IN Lately there is a tendency to increase the physical size of the sensor while maintaining minimum sizes cameras. No one is chasing megapixels anymore. In this area, Sony can be called a leader, as it has released a camera with a full-frame sensor, which belongs to the Cyber-shot line.
The RX1 camera received the sensor from the older SLT-A99 model. The placement of the camera in the Cyber-shot line can be called conditional, since the device is not entirely compact and in terms of cost does not belong to the segment of budget cameras. The RX1 is a very serious camera. Its only significant drawback is its non-removable optics.
Key Features of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
- Sensor: full frame Exmor, physical size 35.8 x 23.9 mm; resolution - 24.3 MP
- Lens: focal length 35 mm; Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T, aperture F2.0-22; minimum focusing - 14 cm in macro mode, in normal mode - 24 cm; Digital zoom due to cropping of the full format matrix. Filter diameter - 49 mm
- Stabilizer: Digital Steady Shot
- Photo resolution: 6000 x 4000
- Photo file formats: JPEG, RAW
- Aspect ratio: 3:2, 16:9, 4:3, 1:1
- Panoramic Photos: Wide (5536 x 2160/12416 x 1856) / Standard (3872 x 2160/8192 x 1856)
- Video files: maximum resolution 1920 x 1080, 50p, 28 Mbps; AVCHD, MP4 format; stereo sound
- ISO: 100 - 25600 with extension up to 50; Noise reduction Multi-Frame NR
- Display: LCD Xtra Fine, 3" diagonal", number of dots 1,288,000
- Continuous shooting: up to 5 fps; with single-frame focusing - 2.5 fps
- Shutter speed range: 30-1/4000 s
- Exposure compensation: +/-3.0 EV 1/3 EV steps
- Built-in flash: modes: Auto, Slow sync, Rear curtain; red eye correction; hot shoe
- Memory: Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo/; SD/SDHC/SDXC
- Interfaces: USB 2.0, HDMI, microphone jack
The cost of the camera in the Sony store is 119,999 rubles.
Design and Construction
Sony doesn't try to implement incredible design solutions. The camera turned out to be quite ordinary in shape.
The eye does not cling to the camera. It looks like a faceless black square. This, of course, can be attributed to the advantage of the camera.
The case is not very pleasing with its small protrusion for gripping by hand. All places where the camera comes into contact with the photographer’s hand are rubberized, but this does not make holding the camera much more comfortable. The dimensions of the device are 113.3 x 65.4 x 69.6 mm, and the weight is 482 grams. The camera is heavy for its size. Despite the fact that the RX1 is considered a compact, it cannot fit into a pocket. The strongly protruding lens is to blame for this.
Functional elements. On the front of the camera there is a lens, an LED for autofocus illumination, and an autofocus mode switch. On the left are the connectors: microHDMI, microUSB and 3.5 mm jack for a microphone. There are no functional elements on the right. There is only an eyelet for attaching a belt, which is duplicated on the left. At the bottom there is a compartment for the battery and memory card, as well as a thread for a tripod. At the top you can see a pop-up flash, a hot shoe, a mode switch, an exposure compensation adjustment element, a shutter button that is combined with a switch, and a programmable key. The shutter button has a thread for connecting a cable release.
On the back side there is a 3" screen without a rotating mechanism, a flash activation lever, a button to start viewing footage, a control wheel, a five-way joystick with keys suitable for programming. This joystick is combined with a second control wheel. There is also a button to start video recording.
The assembly of the case is excellent, but the easily scratched screen glass and the lack of protection included in the package are frustrating. Also not included in delivery is the case. All this can be purchased for an additional fee. The camera comes with a pouch for transporting the camera in a bag and a cloth for wiping the screen and optics.
Control Interface
The camera controls are conveniently located. It's nice to have the ability to control the aperture. The control ring is located on the lens. It is very convenient to customize the 5 programmable buttons at your discretion. The menu interface has two columns (right and left) for control. Navigation through them is carried out using two selector rings. In general, the menu is similar to what can be seen in Alpha-series cameras and on the RX100. Interestingly, the camera does not include a photography tutorial, although Sony often supplies similar tutorials with its cameras.
There is no viewfinder on the RX1. You can install an optional electronic viewfinder on the hot shoe. This will block the space for installing an external flash. Framing pictures can be done on the screen, which does not have a rotating mechanism. Several different grid types and a histogram can be displayed on the screen.
Functionality
The pride of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 camera is the full-frame sensor from the top-end DSLR model Alpha SLT-A99. Its physical size is 35.8 x 23.9 mm. Resolution - 24.3 MP. High resolution allows for cropping that is almost invisible to the eye, which leads to the possibility of digital zoom. The camera lens does not support zooming, so digital zoom is the only way zoom
The BIONZ processor handles image processing. The camera turns on for about one second. Continuous shooting allows you to take 5 frames per second with continuous focusing and 2.5 frames with single focusing. A series can contain up to 16 photographs in Jpeg format and 12 in RAW format.
Autofocus works at 25 points. It is quite fast and does its job well in moderate conditions. In poor lighting, autofocus may miss and take a long time to think, but this behavior is quite normal for this type of autofocus system. Manual focusing is performed using a ring on the lens, but this ring is electronic, so sometimes there are lags in the speed of operation.
There is no optical stabilization. There is an electronic one, but only for video.
The camera has quite standard shooting modes - P/A/S/M, iAuto+, panorama, video, scene modes and three user modes. Bulb shutter mode available. It is activated when the shutter speed is set to the maximum value.
Video.
The RX1 camera can shoot FullHD video in two formats. These are AVCHD and MP4 with a frequency of up to 50fps. Manual video quality settings are available. The stereo microphone has a wind noise suppression system. If necessary, you can connect an external microphone.
Shooting quality
Lens with fixed focal length At 35 mm, the RX1 camera has an adjustable aperture ranging from 2.0 to 22. This optics gives very pleasant bokeh and a fairly sharp image, but with such characteristics optical and light distortions often occur. In most cases, camera filters correct any inaccuracies, but sometimes vignetting remains noticeable.
A camera with such an excellent sensor demonstrates good performance when shooting in low light conditions and at high ISO values.
Noise reduction works very well, but it does make the picture a little blurry. It kills details. This option can be disabled. iAuto+ mode gives very good results. Exposure metering and white balance determine shooting conditions almost accurately. You can simply turn on automatic mode and shoot for your pleasure.
Battery
The RX1's battery has a capacity of 1240 mAh. This is enough for 250-260 shots. This is very little for a camera of this level, but most compacts show the same figure. It is very convenient that the camera can be charged directly from the network without using an external charger.
Sony has announced a new full-frame compact camera with a fixed lens, the Cyber-Shot RX1R II. The new product has become the embodiment of all the best RX1 and RXIR with upgraded characteristics. The matrix and hybrid autofocus deserve a separate discussion. The same equipment is installed in the flagship A7R II mirrorless camera, and that's worth a lot.
The compact has a convenient electronic viewfinder. Previous generations of the RX1 and RX1R had viewfinders that were clunky and not very user-friendly. The new product received a pop-up viewfinder module. A similar one is used in the RX100 versions III and IV. The viewfinder resolution is 2.4 million pixels.
The controls for its location are similar to those found in previous generation cameras. The camera body is approximately the same size. Only a few visual changes distinguish the new camera from previous models.
Like last year's cameras, the new product has a 35mm F/2 lens. Its control dials are very well designed ergonomically. They are wide and grippy. Two separate dials allow you to control focus and aperture. To change the autofocus mode there is a special switch in the corner of the front of the camera. Maximum speed RX1R II continuous shooting with AF-C autofocus tracking is 5 frames per second.
Not only the pop-up viewfinder allows you to conveniently view the scene. The rotating display is also designed for convenient shooting from high and low angles. An additional control dial on the rear panel makes it easy to adjust shooting settings.
The top panel is quite standard. There are two disks on it. One is responsible for switching modes, and the second is for exposure compensation.
What's surprising is how compact the camera is. In addition to the pop-up viewfinder, the small body houses a full-frame image sensor. The RX1R II case dimensions are 113x65x72mm. Camera weight - 507 grams.
The camera is very interesting with its form factor and hardware, but the video capabilities are disappointing. To start and stop video recording, use a small button, which is recessed into the body, which avoids accidental clicks. In this case, the button is located under the thumb. Although the sensor is borrowed from the A7R II, new camera The Sony RX1R II cannot record 4K video. Its maximum is Full HD. By reducing the resolution to 720p, you can record video at 120 frames per second.
The display, mounted on a tilting mechanism, has a resolution of 1.2 million pixels. Its clarity and sharpness are very high, but touch controls are the norm these days and aren't here. It is completely unclear why Sony decided not to implement touch controls. A company that, in addition to photographic equipment, produces smartphones should have no problems with this. There is an NFC sign on the grip handle. Place a smartphone or tablet with this technology against it and your devices will connect.
Sony's new plan will add support for 14-bit uncompressed RAW to many cameras. This didn't happen with the RX1R II either. He will be able to shoot with such depth of color. Now the flagship camera a7R II has already received this opportunity with a firmware update.
There's a lot of interesting technology hidden inside the RX1R II. The rear element of the optics goes very deep into the camera.
The Sony RX1R II has an image sensor similar to the a7R II. Because of this, the focusing system of both cameras is similar. It consists of 399 phase points. Autofocus on previous models was slow. The new product works as much as 30% faster. Despite all the advantages, the RX1R II does not have an image stabilization system. Software stabilization is only available when recording video.
Another innovation is the RX1R II low-pass filter. It's electronic. The filter control system offers three settings: maximum filtration, medium level and off. Thanks to the settings, you can choose between maximum moire reduction, but the loss of some fine details, or maximum detail, but the presence of moire in the frame.
The technology for adjusting the intensity of the filter is electronic. By applying different voltages, you can change the degree of blur of the image, and this is what happens to reduce moire.
SpecificationsSony Cyber-Shot II RX1R
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Price |
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Camera body |
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Style |
Compact camera with full frame sensor |
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Housing material |
Magnesium alloy |
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Image sensor |
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Maximum resolution |
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Photo aspect ratio |
1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
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Working resolution |
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Full resolution |
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Matrix size |
Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) |
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Sensor type |
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GPU |
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Color space |
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Pictures |
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ISO sensitivity |
Auto, 100-25600, expandable to 50-102400 |
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White presets |
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Custom White Balance |
Available with fine tuning |
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Image stabilization |
Absent |
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Raw format |
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JPEG quality levels |
Very good, good, standard |
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File Format |
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Optics and focus |
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Focal length |
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Optical zoom |
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Maximum aperture |
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Autofocus |
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Autofocus assist lamp |
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Digital zoom |
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Manual focus |
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Normal Focus Range |
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Macro focusing range |
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Number of focus points |
25 contrast, 399 phase |
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Display and viewfinder |
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Rotate, tilt |
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Display diagonal |
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Display resolution |
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Touchscreen |
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Display type |
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Live mode View |
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Viewfinder type |
Electronic |
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Viewfinder coating |
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Viewfinder magnification |
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Viewfinder resolution |
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Photography Options |
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Minimum shutter speed |
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Maximum shutter speed |
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Exposure Modes |
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Story modes |
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Built-in flash |
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Yes (with hot shoe) |
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Flash modes |
Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear curtain sync, wireless |
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X-sync speed |
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Shutter Modes |
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Continuous shooting speed |
5.0 fps |
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Timer |
Yes (2, 5, 10 seconds) |
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Metering Modes |
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Exposure compensation |
± 5 (1/3 step) |
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White balance bracketing |
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Video recording features |
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Permissions |
1920x1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280x720 (120P, 30p) |
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File Format |
MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 |
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Notes |
Supports 50 Mbps bit rate using XAVC S codec |
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Microphone |
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Speaker |
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Data storage |
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Types of memory cards |
SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
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Data transfer |
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USB port |
USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) |
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HDMI port |
Yes (Micro HDMI) |
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Microphone connector |
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Headphone jack |
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Wireless connection |
Built-in 802.11b/G/N with NFC |
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Eat using a smartphone |
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physical characteristics |
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Protection from moisture and dust |
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Power supply |
Battery |
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Battery Description |
Lithium-ion. NP-BX1 |
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Battery life |
220 photos |
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Weight including battery |
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dimensions |
113 x 65 x 72 mm |
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Other Features |
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Orientation sensor |
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Interval recording |
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2 years ago
Precision assembly Metal body Compact size with awesome quality Excellent glass (fixed aperture) with aperture wheel Full-frame sensor (those in the know will understand, others won’t buy it anyway), no noise Built-in flash Manual modes, scenes for others Rotators for the basic requirements of photographers (exposure compensation, modes , two wheels, selection buttons) Fully customizable, I’ve only seen this in mirrored Pentaxes Mirror quality with completely non-mirror sizes If you try, it will fit into your pocket There are no competing models Zeiss badges on glass and Sony badges on the device will allow only your friends whose devices have it to sleep peacefully red circle with white letters, the rest will choke on saliva
2 years ago
Full frame sensor, very good
2 years ago
Compactness. Matrix. Lens. Assembly.
2 years ago
Highest quality build, excellent lens, quiet shutter, autofocus, gives very beautiful picture, pastel colors.
2 years ago
I can't handle flash photos. And this camera has very high working ISOs and a huge “hole”, which allows you to take stunningly beautiful pictures in the twilight without noise. Moreover, if it’s really dark, there is a mode where it stitches together a picture from a series of frames, also clean and without noise. It's been a long time since a single device has brought me so much joy. Perhaps a 4K monitor, for the same price, on which you can watch these pictures and enjoy.
2 years ago
Build quality, design, lens quality, miniature size.
2 years ago
The smallest FF camera - Matrix, according to DxO tests, does everything Canon, Leika, losing only to top Nikon models. - The lens is also one of the best - Considering all of the above and the fact that the CZ lens was specially designed for the matrix, there is no need to talk about the quality of the images - they are at their best. - The build quality is excellent, Japanese hand-assembled, pleasant to hold in your hands. It was made very “monumentally”, everything spins, presses, and turns perfectly. - There are many functions that it makes no sense to describe here, there are so many of them that they are not even properly described in the instructions :)
2 years ago
sensor, lens, build quality
2 years ago
Excellent quality, fast, comfortable in the hand (even if it’s not big), comfortable button placement.
2 years ago
Quite slow autofocus (in fact, fast, compared to something that can’t be compared with)
Price
Annoying orange circle at the base of the lens
2 years ago
2 years ago
Battery. Lack of protection.
2 years ago
No separate charger included
Not weatherproof
Weak battery
2 years ago
Everyone lists the price as a disadvantage. It is not true. The camera costs this money and you can’t make such a camera for less money.
No zoom. I doubted the purchase for a long time precisely because of this. But there is a digital zoom button. In essence, you will get the quality not of FF, but of crop. In reality, my current number of cropped frames is no more than 3-5%.
They write that the lens gives a small “barrel”. There is a checkmark in the menu, it can be removed programmatically.
2 years ago
Slow autofocus when shooting video. The lens wanders when catching focus (You can hear it knocking back and forth inside)
Very weak battery. (It is clear that the price is for compactness.)
When shooting a video, in cold weather - 10 degrees, it sits in 20 minutes.
The battery costs 1,500 rubles, you can buy a second one if you really need it)
Expensive! Although if you take, for example, A-99 with a good lens, it will be more expensive.
2 years ago
.
- Of course, this is the price. In Russia (120 thousand) it is generally absurd. If you buy it only in the USA or the export version in Japan, the camera will cost a non-resident 80 thousand.
- no GPS tags
- fixed 35mm lens. Although the quality of the images is so good that if it were 35-50/70 it would not change much in terms of zoom, except that portrait photographers would be happy... but this would greatly increase the size of the lens, losing the whole point of an "FF compact" ". Who needs interchangeable lenses - wait for the FF NEX, but it will be even more expensive :(
- autofocus is not the fastest
- insanely expensive original accessories
- I personally don’t like the design
2 years ago
not detected
2 years ago
I haven’t noticed it yet, unless it’s worth noting the small battery. Discharges quickly when recording video.
The luxurious Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II is a top-end camera from Sony. At $3,300, it's easily one of the most (if not the most) expensive compact cameras you can buy right now.
Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II - Reviews
But, let's ignore the price for a moment and consider it a showpiece of Sony engineering. The camera comes with a 42-megapixel, full-frame (35mm) sensor (one of the tallest currently available), features a bright lens, a built-in, pop-up electronic viewfinder, and is the world's first camera with a variable optical low-pass filter. This is a camera that takes pictures star photos, comparable to shooting with large full-length lenses (ILC). This is not a camera for the masses, but it is amazing.
Design and characteristics of Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II
Considering that the RX1R II is compact and lightweight camera, it feels very solid - incredibly well made, in line with the A7 series from Sony. It's not the lightest pocket camera, but it does have a full-frame sensor that's usually found in much larger devices, but you can slip the Sony RX1R II into your coat pocket.
The camera has a fixed 35mm F/2.0 lens, which is carried over from its predecessors RX1R II. This means there is no optical zoom. We like to work with 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, so this wasn't an issue during testing (the RX1R II has a stunning lens). But we usually use simple lenses with detachable optics, so that it is easy to change them to a zoom lens when required. This is not the case here, you need to consider this issue before purchasing. However, we believe that the majority of buyers of this type of camera are street photographers, for example, they know about this “limitation”.
The lens has an adjustable aperture ring, with a nine-blade aperture design, which creates good blurry effects at low aperture settings. There are settings for macro photography close-up and more distant objects (from 0.3 m to infinity). On the front of the camera you can select the focus type.
From an engineering perspective, a fixed lens has an advantage over replacement options: According to Sony, the lens is built into the camera and the sensor is mounted onto the lens structure, with alignment precision down to the micron level, allowing the lens to maximize the maximum output from the sensor. Sony engineers have done some amazing things with many of the company's new cameras, and the RX1R II is no exception.
The Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II measures 4.5 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches and weighs 1.1 pounds (499 grams), similar dimensions to the RX1 and RX1R. These cameras have 24.3-megapixel full-frame chips, compared to the 42.4-megapixel sensor from the RX1R II - the same one used in the Sony A7R Mark II.
One of the differences between the original RX1 and RX1R was the elimination of the optical low-pass filter (OLPF) in the RX1R (hence the “R” designation). With the RX1R II, Sony implemented the world's first variable OLPF settings (off, standard, high). We'll look at this feature in more detail below, but it essentially allows you to turn on anti-aliasing whenever you need it.
The top of the body houses the pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF), hotshoe, exposure compensation mode and dials, shutter, drive lever, and C1 (Custom 1) buttons. The pop-up EVF has a 0.39-inch OLED screen rated at 2,359K dots (the same as the one in the RX100 III and IV), and that's a real plus when you hold the camera up to your eye rather than shooting with an LCD. The downside to built-in EVFs is that Sony had to sacrifice the built-in flash (available on older RX1s), so you'll need to purchase an additional flash or accessory.
Sony makes a really good eyepiece for the EVF. It is difficult to lock into position with the screw attached. Once you've tightened it up, there's no way to push the EVF back into the body without fiddling with the screw again.
Complementing the EVF is a tilting 3-inch LCD monitor (1,228K dots) on the rear panel. We wish Sony would add touchscreen capabilities to the display. Next to the LCD are the camera buttons, but since this is not a large camera, you shouldn't expect any fancy stuff - there are only basic control settings.
On the right side there is NFC and video recording buttons. For yourself, you can set the “Custom 1” button - a video recording button. On the left is the EVF raise button and a bay for HDMI, a microphone input, and several A/V connections.
There is a tripod mount on the bottom, as well as a battery and SD card compartment. The battery is only rated for 200 shots using the EVF and 220 for the LCD. This is not much, so a spare battery should be on the list of accessories, along with a high-speed and high-capacity memory card and the previously mentioned flash.
What's included
In the kit you will find a camera, a lens cap, a very attractive leather neck strap, a battery, a charger, a USB cable, and an eyepiece cup. You can also get a cleaning cloth, a 92-page instruction manual, and a Wi-Fi manual available for free download. software, for processing photos, developing RAW files, and connecting the camera to a smartphone or tablet, respectively.
Sony Cyber-shot Warranty
Sony warrants the Cyber-shot RX1R II labor and parts for one year.
Performance and use of Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II
The RX1R II has the same processor/sensor as the A7R II, so we were confident in the footage from the RX1R II (7,952 x 5,304 pixels) before we started filming. Of course, the results of the RX1R II met our expectations. DxOMark tested the sensor and found it to be very close to the A7R II (98 for A7R II, 97 for RX1R II), comparable to the much bulkier Nikon D800E full-frame digital SLR camera. To get the best rated camera, you'll have to spend $8,500 on the Pentax 645Z with its amazing 101 points.
The Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II has a completely redesigned autofocus system. The RX1R II features Fast Hybrid AF combining 399 phase detection AF points and 25 contrast detection points; older models only had 25 point contrast definitions. Again, this is similar to the A7R II's autofocus system. We didn't have any problems with the RX1R II; she quickly caught focus in a wide variety of lighting conditions.
The RX1R II feels very comfortable in our hands. It has the typical Sony control layout, which is quite intuitive, but that doesn't mean there isn't a learning curve for new users. The main dial mode has all the basic shooting modes, plus three memory recall settings for in-depth settings of your choice (saturation, dynamic range optimization, and so on).
A variable, optical low-pass filter allows you to turn on anti-aliasing first if necessary.
Now let's go back to the OLPF setting mentioned above. The RX1R II gives you a choice of standard, high and off modes. For the most part, Sony's menu system is fairly easy to understand, but lesser-used features are hard to find. Just like with the control layout, there is a learning function to make the most of everything this camera offers.
The RX1R Mark II has a native ISO range of 100 – 25600, but can go down to 50 or go up to 102400 if you just exit Auto. This is a big difference from the maximum 25600 in the original. Our review limit is 32000, but even 102400 could be used for smaller sizes. The results were similar to the A7R II, but the mirrorless camera has built-in 5-axis image stabilization, which makes a difference when hand-held. The A7R II helps produce clearer images in low-light conditions, even though the RX1R II is lighter and easier to handle.
IN Sony video The RX1R II tops out at Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 60p resolution. However, Sony has updated the AVCHD codec to XAVC-S. The videos come out very good with high color accuracy and detail, but 4K would be a nice addition here. While the RX1R II doesn't have optical IS, electronic IS is available for video - it's not five-axis, but it's something.
In terms of wireless capabilities, the camera has built-in Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity and works with PlayMemories and the Sony Mobile app (IOS or Android). Pairing the camera with the Samsung Galaxy S5 is very prosaic, the same applies to iOS devices. Sony is one of the few companies that are actually trying to do something in the app space; they send updates and advice, as well as platforms for applications such as Sky HDR, which can be downloaded to the camera.
Bottom line
The Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II is an amazing camera with a 42.4 MP full frame sensor, variable OLPF, built-in EVF, compact size, and F/2.0 35mm focal length. However, it costs $3,300 and is as complex as the heap of money it costs (though the camera is much cheaper than the Leica Q). The main buyers of this type of camera are street photographers, but not like the average consumer. Just like the original RX1, this camera deserves our recommendation, with its marvelous technology, it's definitely worth the investment.
But if we were spending our money and choosing full frame cameras, we'd go with the A7R II. Although it is larger and more expensive, especially when you consider the cost of additional lenses, its overall performance and capabilities are vastly superior to the Sony RX1R II, not to mention its flexibility. If you can do without a full frame, there are plenty compact cameras with cut sensors that cost half as much; There are also new compacts with 1-inch sensors that are more practical and achievable for everyone else. But for those lucky few who can own a Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II, I would like to add that the camera will not disappoint you.
What? 120 thousand rubles for a “digital compact”?! Sony devices sometimes have a not very humane price tag, but in this case the manufacturer, one might say, has outdone itself. After all, for example, for the body of a full-frame SLR camera Sony SLT-A99 they ask for 11 thousand rubles less. Of course, such a high cost did not come out of nowhere. RX1 is the first mass-produced digital compact camera Sony, equipped with a full-frame sensor. In addition, high-quality Carl Zeiss optics with a fixed focal length and aperture opening of ƒ/2.0-22.0 are used.
Compacts equipped with an APS-C matrix and a fixed focal length lens have been on the market for quite some time. These are representatives of the not very common Ricoh, Leica and Sigma lines. These cameras cannot boast of an impressive set of additional functions, and some don’t even know how to record video. The RX1 is a completely different beast, because in addition to high-aperture optics and a huge sensor, there are a lot of functions inherent in advanced compacts, including Full HD video recording at 60 frames/s and progressive scan. And if the younger model RX100, equipped with an inch sensor, at least somehow competes with the Canon PowerShot G1 X, then the camera tested has virtually no competitors. In general, a potential buyer with a tight wallet in this case does not face the problem of choice, but only the question arises - to buy or not. Let's try to figure out what a compact with such an immodest price can provide.
⇡ Appearance and ease of use
Externally, the camera resembles a “mirrorless” camera. This similarity is emphasized by a massive lens surrounded by three control rings. The outermost ring is responsible for focusing, the second is for selecting the focus mode (macro or normal mode), and the third allows you to quickly specify the aperture value in steps of a third of a stop. The diameter of the filters is 49 mm (exactly the same as most E-mount lenses), and this is not the most popular size - in domestic retail, the number of offers is on average half as much as for filters with a diameter from 59 to 77 mm. The manufacturer itself offers only polarizing, protective and one neutral gray. A protective filter for such an expensive camera with a non-replaceable lens is an extremely important must-have option. Moreover, this filter must be reliable, because if the external lens is damaged, repairs will not be cheap - often service centers replace the entire optical unit.
The body is assembled from several metal panels, but when you turn it in your hands, it seems that it is monolithic - there is a sort of feeling of a cobblestone in your hand. It is impossible to push the panel or bend the body even a little, and even with extremely great efforts you cannot squeeze out even a little crack or squeak from it. Sometimes you even got the feeling that this was not a simple compact, but a protected compact that could be dropped. But this is not worth doing, because no protection has been declared.
On the front side there is only a lens, an autofocus illuminator lamp and a round three-position focusing mode switch.
The back side is not particularly busy, although from such an expensive camera you subconsciously expect a scattering of keys for all occasions. Above the screen there is a pop-up flash lock slider, as well as a key to switch to viewing mode. To the right there is a control dial, exposure lock and function menu keys, which also serve to zoom pictures, as well as a video recording button. At the center of the right edge is a round four-way rotating navigation key with an enter button in the center. And in the lower corner there are keys to enter the main menu and delete.
On top there is a pop-up flash, a hot shoe and a pair of microphones, as well as two dials: for selecting shooting modes and for introducing exposure compensation. A programmable key (by default, it is responsible for setting the sensitivity level) and a shutter button, complemented by a power lever, are also located here. with a connector for connecting a release cable. Surprisingly, there is no IR receiver for control using a wireless remote control. The release cable connector in modern conditions seems like an atavism, although many users will appreciate it.
At the bottom there is a standard set of functional elements: a tripod mount connector, a speaker and a plastic door hiding the slots for the battery and memory cards. In such an expensive camera, devoid of wireless communications, installing a memory card under the same cover as the battery seems at least a strange step. After all, for example, when shooting from a tripod, you have to twist the tripod head or connect the laptop to the camera using a USB cable, which is not always convenient.
On the left, under the plastic door, there are microphone connectors, as well as USB and HDMI cables. Right side surface empty.
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