AN ALMOST "ULTIMATE" POINT AND SHOOT DIGITAL CAMERA

  Sony keeps introducing new cameras that lead me lust after them.  This time it is a "point and shoot" digital camera that can only be described as the next generation in point and shoot cameras.

  The DCS-RX100 has some features that set it apart from most of today's pocket-sized digital cameras:

• It has a 1" CMOS sensor!  That's more than twice as big as any other such camera.
• It has a manual focus capability via a focus ring.  Some pocket digital cameras have manual focus but which are clumsy to use.
• It will record in either jpeg or RAW format (or both).  Most small digital cameras only record jpeg images.  Pro users like the RAW format for its ease of manipulation in post.

  My current such pocket camera is the Sony DCS-HX9 which I posted about here.  (It has since been replaced by the DCS-HX10).  The RX100 has many of the same great features of the HX9 - Active Steady Shot that really works well, along with 1920x1080 HD video.

  With the larger sensor and f/1.8 lens, the camera should have a great low-light capability.  The zoom capability is 3.6X which, unfortunately, considerably less that the 16X of the HX9.

  Based on its specs, this camera could really become a "b-roll" video camera, if not the primary video camera when small size is paramount.

  Here's a Sony video about the camera:



  Here's a video review of the camera by dpreview.com:



  It's dimensions seem to be actually smaller in height and width by a millimeter or so than the HX9 but thicker because of the lens protrusion even when closed.  But it is still pocket-size!

  I may just have to pre-order one of these things!

  You can pre-order the camera at Amazon here.

  You can pre-order the camera a B&H here.

  Should you order one of these cameras from the preceding links I will receive a small consideration.