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Sony RX0 Comparison Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0 is a fixed lens compact camera that was officially introduced in August 2017 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 15.4 megapixel.

camera

Is the Sony RX0 a good camera? The RX0 has a Camera Elo of 2043. This rating puts the RX0 below average of all prime lens compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the RX0 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Sony RX0 is more than 6 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2017.

Headline Specifications
Sony RX0
Fixed lens compact camera
24mm f/4.0
15.4 MP, 1" Sensor
1080/60p Video
ISO 125 - 12 800
no viewfinder, LCD framing
1.5 LCD, 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5.5 shutter flaps per second
Waterproof body (10m)
240 shots per battery charge
59 x 41 x 30 mm, 110 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Sony RX0 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Sony RX0 vs credit card front
RX0 versus credit card top view
RX0 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Sony RX0 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony RX0 59 mm 41 mm 30 mm 110 g 240 Y Aug 2017 699ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic ZS100 111 mm 65 mm 44 mm 312 g 300 n Jan 2016 699ebay.com
3.
 
Sony RX0 II 59 mm 41 mm 35 mm 132 g 240 Y Mar 2019 699 amazon.com
4.
 
Sony RX10 IV 133 mm 94 mm 145 mm 1095 g 400 Y Sep 2017 1,699 amazon.com
5.
 
Sony RX10 III 133 mm 94 mm 127 mm 1051 g 420 Y Mar 2016 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 999ebay.com
7.
 
Sony RX10 II 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 400 Y Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Sony RX100 III 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 290 g 320 n May 2014 799ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX10 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 420 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 II 102 mm 58 mm 38 mm 281 g 350 n Jun 2013 749ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX100 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 240 g 330 n Jun 2012 649ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Sony RX0 was launched in the US market at a price of $699. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Sony RX0 features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Sony RX0 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Sony RX0 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony RX0 1-inch 15.4 4800 32001080/60p22.412.454868
2.
 
Panasonic ZS100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.555970
3.
 
Sony RX0 II 1-inch 15.4 4800 32004K/30p22.112.455565
4.
 
Sony RX10 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.240863
5.
 
Sony RX10 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.112.647270
6.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
7.
 
Sony RX10 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653170
8.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
9.
 
Sony RX10 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.912.647469
10.
 
Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367
11.
 
Sony RX100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.612.439066
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The RX0 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the RX0 can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Sony RX0 and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony RX0none n1.5 / 230 fixed n .. 5.5/s n n
2.
 
Panasonic ZS1001166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Sony RX0 IInone n1.5 / 230 tilting n .. 5.5/s n n
4.
 
Sony RX10 IV2359 Y3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Sony RX10 III2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 14.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Sony RX10 II2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 14.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony RX101440 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony RX100 IIoptional n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony RX100none n3.0 / 1229 fixed n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony RX0-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Panasonic ZS100-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
3.
 
Sony RX0 II-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Sony RX10 IVYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
5.
 
Sony RX10 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
6.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
7.
 
Sony RX10 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
8.
 
Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Sony RX10Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony RX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony RX100-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
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It is notable that the RX0 has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

The RX0 has a prime lens built in (7.7mm f/4.0), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length of 24mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic of similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the RX0 can be found in the free online Sony RX0 Manual or on the Sony support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the RX0 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony RX0........3.5/54/5 Aug 2017 699ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic ZS1004.5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 699ebay.com
3.
 
Sony RX0 II........3.5/54/5 Mar 2019 699 amazon.com
4.
 
Sony RX10 IV5/5+3.5/584/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2017 1,699 amazon.com
5.
 
Sony RX10 III5/5+..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2016 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 999ebay.com
7.
 
Sony RX10 II5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Sony RX100 III5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 799ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX105/5+..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 II5/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 749ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX1005/5+ +..78/1004/55/5 Jun 2012 649ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Sony RX0 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the RX0.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Sony RX0 based on?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Sony RX0 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Sony equipped the RX0 with the BIONZ X image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Sony RX0?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Sony RX0?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Sony RX0?

The RX0 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Sony RX0 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Sony RX0 use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-BJ1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Sony RX0
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24mm f/4.0
    Launch Date August 2017
    Launch Price USD 699
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 15.4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 800 x 3 200 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.74 μm
    Pixel Density 13.22 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 12 800 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 68
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 548
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type No viewfinder
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 1.5 inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Continuous Shooting 5.5 shutter flaps/s
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium mMS or mSDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWaterproof body (10m)
    Battery Type NP-BJ1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)240 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 59 x 41 x 30 mm
    (2.3 x 1.6 x 1.2 in)
    Camera Weight 110 g (3.9 oz)

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