I went out shooting for a bit yesterday and happened to take the same shot with both the D800 with 17-35 f/2.8, and the Sony RX100M2. I thought it was interesting to compare them. Here are the images, in all their pixel peeping glory. I shot both RAW, matched the white balance (auto WB on the Sony is actually a bit better), zeroed out all the other settings, and exported.
My opinion on the shots...There is a difference, but much less than you'd expect comparing a $700 compact with a $4000 DSLR/lens combo. I have no idea if the difference in contrast is because of the cameras or the weather. There was fog blowing around. The biggest difference was really that the widest the Sony goes is 28mm equivalent, so there are some composition constraints. This is probably a best case scenario for the Sony as well. It was bright/foggy, so both cameras were at their base ISO, with reasonable shutter speeds and apertures, and there wasn't a lot of contrast to deal with.
The D800, of course, does better in more challenging situations, but I'm less likely to be carrying it with me.
Ann when I look at the two images. Besides the obvious differences in the focal length, when I look at the full size images, I see a lot of differences in the small details. Which at web size won't matter but in larger prints it would, there is also a difference in the dof when you get down to looking at what is and what isn't in focus. When I look at the black bag on the left side tracks and compare that area on both photos, it's really easy to see the differences. But as you said, for the price difference there better be.
I recently bought my wife a Canon G15 and have been surprised with it's capabilities for a point and shoot. It's no D4 but I can't take the D4 into a concert and take photos with it.
Ann when I look at the two images. Besides the obvious differences in the focal length, when I look at the full size images, I see a lot of differences in the small details. Which at web size won't matter but in larger prints it would, there is also a difference in the dof when you get down to looking at what is and what isn't in focus. When I look at the black bag on the left side tracks and compare that area on both photos, it's really easy to see the differences. But as you said, for the price difference there better be.
I recently bought my wife a Canon G15 and have been surprised with it's capabilities for a point and shoot. It's no D4 but I can't take the D4 into a concert and take photos with it.
You're absolutely right. If they were the same, I'd wonder why I spent all that money on the D800. As far as these two images, I wasn't particularly pedantic about getting camera settings to match, so of course DOF is different. Too much math involved in getting everything to match with different sensor sizes and focal lengths. Taking the shot with the Sony was kind of an afterthought as I was walking away. I was just surprised at how little difference there really is, especially at normal viewing resolution.
Really not a lot of difference! That says very, very good things about the RX100 II. Heck, even the original RX100 is an astounding performer.
My understanding, not having an RX100, is that there's not a lot of difference in IQ between them. The main differences are in features. Having a flippy LCD screen and wifi is worth the extra money to me, although I didn't know how cool wifi was until I started using it. Being able to look at full res images on my iPad out in the field is both cool and useful.
My friend Beetle recently purchased one of these lately and now she is trying to force me to buy one also.
Ray
Ugh... I don't know if I should groan or blow raspberries first.
He he he... both at the same time just made an interesting noise ;-)
Anyway.... I do love my little camera and it would be perfect for Ray because it works so well on Auto... he'd never have to think (which isn't easy for him even on his better days).
Yes, my problem is sorted out. It was just one tiny little bit of plastic broken off the tiny little "door" over the mini USB port.
I have a new camera and I also now have a battery charger, which means I'll pretty much never have to touch that silly little flap again.
I do think the quality of the shots is amazing for such a tiny camera - and when I want to get REALLY creative, I can always go back to the big gun :-)
You have an external charger that works on the original sony battery. The Wasabi batteries are made in Japan and have good life. The only downside is that you don't get a real gauge on how much is left. They are also not quite as good as the sony batteries, but still pretty good, and you get two for much less than one Sony battery (plus the charger).
Also, Carryspeed has a magnetic filter adapter system that works well. I'm not so happy with their polarizer filter, but you can also get a magnetic filter ring that takes any filter (you can choose 49mm or 52mm, or even a smaller size I believe). I bought the CPL filter but then bought the filter holder, which is better IMHO.
