Sony Announces Cyber-shot DSC-RX100

With a body made mainly from aluminium, the DSC-RX100 provides many of the features of Sony’s interchangeable-lens cameras but has a permanently-attached 3.6x optical zoom lens that bears the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* brand name. The wide f/1.8 maximum aperture combines with the larger sensor to provide superior imaging performance in low light levels, particularly with high ISO settings. The lens is constructed from 7 elements in 6 groups and includes four aspheric elements, one of them an Advanced Aspherical (AA) glass element that contributes to the camera’s extremely compact dimensions without sacrificing optical performance or resolution.

Two views of the new Sony DSC-RX100. (Source: Sony.)

The camera’s  BIONZ image processor extends sensitivity right up to ISO 25600 using Multi Frame Noise Reduction and supports continuous shooting at up to 10 frames per second (full-resolution).  High-speed autofocusing locks onto targets in as little as 0.13 seconds. The high contrast, 3-inch LCD monitor has a resolution of 1,229,000 dots and introduces a new proprietary WhiteMagic technology that uses white pixels in addition to RGB to boost screen brightness.

A  Control Ring around the lens enables users to adjust exposure, zoom, Picture Effect and other settings, while frequently-used functions can be assigned to a handy Fn (function) button for instant access. Memory Recall stores up to three groups of settings for instant recall ““ a big time-saver when you don’t want to keep adjusting parameters for favourite scenes. Auto Portrait Framing makes it simple to capture personality-packed photos of family and friends.

Users can choose between auto and manual focusing and the MF Assist function magnifies the image to simplify fine adjustments. There’s also a convenient Peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen. The camera provides a  choice of six Creative Styles  for in-camera image processing, while the Picture Effect offers an inspiring choice of ‘in camera’ effects that can be previewed on the LCD screen, among them Toy Camera, Partial Colour, Pop Colour, HDR Painting, Miniature, Illustration and Watercolour.

Video movies can be recorded with Full High Definition (1080p). Newly created for the DSC-RX100, the NP-BX1 Type X rechargeable battery features a slim, energy-efficient design to allow up to 330 still shots or 80 mins AVCHD video shooting per charge. 

The new Cyber-shot RX100 digital compact camera from Sony will be available in the USA and Europe from mid July 2012. It is expected to sell in the USA for around $650. SPECS

	DSC-RX100 digital still camera
Image Sensor	1.0 type (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2 with 20.9 million photosites (Effective resolution Approx. 20.2 megapixels)
Lens	Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*10.4-37.1mm f/1.8 – 4.9 zoom lens with; 28-100mm equiv. in 35mm format
Zoom range	Optical: 3.6x; Clear Image Zoom 7.2x
Screen	7.5cm (3.0type) Xtra Fine  TruBlack  TFT LCD with 1,229,000 dots; 4:3 aspect ratio
Image stabilisation	(Still image) Optical SteadyShot; (Movie) Optical SteadyShot Active Mode with electronic compensation (anti-rolling)
Focus modes	Single-shot AF (AF-S) / Continuous AF (AF-C) / Direct Manual Focus (DMF) / Manual Focus
Focus area	Multi point AF (25 points) / Centre weighted AF / Flexible spot / Flexible spot (tracking focus) / Flexible spot (face tracking) Digital Zoom: approx. 4x (still images / movies)
Sensitivity (still image)	Auto(ISO 125-6400, selectable with upper/lower limit), 125/200/400/800/1600/3200/6400 (Expandable to ISO 80/100) Multi Frame NR: Auto (ISO125-25600) equivalent    NB: ISO 12800 and higher settings are achieved through combining Multi Frame Noise Reduction and By Pixel Super Resolution technology.
Continuous shooting	Speed Priority Continuous Mode: Approx.10 fps Continuous mode: 2.5 fps (AF-S)
Shooting modes	Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto (Program shift available), Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene Selection, Movie, Sweep shooting
Picture Effect modes	Toy Camera, Pop Colour, Posterisation, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolour, Illustration
Other Shooting functions	Face Detection, Face Registration, Smile Shutter, Dual Rec, Grid Line, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), MR (memory recall), Exposure Bracketing, White Balance Bracketing, Peaking, MF Assist, Auto Portrait Framing, Photo Creativity, Shooting Tips
Movie record	AVCHD: 28M PS (1920×1080, 50p) / 24M FX (1920×1080, 50i ) / 17M FH (1920×1080, 50i) MP4: 12M (1440×1080, 25 fps) / 3M VGA (640×480 25 fps)
Battery life	(Still Image) Approx. 330 / Approx. 165 min. (CIPA standard) (Movie) Approx. 80 min.( AVCHD, MP4, shooting in factory preset mode)
Dimensions (WxHxD)	Approx. 101.6 x 58.1 x 35.9mm (CIPA compliant)
Weight	Approx. 213g (body only) Approx. 240g (with battery and Memory Stick Duo)
Supplied accessories	Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BX1, AC Adaptor AC-UD10, Micro USB cable, Wrist Strap, Shoulder Strap Adaptor, Instruction Manual