Don,
If you're the type of shooter who likes to change focal lengths a lot, either using a zoom or a number of primes with an ILC, then the RX1 obviously doesn't make sense. You'd want an ILC with a comparable focal length instead. Over time, though, I've realized that I'm happiest walking around with one camera with fixed focal lengths. For this, the RX1 is my favorite camera unless I'm out specifically to do street shooting, in which case the Nikon "A" is my tool of choice.
If you want various focal lengths easily available at any given time, don't get the RX1 - you probably wouldn't use it much or enjoy it much when you did. But if you're a prime shooter who likes to wander around with a single focal length a lot of the time, and something in the 32mm range (turns out the RX1 is notably wider than it's claimed 35mm - probably one of the reasons I've come to like it as much as I do), you simply won't do better. You'll do very nearly as well with other options most of the time, but not AS well and definitely not as well under more challenging lighting situations.
Whether those difference are worth the big price differences is clearly a personal call. To me it was - I would ABSOLUTELY do it again knowing what I know now. With much less hesitation than I initially bought it too! To anyone else, I can't say...
-Ray
Ray... I've been one to like zooms for the variable focal lengths and/or using several primes to cover various focal lengths. I never head out with a single focal length and the intention to make it work for whatever I might find.
SO.... it sounds like it is time for me to do that! Certainly, I could simply grab one of my m4/3 bodies and one prime lens and do the same thing. But having a "serious" compact with large-ish sensor and fixed focal length lens is something I want to experience and explore. I do need that.
I ordered a GR and received it, but unfortunately, it wouldn't recognize a memory card, so it will go back to B&H when they're back from holiday. I very much like the size, feel, and ergonomics of the camera. In the meantime, I ordered another one from another source so that I can get to work with it before B&H returns from holiday. The GR was a much easier buy (vs. the RX1) because the cost is comparatively so easy to swallow. So it will be my "gateway" camera to a "serious" compact fixed focal length camera.
THe RX1 will probably follow suit fairly soon... I vacillate between buying a used one for the cost savings vs. new. I never buy used cameras, so buying one used would be a bit of a stretch for me in that regard... but less of a stretch financially. We shall see.
You're right, I do have a lot of experience with FF through years of using the 5D and 5DMkII bodies, so perhaps I may not be quite as "wowed" by the RX1 output as someone new to FF might be, but then again, all I've been shooting for the last two years has been m4/3 and my LX5, so working with the 6000x4000 latest-Sony-sensor pixel files from the RX1 may prove to be really exciting to me.
As usual, thanks so much for your detailed, well-thought out replies to my questions. And, also as usual, thanks for sharing so many very inspirational images. You are an exceptional photographer and we all benefit from not only seeing your work, but hearing your thoughts!