This time we will have a look at the first
generation Sony RX100, announced back in 2012
as a premium compact camera with 1-inch sensor.
As time went by and seven generation passed
prices of original RX100 significantly dropped,
especially on the aftermarket.
So let’s see how it holds up by todays standpoint!
Body, in a large part made from aluminum,
I suppose, leaves great impression and I have
to say I am a huge fan of the design and size
that incorporates fantastic portability, but
there is some compromise in ergonomics – basically
no grip.
So using this device with only one hand is
not the most comfortable experience you can
get, although 240g of weight and small size
compensates for that and in the result it’s
not that big of a deal and I think most of
you can probably get used to it.
Last time, I’ve tested the other Sony compact
camera – HX60, I wasn’t blown away by
it’s picture quality.
Not any better than a smartphone camera can
do, but that’s no surprise because it was
small 1/2.3 inch sensor camera.
RX100, however, is different, it’s equipped
with much bigger 1-inch sensor.
So how is the image quality?
Generally I am pretty happy with it’s performance.
I would see myself taking it for example for
a vacation to take pictures, instead of using
the smartphone all the time.
I’ve always had huge sympathy for those
1-inch sensors, ever since I’ve tried the
first Sony RX10 couple of years ago.
I think they offer really great compromise
and finally I can say that The RX100 is better
than a smartphone camera, at least in a few
aspects.
For something so compact and not that expensive
it produces pictures with great amount of
details, you will see little bit of that what
I like to call – depth and plasticity, which
are found more often in cameras with big sensors.
It is very distinctive difference.
Auto mode deserves praise, in opposite to
some other bridge cameras.
For example it does multexposure shooting
in landscapes or low-light photography, which
helps a lot for casual shooter.
Don’t expect super-fast HDR results like
from the newest smartphones, though, because
it works much more subtle than that.
Optics are pretty good, but could be a bit
better.
Lens lacks that consistent sharpness you would
expect from that Zeiss signature.
It tends to be soft sometimes, mostly when
using f./1.8 or similarly wide aperture.
I feel like camera is also not that well optimized
to work with that very bright lens, because
exposure control tends to behave not so balanced
sometimes.
Low-light shooting is generally easier thanks
to that bright lens, but the performance across
the ISO range also seems pretty respectable.
Noise reduction algorithm may give some noticeable
artifacts, but it is effective.
Autofocus, in opposite to later RX100 successors
is only based on the contrast detection, but
honestly I didn’t have any problems with
it.
It is pretty reliable and fast, no problem
when shooting stills, but I cannot say the
same when shooting videos.
Unfortunately continuous autofocus in a video
mode is just slow and far from reliable.
…but I wouldn’t say it’s much of a problem,
because the video quality itself is already
pretty outdated.
It can shoot only up to 1080p at 60fps and
whereas some users may find it sufficient.
I definitely wouldn’t advise getting this
camera for video recording purpose.
It lacks sharpness and proper amount of detail.
LCD is fixed, which was changed already in
RX100 Mark II, but thanks to that first generation
is lighter.
Anyway, quality is quite good considering
the segment.
Colors, contrast are all good.
In fact, it has higher resolution screen than
the Sony a6600 which costs 1400$.
In the end first RX100 deserves my recommendation.
Lovely portability combined with quality 1-inch
sensor and bright lens seem like a good package
even today, or should I say especially today,
because when price dropped down, it became
even a better deal.
Thank you for watching!
Consider subscribing and watching my other
videos!
See you in the next one!
