Which Compact Camera Does Ed Sheeran Use?
Instagram @teddysphotos
Recently Ed Sheeran has taken to his Instagram account to share his latest hobby - taking snapshots of his life and travels with a small sleek ‘retro’ compact camera.
“I like taking pictures now with my camera its my new thing #edgy #newyearnewme”
While Ed hasn't stated which camera it is, the eagle-eyed and those of us familiar with the camera can clearly see that it is a Sony RX100. The exact model from the line isn't clear, but if you want to see what the hype is about, let me tell you which model might be for you, and why the RX100 is the King of Compact Cameras.
What Makes The Sony RX100 So Good?
The beauty of this camera lies in just how small it is; easily pocketable while still being very capable. How Sony managed to put so many professional features into such a small compact camera is nothing short of a miracle; each model is packed full of professional features, easy to use, while maintaining a consistent minimalistic look.
No extra lenses or anything is needed, just put it in your pocket and go. You can have it set to auto, or manually change exposure settings yourself. Either way, there is something special about capturing those special moments with an actual camera rather than a smartphone. It feels organic, authentic, and avoids the over-sharpening and obvious AI corrections that all smartphones give nowadays.
It’s because of these reasons that people like Ed Sheeran, other celebrities, and popular Tik-Toker’s have fallen in love with compact cameras and made them insanely popular again.
Instagram @teddysphotos
Which Sony RX100 Should You Buy?
The original RX100 pushed the boundaries of what is possible with pocket-sized cameras, and then Sony continued to refine it with each subsequent model.
Now, after 7 iterations over a 7 year period between 2012 and 2019, we have a model suitable for all budgets and needs; enjoyed by both amateurs and professionals alike.
Sony RX100 - 2012
The original was a game-changer for compact cameras, with a 1-inch 20.2mp CMOS sensor and a bright 28-100mm zoom lens capable of creating beautiful out of focus backgrounds (bokeh). All models come with a built-in flash.
Sony RX100 ii - 2013
The same as the original but added better low light performance, a tiltable LCD screen and added Wi-Fi and NFC for easier sharing to a smartphone.
It also added a multi function ‘shoe’ at the top, allowing you to add an external viewfinder or flash.
Sony RX100 iii - 2014
The Sony RX100 iii added a built-in pop up electronic viewfinder for a more authentic experience, along with a different zoom range; swapping the 28-100mm to a wider 24-70mm.
Sony RX100 iv - 2015
The Sony RX100 iv introduced a better sensor, better processing speed, and most notably the ability to record in 4K video and super slow motion video.
Sony RX100 v - 2016
The Sony RX100 v improved the autofocus capabilities and increased the continuous shooting speed to 24fps allowing you to hold the shutter button and shoot continuously so you don’t miss a moment.
Sony RX100 vi - 2018
The Sony RX100 vi expanded the zoom range from 24-70mm, all the way up to a massive 24-200mm.
It included a touch screen for the first time, but also ditched the built-in ND filter that was present in the iii, iv and v.
Sony RX100 vii - 2019
The last in the line brought us eye autofocus and other improvements in the tracking and performance so the camera always knows where to focus.
It also added a 3.5mm microphone input for vloggers.
Prices vary from around £200/$250 for a used first or second generation RX100, all the way up to just over £1000/$1250 for a brand new RX100 vii.
With the popularity of old compact cameras still rising and on the back of Ed Sheeran flashing his RX100, expect the used prices to start climbing soon.
If you have been lucky - or smart - enough to have already bagged yourself one of these legendary cameras, then take a minute to check how to get even more from your camera with The Best Accessories For The Sony RX100.
Are you enjoying this free independent content?
Please consider buying me a coffee as a thank you. It really does make a difference and is always appreciated. Running this website costs money and time, so if you’ve found something helpful and would like to give back, here is a good way to do it. Thank you!
Payment by PayPal or Venmo
