Sony RX1 review

Small but mighty full-frame compact put to the test

Sony RX1 review
The Sony RX1 is the first full-frame digital compact camera

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Sony RX1 sample image

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For a compact camera the sensor in the RX1 is very large (full-frame) and it allows for some creative photography, including shallow depth of field effects.

Sony RX1 sample image

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Out of focus areas are rendered beautifully by the RX1.

Sony RX1 sample image

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Colours are very good straight from the RX1, being punchy without too much vibrance. This was shot in the Landscape Picture Style. It has also been shot with the Dynamic Range optimiser switched on, which helped to bring out detail in the shadow area in the foreground.

Sony RX1 sample image

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Although the RX1's lens is fixed, it has a macro mode which allows for focusing as close as 20cm.

Sony RX1 sample image

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Sony's Sweep Panorama mode, which was first introduced on its other compact cameras, is also included on the RX1 and allows for ultra wide angle shots to be captured.

Sony RX1 sample image

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When not shooting in raw format, you can activate Sony's Clear Zoom technology - a form of digital zoom. This shot is taken at the standard 35mm setting.

Sony RX1 sample image

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Here, the first "step" of the digital zoom has been activated. This basically crops into the centre of the image, and provides an equivalent of 50mm.

Sony RX1 sample image

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This is the full digital zoom capability, an equivalent of 75mm.

Sony RX1 sample image

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Although you can't deploy Picture Effects when shooting in raw format, you can activate Picture Styles, such as this Black and White shot. A "clean" (standard colour) version can be retrieved from the raw file. The contrast has also been pushed to the maximum setting.

Sony RX1 review

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Sony RX1 review

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Sony RX1 review

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Sony RX1 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony RX1 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony RX1 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony RX1 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony RX1 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony RX1 review

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Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.