The Sony RX100 camera angle

Sony's latest compact camera's impressive features come at a price

by Nicholas Yeo 

 

Updated 03:39 PM Jul 31, 2012

 

Sony's RX100 compact camera. Photo SONY

 SINGAPORE - In a world of high resolution smart phones, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 shows that there is still much to look forward to in the compact camera arena. At 101.6mm by 50.1mm by 35.9mm and weighing only 240g, the new camera is small enough to put in your pocket, yet it has a large 1-inch EXMOR sensor, ultra bright f/1.8 lens and multi-function control ring.

The aluminium clad RX100 is reduced to the bare essentials: A simple button layout and controls put shutter speed and aperture at your fingertips while a useful function button unlocks settings like ISO and White Balance.

The RX100's sensor is unmatched by any camera in its category. The EXMOR device packs 20.2 million pixels; producing professional quality images and even RAW files.

The camera's 3.6x optical zoom - equivalent of a 28mm to 100mm zoom - offers a quick f/1.8 aperture at its widest zoom, which illuminates your subjects even in low light situations.

However, extending the camera's focal length to the maximum will cause the aperture to rise incrementally to a slower f/4.9, and result in significantly diminished low light ability.

At its widest setting, the camera could be approximately 5cm from a subject. That, coupled with the lens' shallow depth of field, produces pleasing close up shots with artistic blur.

The RX100 also has a built in flash that pops out of the camera body. The strobe is useful when shooting portraits and close-ups. Interestingly, it can even be tilted upwards for a softer looking "bounce" effect.

The camera was very quick to acquire focus, and a button in the middle of the back dial also allowed for tracking focus, useful in sports photography. The camera shoots at a high speed of up to 10 frames per second and is very silent during the continuous burst mode.

The Sony RX100 comes with a new NP-BX1 battery that has a CIPA rating of 330 shots. The camera is charged via a USB cable, but there are optional external chargers available.

The Cyber-shot RX100 takes amazing pictures, but, at S$999, it costs more than some entry-level DSLRs - which may take this compact camera out of the hands of enthusiasts without deep pockets.

On the box, it says the camera is made - not assembled - in Japan, a rarity these days.

The camera will be available in early August. NICHOLAS YEO

 

Source: www.todayonline.com