Service
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In everyday life, the Sony RX10 is first one: a lot easier to carry than a similar DSLR with correspondingly-good objective. The aperture ring enables a wonderfully easy-control aperture priority automatic (AV) and also makes you feel back in the time of analogue SLRs added. The ring has an appealing feel with good latching. The electronic viewfinder (I like good viewfinder - I photograph almost the backplane LCDs) is high resolution and the diopter compensation enough for me to create an appealing sharp viewfinder image. Great: when you unpack this camera, conveys only the box of Sony and well packaged camera a great feeling. The mega thick manual is x languages designed and adequately described in German and illustrated. Really good: The camera is no lightweight - but along with the great feel just conveys the weight of an amazing feeling of quality.
Lens & image quality
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For some critics, the lens is probably a bit "a mixed bag". I can not confirm the experiences of others here. After div. Test shooting with a tripod, ISO 100, F2.8 I could see massive image errors neither in the studio nor in outdoor use. On the contrary, even at full aperture, the lens was still sufficiently sharp even at the edges. A dramatic drop in sharpness was visible at any time. In everyday use and subtly dimmed the entire sharpness increases as usual.
The bokeh in portraiture (approx 180mm zoom, maximum aperture 2.8, ISO 100) is creamy and very attractive soft. There are no new harsh rings or spots - rather no difference to an APS-C DSLR is at first glance to recognize. However, when comparing images of a full-Cam (5D Mark III) in a similar focal length with this cam, acts as the Bokeh a 70-200mm 1: 4L yet butte Riger and softer. That might be due to the different sensor size. Nevertheless, the result of the RX10 pleasantly surprised. I have never seen in any non-DSLR as a superb exemption. The Panasonic DMC-FZ200 like mentioned has a harscheres and less attractive bokeh due to the much smaller sensor.
Studio recordings
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You read that right! I could not leave and have the Cam in the studio used for fashion shots there. Thanks to the full-manual control and due to the hot shoe flash units are easy to ignite. I have the model in the same setup once with my 5D Mark III / 24-105mm 1: 4 L and then with the RX10 photographed (ISO 100/1 / 125s / F11). Both cams deliver RAW photos in brilliant quality. If you switch the recordings in Lightroom directly to compare side by side, you can see the RX10 only minimally lower resolution. The picture quality is truly amazing under studio conditions. The disadvantage is the effect of a shoot because of the unusual attitude for Portrait photos. Who handles battery is used here, the tires quickly if the unaccustomed and uncomfortable position. Striking however is the much lower exposure latitude of the camera in RAW. In contrast to the 5D Mark III is not in the depths nor in the highlights much room for adjustments in the RAW. The exposure should be really clean measured and adjusted. However - the comparison is massive, since a full-frame professional camera is compared with a bridge camera with a much smaller sensor. All the more amazing the results are under controlled lighting conditions.
Not so great
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Like many other bridge cameras is here - unfortunately - electronically zoomed, what is owed to the entire concept of the camera. I'd want a manual zoom here, simply because you can so much faster and safer to choose the right image. Moreover, I am convinced of the limited weather resistance of the camera. Nowhere can be seen at least one rubber seal on the housing flap. For 998 Euro a disgrace - especially since the manufacturer of splash protection writes. I would expose this camera under any circumstances rain. Another thing: no matter what you also like to read: from 800 ISO, this camera is overwhelmed. Of course you can still get out here too much with RAW post - but the photos really noise significantly and are for me then to use only limited. Last drawback: if this camera is worth nearly 1,000 euros, everyone must decide for themselves. I find the price steep - but the quality is the manufacturer, in my view, at least legally, they priced to settle in the luxury class.
Conclusion:
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Those who are not forced to use a DSLR for business or other reasons but with a high quality Bridge eg want to photograph in the holiday, which is very well served with the RX10. For 998 euros you get mature technology with a first-class (in my case) lens quality and intensity. Crystal clear buy recommendation.