Cyber-Shot RX 100: Compact experience

The Cyber-Shot RX 100 shows pretty much what present technology will let you pack into a compact camera.

The Cyber-Shot RX 100 shows pretty much what present technology will let you pack into a compact camera. It boasts of the best in-category specs, including ISO levels that are higher than some half-frame DSL₹ and stunning HD video recording capability.

Pros:
The camera makes a good first impression. It has a solid metallic built, and comes in a serious black colour. It lets you shoot at 20.2 megapixels and record in RAW format, but unless you're printing posters, you will be fine with lower resolutions and smaller file sizes.

A large sensor (for a compact) means little noise in low-light conditions and crisper photos at higher shutter speeds. We also like the control ring around the lens, the function of which you can customise.

Cons:
The price is the most obvious constraint. At over R30,000, you're paying more than for a basic DSLR and several compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MICR). So, while it measures up in image reproduction, you don't get the creative flexibility that different lenses will provide. Also, the images tend to look slightly less vibrant on your laptop screen than they do on the camera.