When the compact camera market was spiraling out of control toward rock bottom, Sony unveiled a premium pocket camera that was more expensive than the rest of the competition. While Canon, Nikon, Olympus and the rest were struggling to unload pocket cameras for $100 or less, the Sony RX100 rose from the ashes of a market segment that had been decimated by the iPhone.

The reason the RX100 dominated as a premium camera is that Sony made the best possible compact camera it could make. And customers were willing to pay hundreds of dollars more than other compact cameras because the RX100 made much better images than any other pocket camera on the market.

The Sony RX100 V marks the fifth generation of this camera line and now demands $1000 as a flagship model, which is the same as the RX100 IV.

Are we really in a place in the photo industry today where we can get excited about a $1000 pocket camera?

I think so. [Read more…]