Sony RX1R Impressions
Sony has not done everything right with the Rx1R (some silly limitations in a few places), but with the excellent Really Right Stuff grip and the visual treat that is the Sony EVF, I’ve really enjoyed shooting the RX1R in the field.
And while the RX1R is not the pocketable camera that the Ricoh GR is (being about 3 times the bulk and weight with necessary grip and EVF), it’s a fast efficient and very enjoyable camera to shoot once all the buttons are configured. And the autofocus is a terrific thing versus trying to manually focus a 35/1.4 Summilux-M on a camera with a red dot. Relaxing and fun and efficient and with a high success rate.
The lens quality is stunning on the RX1R sensor: the RX1R has no anti-aliasing filter (optical low pass filter), and the finely rendered details are shockingly good. Fine detail properly rendered from raw is shockingly good.
What is also noted is the striking difference between 24 megapixels on full frame at 35mm versus 16 megapixels on APS-C (Ricoh GR) at 28mm: both are superb, but APS-C depth of field at 28mm is much deeper than 35mm on full frame; one has to adjust equivalent apertures and a bit more (focal length). The two cameras together one could say are a “killer” combination out in the field. Wow.
Which brings me to my point: the RX1R is worthy of extensive coverage, so it’s getting an extensive workout in the field. Expect to see in depth coverage on it in Guide to Mirrorless late in August to early September, once I return from my trip. I’m gaining a lot of insight on using the camera and that is as much a part of the review as the images.