All the features of an enthusiast compact with a bigger lens and not-so-compact body.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
The fast zoom lens and large sensor necessitate the megazoom body design, but the RX10 has a much better build quality than the Sony cameras which it bears a passing resemblance to -- the HX300 and A3000. It has a dust- and moisture-resistant magnesium-alloy construction and a somewhat more refined looking design than other bridge cameras.
Like many current enthusiast compacts, the RX10 has a physical exposure compensation dial. Other useful advanced features include a status LCD, hot shoe, and two user settings slots on the mode dial. Though the lens looks as large as a megazoom's, it's a rather restrained 8.3x. It has a physical aperture ring with a switch that toggles between a smooth-feeling operation or one that settles into each f-stop with a decided "click."
On the big grip you can see the logo for NFC, or near-field communications. As is becoming typical, you tap the NFC logo with your NFC-enabled mobile device in order to quickly invoke the Wi-Fi connection.
