The phrase "DSLR-quality image" is bandied about too often in the world of compact cameras, in marketing materials, on retail boxes, and even within some independent reviews. These claims are almost always accompanied by qualifiers and caveats, and disappointment follows.

Sony cyber-shot DSC-RX100 is a point and shoot camera that every enthusiast has dreamed of. Featuring 20.2 megapixel 1" CMOS sensor cored with Carl Zeiss 28-100mm 3.6x zoom lens that opens up to f/1.8 on the wide end.

The Sony DSC-RX100 is by no means a DSLR replacement, but it is definitely a strong companion for those who are used to DSLR-like quality and features. There's a lot to love about the RX100 like the compact form factor, the control ring on the lens, the fast aperture and the larger than usual...

Compact form factor; Large 1-inch sensor for great image quality; Fast f/1.8 aperture allows low light shooting; Excellent Build Quality

Lack of ergonomic grip; Control ring doesn't have stops; so rotating it feels a little arbitrary; No hot shoe for external flash; No optical viewfinder

Sony's Cyber-shot RX100 is a high quality and solidly built compact camera designed for advanced amateur photographers. Its unusually large 1-inch CMOS sensor and the bright 28-100mm F1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss lens provides very good image quality even in low light.

For those looking for a back-up camera for when the DSLR is too bulky or inconvenient, Sony has produced a truly great camera that should also appeal to anybody wanting to trade up from a mobile phone or budget compact camera.

The RX100 is an exciting camera - in part because it represents the arrival of another major manufacturer in the high-end, enthusiast compact market, but mainly because it's a spectacular piece of engineering.

Excellent image quality and solid ISO performance; Class-leading movie features and quality; A good degree of customization puts your favorite settings at your fingertips; Fast operation; including focus and Raw capture; Flexible lens range (though a brighter zoom would have been nice; Excellent...

Clickless control dial contributes to vague and unengaging shooting experience; Flash metering is unpredictable; Lack of ND filter can limit the ability to use wide apertures; Screen hard to see in direct sunshine; despite WhiteMagic technology; No official option to fit filters onto the lens...

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 doesn't come cheap, but it looks great and produces consistently first-class stills. Low-light performance can't be faulted, colour reproduction is excellent and movies are crisp, with a well-captured soundtrack. This is the best compact you can buy right now.

Excellent stills; Impressive low-light results; Accurate colour reproduction; Large sensor; Movie mode; Wide aperture lens; Versatile control ring

Some wind noise on movies; Control ring can be a little slow; No bundled battery charging cradle; Extremely pricey

Too often in the world of compact cameras, the phrase " DSLR -quality image" is bandied about on marketing materials, retail boxes, and even the written words of reviewers like us. It's paired with qualifiers like " DSLR image quality in your pocket ," and most of the time, doesn't actually apply to...

DSLR -style images with depth of field; Phenomenal sharpness; Extensive manual control

Main control ring needs improvement

Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 packs a lot into its compact housing. The result is an excellent camera that's eminently portable...

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 ($649) may look like just another compact camera, but if you were to pry off the lens and take a look inside, you'd see what makes it stand out from the crowd.