
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 digital compact camera
Perhaps following in the footsteps of the FujiFilm X100 digital camera (just take a peek at the Product Gallery below and check out the retro-styled holder, and what about the “x100″ reference in the name…hmm), Sony have announced the Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 compact digital camera, firmly aimed at enthusiasts looking for a digital camera which offers more manual and creative control plus RAW shooting over traditional smaller compact cameras.

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 sensor size comparison
“Sony’s New Advanced Cyber-shot RX100 Camera Packs Large Sensor and Bright Lens into Stylish, Pocket-Size Body“, Sony proudly announced. And who are we to disagree. Breathing life into the DSC-RX100 is a new Sony developed, world’s first 1 inch Exmor CMOS sensor, delivering a whooping 20.2 effective megapixels. The sensor has a surface area approximately four times larger than the 1/2.3-type sensors found in traditional point-and-shoot cameras. Couple all that scrumptious light-absorbing area with the 1.8 maximum aperture fixed lens (28-100mm equivalent with f1.8-4.9 aperture range) and the DSC-RX100 can shoot up to ISO 25600!
In keeping with “world’s first”, Sony have also introduced what they call WhiteMagic technology in the high-resolution 3-inch 1,229k dot Xtra Fine LCD display. “This uses additional white pixels to boost screen brightness, allowing users to see subtle details and tones on the screen in all types of shooting environments, including outdoors in bright sunlight“, says Sony. Moreover, it’s also Sony’s first compact camera to shoot RAW files.
The Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 can also shoot up to 10 frames per second (fps), certainly no slouch in that department, has a lens mounted control ring for quick and easy changes to settings (depending on the current shooting mode), image stabilisation, and can shoot Full HD movies at 60 fps. There’s more too, so why don’t you check out all the details below, including the slightly quirky promotional video from Sony!
The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 will be available from around 27 July 2012 and is priced at approximately $650.
- Massive 20.2MP Exmor 1” CMOS Image Sensor
- Bright F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 3.6x zoom
- 3.6x optical/7.2x Clear Image digital zoom
- P/A/S/M modes for video and stills
- Capture JPEG files, RAW files, or both
- Full HD 1080/60p
- Low-light ISO 6400 sensitivity
- High speed Auto Focus
- Capture the decisive moment with up to 10fps
- 3” Xtra Fine LCD™ Display
- Customizable function button
- Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode
- Memory recall
- Sophisticated metal body
- Auto portrait framing
- Auto HDR mode
- Face Detection/Registration technology
- Multi-aspect ratio recording for still images
- Built in pop up flash
- MF assist and peaking
- Four focusing modes
- Digital level gauge
- Photo Creativity
- Picture Effect mode
- Multi-frame noise reduction
- Sweep Panorama Mode
- Superior Auto mode
- Creative Style settings
- Intelligent Scene Recognition mode
Sony’s New Advanced Cyber-shot RX100 Camera Packs Large Sensor and Bright Lens into Stylish, Pocket-Size Body
SAN DIEGO, May 16, 2012 – Travelling light no longer means compromising on picture quality with the Cyber-shot® DSC-RX100 camera, Sony’s new flagship compact camera.
Striking the ultimate balance of form and function, the stylish, aluminium-built RX100 camera inherits many advanced imaging features from Sony’s α range of A-mount and E-mount cameras, delivering beautiful still images, crisp full HD videos and a level of manual control and creativity unmatched by any other camera of its size.
“This camera is ideal for travel, portraits or street photography, delivering impressive results in a variety of lighting conditions with an intuitive, customizable control interface,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics. “It’s a perfect step-up model for point and shoot users not interested in larger DSLR or compact system cameras, and also an outstanding choice for enthusiasts who may already own a large DSLR and are looking for a high-quality, pocket-sized ‘all-in-one’ second camera.”
At the heart of the Cyber-shot RX100 is the world’s first 1.0-inch type Exmor® CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 effective megapixels. Specially developed by Sony, the sensor has an area that’s approximately four times larger than the 1/2.3-type sensors in traditional point-and-shoot cameras. The sensor’s larger area takes in more light while capturing content, resulting in beautiful, detail-packed images and Full HD movie clips with very low noise.
The larger sensor is partnered with an exceptionally bright Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* fixed lens with 3.6x optical zoom range. In contrast to standard point-and-shoot cameras, it has a wide F1.8 maximum aperture to let in additional light and complement the resolving power of the larger sensor.
Similar to high-performance DSLR optics, the lens features seven- bladed circular aperture. This makes it easy to produce images with subjects in sharp focus against a smoothly-blurred, beautifully defocused background. The lens also features an Advanced Aspherical (AA) lens element that contributes to the camera’s extremely compact dimensions without sacrificing optical zoom performance or resolution.
Newly optimized to complement the 1.0-inch type sensor and lens, the camera’s powerful BIONZ® image processor maximizes shooting response times while helping assure exceptionally clean, natural images. It also extends sensitivity right up to ISO 25600 (using Multi Frame Noise Reduction), allowing for exceptionally clear handheld images in low light conditions. To capture fast-moving subjects, the RX100 camera can also shoot at up to 10 frames per second (in full resolution) and has high-speed autofocus that locks onto a subject in as quickly as 0.13 seconds (depends on scene and lighting conditions).
The new RX100 camera features a high-resolution 3-inch 1,229k dot Xtra Fine LCD™ display and also adds a new feature: WhiteMagic™ technology. This uses additional white pixels to boost screen brightness, allowing users to see subtle details and tones on the screen in all types of shooting environments, including outdoors in bright sunlight.
For making manual adjustments while shooting both still images and movies, the new camera has a smooth control ring around the lens body, which can be used to alter exposure, zoom, creative picture effects and a variety of other customizable functions. Additionally, frequently used functions can be assigned to the Fn (function) button for instant access, and the Memory Recall feature can store up to three groups of customized shooting settings based on user preference.
Similar to a DSLR-style interface, there’s a choice of auto and manual focus modes on the Cyber-shot RX100 camera for enhanced image control. For those that prefer focusing manually, MF Assist magnifies images to simplify fine adjustments, and there’s also a pro-style peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen.
The RX100 camera offers a generous choice of artistic options to expand creative shooting possibilities. It includes the option for six different creative styles and a variety of popular picture effects including Toy Camera, Partial Color, HDR Painting and several others, most of which can be previewed directly on screen before shooting.
The new Cyber-shot features Auto Portrait Framing – a feature found on Sony’s latest α range of A-mount and E-mount cameras — making it simple to create sharp, perfectly framed portraits. This unique feature automatically detects faces in a scene, crops the picture accordingly creates a tighter, pro-style composition at full resolution. Both the original and cropped photo are saved for review.
New accessories include a spare battery, dedicated carrying case and a battery charger designed to complement to the new camera.
Pricing and Availability
The Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 digital camera will be available this July for about $650. The camera and accessories will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 specifications | |
Camera type | Professional compact digital camera |
Imaging Sensor | |
Sensor size | 1.0″ (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2 |
Pixel Gross | 20.9MP (approx.) |
Effective Picture Resolution | 20.2MP (approx.) |
Optics/Lens | |
Lens Type | Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* |
Aperture | F1.8-4.9 |
Optical Zoom | 3.6x |
Digital Zoom | 20M approx. 14x / 10M approx. 20x / 5M approx. 28x / VGA approx. 54x |
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) | Still 16:9 29-105mm / Still 4:3 30-108mm / Still 3:2 28-100mm / Still 1:1 36-127mm / Movie 16:9 29-105mm (Std), 33-120mm (Active) / Movie 4:3 36-128 mm (Std), 41-146mm (Active) |
Lens Construction | 7 elements in 6 groups ( including AA lens) |
Aperture Blade | Iris diaphragm (7 blades) |
Clear Image Zoo | 7.2x |
Focal Distance | AF approx. 5cm to infinity (W), approx. 55cm to infinity (1) |
Steady Shot Mode | Active : [Still image] Optical [Movie] Active Mode, Optical type with electronic compensation (Anti-rolling) |
Exposure System | |
Metering Modes | Multi segment / Center weighted / Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3.0EV, 1/3EV step |
Scene Mode(s) | Portrait, Anti Motion Blur, Sports Action, Pet, Gourmet, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Night Portrait, Fireworks, High Sensitivity |
D-Range Optimizer | Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level), Auto High Dynamic Range: Auto exposure difference, Exposure difference level (1.0-6.0EV, 1.0-EV step) |
ISO | Auto ISO125-6400 select w/upper/lower limit, 125/200/400/800/1600/3200/6400 expand to 80/100, Multi Frame NR:Auto ISO125-25600 equiv., 200/400/800/1600/3200/6400/12800*4/25600*4 |
Creative Style | Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Black & White |
White Balance Mode | Auto/Daylight/Shade/Cloudy/Incandescent/Fluor (Warm White)/Fluor (Cool White)/Fluor (Day White)/Fluor (Daylight)/Flash/C. Temp., Filter/Custom |
Picture Effect(s) | Toy Camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Color, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration |
LCD Display | |
LCD Type | 3.0″ (7.5cm) (4:3) / 1,229k dots / Xtra Fine / TruBlack / TFT LCD |
Brightness Control | Auto / Manual (5 steps) / Sunny Weather mode |
Drive System | |
Shutter Type | iAuto (4-1/2000) / Program Auto (1-1/2000) / Manual (Bulb, 30-1/2000) / Aperture Priority (8-1/2000) / Shutter Priority (30-1/2000) |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 10 fps at 20.2MP |
Self-timer | 10sec. / 2sec. / Self portrait / Self timer Cont. |
Recording | |
Media Type | Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo (High Speed), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick Micro*7, Memory Stick Micro (Mark2)*7, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card, microSD Memory Card*7, microSDHC Memory Card*7 |
Still Image Mode | JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format) |
Still Image Size 16:9 | L: 17M (5472×3080); M: 7.5M (3648 x 2056); S:4.2M (2720 x 1528) |
Still Image Size 3:2 | L: 20M (5472 x 3648; M: 10M (3888 x 2592); S: 5.0M (2736 x 1824) |
Still Image Size 4:3 | L: 18M (4864 x 3648); M: 10M (3648 x 2736); S: 5.0M (2592 x 1944); VGA |
Panorama Still Image Size | [3:2] L: 20M (5472×3648)/M: 10M (3888×2592)/S: 5.0M (2736×1824) |
Video Format | AVCHD Ver2.0, MP4 |
Video Mode | AVCHD: 28M PS (1920×1080, 60p/50p) / 24M FX (1920×1080, 60i/50i ) / 17M FH (1920×1080, 60i/50i) MP4: 12M (1440×1080, 30/25 fps) / 3M VGA (640×480 30/25 fps) |
Photo Capture from Movie | Yes |
Focus Control | |
Focus System | Single-shot AF (AF-S) / Continuous AF (AF-C) / Direct Manual Focus (DMF) / Manual Focus |
AF Modes | Multi point AF (25 points) / Center weighted AF / Flexible spot / Flexible spot (tracking focus) / Flexible sport (face tracking) |
Flash | |
Flash Modes | Auto/Fill-flash/Slow Sync/Rear Sync/Off |
Flash Coverage | ISO Auto 0.30m to 17.1m (W)/0.55m to 6.3m (T) (Approx.1′ 3/4″” to Approx.56′ 1 3/4″”)(W) ISO 6400 up to 24.2m (W)/8.9m (T) |
Advanced Features | |
Sweep Panorama | Yes |
Face Detection | 8 Faces (Auto / Off / Child Priority / Adult Priority / Face Registration) |
Image Stabilization | Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode Image Stabilization4 |
Intelligent Auto | Yes |
Background Defocus | Yes |
Superior Auto | Yes |
Photo Creativity | Yes |
Interface | |
Memory Card Slot | MS Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC Compatible |
HD Output | Micro HDMI |
USB Port(s) | Micro USB, Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0) |
Convenience Features | |
Still Image Playback Options | Control for HDMI, Slideshow |
Weights and Measurements | |
Dimensions (Approx.) | Approx. 4″ x 2 3/8″ x 1 7/16″ (101.6 x 58.1 x 35.9mm) (W/H/D) |
Weight (Approx.) | Approx. 8.5oz (240g) (Battery and Memory Stick Duo included)/Approx. 7.5 oz (213g )(Body only) |
In the Box | |
Battery NP-BX1 | |
AC Adaptor AC-UD10/11 | |
Micro USB cable | |
Wrist Strap | |
Shoulder Strap Adaptor | |
Instruction Manual |
1.Records in 29 minute segments
2.Requires HDTV and HDMI cable sold separately
3.Requires 3D HDTV, HDMI cable (at least 10.2 Gbps) and active 3D glasses sold separately.
4.Combined with electronic stabilization