In summary
The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10, which was announced last Wednesday, reprises the ‘bridge camera’ style that made the original Cyber-shot DSC-R1 popular back in 2005. But where the R1 had an APS-C sized (21.5 x 14.4 mm) sensor, the RX10’s sensor is a smaller 1-inch type measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, although its resolution is double that of the original R1. The RX10 is also about 115 grams lighter.
If you’re drawn to ‘all-in-one’ cameras, the RX10 is definitely worth a look. Although relatively pricey, its f/2.8 zoom lens partly justifies the cost imposition and helps to make the camera a worthwhile choice for travellers who want a single camera solution that is simple to use, not too heavy to carry and versatile enough for most shooting situations.
Photographers who are seriously interested in shooting video could also find the RX10 worth considering as it currently provides the most sophisticated recording capabilities on the market for a camera of this type.
Competing cameras include the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200, which also has a constant f/2.8 aperture, although it’s across a 24x zoom range, Canon’s PowerShot SX50 HS and the Fujifilm F900EXR, all of which support raw file capture. Needless to say they have significantly smaller sensors but are much cheaper.
For photographers who don’t mind changing lenses, Sony offers a lighter, more versatile and cheaper alternative to the RX10 in its NEX-6 camera, which we looked at in September 2012. It has a larger (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor and is available with the SELP16-50 and SEL55-210 zoom lenses for AU$1299. This complete kit weighs 806 grams, compared with 813 grams for the RX10. It also encompasses a longer zoom range.
Buy
