Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 compact camera launched for Rs 34,990

Sony has recently launched its flagship compact camera, the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 camera in India. This model comes equipped with imaging features from Sony’s Alpha range of A-mount and E-mount cameras.

“This camera is ideal for travel, portraits or street photography, delivering impressive results in a variety of lighting conditions with an intuitive, customizable control interface,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics.  “It’s a perfect step-up model for point and shoot users not interested in larger DSLR or compact system cameras, and also an outstanding choice for enthusiasts who may already own a large DSLR and are looking for a high-quality, pocket-sized ‘all-in-one’ second camera.”

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 features a 1.0-inch type Exmor CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 megapixels. The sensor has an area that is approximately four times larger than the 1/2.3-type sensors in traditional point-and-shoot cameras. The sensor’s larger area helps in taking in a greater amount of light while capturing content. This can help in taking better images as well as videos that feature less image noise.

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Available for Rs 34,990

The larger sensor is partnered with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T fixed lens with 3.6x optical zoom range. The camera features a wide F1.8 maximum aperture to let in additional light and complement the larger sensor.

The lens features a seven-bladed circular aperture. This makes it easy to produce images with subjects in focus against a smoothly-blurred, defocused background. The lens also features an Advanced Aspherical (AA) lens element that contributes to the camera’s compact dimensions without compromising an optical zoom performance or resolution.

The camera’s powerful BIONZ image processor maximises shooting response times while helping attain clean, natural images. It also extends sensitivity right up to ISO 25600 (using Multi Frame Noise Reduction), which allows for clear handheld images in low light conditions. To capture fast-moving subjects, the RX100 camera can also shoot at up to 10 frames per second (in full resolution) and has high-speed autofocus that locks onto a subject in as quickly as 0.13 seconds but this feature depends on scene and lighting conditions.

The new RX100 camera features a high-resolution 3-inch 1,229k dot Xtra Fine LCD display and also adds a new feature called WhiteMagic technology. This uses additional white pixels to boost screen brightness, allowing users to see subtle details and tones on the screen in all types of shooting environments, including outdoors in bright sunlight.

For making manual adjustments while shooting both still images and movies, the camera has a control ring around the lens body, which can be used to alter exposure, zoom, creative picture effects and a variety of other customizable functions. Additionally, frequently used functions can be assigned to the Fn button for instant access, and the Memory Recall feature can store up to three groups of customized shooting settings based on a user’s preference.

There is a choice of auto and manual focus modes on the Cyber-shot RX100 camera for enhanced image control. For those that prefer focusing manually, MF Assist magnifies images to simplify fine adjustments.

The RX100 camera offers a range of choice of artistic options to expand creative shooting possibilities. It includes the option for six different creative styles and a variety of popular picture effects including Toy Camera, Partial Color, HDR Painting and several others.

The new Cyber-shot features Auto Portrait Framing – a feature found on Sony’s latest α range of A-mount and E-mount cameras, this makes it easier to create sharp, perfectly framed portraits. This feature automatically detects faces in a scene, crops the picture accordingly, and creates a composition at full resolution. Both the original and cropped photos are saved for review.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 is available in the market for Rs 34,990.