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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Diamond Hell on 06 January 2013, 22:35
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After quite a period of comparing various compacts, both on specs and also on handling, as well as the requirement that the camera fitted in a handbag (tsk women), I guided my mother to buy a Sony DSC-RX100 a couple of days ago.
We spent ages comparing specs and eventually went to London Camera Exchange in Southampton to compare the contenders 'in the hand' as it were. Definitely worth the time spent to see what you like/don't like about a camera.
This was to replace a Fuji X10, which is a good camera, but is simply too big to be bagged or pocketed.
I've not had much time to play with it yet, but I have shot a high-ISO test. You can see the comparison with the RX100 and the W630 at ISO3200:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_cowley/tags/isotest/
The big selling point of the camera is the large sensor. You can see this compared here:
(http://2.static.img-dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx100/images/Sensor-Sizes.png?v=1899)
Although I need to spend some more time playing with the camera it appears to be a very impressive bit of kit. It is not cheap, but it's discrete and the lens is damned fast - F1.8 at the wide end. Combine this with the large sensor and good high ISO performance and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone looking for a high quality compact.
We also checked out the Fuji XF-1 which has a lens mechanism that feels like it's ready to break. From rest turn it slightly anti-clockwise to release it, then pull it out manually, THEN twist clockwise to turn on (and zoom in use).
Also considered was the Lumix LX7, but it was a shade too big and also had a comparatively small sensor.
I was hoping she'd go for the Canon G15, which has a lens that is F1.8-2.8 - one of the fastest out there and also has a viewfinder (she likes having a viewfinder), but it was 150grammes more than the RX100 and also way bigger. It also has probably the best ISO performance - APS-C size sensor.
Probably the biggest thing that seems to contribute to image performance in the camera market today is sensor size - with a bigger sensor 'catching the light' the pixels aren't as tightly packed the images seem to have much better depth and quality.
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A lot of people are raving about the RX100, even hardened photographers are picking them for a handy carry around instead of compact system cameras like the Sony NEX, Nikon 1, etc.
What was wrong with the Fuji X10 that it replaced? Was it just size?
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Just size, really - too bloody big! The contentious part of it was the lens, which stuck out a long way. It also has a stupid pull off and lose lens cap.
Photos from it are excellent, mind (as I posted before).
Stuff from the RX100 is even better and significantly higher resolution. Camera is much smaller, which gets a big female vote!
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Just found these couple of reviews - mostly because I was looking for some more info on the RX1, mostly after seeing the price. :shocked:
RX100 - It shizzles:
http://youtu.be/wX_lcBgYmjg
RX1 - it's a compact, but with a full-frame sensor:
http://youtu.be/9O60h3Wz1Z0
It also shizzles, but is fixed focal length and the price is enough to make Happich pop-outs look cheap.
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So one of the areas more expensive cameras are really sharp on now is low light performance, but what does that mean when you're actually shooting. These photos were all shot in sh*tty light conditions, in the same room, although at different times, with different cameras, all on ISO3200.
Sony £70 compact:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8353998798_5050ecf558_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_cowley/8353998798/)
W690 at ISO3200 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_cowley/8353998798/) by Thomas Cowley (http://www.flickr.com/people/t_cowley/), on Flickr
Sony RX100:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8352935513_8dbe6442a6_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_cowley/8352935513/)
RX100 at ISO3200 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_cowley/8352935513/) by Thomas Cowley (http://www.flickr.com/people/t_cowley/), on Flickr
Fuji X10:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8391154990_126668963a_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_cowley/8391154990/)
1-DSCF7158 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_cowley/8391154990/) by Thomas Cowley (http://www.flickr.com/people/t_cowley/), on Flickr
IMO the Fuji smashes it here. The sensor is half the MP of the RX100, but it seems to be interpreting the image really well and noise is handled well. The colour is also very good, to my eyes.
I had a bit of a play with the X10 tonight - it is a terribly likeable camera, it's just a bit big for a lady's bag apparently..... h'mmmmm.
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IMO the Fuji smashes it here. The sensor is half the MP of the RX100, but it seems to be interpreting the image really well and noise is handled well. The colour is also very good, to my eyes.
I had a bit of a play with the X10 tonight - it is a terribly likeable camera, it's just a bit big for a lady's bag apparently..... h'mmmmm.
Interesting comparison.
I've tried a Fuji x10 in store and was quite taken with it.
Since you now have a big 5D Mk2, if the X10 is spare you could have it as a small carry around camera.
It makes a nice combo.
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Since you now have a big 5D Mk2, if the X10 is spare you could have it as a small carry around camera.
It makes a nice combo.
Don't think this isn't floating about in the back of my head. :wink:
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Brilliant review. Will pop down to Jessica to have a look. Oh wait...
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Go to London Camera Exchange instead and the staff might even be more helpful than Jessops were. :wink:
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Go to London Camera Exchange instead and the staff might even be more helpful than Jessops were. :wink:
This ^ My favourite shop.
London Camera Exchange on the Strand always has the Fuji X10 and X100 on display.