Interesting concept, top image quality;  but only suitable as a second or third camera

Interesting concept, top image quality; but only suitable as a second or third camera

Sony DSC-QX100 Smart shot Digital Camera (20.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 3.6x opt. Zoom, 28mm Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T lens with F1.8, HD video recording) black (accessories)

Customer Review

Sony has introduced the QX10 and QX100 a new and certainly very interesting concept on the market: With the QX100 to get the best ingredients, namely the Zeiss optics and the sensor, a RX100 (namely the Mark II), but without Display and (almost) without control, but thereby a significantly lower price than an RX100 II. I own the RX100 (Mark I), their optical and sensor with the Mark II are almost identical (the Mark II sensor is due to the BSI technique again about half a stage of light-sensitive), so I know what fantastic image quality capable of providing those optics / sensor combination.

One thing first: The QX100 is the cheaper QX10 clearly preferable. Due to their superior optics and by a factor of 2.3 (!) Larger sensor, the QX100 is significantly less noise and also brings under light conditions under which the QX10 has to surrender for a long time, still very good results. Add to that the free parking potential of the 1-inch sensor, which allows even a conscious, creative use of focus and blur. This can be forgotten in the QX10. The latter is like what people who really just snapshots / video for the web (blog, Facebook, etc.) and thereby generate expect slightly better quality than with a Handycam. Who but halfway seriously photographed for the QX100 is the only option.

Speaking of snapshots: Here we are already at the greatest disadvantage of the QX series, because these are not really possible. With a conventional camera I am when I hold them in his hand, ready to fire within a few seconds. In a QX that lasts much longer: Turn on camera, cell phone and unlock switch, both couple (what ever takes 10-15 seconds), in the meantime, the QX mounted on your mobile phone, ... phew, finally ready to fire, but then the Snapshot opportunity usually already over. Apart from the fact that you always need both hands (my RX100 Operating the necessary even-handed). The QX series is so some largely dispense for people who want to take pictures on places and thus to spontaneous snapshots (or have it ready a different camera).

The image quality of the QX100 is expected to be great. Until ISO 3200 noise is almost not an issue about it is indeed more and more visible, the detailed receipt is, however, still remarkably well.

Too bad I can only find that the QX100 can not file RAWs on your memory card. I usually take pictures in RAW principle, as this format far more "resilient" when it comes to the correction of errors, such as a failed white balance or an incorrect exposure. In JPEG format, such corrections are limited feasible. But so be it, because you will always forced to slow, you take hold even the time to adjust these parameters clean before recording, so only no big reworking need arises. Maybe us Sony brings even sometime by firmware and / or app update the RAW format, just like some other features that only a software-based restriction against the RX100 (I / II) are usually (perhaps marketing point wanted to the conventional RX100 I / II not to cannibalize?). A few days ago came out a firmware update, the Full HD video (1440x1080 pixels earlier only), and the use of the Tv mode (time delay) and ISO-code (previously there was only Auto-ISO) allows. Actually hard to believe that such basic features like TV and ISO code have so far been lacking. But at least, with two fully automatic programs, P, Av, Tv, exposure, WB and ISO setting prefix are at least now times all major settings available to work properly can. Standing on my personal wish list, in addition to RAW capability, at least not WB and AE Bracketing (white balance and exposure shooting, eg for HDR processing of high-contrast scenes latter are extremely useful). Well, bracketing can also manually perform, but is quite cumbersome.

In a flash you must also renounce. Of course you can basically run a flashlight app in the background, so use the LED light of the phone, but that is in many situations (such as a fill-in flash in backlight) no adequate substitute.

Many restrictions so ... Great is the concept still to relatively straightforward to generate photos in which you yourself seen more frequently than usual. The small QX times just mounted on a tripod bag and put down somewhere (if necessary even without a tripod), compose the picture by mobile phone control while aligning the camera, not a thing. Triggering, and hey presto, laughing the whole family from the image, which otherwise usually at least one missing. That has something special, as well as the amenities that one, QX can shoot in one hand and cell phone in the other hand, is hardly perceived as a photographer, and photos "from the hip" and other unusual perspectives, without much to dislocate itself , Operation via the touch screen is intuitive and practical; very much like the opportunity to be able to easily select the part of the subject via touch, to which the camera should focus.

The PlayMemories app runs fairly well on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S3 with Android 4.1). Sometimes the app for a few seconds freezes but does not crash, you can live with. The coupling with the QX100 works reliably when the wireless connection is first time initial set up and stored on the phone. NFC works, but speeds up absolutely nothing. Well, you have the app manually start, but that's hardly an advantage if you have a shortcut on the homescreen anyway.

Conclusion:
Had the QX100 a conventional camera, it would fall through with their limitations with me. It appeals to me but to find out what new photographic opportunities are opening up with the concept, and that's probably the charm of the QX100 from. She is good as always with quality camera, especially for the "digital generation" that would often put photos directly online.
However, those who primarily uses such as a DSLR and a good all-round camera as "Always with you" prefers, for the QX100 is at best be a third camera. Whether one is willing to invest around 350 euros, everyone must decide for themselves. I was lucky enough to get in the Christmas season a returns (via "Amazon Warehouse Deals") for around 270 euros, and that's even worth it to me the fun.

Finally, given the QX100 from me 4 stars. Rein of the image quality it deserves 5 stars, but it is one so the whole package, and there I draw a star from the relatively unfavorable cost / benefit ratio. This can be much better with conventional cameras, as well as the alternatives listed below show.

Alternatives:
Is there not in the form, but of course you have to ask yourself if the money would not be invested elsewhere for a better QX100. Here, therefore, a few, almost equal to expensive or more expensive alternatives:
If you do not have to look to the euro, can still forking out a shovel and grab equal to RX100 II that the benefits of RX100 I which merges with swivel screen and Wi-Fi a QX100 and therefore currently one of the best and most universal, if not the best and universal compact camera on the market.
But if you're already at a RX100 II, the move to a Sony NEX-6 is the 16-50er Zoom really not great (only around 50 euros extra). Here you are then already, with APS-C sensor and moderate resolution (ie even better available light capability), a really good electronic viewfinder, rotatable display, Wi-Fi (ie similar good remote connectivity using PlayMemories app), full snapshot capability Thanks to the fast start and hybrid AF and expandability with additional lenses and other accessories, arrived in an entirely different class. And NEX-6 is only slightly larger than a RX100 with the 16-50er. Only the high initial intensity of the RX100 at the short end could miss (but can this be compensated by subsequent purchase of a suitable lens at any time).
However, if you no longer financially feels comfortable in the RX100 II and NEX-6-climes, finds itself in the segment up to 400 Euro good alternatives. The RX100 I sold still (for now this amount) and is still an excellent camera, but there's no swivel display nor wireless even hybrid AF (however, the contrast AF the RX100 very fast, so that one a hybrid AF barely missed). But much less than 400 euros rich even for a Canon EOS M. In swivel display, WiFi, hybrid AF and viewfinder you have to give here, but otherwise is obtained as with the NEX-6 is a more than decent, expandable system camera with APS C sensor and a truly outstanding 18-55er kit lens.

Yes yes, the choice is yours ... :-)

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