Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 Digital Camera, Black {20.2MP}

Sony RX100: 20.2MP compact with a Zeiss f/1.8 lens.

The RX100 built its reputation on a single proposition: put a large 1-inch sensor and a fast Zeiss-branded 24–70mm equivalent f/1.8 lens into a body small enough to fit a shirt pocket. At 102 x 58 x 41mm and 299g, it delivers on that promise. The 20.2MP sensor pairs with Sony's Bionz X processor, and the 315-point autofocus system gives you real targeting precision in a class where most competitors relied on contrast-detect guesswork. RAW capture is supported, so you can pull detail from files without being locked into in-camera JPEG processing.

The f/1.8 maximum aperture at the wide end gives you genuine low-light capability and background separation that fixed-lens compacts with slower glass simply cannot match. Optical image stabilization extends that low-light usefulness into handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. The pop-up electronic viewfinder with 2,359,296 dots and 100% coverage is a real differentiator, and the tilting 3-inch, 1,228,800-dot LCD adds flexibility for shooting from low angles. Continuous shooting at 24fps and an electronic shutter ceiling of 1/32000 sec round out a spec sheet that still holds up as a capable travel and everyday carry option at a fraction of its original price.

Who It's For

Travel photographers who refuse to carry a second bag will find the RX100 fits any pocket without sacrificing RAW files or a fast lens. Street shooters benefit from the silent electronic shutter at 1/32000 sec and the 24fps burst for nailing fleeting moments. Portrait and social photographers working in mixed light get the f/1.8 aperture plus optical stabilization for sharp results without flash. Documentary and run-and-gun videographers have AVCHD and XAVC S format options along with a tilting screen for discreet, flexible framing in tight spaces.

Key Features

• 1-inch 20.2MP stacked CMOS sensor with Bionz X processor
• 24–70mm equivalent f/1.8 Zeiss lens with optical image stabilization
• 315-point phase-detection autofocus system with Eye AF
• 24fps continuous shooting with RAW + JPEG capture
• Pop-up electronic viewfinder with 2.36M dots and 100% coverage
• Tilting 3-inch LCD, 1/32000 electronic shutter, 220-shot battery life

FAQ

What makes the RX100's 1-inch sensor different from a smartphone camera?

The 1-inch sensor captures significantly more light and dynamic range than smartphone sensors, giving you genuine low-light performance and the ability to separate subjects from backgrounds with the f/1.8 lens. You get RAW files to work with, not processed JPEGs locked into the camera's algorithms.

Can you shoot RAW at 24fps burst speed?

Yes. The camera records full RAW files at 24fps continuous shooting, letting you extract the exact moment from a sequence without being locked into the burst speed of slower compact cameras.

How does the 315-point autofocus system work in practice?

It's phase-detection AF that gives you real precision, but accessing the full system requires menu navigation or assigning a custom button. Without a touchscreen, positioning the focus point takes multiple button presses compared to competitors that offer tap-to-focus.

Is the pop-up electronic viewfinder worth using?

The EVF has 2.36-million dots and 100% coverage, so it's genuinely useful for framing and checking focus. It's a real differentiator versus competitors that omit it entirely, though the 0.59x magnification makes it cramped compared to larger cameras.

What's the battery life realistically?

Sony rates it at 220 shots per CIPA standard, which is poor. Heavy burst shooting at events has yielded 1500–2500 shots per battery in field use, but performance varies by shooting patterns and temperature. Carry spares if you're shooting all day.

Does the lens control ring allow precise manual focus?

The ring is stepless and smooth for video work, but it provides poor tactile feedback for stopped adjustments like aperture or shutter speed. Accidental turns easily alter settings, and the ring can't be customized per shooting mode.

How does the tilting LCD compare to a fixed screen?

The 3-inch, 1.23-million-dot LCD tilts for low-angle shooting, giving you flexibility that a fixed screen doesn't offer. It's not a full articulating hinge, but the tilt covers the most practical shooting angles.