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Optical Quality as Designed vs Built
My field shots suggest that the Sony RX100 zoom lens has issues at the long (telephoto) end, namely blur on one side. The fact that the lens is f/4.9 will mask the issue to some extent.
Reader Jonathan U writes in reference to strong blur one one side of the field in two samples of the RX100 (the example image sent to me showed a severe blue one one side):
A tilted element might result in the performance I’ve seen – though it’s a bit unusual that two cameras in a row had the same issue with the same magnitude in the same place on the frame.
I do wonder if perhaps the precision needed is almost TOO high. As in, so high it’s rare to achieve it in any given unit. I hope not . Among the text on DSC-RX100 Developer’s Interview:
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