I found the Sony DSC-RX100 to be a most disappointing camera, yet another bit of photographic kit that's wound up filed under 'would be great if they actually built it properly'.
See, in principle the RX100 is an excellent camera. A large (for a compact) sensor with decent noise control and raw recording. Tidy ergonomics and straightforward controls (apart from the thumb wheel, which is too easy to press when turning). A fast(-ish) stabilised 'Zeiss' lens with reasonable zoom that, when it works, turns in sharp results with well-tempered aberrations.
Well that's the theory, anyway. The practise went as follows.
- The first one I got had a decentered lens, toasting the resolution to the right side of the frame at the long end. Not acceptable, given the high quality of the bits of the frame that were properly resolved.
- The second one had dirt on the sensor, out of the box. What the hell, Sony?
- The third one had another decentered lens, soft right and top-right at 31mm.
So at this point I got my money back. Sony, you had three chances to shine here and messed them all up. And if this sounds harsh -- well tough. See, for the purposes of a consumer's review, it doesn't matter how good a camera could be. All that matters is that after wasting my time on three attempts marred by optical defects or factory dirt you still couldn't produce something of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose, and now as far as I'm concerned this model is a write-off.
Get your house in order, Sony. The RX100 is not recommended.
