Sony RX1R Review

Because Sony is not one of the photographic companies with a long tradition, it tends to do things differently just because it can. In addition, the new Sony RX1-R is distinctive in its own right.

The Sony RX1 is the world’s most miniature digital camera that uses a 35mm format, and the firm in the previous year debuted it. Because the lens cannot be changed, the device is equivalent to a small camera. Instead, it has an optic with a constant length of 35 millimeters, which makes it an excellent choice for shooting street photography.

Because of its enormous sensor and exquisite engineering, many people have been put off by the Sony RX1’s asking price of £2,500 (about USD 2,800) or AU$ 3,000 (approximately AUD 4,000). However, because this product does not have the flexibility of replaceable lenses, Sony is attempting to enter a highly specialized market.

Because the body of the Sony RX1-R and the original Sony RX1 are identical to one another, the build quality of the camera as well as its fundamental function, are also the same.

The high-end craftsmanship of the camera is immediately apparent the moment you take it into your hands. Moreover, despite its small dimensions, it has a respectable body weight, confirming the quality of this fantastic wonder.

Unfortunately, the bulky fixed 35mm lens with the Sony RX1-R cannot be swapped out for a different one.

According to Sony, this is because the lens was designed expressly to function well in conjunction with the big sensor, allowing for achieving the highest possible image quality. Of course, it’s doubtful that this would dissuade many from wanting that Sony would develop a full-frame NEX camera in the future; nevertheless, this may already be in the works.

Sony RX1R Performance

You might find it helpful to read our assessment of the original Sony RX1 for a more in-depth study of the picture performance capabilities of the Sony RX1-R. Of course, this is true for the camera’s build quality and handling.

Sony RX1R Image Quality

During this evaluation, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R captured photographs of exceptionally high quality. The RX1R features a broad and highly useable ISO range that goes from 50 up to 25,600. ISO 50–1600 is noise-free, while ISO 3200 and 6400 yield more than satisfactory results, and even ISO 12,800 and 25,600 are suitable for usage in an emergency.

However, the RAW examples show how much processing the camera undertakes by default since they are significantly noisier than their JPEG counterparts across the board, regardless of the ISO value.

Chromatic aberrations were present but were effectively controlled; nonetheless, a small amount of purple fringing appeared in conditions with a high contrast ratio. The 24-megapixel photographs come out of the camera slightly soft when using the default creative style. For the best results, you should sharpen them some more by utilizing an application such as Adobe Photoshop; alternatively, you may adjust the degree of sharpening that the camera applies automatically.

The night shot turned out well thanks to the camera’s maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds and its Bulb mode, which allow lots of room for creative experimentation during nighttime shooting.

The macro performance is satisfactory, enabling you to focus as close to the subject as 20 centimeters distant. In addition, the built-in flash performed admirably inside, preventing red-eye and providing enough exposure overall.

A practical Dynamic Range Optimizer function will extract additional data from an image’s shadow and highlight sections without adding any noise or other artifacts that aren’t intended. For example, the High Dynamic Range mode combines the results of two separate photos taken at various exposures into a single image. The result is an image that has a higher dynamic range than what would be produced by a single photograph.

However, it does yield some excellent effects even though it can only function with JPEGs and stationary subjects. Even after all these years, they are using Sony’s Sweep Panorama, which is still a delightful experience. Moreover, picture Effects allow you to create unique looks quickly, which would otherwise require you to spend a significant amount of time in the digital darkroom. On the other hand, Creative Styles give a quick and simple method to adjust the JPEG photographs captured by the camera.

Sony RX1R Specs

Body type	Large sensor compact
Max resolution	6000 x 4000
Other resolutions	6000 x 3376, 3936 x 2624, 3936 x 2216, 2640 x 1760, 2640 x 1488
Image ratio w h	3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	25 megapixels
Sensor size	Full frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
ISO	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
Boosted ISO (minimum)	50
Boosted ISO (maximum)	102400
White balance presets	9
Custom white balance	Yes (1)
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
Focal length (equiv.)	35 mm
Optical zoom	1×
Maximum aperture	F2
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleFace Detection.
Digital zoom	Yes (9.1x)
Manual focus	Yes
Normal focus range	24 cm (9.45″)
Macro focus range	14 cm (5.51″)
Number of focus points	25
Focal length multiplier	1×
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,229,000
Touch screen	No
Screen type	Xtra FineTFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	None
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Manual exposure mode	Yes
Subject/scene modes	Yes
Built-in flash	Yes (Pop-up)
Flash Range	6.00 m
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless
Continuous drive	5.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	(3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	No
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Format	MPEG-4, AVCHD
Videography notes	AVCHD: 28M PS (1920×1080, 60p/50p), 24M FX (1920×1080, 60i/50i), 17M FH (1920×1080, 60i/50i), 24M FX (1920×1080, 24p/25p), 17M FH (1920×1080, 24p/25p)
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Mini)
Remote control	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion NP-BX1 battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	270
Weight (inc. batteries)	482 g (1.06 lb / 17.00 oz)
Dimensions	113 x 65 x 70 mm (4.45 x 2.56 x 2.76″)
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None

Sony RX1R Conclusion

The absence of a low-pass filter is the only change made to the RX1R compared to the original RX1. As a result, the photos taken with the RX1R are subtly sharper and more detailed than those born with the RX1. Unless you shoot a lot of subjects with great details like fabrics or artificial patterns, you’ll be hard-pressed to spot any moire or color aliasing (we couldn’t find any in our sample shots). The RX1R also has a larger sensor than the RX1, which allows it to capture a broader range of light.

Even if you do, there are specific techniques that you can employ both during shooting and in post-production, so if out and out, the resolution is a crucial requirement. Again, we’d recommend opting for the RX1R, especially given that it costs the same as the RX1.

Sony RX1R FAQs