- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Canon PowerShot S110
- Fujifilm FinePix X100
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
- Canon PowerShot G15
Rated 100% by by Photography Blog (Jul, 2012)The combination of the f/1.8 aperture, effective built-in image stabilizer and maximum ISO speed of 6400 also makes this camera well suited to hand-held low-light photography.
Rated 76% by by DPReview (Mar, 2012)In any case the G1 X's high ISO performance is among the best we've seen from APS-C (or similarly sized sensor) cameras.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 compared to the Canon PowerShot G1X
MP20
Nikon CX
Rated 62% by by c|net (Sep, 2005)It's easy enough to access the top-level adjustments-image quality, flash, exposure compensation, macro, and self-timer-plus the Cyber Shot DSC-W70's handful of scene modes.
14.2 MP
Four Thirds
Rated 76% by by DPReview (Mar, 2012)At high ISOs the Canon G1 X delivers amongst the best image quality of all APS-C sensor cameras (despite the sensor being closer to Micro Four Thirds in size).
megapixels
| 0 MP | 20 MP   | 20 MP |
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by c|net (Sep, 2005)Otherwise, it has an impressive roster of features and capabilities, including a 4.1-megapixel sensor, a Carl Zeiss 3X zoom lens, two burst modes, 640x480 video capture at 30fps, strong battery life, and fast response times.
PowerShot G1X by Photography Blog (Feb, 2012)All of the sample images in this Review were taken using the 14 megapixel JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 4Mb.
sensor size
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by Ted-Shafer (Jul, 2012)What is more important in the sensor is its size, which is critical to fast shutter speeds and low light photography.
PowerShot G1X by DPReview (Mar, 2012)As a consequence you can't quite achieve the same cinema-like depth-of-field as an APS-C or even full-frame DSLR but the effect is still much better than any digital compact camera.
wide angle lens
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by Ted-Shafer (Jul, 2012)The RX100 perfectly fits my above criteria and is really incredible - overall a great camera that somehow manages to cram a fast, wide-angle lens and a huge sensor into a tiny body.
PowerShot G1X by Hoboken-Michael--Michael-A.I guess I would shoot normal and relatively wide angle (to allow for shorter distance) and then crop later, but that slows down PP.
aperture size
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by Adam-Brown (Oct, 2012)They don't have the aperture ability of build quality of the RX100.-No GPS or WiFi.
PowerShot G1X by Photography Blog (Feb, 2012)The G1 X has a very useful front control dial, as featured on EOS DSLR cameras, which makes changing the aperture and consequently the full Manual shooting mode very easy.
zoom range
| 0x | 4x | 4x |
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by peederj (Jul, 2012)In image review you can toggle the zoom rocker to zoom in on the shot you just took without pressing play, and it brings you right in for a pixel peep to check sharpness which is nice.
PowerShot G1X by Lawrence-H.-Bulk--Lawrence-H.-BulkAs I stated at the beginning of this review, I and some other people desire an advanced, highly capable, camera with a high-quality fixed-zoom-lens, a large sensor, and the ability to take pictures under many varied conditions (including low-light without flash) and have those pictures turn out exactly as desired (and at the same, or at the very least practically the same, high image quality as those which can be obtained with much more expensive DSLRs).
body size
102 x 59 x 36 mm
117 x 81 x 65 mm
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by Richard-M-Estel (Sep, 2012)This is truly a pocket camera, very small, but very solid and heavier than you would expect from its size.
PowerShot G1X by RantyThe weight and feel are right, with the hand grip providing a perfect control surface.
Performance Real world tests of Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 vs Canon PowerShot G1X
battery life
330 photos
700 photos
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by c|net (Sep, 2005)The battery life is a CIPA-rated 340 shots, which is very good, but if you're shooting a lot of video, have the display brightness cranked up, or are using a lot of the multishot modes or burst shooting, this will cut into your battery life.
PowerShot G1X by William (Sep, 2012)Battery life is a HUGE question mark at this point....NOT SURE IF I WILL KEEP THIS ONE!
max continuous shooting
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by c|net (Sep, 2005)Combined with the lack of a regular slow-but-steady burst that can shoot a larger number of frames, the HX1 becomes far less useful for continuous shooting than it really should be.
PowerShot G1X by DPReview (Mar, 2012)In terms of continuous shooting the G1 X's specification isn't spectacular.
DxOMark low light performance
Cybershot DSC-RX100 by Photography Blog (Jul, 2012)The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100's maximum shutter speed is 30 seconds in the Manual mode, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography.
PowerShot G1X by Photography Blog (Feb, 2012)The night photograph was excellent, with the maximum shutter speed of 60 seconds being long enough for most after-dark shots.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the Canon PowerShot G1X
| Much faster lens | f/1.8 | vs | f/2.8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around 40% faster aperture; Better in low light | |||
| Much faster rapid fire | 10 fps | vs | 1.9 fps |
| Around 5.5x faster continuous shooting; Take photos in rapid succession to capture motion | |||
| Much better macro lens | 50 mm | vs | 200 mm |
| 4x closer macro focus; Take great close-up photos | |||
| Higher resolution screen | 1,229 k dots | vs | 920 k dots |
| More than 30% higher resolution screen | |||
| Significantly better dynamic range | 12.4 ev | vs | 10.8 ev |
| More than 10% better dynamic range | |||
| Significantly higher resolution | 20 MP | vs | 14.2 MP |
| More than 40% higher resolution; Capture more detail, good for large prints | |||
| Better overall image quality | 66.0 | vs | 60.0 |
| 10% better image quality | |||
| Automatic panorama | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view | |||
| Significantly more highly reviewed by consumers | 84.53% | vs | 77.5% |
| Around 10% more highly reviewed by consumers | |||
| More color depth | 22.6 bits | vs | 21.7 bits |
| Almost the same | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Jun, 2012 | vs | Jan, 2012 |
| Announced date 5 months later | |||
| Significantly thinner | 36 mm | vs | 65 mm |
| More than 40% thinner | |||
| Significantly lighter | 213 g | vs | 390 g |
| Around 50% lighter | |||
| Smaller | 102 x 59 x 36 mm | vs | 117 x 81 x 65 mm |
| 2.9x smaller | |||
Advantages compared to the Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
| Larger sensor | Four Thirds | vs | Nikon CX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around 2.5x larger sensor; higher quality photos | |||
| Has a flash hot shoe | Generic | vs | Fewer choices in how to light your subject |
| Most cameras have a flash hot shoe; Connect a variety of external flashes for maximum lighting flexibility | |||
| Many more photos per charge | 700 | vs | 330 |
| 370 more shots; Longer battery life | |||
| Has a viewfinder | Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot | vs | Allows for less stability when taking a photo |
| Most cameras don't have a viewfinder; Avoids glare in bright sunlight | |||
| Has a flip out screen | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Great for recording movies | |||
| Significantly less startup delay | 1,900 ms | vs | 2,800 ms |
| More than 30% less startup delay; Be ready for anything | |||
| Shoots video in 24p | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; For that film look | |||
| Less noise at high ISO | 644 ISO | vs | 390 ISO |
| Around 70% higher low light performance | |||
| Significantly faster max shutter speed | 1/4000 s | vs | 1/2000 s |
| 2x faster max shutter speed; capture fast action | |||
| Longer long exposure | 60 s | vs | 30 s |
| 2x longer long exposure; Capture creative photos such as night sky movement | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Canon PowerShot G1X | ||
 |  
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
| 
| |
 |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
 | Rated by 263 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Alex Rated 100% by by T.-Berarducci--tombfromca (Mar, 2013) Rated 100% by by Tomato-Pie--tomatopie (Oct, 2012) | Rated by 63 users at amazon.com Rated 60% by by Roger-James--Doc Rated 60% by by Roger-James--Doc Rated 40% by by G.-Wiman (May, 2012) | |
sensor
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 80% by by J.-Conner--qm2-703 (Jan, 2013)For the pro who is constantly changing ISO/Aperture/Shutter/ev/WB....the RX100 is worth the money.
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 78% by by DPReview (Aug, 2012)The RX100 has two ISO settings below its native 'base' ISO of 125 and, as you would expect, these both result in lower highlight dynamic range (since they are effectively the same as ISO 125 but with greater exposure).
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 78% by by DPReview (Aug, 2012)That doesn't mean the RX100 is going to replace your DSLR or large sensor mirrorless camera - it just can't compete with the image quality or flexibility that their sensors and interchangeable lenses bring.
lens
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 100% by by L.-Sourdis--lsourdis (Sep, 2012)I am not saying this camera replaces my main camera but the RX100 does a decent job when I don't have it around, macros, night photography, good DOF, fast lens and optics, good zoom, etc, etc..
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 100% by by Adam-Brown (Oct, 2012)the RX100 only has 1 lens, but WOW - It is an amazing lens, made by a well respected brand in lenses.
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 100% by by Photography Blog (Jul, 2012)Despite its large image sensor and correspondingly physically big zoom lens that dominates the front of the camera, the Sony RX100 is still quite small and slender, measuring just over 3.5cms in depth, 5.8cms in height and 10cms in width, and weighing 240g with the battery and memory card fitted.
size
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 80% by by Matt-Eye--Matthew (Aug, 2012)Yes, an NEX has less noise at higher ISO because of its sensor 10mm larger (13mm on RX100 versus 23mm on NEX; APS-C).
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 80% by by Ted-Shafer (Jul, 2012)The LX5 is an excellent camera in every way but the larger sensor size of the RX100 was too compelling to not upgrade.
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 100% by by Jamo (Jul, 2012)RX100 is a game-changer in that sensor 3 to 4 times the size of competitor is stuffed inside a body that's only slightly thicker than Canon.
iso
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 80% by by J.-Conner--qm2-703 (Jan, 2013)For size, speedy interface, plus clear indoor iso800 and maybe iso1600 ability, the RX100 is really all there is as a non-interchangeable lens camera right now.
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 100% by by BattleGnome (Nov, 2012)The RX100 is great quality all the way to ISO 800, and is passable at 1600.
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 | Rated 78% by by DPReview (Aug, 2012)In our tests we found that measured ISOs from the Sony DSC-RX100 match the marked ISOs within 1/6 stop accuracy, meaning ISO 125 indicated = ISO 125 measured.
visibility
Canon PowerShot G1X | Rated 80% by by Coronet-Blue (Nov, 2012)Pros: Truly high quality images that look nothing like what you get used to with a smaller camera (yes, they are better than the Sony RX100, and it's pretty good), sharp lens, effective image stabilization, fold out LCD, finder better than nothing when the sun's behind you and you can't see the LCD.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Canon PowerShot S110 Fastest to start up |
 | 5 | Canon PowerShot G15 OK benchmarked shot to shot times |
 | 6 | Canon EOS M Most detailed video recording mode |
 | 8 | Fujifilm FinePix x20 Fastest rapid fire mode |
Popular Questions
November 4, 2012
Lumix Lx7 or Canon G15/G1x or Sony RX100
I am about to be a father, and I am looking for a great camera to take pics of the little one. I would love for it to have good video and be able to take fast shots - as kids are pretty quick. on...
Visitor
6
Answers August 12, 2012
Which is Better for all round use as your primary camera?
I like versatile cameras as I like taking photos almost anywhere. However Size is not a problem for me. As I will be using this as my main camera I would like a camera that is good for a wide of...
Visitor
1
Answers Unanswered Questions
- 1 discussions
- View more
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
Salar-Full-HD 
Intermediate I
The sony rx100 has the highest quality of picture and highest megapixels in compact cameras , also has a great color depth and noise so I recommend you the Sony RX100 View Salar-Full-HD's recommendation
- 0 comments
- December 27, 2012
- Reply to: Lumix Lx7 or Canon G15/G1x or Sony RX100
Harri-Heikkil 
Intermediate III
This is a tough one. In overall, Canon G1X is better for general photography, but Sony RX100 is more versatile (macro, sweep panorama, faster shooting). BUT because macro is one of your I the... View Harri-Heikkil's recommendation
- 0 comments
- August 16, 2012
- Reply to: Which is Better for all round use as your primary camera?
