The Sony RX100 is the first real premium compact camera from the brand. Has it been worth the wait? Find out in the What Digital Camera Sony RX100 review.

Large sensor and the results it delivers; lens; build quality and size

It's a touch pricey compared to rivals

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 lacks some extra features, but its laser-like focus on image quality pays off, making it one of the best point and shoot cameras ever made.

A 1-inch sensor and high-end Zeiss lens offer exceptional image quality

The RX100 has a limited optical zoom range

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 ($649.99 direct) is the point-and-shoot camera that many an enthusiast has dreamed of. It's got an image sensor that's the same size as the mirrorless Nikon J1 and a 3.6x zoom lens that opens up to f/1.8 on the wide end, all packed into a camera that can slide into your...

Large image sensor; Superb image quality, even at high ISOs; Fast lens; Customizable controls; Large, extra-sharp LCD; Virtually no shutter lag; Raw shooting support

As expensive as some D-SLRs; No EVF option, GPS, or Wi-Fi; Limited zoom range; In-camera battery charging only

For those looking for a back-up camera for when the DSLR is too bulky or inconvenient, Sony has produced a truly great camera that should also appeal to anybody wanting to trade up from a mobile phone or budget compact camera.

In a declining compact market, camera manufacturers are turning their attentions to producing better and better image quality in what seems like ever smaller packages. These days, consumers who decide to buy a dedicated image taking device expect to get a lot for their money, and expect it to...

All up, this camera is wonderful. It's small enough to be carried everywhere, yet it's versatile enough to be useful for just about any type of photography. We like its clean design, the layout of the controls, the manual features, the fast performance and focusing, but above all, its picture...

Excellent image quality; High ISO performance; Small size

Menu could be a little better; Some trouble with auto exposures; Some noticeable lens distortion

It was about 50 years ago my father had a Zeiss Ikon 'contaflex' SLR camera, in which he took family photos that were on the shelves of my grandparents' home for many years. My first Sony-Zeiss purchase was a DSC-T300, #2009# which was a little tricky to operate, but worked around, getting some fine...

A compact with heavyweight features yet a lightweight body. That's the proposition offered by Sony's good-looking RX100, which encases a larger than average one-inch CMOS sensor, enabling a plentiful 20.2 megapixel effective resolution within an aluminium chassis.

Palm-size compact that is reassuringly solid; Larger-than-average sensor and resolution given its proportions; Bright and fast lens; Ability to control functions via twist of the lens ring; Neatly incorporated pop-up flash; Sharp results

Pricey for a compact without an interchangeable lens; Tiny rear plate buttons require fingernail precision

Believe the hype, this is the best compact camera ever made. Near DSLR quality shots and I can take it anywhere.......... and the shutter speed, snap off shots as fast as your finger can work.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 doesn't come cheap, but it looks great and produces consistently first-class stills. Low-light performance can't be faulted, colour reproduction is excellent and movies are crisp, with a well-captured soundtrack. This is the best compact you can buy right now.

Excellent stills; Impressive low-light results; Accurate colour reproduction; Large sensor; Movie mode; Wide aperture lens; Versatile control ring

Some wind noise on movies; Control ring can be a little slow; No bundled battery charging cradle; Extremely pricey