Sony RX-100 - any opinions for a good compact?

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

06/12/2013 12:53:02 PM · #1

I have a Nikon D700 and a D300 that I shoot professionally, and a D5100 that I use mainly for youtube videos.

I want a small camera, compact size that I would use for family shots and to be with me all the time, so I could also play with it and be creative in my free time withought the bulkiness on an SLR. But of course I don't want to compromise a lot on the quality point of view.

My primary goal was the Ricoh GR V with it's APS-C sensor, but it is still a bit outside my price range.

So I am investigating the Sony RX-100 as an alternative, and I can get this in a very good price (about 300� less than the Ricoh). The reviews that I saw wewe good in favor of this camera, and it's a fair big sensor for a compact camera this size(1´, the same as Nikon 1 series, in terms of size).

Any opinions on this camera? Or do you advise other model/brand?

Hope to hear your feedback.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/12/2013 12:57:53 PM · #2

as will all the new mirrorless compacts the quality is there its the lack of a legitimate autofocus system that made me migrate from and have no intents to go back to.

when the AF and lack of shutter delays matches or exceeds my dslr, i'll contemplate switching otherwise im happy to lug around the beast.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

06/12/2013 01:02:31 PM · #3

Hi Mike. The idea is not to swith. Is to have a small compact camera always with me and to have that not loosing much image quality.

I love my D700 speed and autofocus, I'm not trying to substitute it. But for now my "travel compact camera" is my D5100 with a 35mm f1.4. That's far from being compact or pocketable :)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

06/12/2013 01:52:03 PM · #4

I bought one for my wife to replace an aging Canon P&S, and we have been very impressed with the quality of the images. I know that

Neil has one and thinks well of it; his recommendation is in part why I bought ours.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/12/2013 01:57:34 PM · #5

Originally posted by Nuno:

sorry misinterpreted.

i cant afford both, i guess it depends on what is important. My sister recently approach me about what camera to buy, what was mainly important to her was not missing shots, she experiences too much lag with her P&S or cellphone.

i told her to get a dslr and she grimaced at the thought of lugging one around, i told her what she wants doesn't exist. if it did, you would see the popularity of dslr dropping at an astounding rate.

06/12/2013 02:16:53 PM · #6

You will LOVE the RX100. End of story.

At base ISO, within it's focal range limitations, it's a gem. "Almost" SLR quality in a compact at low ISO, very acceptable images even at high ISO. Great lens, great sensor.

If you are picky, you might want to buy it locally and test yours for corner sharpness...I didn't, and mine are "ok", but could be a bit better. I've heard this is a matter of samples...you can get one that's sharp edge to edge. At least, that's what I've heard.

ETA: Not too many cameras that can fit in your pocket can do this

Also, last year, when we were in MN I took a picture of the Split Rock lighthouse with both my D7000 and my RX100, as I often do (shoot landscapes with both). It was funny to see that the RX100 shot was virtually as good, if not better, than the D7000 shot, even though the D7000 shot used much more optical zoom so it had more pixels available for detail. They are both side by side in that same gallery linked above...D7000 vers RX100

Message edited by author 2013-06-12 18:32:04.

06/13/2013 06:59:02 AM · #7

Thank you all for the feedback.

I think I will go for the RX100, and I'll do a proper review when I have it in my hand.

MichaelC

DJI Mini 3 Pro

06/13/2013 11:03:02 AM · #8

I purchased one specifically for the trip I am now currently on and have not regretted it one bit. If budget allows you should also consider Fuji x100s but if not the RX100 is brilliant. I even got a 4th place in the 'Subtledy' challenge that I could never have got with my D300.

Fits in my front pants pocket so is always with me.
Purchased an external charger and extra battery
Purchased an Eyefi card for transfer to iPad/mac air
Purchased a gorillapod so didn't have to schlep a tripod.

I'm finding the limitations of focal range and DOF by not being able to interchange lenses quite liberating. It is forcing me to approach certain shots in a new way. But as we all know photography is always a compromise and I gladly give up those things for the portability and omnipresence this unit affords me, it has been the ideal travel camera.

Obviously there are some shoots where it will not be good enough so you really have to look at your requirements.

06/13/2013 02:29:09 PM · #9

Thank's MichaelC for your feedback.

I was already decide for the RX100 but I've just received a response for the price on the Ricoh GR

620� is still a lot of money, and it's 28mm fixed lenght but tha APSC sensor should be pretty good as far as I have read.

So my mind is divided....

In one hand I thing the RX100 will be more than enough camera for what I will do with it, in other hand to be able to have an apsc sensor in my pocket all the time would be great.... And I think the 28mm fixeld lens will be great to make me think more on the composition...

06/13/2013 02:45:03 PM · #10

If you are going to be shooting in very low light most of the time, that might be a good choice.

Otherwise, you are giving up a lot for the bigger sensor. You are giving up 20mp versus 10, and let me say that the RX100 sensor (and it's lens) convinced me to upgrade from my D7000 to the D600 and D7100, because it showed me that more pixels DO MATTER. The amount of detail in a picture it captures is amazing. That being sad, to get SLR quality shots at full resolution, you will need to be ISO 400 and below. Above that, you will still get very good shots, just not SLR quality at the detail level. You can actually use up to ISO 1600 very nicely in RAW mode. JPEG mode Sony is a bit too aggressive on noise at higher ISO. (Though when you are reducing photos, the JPEGs are fine and nice up to ISO 3200, and sometimes even 6400.

That being said, I don't think my RX100 in RAW mode is significantly worse than my D7100 and D600 for noise. I'll post some examples for you when I get a chance.

Lastly, remember that what you're getting for $650 for the RX100 includes a Zeiss Vario lens with autofocus. The lens alone is worth it. I doubt the Ricoh lens can touch it. And the lens is important, which is why my 24 mpixel D600 is sometimes not as sharp or detailed as my RX100 (well my Nikon 16-35mm VR beats it in edge to edge sharpness I believe).

Sorry to sound like a salesman...I just love my RX100!

Message edited by author 2013-06-13 14:47:47.

06/15/2013 06:06:37 AM · #11

Neil I think you've just sold me on the RX100. Just ordered one that should be here on monday.

I will let you know my experience with it when it arrives.

06/15/2013 11:09:58 AM · #12

I'm sure you'll love it.

BTW, as promised, though a little late...here's ISO 6400 on the D7100 versus the RX100.

The distance between the camera and camera ;) is quite different...that's a 85mm Nikon Micro on the D7100 (so 1.5x that) and the RX100 was a few inches from the camera/lens subject. Both on auto exposure--I've lightened the RX100 by one adjustment click since it seemed so much darker than the D7100. Just window light. Both RAW. Both set to autofocus (D7100 was in Liveview mode since it, like the RX100 was sitting on the table for the shot).

Things to also order:

Wasabi Battery Charger and TWO Batteries - Very good batteries, not quite as good as the Sony, but still very good. Plus you get an external charger that works with the Sony. The only downside is that you don't get a lot of warning when they are going to die. But not a problem.

Screen Protector - I've read the screen scratches easily. I wouldn't know because I've had this on since the start.
Works well and basically invisible.

MichaelC

DJI Mini 3 Pro

06/15/2013 12:50:55 PM · #13

Neil is there any chance you could add the D600 to the comparison as I am contemplating a purchase and can't decide between it & the D7100

06/15/2013 05:21:21 PM · #14

Originally posted by MichaelC:

Neil is there any chance you could add the D600 to the comparison as I am contemplating a purchase and can't decide between it & the D7100

Sure...will do so in a bit.

06/15/2013 06:32:57 PM · #15

Here's the D7100 versus D600. D600 is about a stop better in noise control IMO.

The color balance was different for some reason, so I used the dropper to balance them (D7100 balance seemed greener).

For fun, here's the RX100 versus the Micro 4/3's Panasonic G5:

Not a perfect match up of course. They are all ok, but not "great" at 6400. Unfortunately, I don't have any bad cameras left to compare!

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

06/15/2013 08:19:28 PM · #16

Neil that's a great comparison... with great result for the RX100.

thnak's a lot, I'm glad I did order it. Hope to get it on monday. I'll post some pics also after I get it.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

06/15/2013 10:49:01 PM · #17

Really appreciate the breakdown on these things.

06/19/2013 10:26:44 PM · #18

So...Nuno, how do you like it so far?

MichaelC

DJI Mini 3 Pro

06/19/2013 10:43:40 PM · #19

Originally posted by Neil:

Here's the D7100 versus D600. D600 is about a stop better in noise control IMO.

I can't see much in it, I'm assuming the D7100 is on the left? Thanks for doing it.