Sony RX-100 is my favourite camera for personal use. I personally own the original version. Sony has come up with a mark IV as well with some nifty new tech features, which aren’t really useful in enhancing image quality. Some of these new features include wi-fi which could help you share your photos more easily. The new models also have a handy flip out screen which can help a lot while clicking selfies. On the image quality front, the newer Mark III version performs better in low light situations, but has a shorter zoom. The mark III is available for about Rs. 52,000 on Flipkart whereas the original is only for Rs. 26,000 odd. Even today, I would definitely go for the original if my purpose is to buy an all-purpose camera for personal use.
I would say this is the best camera for taking shots of precious moments at home and around. Without having to spend time on post production.
Photographers all over the world are in love with this tiny, power-packed camera. What you do need to note is that while this camera is fabulous for creating quick, personal memories, it is not a camera meant for creating professional level photographs. So if you’re expecting that creamy bokeh you get from a 50 mm f/1.2, I would stop you in your tracks. This camera is not meant to replace DSLRs, but to function as a bridge camera. If you shot in RAW on your DSLR and on your 5D mounted with some good glass (say a 1.4 or a 1.2), and then processed them on Lightroom, you would obviously see a large difference in quality. HOWEVER, the purpose of this post is not to advise on the best professional equipment.
On the other hand, if you take JPEG shots on your RX-100 after tweaking the exposure, and JPEG shots on your fancy consumer DSLR on auto mode or even manual mode at times with your kit lens on, you will find the RX-100 images are far better (sharper, better colour fidelity). The RX-100 does an amazing job of processing the images in-camera. So those who will not be spending any time in post-processing, the RX-100 is your go-to personal camera. And the best part is, because of it’s size, you’ll really just be keeping it with you wherever you go and will therefore be using it a lot, lot more than a DSLR.
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Here are a couple of unedited, shot-in-JPEG sample images shot with my RX-100 to give you an idea about the kind of images it creates on an average. Shot in manual mode.
Notice the bokeh in the background blur. Not creamy, but GREAT for a point and shoot bridge camera.
Excellent low light performance. Look at this! I dislike flash, so I love it when a camera can handle higher ISOs well!
