Sony Cyber-shot RX100 review

Does Sony's "game changing" premium compact deliver the goods?

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We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using DXO Analyzer software to generate the data to produce the graphs below.

A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.

For more details on how to interpret our test data, check out our full explanation of our noise and dynamic range tests.

JPEG Signal to Noise Ratio

Sony RX100 labs data

Raw Signal to Noise Ratio

Raw Signal to Noise Ratio

Here we can see that for signal to noise ratio, the RX100 compares favourably against all of the other comparable cameras. Although it is beaten in the lower sensitivities by the Canon S100 and Canon G12, it is more consistent throughout its sensitivity range, beating all of the comparable cameras at higher ISO settings (ISO 1600, 3200 and 6400).

JPEG Dynamic Range

Sony RX100 labs data

Raw Dynamic Range

Raw Dynamic Range

In terms of dynamic range, the RX100 is again the most consistent camera in the test. At the very lowest sensitivities it is beaten by other cameras, but at mid-range sensitivities it performs very well, really coming into its own at high sensitivities, beating all of the comparison cameras at ISO 3200 and 6400, and all but one of the cameras at ISO 1600.

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Amy Davies
Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.