Sony just introduced a new pocket camera, the DSC-RX100. Unexpectedly, the RX100 has a CMOS sensor that's twice the size of most point and shoot cameras. It's the 20 megapixel sensor also used in the Nikon One, but in a much smaller body. Here's a preview, which compares sensor sizes of several modern digital cameras:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/06/06/Sony-DSC-RX100-preview-with-sample-images
Here's a video by DPReview.com that introduces the camera, and shows its size relative to other enthusiast point and shoot models
As in most pocket cameras, the RX-100's biggest compromise is in the lens. It has a zoom equivalent to 28-100mm in a DSLR. Aperture starts out at f/1.8 wide open, but narrows considerably to f/4.9 at full zoom. That makes the zoom less usable in low light conditions. It's a tradeoff brought on by the desire to keep the camera as narrow as possible. This aperture rating is a little better than the lenses on the Canon S100, Canon G-1X, Fujifilm X10, and Olympus E-PM1.
The RX100 has a minimalist design, with few protruding knobs or buttons. That makes it easier to slip into and out of a pocket.
Suggested list price for the RX100 is a whopping $650, about $200 more than the Canon S100.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/06/06/Sony-DSC-RX100-preview-with-sample-images
Here's a video by DPReview.com that introduces the camera, and shows its size relative to other enthusiast point and shoot models
As in most pocket cameras, the RX-100's biggest compromise is in the lens. It has a zoom equivalent to 28-100mm in a DSLR. Aperture starts out at f/1.8 wide open, but narrows considerably to f/4.9 at full zoom. That makes the zoom less usable in low light conditions. It's a tradeoff brought on by the desire to keep the camera as narrow as possible. This aperture rating is a little better than the lenses on the Canon S100, Canon G-1X, Fujifilm X10, and Olympus E-PM1.
The RX100 has a minimalist design, with few protruding knobs or buttons. That makes it easier to slip into and out of a pocket.
Suggested list price for the RX100 is a whopping $650, about $200 more than the Canon S100.