Size Matters, The Sony RX100 Review part I

SONY NEX-5 (45mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec, ISO200)

Camera reviews today:

At the beginning camera reviews on the internet were a great source of information. The biggest advantage of these reviews was that they were totally unbiased. Just take a look at magazines. A substantial part of their profit comes from advertising. Someone needs to be a real naive person if he expects a critical review of a product of a company that places big ads in the magazine. You just don’t bite the hand that feeds you. On the internet it was different. But it seems that’s not the case any more. Today most reviews are at least very positive and some just read like they were written by the marketing department of the camera maker. But why is that? Why are simple users or reviewers not unbiased anymore? I think there are two reasons: Continue reading

I’m Copying Myself, Compact Camera Snaps, Sony RX100

DSC-RX100 (15.1mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec, ISO400)
DSC-RX100 (15.64mm, f/3.2, 1/200 sec, ISO400)

Sometimes you are creative and sometimes you are not. This time I wasn’t. The image above is a copy of my own picture I took about a year ago with my Fuji X100. Back than it was a test whether an APS-C sensor camera can substitute my Canon 5D + 35L. I was surprised how close it came. So this time I tried if I can substitute my full frame DSLR with a compact camera. Of course that’s a little bit more tricky but I was pleased with the result. Continue reading

The Missed Opportunity – Second Thoughts about the upcoming Sony RX1

When I saw first leaked images of the Sony RX1 a couple of days ago I was amazed. Finally somebody did it. To put a large sensor in a compact camera. To me it was no surprise that Sony did it first. Either Sony or Fuji would be first I guessed. They both have fresh ideas and they both do not need to protect their DSLR business.

First I need to say something about my Fuji X100. I have it for more than a year now and still every time I shoot with it I enjoy the feeling. I love the simple body, the dials, the optical viewfinder and the completely silent operation of this camera. There is a japanese expression for “pursuit of perfection” but I forgot how it goes. Anyway the Fuji X100 is exactly that. It makes you smile when you use it.

I’m curious if the Sony RX1 will be the same. I think Sony did a great job by putting a full frame sensor in a compact camera. They took a lot of ideas from Fuji like the leave shutter in the lens, the function button or the exposure compensation dial but they made missed out an opportunity and here is why: Continue reading

In the Museum

FinePix X100 (23mm, f/2, 1/60 sec, ISO320)

The “Naturhistorische Museum” in Vienna is maybe one of the most spectacular and photographer friendly museum I know. As long as you do not use a tripod, they are fine. I did once but had my good friend Harald with me you works there. Back than it was necessary to use a tripod as my Nikon D200 was no the best low light camera on the planet. But these days are gone! Continue reading