My fingers tingled with excitement as I unboxed this small but power-packed package containing the current object of my desire, the Cyber-shot RX100.

The all-black packaging is reminiscent of NEX-7’s exclusive presentation. Could this be a hint of what is to come from (dare I say…) the “Bugatti Veyron” of compact cameras? Let’s unravel this exotic little star.

Embodying the crème de la crème of lenses – the large aperture of f1.8 translates to fast shutter speeds in low-light conditions and T* coating prevents lens flare.

The 3” Xtra Fine LCD boasts of new WhiteMagic™ display technology – first introduced in Sony Mobile’s Xperia P; this is a first for Cyber-shot cameras. It increases the brightness of screen, reduces power consumption and enables optimal viewing pleasure on the camera’s LCD under any given lighting condition.

“With this ring, I thee wed” – versatility in operating the camera comes about with the control ring. Depending on which shoot modes we’re in, functions like Zoom, Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO settings can be assigned to the control ring and are easily accessible just by a twist.

I spy with my little eye, “Made in Japan”!

I’ll let the pictures do the talking and will sign-off with some first snaps from the camera. Besides the occasional cropping, no post editing was done to these images.

10mm | f/1.8 | 1/500sec | ISO-200

37mm | f/4.9 | 1/640sec | ISO-100

10mm | f/2.8 | 1/2000sec | ISO-80

10mm | f/1.8 | 1/125sec | ISO-320

10mm | f/1.8 | 1/160sec | ISO-100

10mm | f/5.6 | 1/80sec | ISO-800

Picture Effect : Watercolour

Picture Effect : Watercolour

Picture Effect : Illustration

Picture Effect : Illustration

10mm | f/1.8 | 1/60sec | ISO-100

10mm | f/2.8 | 1/80sec | ISO-200

Blown away yet? : ) The RX100 will be available at selected Sony authorised dealers from 04 August 2012 onwards.

About X.L.

Xue-Ling, one of the appointed blog editors for illuminate. Friends at Sony call her XL for short. Her wish is to share with you the fundamentals to capturing extraordinary photos in the simplest lingo possible.