Sections
- Page 1 Sony RX10 Review
- Page 2 Design and Performance Review
- Page 3 Image Quality and Verdict Review
Verdict
Key Specifications
- 20.2MP, 1-inch Exmor R CMOS sensor; 3-inch, 1.22m-dot tiltable LCD; 8.3x optical zoom, 24-200mm in equivalent terms; Constant f/2.8 aperture through the focal range; Full HD 1080p video
What is the Sony RX10?
The RX10 is a bridge camera, but not in the traditional sense. Where most bridge cameras settle for big zoom lenses strapped to compact camera size sensors, the RX10 has high-end lens technology, a large sensor and several other advanced finishing touches. It has a price tag to match. Indeed, at just less than £1k it’s one of the most expensive bridge cameras ever made. Can it possibly justify a price tag that puts it among top-end DSLRs?
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Sony RX10: Features
The majority of bridge cameras on the market feature sensors more in keeping with standard compact cameras, measuring in at 1/2.3in or similar. This is one area where the RX10 really impresses, as it features a sensor measuring in at 1-inch. This is the same sensor as the Sony RX100 II, and as such it features the same 20.2MP resolution and back-illumination technology.
Such a sensor needs some quality optics in order to get the best in terms of image quality, and the good news is that this is something Sony has addressed with the RX10. It has a 8.3x optical zoom, covering an equivalent focal range of 24-200mm in 35mm equivalent terms. The lens further impresses by offering a maximum aperture of f/2.8 across the entire focal range, while it also benefits from having Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* technology.
As you would expect for a digital camera that’s new to the market, the Sony RX10 debuts with full Wi-Fi connectivity, along with NFC functionality as well. Together the pair make it simple to wirelessly share images captured with the camera, as well as wirelessly control the camera from a compatible smartphone or tablet.
The premium theme is continued on the rear of the camera, with the RX10 sporting a 3-inch LCD screen with an impressive resolution of some 1.229m-dots. The LCD screen is also of the vari-angle variety, meaning it can be pulled away from the camera body and rotated around a horizontal axis.
The LCD screen is paired with an electronic viewfinder, the same viewfinder in fact that impressed so much with the recently released Sony A7 and A7R CSCs.
In terms of processing power, the RX10 sports Sony BIONZ X processor that delivers a continuous shooting speed of up to 10fps using single AF shooting.
The RX10 also features a substantial ISO range, with a base range of 80-12,800, extendable to 25,600 in certain shooting modes.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
