With the DSC-RX100 (88.5 points in the test), Sony already offers quality in the small case. It is no bigger than a compact camera, but is based on a 1-inch sensor with 20 megapixel resolution. With the RX1, Sony is now a big step further: the heart of the RX1 is an Exmor CMOS full-format sensor (35.8 x 23.9 mm, 24.3 megapixels), the same, with which also Sony’s new professional- SLR Alpha 99 (57 points in the test). There is also a Zeiss fixed focal length 2/35 mm
35 mm fixed focal length
The image processing takes over the further developed Bionz processor, with which serial recordings of up to five images per second with full resolution and pre-focussing should be possible. According to the technology is also the price, which is at 3,100 euros. We test the DSC-RX1 like all models with a large sensor according to the test procedure for SLRs.
ISO 50 to ISO 102 400
Viewed from the outside, the RX1 looks almost petite for a full-size camera: It's strikingly slender and lightweight with 482 g including battery and memory card. This does not apply to the lens, however, Zeiss has calculated the 2/35 mm Sonnar-T lens especially for the RX1, and light intensity 2 leads to correspondingly large lenses. The focus range starts at 24 cm and shortens at 14 to 29 cm in macromodus.
High-resolution display
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Operating concept
Also with the RX1 Sony offers a "Klarbildzoom", which interpolates the image data by an algorithm. Compared to conventional digital zooms, image details remain better preserved, but who buys for 3.100 euros a camera with fixed range, then interpolate image excerpts in the camera high? Noticeable: Although the battery charge was sufficient for photography and zooming, the Zoommodus could not be selected in the menu with a 20% charge.
The light sensitivity of the RX1 is equal to the big SLR sisters and offers settings from ISO 100 to 25 600. With a multi-image noise reduction function, the maximum possible light sensitivity is up to a purely computerized ISO 102.400, in an "expanded" mode it is possible to set ISO 50.
The possible shutter speeds has expediently extended Sony even shortly before sales start: Now times of 1/4000 s are possible, however only with aperture values under 5.6. With f4 there are still 1/3200 s in, with f2 only 1/2000 s, which means there is the danger that the recordings could be over-exposed in very bright daylight and open aperture. Here a built-in gray or neutral density filter would be useful. On board is an optical image stabilizer.
The RX1 has a built-in pop-up flash, but with LZ 6 it is slightly weak and has a very solid and very unstable film. What is missing in practice is an integrated viewfinder. Both, flash-on flash and viewfinder (optical or electronic), as well as an external monitor can be adapted optionally via the flash shoe. A viewfinder makes sense in any case to best utilize the full functionality of the camera, such as peaking in manual focusing.
The 3-inch display with 307,200 pixels is not a touch screen and can neither be rotated nor swiveled, but as an RGBW display with additional white subpixels, a particularly high luminosity when the sun hits the display unfavorably. The picture quality is convincing. It is clear, sharp and low-noise. The brightness can be adjusted automatically or manually via the menu to the ambient light, however, the surface could be a bit more anti-reflective.
To the buyer circle appropriate, automatics play a more subordinate role. The key principle is coherent and can be adapted to individual needs. Aperture and focus can be comfortably adjusted via a ring on the lens with a useful magnifying lens. The focus type is set by a rotary knob on the front.
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The mode dial is located on the left hand side, which offers all common exposure modes from automatic, semi-automatic to fully manual exposure control, three user memories, video mode or panoramic mode. In addition, another exposure compensation wheel is included with a correction of +3 f-stops.
On the back there is next to the wheel and AEL button, also easy to reach for the thumb, a Fn- and four-way button. Practical: Around the set button of the four-way switch sits a second knurled wheel which, in addition to navigation through the menu, is to be used as a comfortable dial, for example to zoom pictures in the preview (magnifying mode). The menu is extensive, yet well organized and logical, with short riders, so you can quickly get around.
Video recording in movie quality
Image design and creativity are the main features of the developers in the conceptual design of the RX1: In addition to three selectable image effects, 11 image effects are available. In addition, 13 different creative functions and postprocessing effects can be activated during recording. There is an auto-HDR function, a D-range contrast optimization, series shooting with different exposure levels, white balance or DRO settings.
The video operation can be started directly and quickly via a red video button on the right side of the housing. To make further settings such as aperture, time, automatic program and the general manual control, you have to switch to the dedicated video mode in the menu. Thanks to the high-fidelity lens with the aperture 2, even low-light scenes can capture scenes with low noise and high detail.
Series and trigger
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Optionally, full-HD videos with a maximum of 50/60 B / s can be rotated in AVCHD or MP4 format and a quad-digital zoom can be used. Very convincing is the continuous autofocus in the video operation: It follows the sharpness precisely, smoothly and without noticeable noise development. The recording is carried out using a built-in stereo microphone, a professional external can be adapted by means of a flash shoe, a cable remote release can be fitted over the integrated thread in the release button
Contrary to what was initially announced, the RX1 also allows the automatic focusing of individual images, as well as the continuous focus on the video operation. The 25 measuring fields of the autofocus work with the contrast measurement on the sensor.
Top image quality
Conclusion
Thanks to the new Bionz processor, the camera needed moderate 0.43 s at 1,000 lux as at 30 lux. This is not an absolute top value, but for a full format sensor it is very decent and also competes with the performance of most SLRs with phase detection autofocus.
The switch-on delay was 2.1 s. In serial mode, it reached 12 images (RAW) and 14 images (JPEG) at 5.3 B / s - a top result in both formats.
Extremely silent and vibration-free. The battery, which partially makes too early, however, is too small.
With the picture quality, the RX1 ends up at the front and at eye level with the professional cameras Canon 1DX (60 points in the test) and Nikon D4 (57 points in the test). Up to ISO 800, the RX1 does not show any weaknesses, the differences to ISO 100 are minimal with regard to resolution, fine-tuning and noise.
The new Exmor CMOS sensor with a resolution of 24 megapixels and the improved Bionz processor does everything that the A900 still missed. Compared to the Sony A99, the RX1 delivers a slightly higher resolution - as the Zeiss lens proves its quality - but also better dead-Leaves values. The difference appeared to us too large, so we measured the A99 again and achieved better DL values with another lens.
Even with the high sensitivities up to ISO 12,800, the noise value increases to a maximum of 1.1. At ISO 100 the limit resolution is 1743 LP / BH. It remains constant up to ISO 6,400 (1658 LP / BH) and drops to 1,449 LP / BH at ISO 12,800. DL measurements also proved to be very encouraging: in the ISO 100 to ISO 3,200 range, 1,368 LP / BH is up to 1,115 LP / BH, without Sony having a high contrast. The texture losses are acceptable and only increase with ISO 3,200
With the new DSC-RX1, Sony has done all the work and has implemented a concept that enhances the enjoyment of photography and at the same time technically convincing: the equipment and performance of the RX1 are considerable - only the battery should be larger.
The image quality is very high and is like the Sony A99 up to the high ISO levels on the level of the current top models of Canon and Nikon. Other benefits include the almost silent shutter, the Carl Zeiss lens, a brilliant 3-inch monitor, and a generous range of features and convenient operation.
Above all, the latter is based on the top SLR level, since it allows a lot of manual settings and individual key assignments. The contrast autofocus is also very competitive with 0.43 s, even if it does not reach the top speed.
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX1
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