Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 Pro Reviews

The more we mull it over, “suiting your vision” is an apt description for the RX1. This Cyber-shot is a wonderful photography tool and if you can imagine the shot, the camera will deliver it – within reason, of course. At this price, the RX1 is clearly for a very affluent shutterbug and perhaps our biggest complaint is the fact it’s so darn expensive. Yet Lamborghinis will always cost more than BMWs, and people will always want the best. If you think of it like that, the RX1 is the best compact camera we’ve ever reviewed – and a DT Editors’ Choice.

The bottom line for many of us, of course, will be the price. Obviously, pros, semi-pros and enthusiasts with a passion for photography are more likely to dig deep in their pockets for the RX1 than those with a lesser interest in image making. And while there's no lack of advanced compact cameras, the RX1 definitely stands out in this ever-growing category. Even if you don't have (or aren't willing to shell out) $2800 for this camera, stop by a local camera store and put it in your hands. That may not change your mind but you'll have a better understanding about why the RX1 will likely have photographers reaching for their checkbooks and credit cards.

Sony’s attempt at a fixed-lens, compact-style camera in the RX1 is an excellent one. It’s well on the way to being one of the best cameras we’ve tested in terms of image quality, and has a control scheme that’s easy to understand and use manually. While the camera’s autofocus isn’t excellent, that’s our only real complaint with the RX1. If only it was cheaper...

If you're looking for the best photo quality you can get in a unibody digital camera, this is it. the RX1 delivers a more natural-looking sharpness than even the OLPF-free X-Trans sensor of the X100S and based on my prelimary testing, better color. Plus, the Zeiss lens blows away the Fujifilm's (I haven't seen the Leica's or Nikon's yet). While I'm not crazy about the slowish performance, it's pretty typical for these types of cameras, regardless of price segment. That said, if you want a great "compact" and still want money for food, unless you're really picky the APS-C models are still an excellent choice.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 is the smallest full-frame camera you can find right now, and while it pumps out gorgeous images, its price is likely to induce sticker shock.

It’s hard to shoot pictures in the dark. You typically have the choice of either taking a blurry, dim photo, or using a flash and ruining the ambiance. So you buy a DSLR and an appropriately bright lens, but then you're toting around a big, clunky, and very obvious camera setup. But what if you could get the same quality pictures in low light with a camera that is significantly smaller? That’s the Holy Grail for many photographers. Companies have tried to nail this formula for years, and while there are a number of good options in the “advanced compact camera” category, none have been able to go toe-to-toe with a professional DSLR for image quality and still retain the level of control that photographers looking for such a camera desire.

Sony have truly blurred the lines between compact and DSLR in terms of the RX1's features, performance and image quality. The RX1 is the first truly pocketable camera to offer a full-frame DSLR experience, something that money can actually now buy...

The Sony Cyber-shot RX1 is currently unique in being the only compact camera with fixed lens and full-frame sensor. Due to the expense of developing a camera like this, it's likely to be unique in its field for a long time to come, with APS-C sized sensor (or smaller) compact cameras being developed in greater numbers. The only other option is to invest in a full-frame Digital SLR and equivalent lens, with the added bulk, or look at a digital rangefinder, albeit with much higher costs involved. The Sony RX1 is clearly capable of delivering extremely high image quality with a sharp Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 lens on the front. The camera is roughly the size of a medium sized mirrorless camera with a compact fixed lens on the front, but with a full-frame sensor its noise performance is excellent, and for those who are looking for the highest quality in the smallest package available, the Sony Cyber-shot RX1 is an excellent camera, particularly if you have the money to afford it. With a premium camera you would expect to have an external charger so that if you invested in a second battery, which is recommended due to the short battery life, you would be able to charge the battery while still using the camera, but unfortunately as charging is performed in the camera with a USB charger you will have to stop shooting. Although if you have the money to buy the camera, then buying the additional batteries, charger and accessories may not be too much of an issue.

The RX1 is, for many reasons, a remarkable camera, and one which has been very difficult to score on account of it not having any obvious immediate rivals. While it's certainly true that it's expensive, it'd be difficult to find a full-frame DSLR and optic of equivalent performance for less. Its compact size and reasonably discrete styling means it also presents a very real advantage over full-frame DSLRs with similar lenses; for the reportage photographer in particular, there are many reasons why it should be the most desirable option currently available. With correct technique employed the details picked up by the lens are nothing short of magnificent, and while some may lament the lack of a zoom lens, others will appreciate the camera's high image quality that can no doubt be largely attributed to its prime optic (in any case, trying to negotiate a zoom into such a small body, while maintaining high image quality across the focal range, would no doubt be difficult, not to mention costly). While the camera does bear a handful of minor issues, such as its underwhelming battery life and the ease with which the exposure compensation dial may be accidentally turned, it's perhaps the issues with the autofocusing system in sub-optimum conditions which stand as the only significant problem (especially for those shooting under low-light with some frequency). Otherwise the camera works tirelessly to impress. With a superb build, excellent detail retention at low and high sensitivities and competent metering and auto white balance systems on hand, it's unquestionably one of the finest digital cameras we've seen yet.

Rating the world's most expensive fixed-lens compact camera is no easy task. For some it won't ever make it on to so much as a wish list, while for others it'll be what they've been waiting years for. But it's not without some bumps and blips. The camera's 35mm fixed focal length may be a touch wide for some, though, who knows, perhaps there'll be a future version with a 50mm lens. Still, what the RX1's 35mm Carl Zeiss lens does get right it does so staggeringly well. The build quality is second to none and both the manual aperture ring and focus rings are a joy to use. Pair an f/2.0 aperture with a full-frame sensor and, fill yer boots, that puts plenty of shallow depth of field control right at your fingertips. Although super-close-up focus isn't possible, the inclusion of a 20-30cm "macro" mode is certainly handy and puts this Sony ahead of the likes of the Leica X2 in terms of available focus distance.