Four inches. Sony RX100, RX100M II, RX100 III and RX100 IV camera test

Getting to know the cameras

What happens if you transfer all the functions and capabilities of professional photographic equipment into a compact camera? Get the Sony RX100 series cameras. And it is about the four devices of this series that will be discussed today. The market for compact cameras is not going through the best of times: the niche that simple compact cameras (“soap dishes”) previously occupied was selected by smartphones that can shoot better than the latter. Unfriendly to the quality and functions of the camera, amateur photographers now prefer them. And advanced photographers choose system cameras with interchangeable lenses - DSLRs or mirrorless ones. Check price Sony RX100 / Sony RX100M II / Sony RX100 III / Sony RX100 IV This situation challenges manufacturers of photographic equipment, because they have to look for new areas for their products. Sony, known for its innovative approach to photography, has found a very interesting way out of the situation. Their line of cameras, launched in 2012 with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 , gave photographers the functions and image quality of the SLR, enclosed in a stylish “pocket” sized case. This approach has passed the test of time: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 series cameras were so successful that the model recently survived its fourth reincarnation - the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M4 was released . What usually happens with the camera of the old model when releasing the next, newer version? The manufacturer declares it obsolete against the background of the advertising campaign of the new model and tries to quickly withdraw from production, so that the old model, the prices of which have fallen, does not interfere with selling its newer (and more expensive) version. But not in the case of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 series cameras! It is surprising that on the market there are all four models of the device at the same time. Starting with the very first Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 all are considered relevant. The first camera took the position of the most affordable model in the series, while [Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M4] (http://ad.adriver.ru/cgi-bin/click.cgi?sid=1&ad=648853&bt=2&bid=5418772&bn=5418772&rend = 894474767 has become the most advanced among them and has a price tag almost twice as high as that of the first model .http : // ad . adriver . ru / cgi - bin / click . cgi ? sid = 1 & ad = 648853 & bt = 2 & bid = 5418772 & bn = 5418772 & rnd = 894474767 became the most advanced among them and has a price tag almost twice as high as that of the first model. Which of the four cameras in the series is the most interesting in terms of purchase? How do they differ from each other despite almost the same appearance? All this will be discussed in our test. So, all four models of the series got to the editorial board for a test:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M3
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M4

The stylish and very compact metal case of the devices is immediately evident. Indeed, these cameras are slightly larger than a pack of cigarettes: such a baby fits in almost every pocket.

Electronic viewfinder and built-in flash on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III

It is interesting that each of the four cameras has its own unique features, "chips" that will be of interest to a wide range of photographers. Among them - the presence of an electronic viewfinder, a rotary screen, a "hot shoe" and a built-in flash. These and other features are found on different camera models in various combinations, therefore, when reviewing each, we will pay special attention to them. A 1-inch matrix is the heart of all four devices. Inch matrices have already managed to gain their niche in the market and their fans. Their advantage is that with a compact size they are quite capable of providing excellent image quality. And as a result, a camera built on such a sensor will be much more compact than those cameras that are based on larger 4/3 or APS-C standards. In 2012, Sony pioneered high-end compacts equipped with a 1 ? matrix, launching the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. Since then, the company has held strong positions in this segment. Since the 1-inch matrix is ??far from the smallest (and for the compact class it can generally be called very large), the cameras built on it simply cannot cost very cheaply. The point here is not only the cost of the matrix itself, but also that for a larger sensor, it will also require larger, higher-quality optics. Therefore, all cameras of the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 family belong to the high price range. At a price (however, as well as in functions, and in image quality) they are comparable to DSLRs. Nevertheless, the matrices of these four cameras are different, although they have similar characteristics. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 uses a “simple” CMOS sensor from Sony, while the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2 already uses a back-illuminated matrix, which in particular has reduced digital noise.

Mark Curtis

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Four inches. Sony RX100, RX100M II, RX100 III and RX100 IV camera test

Getting to know the cameras

Mark Curtis

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