Many hoped Nikon would do it. Then, many hoped Canon would, or Pentax (they chose quite the opposite with Q system). Even more hoped Fujifilm would do it with their X-Pro1, after the booming popularity of their bold APS-C X100. And yet it was Sony who brought the first compact 36x24mm sensor camera. But then, is it so surprising? Sony is, after all, one of the best sensor manufacturers, as well as a electronics giant with an immense amount of resources. Why not, then?

And yet, it’s a strange camera. It only has a top shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second, which, while perfectly sufficient indoors, I know would never be enough for the kind of photography I usually do outdoors. Critically, it has no EVF (while a $850 NEX-6 does), which, again, will put off most professionals from using it as their second, small and discreet, camera. It also uses a different battery than, say, the NEX series, which means more different spare batteries and chargers lying around. On the other hand, and even more critically, it costs around $2800 and boasts a (likely) very good Carl Zeiss lens and the same 24 megapixel sensor found it the newly announced Sony A99. A question pops-up – who is this camera for and how much is one willing to pay for a compact full-frame camera with a Carl Zeiss prime lens glued on it?

It’s a strange step. A bold one, too, much like those of Fujifilm. We are yet to see if it will pay off. After all, Fujifilm X100 worked with its 35mm equivalent lens, numerous quirks and relatively high price. Why shouldn’t this? High price – check, 35mm lens – check, quirks – check. It’s unique, at least for now. Close to how unique Fujifilm X100 was. Almost as if it were a direct replacement. Something tells me it’s going to be mighty popular, at least close to as popular as it can be given the hefty price and lack of EVF.

The only thing I can promise you is that we will have a review of DSC-RX1 ready as soon as we get our hands on one and have enough field-use.

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