Sony RX1 Leaks: A Full-Frame Fixed-Lens Compact Camera for $2800

A huge leak in the photo world today: Sony is planning to unleash a full frame compact camera called the RX1 that’s designed to compete against the Leica X2, which contains a smaller APS-C sensor, and the Leica M9, which is much more expensive. Photoprice Canada and sonyalpharumors published photos of the camera, which looks like a beefier version of the highly-acclaimed RX100 compact camera (which has a smaller 1-inch sensor).

The camera packs a Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 lens — a great all-around focal length — and the same 24-megapixel full frame sensor as the upcoming A99 SLT (pellicle mirror) camera.

sonyalpharumors reports that the RX1 will be priced at $2799. This mean’s it has a larger sensor and a larger price than the Leica X2, and an equal sensor and a smaller price than the Leica M9.

Other features include 14-bit RAW, an ISO range of 100-25,600, 5fps continuous shooting, HD video recording, a magnesium body, a 3-inch LCD screen, and the option of optical and electronic external viewfinders.

Here’s a sensor size comparison between the RX-100’s 1-inch sensor, the Leica X2’s APS-C sensor, and the RX1’s full frame sensor (disregard the labels):

Sony is investing heavily into making the compact camera relevant again by stuffing it with a sensor that can go toe-to-toe with the popular large-sensor cameras on the market. The RX1 will be the flagship, premium camera that features a full frame sensor, and the RX100 is a smaller camera that packs a 1-inch sensor. It seems like the stage is set for a new RX10 camera that uses an APS-C sensor, but that’s just speculation at this point.


Image credit: Sensor size comparison by Sensor Size

Discussion