There are cameras that stay in your memory. Not because they have the latest technical gadgets, but because they manage to combine something essential: Image quality, lens character and a shape that nestles into everyday life. The Sony RX1 is just such a camera. Launched in 2012, it was the first compact with a 35 mm sensor - Sony called it "full-frame" at the time (marketing sends its regards). For me, it is simply the classic 35 mm format that has been the standard for decades.

And perhaps it is precisely this step that is so remarkable in retrospect: Sony packed the time-honored format into a tiny body, married it to a 35 mm Sonnar - and created something that had never existed before.

The lens - centerpiece and character generator

For me, the fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 is still one of the most exciting 35mm lenses ever. It has that special "look" that you can't capture in technical diagrams. The rendering of the out-of-focus areas is interesting: highlights are resolved softly and organically without ever appearing nervous. At the same time, the bokeh tends very slightly towards a swirl - subtle, not intrusive, but in such a way that it gives the image a pleasant dynamic. Particularly at portrait distances of around 1.5 to 4 meters, what I can only describe as a real "3D pop" occurs: The focused object literally jumps out of the picture, clearly delineated from the background without appearing artificial.

Yes, the edges weaken at open aperture. And that's exactly what I love about it. It gives images a small imperfection that makes them organic. A clinically perfect lens is impressive, but often boring. The Sonnar, on the other hand, has personality: The RX1 can expose for a maximum of 1/2000 s at f/2. When the sun is at its zenith, you quickly reach the limit - unless you use an ND filter. Incidentally, this limitation applies to all generations of the RX1. For me, this is bearable, but you should be aware of it. Incidentally, a 1/4000 sec is achieved at f5.6.

The fact that Sony had the courage in 2012 to combine precisely this glass with a 35 mm sensor seems almost visionary in retrospect. Today, with the RX1R III in 2025, nothing has changed in the basic concept: The lens is still the same. And that is precisely why, for me, it is the core of this camera.

Technology - small, but not petty

Let's take a look at the sober data:

• Sensor: 24.3 megapixel 35mm CMOS, identical to the then current A99

• ISO range: 100-25,600, expandable

• Shutter: 30 s to 1/4000 s, electronic first curtain, max. 1/2000 s at f/2

• Continuous shooting: 5 frames per second (theoretically - in practice the buffer slows down quickly)

• Weight: just under 482 grams

• Display: 3 inch, fixed, 1.2 million dots

• No built-in EVF, optionally attachable

• Close focusing distance: 20 cm (a real advantage over many 35s)

All this sounds almost modest today. But in 2012 it was a small sensation: a camera smaller than a Fuji X100, but with a 35 mm sensor and this optical reference at the front. Of course, it lacked things that we almost reflexively expect today: no flip-up display, no touchscreen, no fast autofocus. And yet, when you use it, you realize how little all this is important at its core.

Image quality - a sweet spot

24 megapixels on 35 mm - from today's perspective, that sounds like entry-level class. But honestly, that's all you need for 90% of applications. The files are balanced, the dynamic range is strong, the low-light capabilities are more than adequate. Anyone who shoots RAW will notice how much reserve there is in the images.

The JPEGs are okay, but the true potential unfolds in RAW. Then you get that classic look: rich in detail, with smooth transitions, without artificial oversharpening. For street, reportage or travel, this is a goldmine.

Handling - reduced and compromised

Compact was not a marketing word here, but a program. The RX1 is small, almost inconspicuous. It disappears into a jacket pocket, hangs easily around the neck and doesn't shout at anyone. This is what makes it so perfect for street and travel.

Of course, compromises had to be made: No built-in viewfinder, no flip-up display, and an autofocus that wasn't the fastest back in 2012. Menu navigation? Typical Sony of those years - in other words: convoluted and sometimes puzzling. But after two months of intensive use, I have come to realize: The limitations recede when you realize how often you simply have the camera with you.

After all, what use is the fastest camera if it's lying in the cupboard at home?

Practice - always with you, always ready

I have hardly used any other photographic tool so much in the last few weeks. The reason is simple: the RX1 fits into my everyday life. A walk through the city, a short trip, a quick photo on the side - the camera is there without me having to think about it too much. And every time I see the files on the computer, I'm pleased with my decision. This combination of size, lens and image quality is fantastic. Even today, 13 years after its introduction.

Conclusion - cult classic and tool at the same time

In 2025, the photography world is talking about the new RX1R III: modern technology, the latest sensor, faster operation. But when I hold the original RX1 in my hand, I can feel why this series is so special. It was ahead of its time, it is still relevant - and it has something that cannot be measured in technical data: soul. Even if the menus are really rather a dark side of this soul...

The RX1 is not a collector's item that you put on a shelf. It's a camera that you use, that you take with you, that takes pictures that stay with you. And that, in the end, is the most important thing.