Clearly the Sony RX1 compact full frame camera has been the most interesting announcement for the 2012 Photokina show so far. Here is what some websites that got the chance to try out the camera had to say:
This isn't just Sony's most serious compact camera, but arguably the most serious compact camera we've ever seen (dpreview)
Honey I Shrank the Full-Frame. Yes, it's freaking crazy. It's potentially brilliant too (Gizmodo)
If the X100 is the poor man's Leica, than the RX1 looks like the middle-class man's Leica. Do I think Sony can achieve great photo quality with it? Yes; all the pieces are there. And it looks especially yummy if you like street shooting. (C|net)
Only a handful of cameras have made me want to utter expletives of happy astonishment. "Holy Moly, they finally did it!" (IR)
It will be interesting to see if and how other manufacturers will answer to the Rx1. The big question remains: will the camera sell with a $2,800 price tag? With the lens hood price of $180 and $250 for a leather case, we are almost in Leica price territories. Here is a poll - will you buy the RX1?
ot many RX1 sample images are available at that point - I could only find two on Sony's website.
According to Sony, the RX1 will start shipping on December 19th. The camera is currently available for pre-order at B&H, Adorama, Amazon and Sony.
Here are few more Sony RX1 hands-on videos:
Sony RX1 video sample: