Sony RX10 review: First impressions of what might be the ultimate bridge camera

 

 

Once a popular category, the market for enthusiast-grade, all-in-one cameras (aka "bridge" cameras) has been a little moribund in recent years, but the new Sony RX10 promises to breathe new life into the high end of the field. While there's been a steady stream of new bridge-camera models, increasingly compact and affordable mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras have squeezed the category unmercifully, making it harder to justify spending $500 to $600 on what's basically just a small-sensor camera. Canon upped the ante some in early 2012 by introducing their G1X, bringing a near APS-C sized sensor, and a price point of $800 to the fray. It was a very capable camera, but some found its 4x zoom range a little limiting, and the maximum aperture at the tele end was only f/5.8.

Now comes the Sony RX10, using the same (excellent) 1-inch type sensor as the RX100 II, but this time adding a constant aperture f/2.8, 8x zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent range of 24-200mm. That's just the very tip of the iceberg of goodness, though. The Sony RX10's feature list is pretty eye-popping, including superior EVF optics, an new and super-fast AF system, unlimited 10 frames per second direct-to-card shooting with full autofocus tracking, and exceptional video capabilities.

The Sony RX10 also sets a new high mark for bridge-camera pricing, with an equally eye-popping list price of US$1,300. Given its feature set, excellent sensor and quality optics, though, we think Sony's going to sell as many of them as they can manage to produce. This is a bridge camera that truly redefines what's possible for the category.

Read our hands-on, first impressions Sony RX10 review here.

Or place your pre-order with trusted Imaging Resource affiliate B&H Photo Video now: Sony RX10 - $1,298 with free shipping