with professional level performance. However the two things that affect the photo the most is the lens and lighting. The RX100 has a fast and excellent f1.8 Zeiss T* lens but the on board flash limits its full photography potential. I wish the RX 100 had Wireless Flash Control abilities to control something like the HVL-F43AM Flash for creative off camera lighting.

The absolute best portable camera in the market

Pros: Incredible image quality, 1" sensor, f/1.8 lens

Cons: None really!

Up to now, most of us had to make a tradeoff between portability and quality. No more. This camera can take shots as good –and sometimes better- as my trusted DSLR. Take a look at my sample shots at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdada/sets/72157630705719378/ PORTABILITY This camera fits in my hand, in my pocket and in my laptop bag. In fact, I am using the case for my wife’s Lumix TZ8. I can bring this camera with me anywhere. One big advantage is safety: if you travel to places that are not 100% safe, any potential robber would mistake it with a cheap $200 camera. More importantly, you will nevr have to leave this camera in a hotel room, on the trunk of your car, or will have to carry a big backpack with camera and accessories. Why this is size so important? You miss 100% of the shots you can’t take because you cannot bring your camera. Because this is a camera you will carry anywhere. There have been many business trips, weekend opportunities and just in the moment photo opportunities where it was not practical or safe to bring my big DSLR. That is no longer a problem with a portable camera like this that gives me all the quality and control I need as an experienced photographer. The only downside to size it that it looks pretty ridiculous to have this camera mounted on a tripd (as I did last night taking skyline shots at dusk) and that you don’t have the ‘professional’ look of sdomeone carrying a large camera with a big lens, which sometimes is useful getting access to normally unavailable areas for tourists. QUALITY Sony has been improving the quality of its digital cameras steadily for the last few years. In February of 2011 I got a HX5V which was quite impressive, and delivered quality images even when compared with a DSLR except for low-light and other tricky situations. I traded it for a Canon PowerShot S95 which was a step ahead but still suffered from high noise levels in low light settings. What makes this camera unique is a 1” CMOS sensor. It is the only camera in this class or in similar size with a sensor this big. The law of physics is very simple: larger sensor, higher quality and lower noise. Sure you could get a NEX-5 with an even bigger sensor for slightly better quality but you would be stuck with a much, much larger camera, especially because of the size of the lens, and a much higher price. Combined with a minimum aperture of f/1.8, Carl Zeiss optics and a lot of cool features from Sony such as the Auto HDR and very cool camera effects, it is an amazing camera. After a week of playing with it I am wondering why would the average person need anything more than this camera. Last, I really love the on-screen information (and the quality of the display), especially the level indicator that helps you shoot straight pictures. EASE OF USE Don’t let the power scare you away from this camera. As most point and shoot cameras, this one has an ‘auto’ mode that is usually quite good at getting the right settings for each shot. If you ar enot an expert, you will feel at home with the Sony RX100 camera having used any pocket digital camera, and you will enjoy the high quality it delivers. I found the menus to be intuitive, the camera feels solid and built with high quality materials. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT Processing speed takes a few seconds, but given the quality of the effects I would be surprised if they took significantly less time. Still, often you have to wait a second or two after a shot if you use advanced in-camera processing such as HDR. The 3.6 Zoom goes to 105mm I think, which is fine for most situations but could be nice to have a 200mm 9equivalent) zoom. I know adding such a zoom would require a larger lens so I rather keep the portability as is. Further, with 20 megapixels, you can zoom in to your photos easily in post production. Overall, if you are an experienced hobbyist or a semi-professional photographer looking for a camera to

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Best compact camera available

Pros: Image quality, fast operation, 10fps, fast focus, nice detail/resolution, small/light carry anywhere

Cons: No external battery charger available, battery life, no view finder, no menu option to disable shutter/focus sound

It's the little camera that could. The larger image censor really shines. Excellent detail in images allowing you to zoom in when viewing picture on computer screen to see all the details that the camera captured. Accurate/fast focus, having shot about 2000 outdoors pictures only a couple were blurry/out of focus. It's so fun to use you would want to buy a backup battery pack so you can shoot the whole day. Nice menu system and controls although video record button can be activated by accident. Popup flash can pop up annoyingly over your finger but can easily be disabled from the controls/menu if you don't plan on using flash (I seldom do). Image quality is superb right out of the camera. I haven't been able to make much use of RAW but found camera jpeg just perfect. Continuous shooting is superb at regular speed and shines at 10fps. Having used 10fps shooting on the camera I will not buy any future camera that does not have that feature. Great for capturing 1 sec of fast action such as diving, etc at 10fps. I have never been a fan of Sony digital cameras before, good electronics not so good image quality? This camera shows that Sony has changed that and image quality and electronics both deliver. It's nice to see Sony changing the rules and is making the best camera it can make rather than hamstring the camera to protect a higher margin DSLR. It's not perfect but very close to it. LCD can be difficult to see in bright sunshine and if there was one thing I would add to the camera it would be a view finder, but still the camera is very good without one.

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Got 90% of what I wanted

Pros: High res, fast autofocus, fast write times

Cons: Ergonomics of a brick! Many compromises in macro

This was a replacement / upgrade from Nikon S53c and although it's specs are impressive, it's handling is difficult thus all the aftermarket grips, etc. Macro mode has fixed f stop and only works @ wide angle. Very fast write times considering the large files. This camera is pocketable, but reinforce your pockets! Why no magnesium ergo shape for this price? Fast lens at this size IF YOU shoot only wide angle. Lack of decent printed manual is cheesy marketing.

Raw files can't be seen on Mac, PS5, etc

Cons: Bought for raw files

Get it together Sony and update your communication wit Mac, PS, LR etc

efficiency and travel friendly

Pros: everything in it. compact and travel friendly

Cons: flash is a little too complicated to handle. very delicate.

This compact RX 100 define my needs. I used to have a DSLR camera and I feel like a professional photographer but never had the time to learn the basic. But this packet size gadget will not just let you travel light but it will also give you the same action that professional DSLR users have. I recommend this camera for travels and nature lovers

Let me count the ways!

Pros: Image quality, pocketable, manual controls, great lens, bright LCD

Cons: Menu learning curve

Over the years we've owned many digital cameras including DSLR, Micro Four Thirds and Point & Shoot. I'd rate my abilities as an advanced armature. Simply put, the RX100 is the best P&S camera available today, period. Why? It has the best sensor available in a P&S camera and, in terms of image quality, can and does produce results equal to those form DSLR and MFT cameras, simply put the Sony 20MB sensor produces absolutely stunning photos. The RX100 can be used as s simple P&S camera, just set it to Superior Auto and go to work, you'll love the results. If you're an advanced shooter, the RX100 has a range of manual control that will accommodate any shooting approach you'd like to use, if you want it, it's there. The Zeiss lens is terrific and has a very useful zoom range. Tiered of LCD viewing screens that can't be used in bright sun, well forget it with the RX100, just turn up the brightness and keep shooting. There isn't much this little, truly pocketable, camera can't do it terms of producing excellent photographic results. In case you haven' guessed, I love this little wonder. And, yes, the menu system has a steep learning curve but that's true for any camera with loads of manual control and flexibility.

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Very good start but...

Pros: IQ, Size

Cons: Prize, Lack of Charger

Great Camera, best compact so far. However I do think it is utterly overprized (500 USD max.), the lack of an external battery charger is annoying and Shutter Speed of 1/4000th is desperately needed.

Great Camera...But

Pros: Great images, many settings options

Cons: No useful user manual, no software that handles RAW from RX100, AVCHD not supported for editing

This is a great camera but the ergonomics can be a problem. If Camera is held with both hands it is hard not to cover the pop-up flash. With flash on auto, it can pop up automatically when the shutter is pressed without warning. WORST of all, the "instruction manual" is little more than an identification of the buttons and dials, and does little to explain what exactly it is that they do. At $650 it is UNFORGIVABLE, and Sony needs to address this issue with a true downloadable manual or tutorials.

Best of both worlds

Pros: excellent flash performance; compact size

Cons: zoom could be longer

I take a camera with me almost everywhere I go and there are many times when a DSLR is simply too large. My Canon S95 got fried when my wife dropped it in the Dead Sea (!) so I needed a replacement. The biggest issue with prior compact cameras has been indoor flash performance. The RX100 solves this problem. This camera can substitute for your DSLR in just about every situation and since it is smaller and lighter, you are more likely to take it and use it.

Cybershot with great features

Pros: Pocket size, huge megapix, tons of features

Cons: Pricey

Fits in palm and pocket size.with many features comparable to NEX-7 without the price. Read the reviews. Found detailed Cybershot User Guide which is more useful than the Instruction Manual included. Hope there will be a downloadable pdf file. Great replacement for my Panasonic LX2.

RX100, Contax TVS Digital is back or even better

Pros: Image Quality, Menu system, Build Quality

Cons: Nothing

Perfect in its class. This is larger sensor point and shoot camera. No hot shoe, optical view finder, fixed lens blar blar blar My concern is below things. 1. fast operating. easy change setting even better than nex series 2. image quality is outstanding. Jpg, Arw both very good. illustration mode is much more fun. 3. very good inner flash on top. its head can be up for bounce. 4. original leather case is very nice and perfect fitted. 5. ring control is very useful. 6. image quality is very even with other mirrorless cameras. 7. body build quality is superb. there is no heavy stupid material grip. I don't care. only I know without bulky grip, it looks so sexy. 8. Minimum body design shows sony's philasophy of product design. It is not a retro It is not something else. It is just sonystyle.

Why SONY WHY ? Less Features More Money ?

Pros: Larger Image Sensor & MP, Control Ring,RAW.

Cons: Very Low Zoom @ 3.6x, POP UP Flash ?

SONY = Why would you make this model as much as the NEX5 @ 649.99USD? Why not just merge these features into the next NEX Camera & drop the price about 649.99USD. Where is theZOOM ? You need @ Least 10x, but 20x would be better. POP UP Flash, Really. Consumers = Save your Money, Buy A NEX 8 When SONY DROPS THE PRICE DOWN TOO AROUND 650.00 USD & ADDS these features

More than I hoped for

Pros: Picture quality, compact size, PSAM modes, flexible flash.

Cons: minor ergonomics

I have a Sony a550 DSLR which I enjoy thoroughly, but I wanted a good point and shoot to have on me at all times. Honestly, I figured I would look at other brands just to try something else. Then I googled "best point and shoot" and lo and behold this little wonder appeared. After watching numerous review videos by long time *coughCannonandNikoncough* users that were completely blown away by the RX100 I was pretty sure it was exactly what I was looking for. And, it was a Sony *grin* gotta love the irony. If you want the best point and shoot out there, this is it. I still can't believe the amazing picture quality!!! Honestly, I can't afford the Zeiss lenses for my a550 so having one on this sometimes produces better quality than my DSLR. Also, it is a sexy little pocket rocket. I pop it in my purse and hardly know it's there. I sling it on my shoulder and it's light as a feather and right at my finger tips all the time. As for the ergonomics, I have accidentally pushed the video button a few times. I figure in time I'll get used to where it is and this won't happen. This is for you if you don't need an(other) interchangeable lens system, or simply want to upgrade to the best P&S out there. Equally usable for pros, hobbyists and just for fun shooters. Love, love, love this mighty mouse.

The best camera to have around

Pros: Great image quality, ease of use and it is light!

Cons: No battery charger supplied

I have had this camera for less than a month, but I've used it everyday. It is always on hand and its capabilities are astounding in such a small package. The attached pic tells it all.

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Powerful Camera -- Perfect for Baby-Boomers

Pros: Extremely sophisticated in-camera software and superb Carl Zeiss lens

Cons: Just a few inconveniences

This review comes after my having read all of the pre-release and early on-line reviews, then buying an RX100 in a local Sony Store -- it totally exceeds my expectations. This product review is probably different from most others. I am a Senior Citizen with very specific needs, needs which the RX100 is satisfying brilliantly, for instance: (1) I have been experiencing vision issues which challenge my use of a DSLR's eyepiece. The huge and hugely bright LCD display on the RX100 aides my composition and focusing comfort (as does the quick and accurate autofocus). (2) The combination of several features in one compact camera body precludes my needing other equipment. In particular, the 28mm-100mm optical zoom together with the digital zoom extension to 200mm; the ultra-wide angle panorama mode; and, its breath-taking 1080 HD video with full active camera functions and still frame capture ability. I'm using its MP4 format and Mac computers. (3) Also, besides adding years to its "Obsolescence Window" by jumping to 20Mpixel resolution [my last Nikon digital camera works but has only 5Mpixel, hence obsolete], having such large images allows me to crop down to smaller sections of the image and still have plenty of pixels to print -- effectively increasing the RX100's "magnification" even more than it's stated optical and digital zoom ranges. (4) The combination of a very large sensor and the F1.8 lens, together with the camera's uncanny ability to adjust for strong backlight, has allowed me to minimize the need for any flash at all. I'm taking pictures that my previous equipment simply couldn't handle w/o fill flash. (5) And, finally, the fast internal processor and support for large, fast memory cards, encourages me to use the RX100's 10 image per second burst capture, which is a major aide in getting just the right expression when I am photographing blinking adults and/or typically hyperactive Newborn to 4-year-old granchildren. The price of having to kill all of the "extra" stills in the burst is small compared to getting the perfect shot, or not getting it. I'm using a 16Gb Class 10 but intend to try a 95Mbps Extreme Pro memory to see whether the Rx100 is even faster! So, although there are a few "shortcomings" as mentioned in the on-line and other customers' reviews (i.e., weak on-camera flash, no hot shoe, HDMI port next to the tripod mount, weak user manual so far), this camera truly is top of its class and an excellent investment for people like me who do a lot of grandchild photos and vacation/travel photos -- I started photographing my latest grandson's birth the same afternoon that I bought the RX100; and I can hardly wait for next February to take this little beauty along to New Zealand and Australia (for this active vacation I am buying a trekking pole with a camera mount to use as a monopod).

Consider the Bar Raised!

Pros: Size, Sensor, Lens, usable 3200 ISO pictures, 1080p 60fps video...EVERYTHING!!

Cons: Would like the Apeture to hold on to 1.8 further into the zoom range

I am literally rendered speechless by how amazing this camera is! It performs significantly better in many respects than my Canon 40D SLR from a couple of years ago and in a package that fits in my pocket. The image quality is outstanding, the video quality is stunning. I recently brought it to a friends wedding and the video it was taking was on par with the photographers 5D MK II ($4000 setup)...the portraits and low light images were breathtaking! I have been faithful to Canon my whole life and this is my first Sony camera purchase. Based on initial impressions and using it daily for nearly 3 weeks, I can comfortably say that this camera is the kind of thing that puts a company like Sony in the big leagues with companies like Canon and Nikon, and as is currently the case, surpasses comparable products from both companies by a significant margin! You simply can not get better pictures from anything else in a comparable size!

Awesome

Pros: Low light

Cons: havnt found any yet

Got this camera as i have small children and taking photos indoors has always been a problem. photos are usually blurry or you have to use a flash which isnt great. The RX100 out of the box in Auto mode was good but then I found that there is actually a mode for low light indoors that pushes up the ISO slightly higher and the results are excellent.

The best camera is the one you have with you

Pros: great balance of portability and features

Cons: for the price, sony could have thrown in a few extras

I've owned various dslr's for years and this little point-and-shoot can't match the flexibility of swapping lenses to meet the needs of the shot. It will, however, probably get more great images simply because I'll have it with me at all those times I've regretted not having my camera along (dog walk at sunrise, bike ride, etc). Even in the protective case I bought for it, it fits easily in most of my pockets and so I take it everywhere and in a few short weeks have taken some beautiful still images and videos. Highly recommended.

Best pocket rocket cam today?

Pros: Great IQ ; nice build; compact; useful Fcn button; fast AF

Cons: a bit on pricey; 1/2000 speed;

IQ: perhaps the best of all p+s thanks to the large sensor (but dynamic range still a bit behind micro fourthirds and FF) better than the competition (except perhaps Nikon 1 series?) noise is quite good , image usable to ISO 800 Quality build, clean and sturdy a la Leica minimal design but Fcn button is quick and accessible to may features Control wheel is quite versatile (for ISO , zoom , aperture ..) LCD is bright , detailed and one of the best in industry AF is fast and AF points can be adjusted Great choices of filters, my favorite is Illustration low quite shutter great Zeiss lens Some negs: max speed is only 1/2000 thus can't sue max aperture under bright light no builtin ND (could have compensated for max speed) a bit slippery to hold (need a skin or a leather half case ; I use strap around wrist for security) would have preferred 24-85mm zoom to 28-100mm zoom a bit dim at longer end a bit pricey

battery charging is antiquated

Pros: Low light, fast lens, big sensor

Cons: Battery charging in camera is pathetic

I am returning it due solely of the fact that the battery charging design of IN CAMERA charging is not convenient at all. The flimsy charging door will break off at some point, and the wrist strap location is exactly in the way right at the hinge side of the charging door. Why oh Why did Sony not include a battery wall charger rather than the plug, the cable, and the flimsy door..:(