Introduction
Sony, a longstanding leader in the broadcast industry, ventured into digital imaging with the same spirit of innovation. The Sony Alpha 7S marked a significant step in merging still photography and video, but the introduction of the ultra-compact RX0 has taken this integration to new heights.
The RX0’s diminutive size might lead some to mistake it for just another action camera, but it’s far more. While Sony’s FDR-X3000 is an excellent action camera, the RX0 is a unique, high-caliber tool designed for filmmakers and imaging professionals, offering advanced features in a compact form.
Features
The RX0 may resemble an action camera in size and some functionalities, such as being waterproof to 10 meters, shockproof, and having a flat, easily cleaned or replaced lens. However, its professional features set it apart. The camera boasts a 24mm f/4.0 ZEISS Tessar T* lens with a 1.0-type Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor, delivering high-quality images and videos in a compact form.
While its rear 1.5-inch screen is not touch-enabled, the camera provides extensive control options through menu and navigation buttons. The RX0 shoots in JPEG and RAW for stills, and offers video recording in XAVC S, AVCHD, and MP4 formats with various frame rates, including high frame rate (HFR) options for super slow-motion footage.
One of the standout features is its multi-cam capability, allowing control and switching between multiple RX0 units using the PlayMemories App, although 4K recording necessitates an external recorder, underscoring its professional market orientation.
Build and Handling
The RX0’s design prioritizes mounting flexibility over handheld ergonomics, though it remains user-friendly in both contexts. The camera includes a standard ¼-inch tripod thread, action camera-like power and shutter buttons, and additional small buttons for menu navigation. Its ports cater to professional usage, supporting external recorders for enhanced video and audio capabilities.
The RX0’s build quality and interface design reflect its utility as both a standalone camera and a component of a broader camera array. Despite the learning curve associated with Sony’s menu system, the PlayMemories App offers a streamlined and efficient way to control the camera, particularly in multi-camera setups.
In summary, the Sony RX0 redefines the concept of compact cameras, merging professional-grade features with action camera-like durability and form factor, making it a versatile and powerful tool for creative and professional applications.
Performance
In use the Sony RX0 is quite unlike any other camera. It doesn’t have the resolution and frame rate options of the GoPro Hero6 Black or the Yi 4K+ but by now you should realise that aside from the size and robustness the RX0 is very different.
The three movie formats enable you to adjust the quality settings and with each you get a different set of options. Shooting at the highest quality format XAVC S enables you to capture at 50mbs at 25, 50 or 100p. XAVC lowers the quality slightly and MP4 (the lowest option) gives you 28, 16 or 6mbs at 50p or 25p.
A little experimentation is needed to find which settings are best for you. You also need to select your Picture Profile – this allows you to adjust aspects such as the black level, gamma and colour mode, including enabling you to select S-Log2.
Shooting in these modes will give you a good hour of recording time.
The other big feature is HFR (High Frame Rate). This takes a little getting used to as there’s a procedure that you need to go through prior to shooting. Once primed, the camera will capture between 2 and 4 seconds of footage depending on how you have it set.
Once the capture has finished the camera then needs time to process the footage. Shooting in HFR is exceptionally easy although you do need to watch the lighting if you’re going to get anything usable at the end of it.
The RX0 isn’t just about video. Switching to stills mode you again have a good range of options that will enable you to shoot both JPEG and RAW.
I liked the small form factor of the camera and it made a great point and shoot that could be easily carried with you.
Image quality
With most cameras it’s pretty easy to evaluate the image quality, but with the RX0 there are just so many options and settings to choose from – as soon as you break out of the standard video modes and options you really do need to know what you’re doing.
Starting with MP4 which is the lowest video format, if this is set to the maximum quality the footage has a good amount of detail. Low Light performance is also a step up from other cameras of this size.
The real video quality comes from shooting in XAVC S where you can shoot at 25, 50 or 100fps. At 25p the footage is clear and crisp with plenty of detail, great saturation and tonal detail. Increase to 50p and you can just see the effects of drop in bitrate.
Where this camera really excels is in the quantity of options that are available to you, making it perfect as a small additional camera to be mixed in with others.
It also enables those needing an ultra lightweight camera to shoot high quality footage with far less kit than has ever been possible before.
When it comes to the HFR settings things become a little more tricky and decent light is needed in order to obtain the best results.
In studio lit conditions the footage at 250p is excellent and pushing to 500p the results are still more than passable. At 1000p the image quality does deteriorate and in less than ideal conditions you can start to see noise and pixelation.
Verdict
The Sony RX0 represents an innovative leap in camera technology, blurring the lines between action cameras and professional video equipment. While it possesses the rugged, compact form factor of an action camera, capable of delivering high-quality Full HD footage, its lack of internal 4K recording—unless paired with an external recorder—alongside somewhat cumbersome controls, delineates its niche.
Aimed predominantly at professional users, the RX0 offers a rich array of video formats, including MP4 for general use and XAVC S with S-Log2 for high-end production, highlighting its versatility and advanced capabilities. Its unique selling point, however, is the ability to link multiple RX0 cameras via the PlayMemories app, facilitating complex multi-camera shoots and innovative filming techniques that push the boundaries of conventional videography.
While High Frame Rate (HFR) recording is restricted to short bursts, the RX0’s performance in this domain is unmatched within its size and price category. This camera doesn’t just fit into existing genres; it’s pioneering a new one, offering capabilities and potential that are still being explored.
The Sony RX0 is not just a significant release in the world of compact cameras; it’s a groundbreaking tool that offers a glimpse into the future of digital imaging. Its full potential in practical applications remains to be fully realized, but it undeniably sets a new standard for what compact cameras are capable of achieving.
Overall Score: 4.0/5
- Features: 4.0/5
- Build and Handling: 4.5/5
- Performance: 4.0/5
- Image Quality: 4.5/5
The RX0 is an exciting camera that may just be ahead of its time, offering possibilities that extend beyond current photographic norms and into new realms of creative potential.