Отзывы о Фотоаппарат Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
646 отзывов пользователей o Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II?
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Валентина
22.07.2013
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
отличная модель
Приобрела 2 дня назад. Из рук не выпускаю) Отличное качество, моментально фотографирует, фокусируется быстро. Немного разобралась в настройках, фотки просто супер. Не ожидала за такую цену)))
Adollo
13.12.2023
2/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
Очень плохая модель
- + Не имеют значения, по сравнению с недостатками.
- - Ужасное мыло на максимальной диафрагме - по всей видимости, фотоаппарат просто механически неспособен сфокусироваться из-за очень малой глубины резкости при диафрагме F1.8. В результате чёткие ночные снимки сделать практически невозможно - объект будет не в фокусе. Дважды сдавал в сервис-центр - признавали случай гарантийным, говорили, что что-то сделали, но толком так ничего не исправили. Также мылит углы (конкретно у меня верхний левый угол). По сравнению с RX100 первого поколения - полный шлак.
Amir Kamaldinov
08.12.2020
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Отличная модель
- + общая конструкция - металлическая надежная,
за 6 лет вспышка пару раз барахлила, влезла из пазов, получилось вставить, дальше работает,
впечатляет качество записываемого видео,
стабилизация при видеозаписи
в сложных ситуациях можно снимать даже на ISO 1600, потом из RAW вытягивать.
Отличное решение для макро и предметной съемки, маленькая матрица = большой ГРИП (глубина резко изображенного пространства). На большой матрице такие фотки не всегда можно сделать так как на этом фотике.
можно и в отпуск (хотя в этом со смартфоном удобней). - - - на 4-й год сломался слот для...
Скроменый эксперт
16.03.2015
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I’ve purchased many, many Sony cameras over the years, probably more than I should confess to. I used one of the very first Mavica’s ever released on the market in the 1990’s. I was exhilarated when the DSC-F707 came out, and marveled at what good shots came out of that oddly-shaped, but surprising facilely shaped device. Then it was the DSC-F717, which really, to me, did not offer any real gains on the F707 model, regardless of what the spec sheet said, and seemed to be just a little bit of a waste of money (my F707 performed every bit as well).
Things really picked up with release of the DSC-F828, which, like the earlier models, I took with me all over France multiple times, shooting cathedrals, museums, parks, cityscapes, and everything else. The 828 was really a massive step up from the earlier models, not because of the so-called “four color HAD sensor” that Sony was tooting at the time, but rather, in my mind, the shape of the camera, which was just delightful to use and to hold, and the wonderful Zeiss lens that improved even beyond the F707 and F828 models. THE F828 was a delightful camera to use and I still have fond memories of its pleasing shape and operation.
Then came the DSC-R1. This beastie of a camera became my favorite, and it was capable of shooting such terrific photos that people regularly confused the shots with those coming from much higher-end DSLRs. Because the R1 had a full sized APS sensor, and because it had what was arguably the best lens ever to date on a non-DSLR camera (the luscious Zeiss 24-120mm which opened to F/2.8 at the wide end), it was unrivaled at the time, while, admittedly, being a specialist camera. It wasn’t cheap, either, running $1,000 sans accessories. It took no video, had no image stabilization, and was over two pounds in weight. No matter. This was my camera of choice, and the only thing that could drag me away from it was the introduction of the Fuji X system, and even then, it was a long, drawn out thing. I loved not only the image quality, but the fact that I could rotate that oddly-positioned LCD screen so that it was at the top of the camera, allowing me to shoot head down, which, surprisingly, offered all kinds of advantages that don’t become apparent until you try it.
All right, this review is about a camera that has almost nothing in common with any of these models, the Sony DSC-RX100III (and please carefully note that this camera is the “III,” that is, the third generation of the DSC-RX100, which can be confusing; the DSC-RX100III is in some respects different than the first two models). This diminutive camera is small enough to fit into one of my pants pockets, weighs practically nothing, and sports an intermediate 1” sensor (much larger than the typical 2/3” sensor in many compacts, but not nearly as large as a full APS sensor). So why mention any of the previous models? Well, first of all to say that I’ve had lots of experience with Sony cameras (including some additional models I’ve not mentioned above, including the SLT-a33, the SLT-a57, and a handful of their compact models), and to also help describe what this camera is and what it is not.
First of all, what IS this camera? It’s a compact camera. As such, it is tiny, it is light, and it designed to operate with minimal user configuration (if that’s what you desire to do). It has an aluminum body. It has a very limited zoom range, only 2.9X, but does open to a very respectable 24mm, and a HUGE F/1.8 aperture. This means that the camera is well suited to shooting in low light settings, and also to shooting anything you want with a wide vista (e.g., landscapes, interiors, etc.). So, if you want to use it inside, in museums, churches, and so on, it’s suited for that type of setting, amongst others. It’s not made in Japan, but it is built to a very good quality level, and feels much more like a Japanese product that one might at first expect. It has a “BSI-CMOS” 20mp sensor, which is Sony’s name for their fancy backlit sensor, and also has a Zeiss lens, like much of Sony’s camera predecessor models. It also has a tilting screen, which is still somewhat of an oddity for pocket cameras, in spite of their obvious usefulness. It also comes equipped with a slew of customizable settings, special settings, programmable functions, pre-set scene settings, shutter priority, aperture priority, etc., so it tends to straddle a bit into the DSLR world in spite of its diminutive size. It takes very good quality video, and it also has panoramic stitching. And, it’s expensive.
What ISN’T it? It’s not a DSLR. It does not have a significant zoom. It does not have the complete complement of customizable settings that a DSLR typically has (although it comes close). It doesn’t have a full size sensor (but the 1”
Things really picked up with release of the DSC-F828, which, like the earlier models, I took with me all over France multiple times, shooting cathedrals, museums, parks, cityscapes, and everything else. The 828 was really a massive step up from the earlier models, not because of the so-called “four color HAD sensor” that Sony was tooting at the time, but rather, in my mind, the shape of the camera, which was just delightful to use and to hold, and the wonderful Zeiss lens that improved even beyond the F707 and F828 models. THE F828 was a delightful camera to use and I still have fond memories of its pleasing shape and operation.
Then came the DSC-R1. This beastie of a camera became my favorite, and it was capable of shooting such terrific photos that people regularly confused the shots with those coming from much higher-end DSLRs. Because the R1 had a full sized APS sensor, and because it had what was arguably the best lens ever to date on a non-DSLR camera (the luscious Zeiss 24-120mm which opened to F/2.8 at the wide end), it was unrivaled at the time, while, admittedly, being a specialist camera. It wasn’t cheap, either, running $1,000 sans accessories. It took no video, had no image stabilization, and was over two pounds in weight. No matter. This was my camera of choice, and the only thing that could drag me away from it was the introduction of the Fuji X system, and even then, it was a long, drawn out thing. I loved not only the image quality, but the fact that I could rotate that oddly-positioned LCD screen so that it was at the top of the camera, allowing me to shoot head down, which, surprisingly, offered all kinds of advantages that don’t become apparent until you try it.
All right, this review is about a camera that has almost nothing in common with any of these models, the Sony DSC-RX100III (and please carefully note that this camera is the “III,” that is, the third generation of the DSC-RX100, which can be confusing; the DSC-RX100III is in some respects different than the first two models). This diminutive camera is small enough to fit into one of my pants pockets, weighs practically nothing, and sports an intermediate 1” sensor (much larger than the typical 2/3” sensor in many compacts, but not nearly as large as a full APS sensor). So why mention any of the previous models? Well, first of all to say that I’ve had lots of experience with Sony cameras (including some additional models I’ve not mentioned above, including the SLT-a33, the SLT-a57, and a handful of their compact models), and to also help describe what this camera is and what it is not.
First of all, what IS this camera? It’s a compact camera. As such, it is tiny, it is light, and it designed to operate with minimal user configuration (if that’s what you desire to do). It has an aluminum body. It has a very limited zoom range, only 2.9X, but does open to a very respectable 24mm, and a HUGE F/1.8 aperture. This means that the camera is well suited to shooting in low light settings, and also to shooting anything you want with a wide vista (e.g., landscapes, interiors, etc.). So, if you want to use it inside, in museums, churches, and so on, it’s suited for that type of setting, amongst others. It’s not made in Japan, but it is built to a very good quality level, and feels much more like a Japanese product that one might at first expect. It has a “BSI-CMOS” 20mp sensor, which is Sony’s name for their fancy backlit sensor, and also has a Zeiss lens, like much of Sony’s camera predecessor models. It also has a tilting screen, which is still somewhat of an oddity for pocket cameras, in spite of their obvious usefulness. It also comes equipped with a slew of customizable settings, special settings, programmable functions, pre-set scene settings, shutter priority, aperture priority, etc., so it tends to straddle a bit into the DSLR world in spite of its diminutive size. It takes very good quality video, and it also has panoramic stitching. And, it’s expensive.
What ISN’T it? It’s not a DSLR. It does not have a significant zoom. It does not have the complete complement of customizable settings that a DSLR typically has (although it comes close). It doesn’t have a full size sensor (but the 1”
Скроменый эксперт
22.10.2014
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
@Sony: please read this (more or less) bug list (for firmware V1.10) and fix these issues in the next firmware. Thank you.
ToDo list for next Firmware Update: (Please Forward to the Sony RX100M3 development team)
=========================================================
These wishes, lacks of functionality, problems and bugs are related to Firmware V1.10. I will mark the appropriate entries as DONE/FIXED/SOLVED if Sony indeed did solve them. Additionally I will increase the rating to 4 or 5 stars, depending on which and how many issues are solved.
Anyone is highly encouraged to copy & paste this list or parts of it and publish it, ideally in a way Sony will take notice of it.
Legend:
BUG = Real software bug or malfunction (also if malfunction is with intent)
LOF = lack of self-evident feature that nearly anyone expects in this class
WISH = wish
==========================================================
1.) [LOF] : Enable separate power-save delay durations for "LCD off" and "turning off completely". So LCD could be turned of e.g. already after 5...10 seconds if no key is pressed. Cam then could fall into sleep mode (wake-up by e.g. slight pressing shutter key)
2.) [LOF] : During LCD off (respective during OLED-Finder off) ensure to set all components to sleep mode (energy consumption nearly 0). This would save a huge amount of energy by a) no need to drive lens motor when user manually turns cam off/on to try to save energy, PLUS it would save energy already after a few seconds if the cam does no operation. Since battery is VERY small (3,9Wh, means ~30 minutes of video if not recording continuously) this is absolutely needed. I guess this could increase recording time also if stopping video near to the 55 minutes that can be achieved if recording nonstop.
3.) [LOF] : enhance list of video modes to have ALWAYS available *all* frame rates, independent if cam is set to PAL or NTSC. Maybe warn user, but do NOT prevent him to use 60fps if he wants to use 60fps/NTSC frame rate in PAL mode. (If this is done, there's no more need to implement bugfix/wish #4)
4.) [BUG] : do not force user to re-format SD-Card when changing from PAL to NTSC or vice versa. What the hell should this be good for? Why this absolute insane artificial restriction? Even better solution: put all NTSC frame rates into the Video Menu if in PAL mode and vice versa. (see previous entry, #3.) )
5.) [WISH] : Maybe put all video modes in one list instead having to switch between AVCHD and XAVC-S, add (AVCHD) and (XAVC-S) in brackets in the appropriate menu entries
6.) [LOF] : enable start/stop of video recording also by pressing shutter key (if dial is set to video mode)
7.) [LOF] : enable capturing of still images while recording video (at least in modes when CPU has enough capacity left). Remember: the cam has enough power to simultaneously record a low-quality MP4 stream to be sent to a smartphone. Since is NOT really needed, it would be totally OK if capturing still images only can be done if "dual video recording" (saving of additional MP4 video stream) is disabled.
8.) [LOF] : If #7. is done, do not forget to also enable FIFO buffering for multiple still images while recording video (2 or 3 images, the more, the better) to prevent that user has to wait up to 10 seconds to be able to take next picture (as it is the case with RX100M1).
9.) [BUG] : It is not possible to enable the "water level bubble" meter additionally to other status displays. Please fix this bug.
EDIT: this max be by intention. "DISP Button" (I'd rather call it "wheel upper button" steps through the previously selected elements)
10.) [WISH] : Add a back-in-time-shot option (shoot but not store stills before pressing shutter)
11.) [WISH] : Add a back-in-time option for video (e.g. save the 3 seconds that have happened BEFORE the movie button has been pressed)
12.) [WISH] : Add a short-sequence high-speed recording function with optional back-in-time. e.g. Save 3 seconds at 100..200 fps and play back at 25..50 fps), identical to that in Sony HDR-CX116 (Camcorder), if cam is capable of 200 fps for a short period, then also additional recording at 200 fps with playback at 25 would be adequate. (I guess if dual video recording is disabled there are some fps above 120 possible, same if resolution is reduced)
13.) [BUG] : review the German translation of several menu entries. (least important, but I would have expected much better translations).
For example: the following strings are named very misleading/un-understandable: "Anzeigequalität" (Better: "Bildrate Anzeige" or english: "Display Refresh Rate"), "Dateiformat", "Für Sucher", "Key-Benutzereinstlg.", "Bew.interv.-Einstlg", "Spur-Intv. im Beweg. aufn.-Video einstellen.", "Energiesp.-Startzeit"
ToDo list for next Firmware Update: (Please Forward to the Sony RX100M3 development team)
=========================================================
These wishes, lacks of functionality, problems and bugs are related to Firmware V1.10. I will mark the appropriate entries as DONE/FIXED/SOLVED if Sony indeed did solve them. Additionally I will increase the rating to 4 or 5 stars, depending on which and how many issues are solved.
Anyone is highly encouraged to copy & paste this list or parts of it and publish it, ideally in a way Sony will take notice of it.
Legend:
BUG = Real software bug or malfunction (also if malfunction is with intent)
LOF = lack of self-evident feature that nearly anyone expects in this class
WISH = wish
==========================================================
1.) [LOF] : Enable separate power-save delay durations for "LCD off" and "turning off completely". So LCD could be turned of e.g. already after 5...10 seconds if no key is pressed. Cam then could fall into sleep mode (wake-up by e.g. slight pressing shutter key)
2.) [LOF] : During LCD off (respective during OLED-Finder off) ensure to set all components to sleep mode (energy consumption nearly 0). This would save a huge amount of energy by a) no need to drive lens motor when user manually turns cam off/on to try to save energy, PLUS it would save energy already after a few seconds if the cam does no operation. Since battery is VERY small (3,9Wh, means ~30 minutes of video if not recording continuously) this is absolutely needed. I guess this could increase recording time also if stopping video near to the 55 minutes that can be achieved if recording nonstop.
3.) [LOF] : enhance list of video modes to have ALWAYS available *all* frame rates, independent if cam is set to PAL or NTSC. Maybe warn user, but do NOT prevent him to use 60fps if he wants to use 60fps/NTSC frame rate in PAL mode. (If this is done, there's no more need to implement bugfix/wish #4)
4.) [BUG] : do not force user to re-format SD-Card when changing from PAL to NTSC or vice versa. What the hell should this be good for? Why this absolute insane artificial restriction? Even better solution: put all NTSC frame rates into the Video Menu if in PAL mode and vice versa. (see previous entry, #3.) )
5.) [WISH] : Maybe put all video modes in one list instead having to switch between AVCHD and XAVC-S, add (AVCHD) and (XAVC-S) in brackets in the appropriate menu entries
6.) [LOF] : enable start/stop of video recording also by pressing shutter key (if dial is set to video mode)
7.) [LOF] : enable capturing of still images while recording video (at least in modes when CPU has enough capacity left). Remember: the cam has enough power to simultaneously record a low-quality MP4 stream to be sent to a smartphone. Since is NOT really needed, it would be totally OK if capturing still images only can be done if "dual video recording" (saving of additional MP4 video stream) is disabled.
8.) [LOF] : If #7. is done, do not forget to also enable FIFO buffering for multiple still images while recording video (2 or 3 images, the more, the better) to prevent that user has to wait up to 10 seconds to be able to take next picture (as it is the case with RX100M1).
9.) [BUG] : It is not possible to enable the "water level bubble" meter additionally to other status displays. Please fix this bug.
EDIT: this max be by intention. "DISP Button" (I'd rather call it "wheel upper button" steps through the previously selected elements)
10.) [WISH] : Add a back-in-time-shot option (shoot but not store stills before pressing shutter)
11.) [WISH] : Add a back-in-time option for video (e.g. save the 3 seconds that have happened BEFORE the movie button has been pressed)
12.) [WISH] : Add a short-sequence high-speed recording function with optional back-in-time. e.g. Save 3 seconds at 100..200 fps and play back at 25..50 fps), identical to that in Sony HDR-CX116 (Camcorder), if cam is capable of 200 fps for a short period, then also additional recording at 200 fps with playback at 25 would be adequate. (I guess if dual video recording is disabled there are some fps above 120 possible, same if resolution is reduced)
13.) [BUG] : review the German translation of several menu entries. (least important, but I would have expected much better translations).
For example: the following strings are named very misleading/un-understandable: "Anzeigequalität" (Better: "Bildrate Anzeige" or english: "Display Refresh Rate"), "Dateiformat", "Für Sucher", "Key-Benutzereinstlg.", "Bew.interv.-Einstlg", "Spur-Intv. im Beweg. aufn.-Video einstellen.", "Energiesp.-Startzeit"
Скроменый эксперт
30.07.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
This is my fourth Sony camera and easily my 10th digital and roughly 20th camera (counting both film and digital). It's a beauty, and as many have commented on these pages and elsewhere (such as DPReview), a significant improvement on the earlier generations of the RX100 (better sensor in RX100ii, better lens now in 100iii plus an EVF). I thought it would be hard to top the Sony RX1 as the perfect travel camera (please see my detailed review of the RX1 on Amazon), but I think on balance, this is a better travel camera than even that brilliant piece of full frame ingenuity. Not a better camera mind you, but a better travel camera, when space and size are at a great premium. Its lens and sensor produce images that are not quite as sharp as the RX-1's - but they are not that far off either. And the RX100-III does beat the RX-1 in one critical functional area, in terms of having a useful range of wide to mild telephoto focal lengths. No more zooming with just the feet . . .
Although the RX-100M3 cannot beat the RX-1 or any other full frame camera in overall photo image quality, it is superior in relationship to video quality to the RX-1/A99/A77-65 (and many other APS-C and FF DSLRs), where the improved Bionz X processor in the RX100III allows for a way better sampling heuristic (instead of the clumsy line skipping approach done in the RX1, A99, and all the other recent APS-C cameras). It's also astonishingly flexible in terms of shooting modes and operational styles, and additionally, Sony's improved image stabilization gives it a ~2 stop advantage, narrowing the low light performance gap between this sensor and a full frame sensor but without image stabilization (such as seen in the RX1) to basically nothing by allowing the RX100-III to shoot at slower shutter speeds, and thus keeping ISO lower. I'm able to shoot wide open at a 24 mm equivalent in low light at 1/5 second shutter speed, often without any image blurring, keeping my ISO relatively low and basically wiping out much of the low light advantage of the RX-1 FF sensor. It still of course doesn't quite create images that are as breathtaking as full frame equipment (still less dynamic range and color depth) - that is not a hittable or realistic performance target, but it comes amazingly close, and with only slightly more noise as ISO rises compared to the APS-C Sony sensor in a Sony A65 (although that camera was clearly no low light phenom). It might be slightly less noisy in RAW than the A65 at 3200 and 6400 - but they are certainly close. This is mighty impressive, given that this sensor is much smaller than an APS-C chip (but RX100's sensor is newer than the A65's). It's not quite one stop noisier than the newer Sony APS-C sensor in my A77II in head to head testing (The new A77ii is roughly 1 stop better sensor in terms of noise compared to the previous generation chip in the A65). This is still a mighty fine performance.
What this means is that there is a (roughly) one stop noise jump from these various levels of sensor size: most cell phone sensors > most compact cameras > RX-100 (and several other large sensor compacts) > newer APS-C (A6000/Nikon5300) > full frame (FF) RX1/Nikon600 > Sony A7s. Each level is a significant jump in low light performance, and thus impacts and limits you on exposure, shutter speed, and the whole range of shooting options. While noise/high ISO performance initially sounds like a lot of techno-obscurity that only geeks would care about or understand, it's really indicative of what basic physical restrictions there are on your creative options as a photographer. Not only that, and less appreciated by the average person, as noise does up, dynamic range, color depth, and virtually every other parameter that might index picture quality goes down in a linear and direct ratio. That's why noise and high ISO performance is so important. All this underscores also that the size of the sensor is critical - and kudos to Sony for its continual efforts to stuff the biggest sensor it can into smaller (and smaller) camera bodies.
All this just means simply that this camera has phenomenal low light performance, FOR ITS SIZE. Its low light performance is simply way ahead of every other compact its size, and is reasonably competitive with much larger cameras (such as m4/3 and APS-C where its noise is roughly one stop poorer than the best of the m4/3-APS-c crowd, and about two stops poorer than a typical FF pro-cam). The formal noise testing that I just did (comparing this to both an A77ii and RX1 in RAW) confirms this and shows it almost exactly two stops behind an RX-1. This is still mighty impressive, and with Sony's improved IS system giving it a 2+ stop advantage, I can do quite a bit of low light shooting, without worrying about noise (or heavy-handed noise reduction in the JPEG engine) wiping out details. I have to really want low light performance and/or slightly more resolution to lug the bi
Although the RX-100M3 cannot beat the RX-1 or any other full frame camera in overall photo image quality, it is superior in relationship to video quality to the RX-1/A99/A77-65 (and many other APS-C and FF DSLRs), where the improved Bionz X processor in the RX100III allows for a way better sampling heuristic (instead of the clumsy line skipping approach done in the RX1, A99, and all the other recent APS-C cameras). It's also astonishingly flexible in terms of shooting modes and operational styles, and additionally, Sony's improved image stabilization gives it a ~2 stop advantage, narrowing the low light performance gap between this sensor and a full frame sensor but without image stabilization (such as seen in the RX1) to basically nothing by allowing the RX100-III to shoot at slower shutter speeds, and thus keeping ISO lower. I'm able to shoot wide open at a 24 mm equivalent in low light at 1/5 second shutter speed, often without any image blurring, keeping my ISO relatively low and basically wiping out much of the low light advantage of the RX-1 FF sensor. It still of course doesn't quite create images that are as breathtaking as full frame equipment (still less dynamic range and color depth) - that is not a hittable or realistic performance target, but it comes amazingly close, and with only slightly more noise as ISO rises compared to the APS-C Sony sensor in a Sony A65 (although that camera was clearly no low light phenom). It might be slightly less noisy in RAW than the A65 at 3200 and 6400 - but they are certainly close. This is mighty impressive, given that this sensor is much smaller than an APS-C chip (but RX100's sensor is newer than the A65's). It's not quite one stop noisier than the newer Sony APS-C sensor in my A77II in head to head testing (The new A77ii is roughly 1 stop better sensor in terms of noise compared to the previous generation chip in the A65). This is still a mighty fine performance.
What this means is that there is a (roughly) one stop noise jump from these various levels of sensor size: most cell phone sensors > most compact cameras > RX-100 (and several other large sensor compacts) > newer APS-C (A6000/Nikon5300) > full frame (FF) RX1/Nikon600 > Sony A7s. Each level is a significant jump in low light performance, and thus impacts and limits you on exposure, shutter speed, and the whole range of shooting options. While noise/high ISO performance initially sounds like a lot of techno-obscurity that only geeks would care about or understand, it's really indicative of what basic physical restrictions there are on your creative options as a photographer. Not only that, and less appreciated by the average person, as noise does up, dynamic range, color depth, and virtually every other parameter that might index picture quality goes down in a linear and direct ratio. That's why noise and high ISO performance is so important. All this underscores also that the size of the sensor is critical - and kudos to Sony for its continual efforts to stuff the biggest sensor it can into smaller (and smaller) camera bodies.
All this just means simply that this camera has phenomenal low light performance, FOR ITS SIZE. Its low light performance is simply way ahead of every other compact its size, and is reasonably competitive with much larger cameras (such as m4/3 and APS-C where its noise is roughly one stop poorer than the best of the m4/3-APS-c crowd, and about two stops poorer than a typical FF pro-cam). The formal noise testing that I just did (comparing this to both an A77ii and RX1 in RAW) confirms this and shows it almost exactly two stops behind an RX-1. This is still mighty impressive, and with Sony's improved IS system giving it a 2+ stop advantage, I can do quite a bit of low light shooting, without worrying about noise (or heavy-handed noise reduction in the JPEG engine) wiping out details. I have to really want low light performance and/or slightly more resolution to lug the bi
Скроменый эксперт
25.07.2014
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
RX100 M3 review
Some background on me first. I have owned a Canon 5D Mark 2 since 2008 and I have an iPhone 5. So the question was, do I need/want this camera?
I have previously owned an early Olympus micro four-thirds camera and a large sensor compact Canon. I ended up selling both of these, as I got very little use out of them.
I bought this camera primarily as a video camera. I have always wanted a discretely sized excellent quality video camera and the specs in this seemed to fit the bill. This review will mainly look at video.
I read about the new XAVC S codec with some skepticism. It seemed like overkill for HD video as it uses a scary amount of storage. After using it though, there is no way I am going back to the lower bit-rate alternatives. With this codec I can shoot extremely complicated visual scenes, a forest in bright daylight for example, pan the camera and see no compression artifacts at all. If I compare this with my iPhone 5 or 5D video the difference is glaring.
I had even more skepticism about 60P, imagining I'd shoot 24p for a more cinematic look. I saw the high-frame-rate version of The Hobbit and was slightly sickened by it. I also imagined light sensitivity would be improved at lowers shutter speeds. This does not appear to be the case however. Also, as there are no compression artifacts at 60p, there is no reason to shoot at a lower speed to avoid them. I imagine the way intra-frame compression works, doubling the frame rate does not mean a commensurate increase in file size. This only leaves the aesthetic question of 60P versus 30 or 24. I have to say, even though the video has a hyper-real quality to it and looks in no way cinematic, I have grown to love it. I tell myself that if I want 30 frames per second later I can always reduce the frame rate during the editing process. Also, 60 frames per second allows for smooth slow motion, only 50% slower true, but it is full HD, unlike the 120fps mode, which is unpleasant to use and outputs poor quality video. So yes, I love 60P video and it is now all I shoot.
My love of the 60P mode also helps me get over my biggest gripe about the camera. The lack of 4K video. I have read a lot of reviewers who say 4K video is overkill, and if it was available on this camera, it would be more than regular consumers could handle. As in the amount of storage it would consume and the amount of processing power necessary to edit it successfully would be too much. This may be true for some consumers, but I think this is also true of the 1080 60P mode and that didn't stop Sony implementing that. This is a camera for people who know what they are doing, so I think the option for 4K should be there. The camera has the same sensor and processor as Sony's first consumer 4K camcorder, so there is no technical limitation. I can only assume they are afraid of canibalizing sales of that more expensive camera. I have used their 4K camcorder and the video is spectacular. The headroom 4K gives you for cropping/correcting on a 1080p timeline is also wonderful. It's a real shame this camera doesn't have it. I imagine the next iteration will, but that does not help me now. Perhaps some ingenious individual will circulate a firmware hack to enable it? I live in hope.
Incidentally, exporting the video to my Mac is not the easiest process. Neither Aperture nor Lightroom recognizes the XAVC S format, so I can't store it with my images. Final Cut Pro X does not recognize it straight out of the camera either. I have to use Sony's gross Playmemories software to import, then have Final Cut import the resulting files. Not the end of the world, but a hassle all the same.
Before leaving the topic of video I would like to stress that this camera shoots amazing video. All my criticisms aside, I am keeping the camera because the video quality is so much better than my iPhone and shooting is so much easier than it is with my DSLR. If your subject is sharply focused and the light is good, the video is to die for.
As a still camera I find it lacking. DPReview summed it up well when they said it wasn't fun to use. I can't help but compare using this camera to using the iPhone. The iPhone is just so intuitive. If you want to focus on something, you touch it. I keep finding I want to touch the screen on this camera, and the fact I can't bothers me. There are also so many modes that I have a hard time remembering which mode does what. I have googled the intelligent auto and intelligent auto plus modes half a dozen times and still don't know what they do. They seem interesting, so I don't want to ignore them, but if I can't easily see what they are doing I just end up frustrated. In these modes the display is littered with information, very little of which makes much sense.
I love shooting stills with my DSLR, I love the large viewfinder and I love my 85mm portrait lens. This camer
Some background on me first. I have owned a Canon 5D Mark 2 since 2008 and I have an iPhone 5. So the question was, do I need/want this camera?
I have previously owned an early Olympus micro four-thirds camera and a large sensor compact Canon. I ended up selling both of these, as I got very little use out of them.
I bought this camera primarily as a video camera. I have always wanted a discretely sized excellent quality video camera and the specs in this seemed to fit the bill. This review will mainly look at video.
I read about the new XAVC S codec with some skepticism. It seemed like overkill for HD video as it uses a scary amount of storage. After using it though, there is no way I am going back to the lower bit-rate alternatives. With this codec I can shoot extremely complicated visual scenes, a forest in bright daylight for example, pan the camera and see no compression artifacts at all. If I compare this with my iPhone 5 or 5D video the difference is glaring.
I had even more skepticism about 60P, imagining I'd shoot 24p for a more cinematic look. I saw the high-frame-rate version of The Hobbit and was slightly sickened by it. I also imagined light sensitivity would be improved at lowers shutter speeds. This does not appear to be the case however. Also, as there are no compression artifacts at 60p, there is no reason to shoot at a lower speed to avoid them. I imagine the way intra-frame compression works, doubling the frame rate does not mean a commensurate increase in file size. This only leaves the aesthetic question of 60P versus 30 or 24. I have to say, even though the video has a hyper-real quality to it and looks in no way cinematic, I have grown to love it. I tell myself that if I want 30 frames per second later I can always reduce the frame rate during the editing process. Also, 60 frames per second allows for smooth slow motion, only 50% slower true, but it is full HD, unlike the 120fps mode, which is unpleasant to use and outputs poor quality video. So yes, I love 60P video and it is now all I shoot.
My love of the 60P mode also helps me get over my biggest gripe about the camera. The lack of 4K video. I have read a lot of reviewers who say 4K video is overkill, and if it was available on this camera, it would be more than regular consumers could handle. As in the amount of storage it would consume and the amount of processing power necessary to edit it successfully would be too much. This may be true for some consumers, but I think this is also true of the 1080 60P mode and that didn't stop Sony implementing that. This is a camera for people who know what they are doing, so I think the option for 4K should be there. The camera has the same sensor and processor as Sony's first consumer 4K camcorder, so there is no technical limitation. I can only assume they are afraid of canibalizing sales of that more expensive camera. I have used their 4K camcorder and the video is spectacular. The headroom 4K gives you for cropping/correcting on a 1080p timeline is also wonderful. It's a real shame this camera doesn't have it. I imagine the next iteration will, but that does not help me now. Perhaps some ingenious individual will circulate a firmware hack to enable it? I live in hope.
Incidentally, exporting the video to my Mac is not the easiest process. Neither Aperture nor Lightroom recognizes the XAVC S format, so I can't store it with my images. Final Cut Pro X does not recognize it straight out of the camera either. I have to use Sony's gross Playmemories software to import, then have Final Cut import the resulting files. Not the end of the world, but a hassle all the same.
Before leaving the topic of video I would like to stress that this camera shoots amazing video. All my criticisms aside, I am keeping the camera because the video quality is so much better than my iPhone and shooting is so much easier than it is with my DSLR. If your subject is sharply focused and the light is good, the video is to die for.
As a still camera I find it lacking. DPReview summed it up well when they said it wasn't fun to use. I can't help but compare using this camera to using the iPhone. The iPhone is just so intuitive. If you want to focus on something, you touch it. I keep finding I want to touch the screen on this camera, and the fact I can't bothers me. There are also so many modes that I have a hard time remembering which mode does what. I have googled the intelligent auto and intelligent auto plus modes half a dozen times and still don't know what they do. They seem interesting, so I don't want to ignore them, but if I can't easily see what they are doing I just end up frustrated. In these modes the display is littered with information, very little of which makes much sense.
I love shooting stills with my DSLR, I love the large viewfinder and I love my 85mm portrait lens. This camer
Скроменый эксперт
19.07.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
HARDWARE
You'll still get better performance from a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera or DSLR, but those aren't nearly as portable, and they're certainly not small enough to carry in your pocket. The RX100 is plenty capable, but its greatest strength is its size. While heavier than many other point-and-shoots, it's not much larger. Its powerful 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens does make it quite a bit thicker than your run-of-the-mill compact, but assuming you can deal with a moderate bulge, it can fit in a pants pocket.
You'll more likely be dangling the RX100 III from your wrist, using the included band, or from a third-party neck strap (the requisite adapters are in the box). Despite its small size, however, the camera offers all of the necessary buttons and dials, including a dedicated mode dial, a video record button, a scroll wheel (for adjusting aperture and/or shutter speed) and a button for accessing the integrated WiFi mode, which lets you transmit images from the camera directly to a smartphone or a tablet.
This time around, the greatest engineering feat is the pop-up electronic viewfinder. It's located at the far-left corner, and extends up about one inch when in use. The clever design includes a slide-out magnifier, complete with a diopter adjustment dial. The camera powers on as soon as you extend the EVF using the release switch on the left side of the housing, though it also turns off when you push it back down. Like most other EVFs, there's a proximity sensor that activates the finder and disables the LCD when you raise it to your eye. Of course, grazing the viewfinder with a finger or other appendage has the same effect, but you can simply push it back into the housing to eliminate the issue.
Because the EVF takes up quite a bit of space within the housing, Sony had to move the pop-up flash a bit to the right. It's now centered just above the lens, though it extends far enough to reach beyond the zoom, even at the widest focal length. Given that the flash has now taken over the real estate previously allocated to the full-size hot shoe, that component is a casualty of the RX100's redesign, though (as mentioned earlier) with the exception of perhaps a few hardcore shooters, it likely won't be missed.
USER INTERFACE
For a spell, Sony began including touchscreens with its mirrorless cameras, such as the NEX-5N, but newer models, including the Alpha 6000 and flagship A7s don't offer that feature. All three RX100 models also lack touch functionality, including this year's iteration, which may be a disappointment to some. On the other hand, no touchscreen means Sony needed to include a range of dedicated controls and dials, which ultimately work to improve the experience. The trade-off, of course, is that you can't tap to focus, which many shooters have come to count on when capturing video.
The user interface hasn't changed much since the original RX100. The menu layout is more or less identical, though there have been some slight cosmetic tweaks. The quick-access menu has been refined -- it's a bit more straightforward to use now -- but indicators and the camera's general workflow are consistent with past models. Like with the RX100 II, you can transfer images over WiFi using Sony's PlayMemories Mobile app for smartphones and tablets, but unlike competing products, you can't control the camera remotely.
PERFORMANCE AND BATTERY LIFE
The first model in this series was lauded for its incredibly fast focusing, and the RX100 III performs just as you'd expect. It focuses very quickly, and it's accurate nearly all of the time. Focus hunting is perceptible, particularly with dim subjects when you're not using the AF-assist light, but if you miss a shot due to speed, the camera probably won't be to blame. Granted, it's not the fastest gun in the West, but it's definitely one of the best in its class. As with any compact camera with a power zoom lens, it takes a second or two to get the camera powered on and ready to capture its first shot. If you're anticipating an upcoming capture, it's best to leave the RX100 powered on -- once the camera's standing by, shutter lag is barely noticeable.
As for battery life, I took the RX100 on vacation and managed to get through three days of exploring without charging up. On average, I probably used the camera for a few hours each day, so if you tend to capture hundreds of shots and dozens of video clips during each day of touring, you'll need to charge up overnight. During that period, I was able to snap more than 500 stills and 13 minutes of 1080p/60 video, which was captured with the high-bit rate (and processor-intensive) XAVC S codec.
IMAGE QUALITY
Since we're already on the topic of video, I'll start with some analysis there. The XAVC S codec available with Sony's latest cameras is a significant step up from AVCHD. Video looks great on the cam
You'll still get better performance from a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera or DSLR, but those aren't nearly as portable, and they're certainly not small enough to carry in your pocket. The RX100 is plenty capable, but its greatest strength is its size. While heavier than many other point-and-shoots, it's not much larger. Its powerful 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens does make it quite a bit thicker than your run-of-the-mill compact, but assuming you can deal with a moderate bulge, it can fit in a pants pocket.
You'll more likely be dangling the RX100 III from your wrist, using the included band, or from a third-party neck strap (the requisite adapters are in the box). Despite its small size, however, the camera offers all of the necessary buttons and dials, including a dedicated mode dial, a video record button, a scroll wheel (for adjusting aperture and/or shutter speed) and a button for accessing the integrated WiFi mode, which lets you transmit images from the camera directly to a smartphone or a tablet.
This time around, the greatest engineering feat is the pop-up electronic viewfinder. It's located at the far-left corner, and extends up about one inch when in use. The clever design includes a slide-out magnifier, complete with a diopter adjustment dial. The camera powers on as soon as you extend the EVF using the release switch on the left side of the housing, though it also turns off when you push it back down. Like most other EVFs, there's a proximity sensor that activates the finder and disables the LCD when you raise it to your eye. Of course, grazing the viewfinder with a finger or other appendage has the same effect, but you can simply push it back into the housing to eliminate the issue.
Because the EVF takes up quite a bit of space within the housing, Sony had to move the pop-up flash a bit to the right. It's now centered just above the lens, though it extends far enough to reach beyond the zoom, even at the widest focal length. Given that the flash has now taken over the real estate previously allocated to the full-size hot shoe, that component is a casualty of the RX100's redesign, though (as mentioned earlier) with the exception of perhaps a few hardcore shooters, it likely won't be missed.
USER INTERFACE
For a spell, Sony began including touchscreens with its mirrorless cameras, such as the NEX-5N, but newer models, including the Alpha 6000 and flagship A7s don't offer that feature. All three RX100 models also lack touch functionality, including this year's iteration, which may be a disappointment to some. On the other hand, no touchscreen means Sony needed to include a range of dedicated controls and dials, which ultimately work to improve the experience. The trade-off, of course, is that you can't tap to focus, which many shooters have come to count on when capturing video.
The user interface hasn't changed much since the original RX100. The menu layout is more or less identical, though there have been some slight cosmetic tweaks. The quick-access menu has been refined -- it's a bit more straightforward to use now -- but indicators and the camera's general workflow are consistent with past models. Like with the RX100 II, you can transfer images over WiFi using Sony's PlayMemories Mobile app for smartphones and tablets, but unlike competing products, you can't control the camera remotely.
PERFORMANCE AND BATTERY LIFE
The first model in this series was lauded for its incredibly fast focusing, and the RX100 III performs just as you'd expect. It focuses very quickly, and it's accurate nearly all of the time. Focus hunting is perceptible, particularly with dim subjects when you're not using the AF-assist light, but if you miss a shot due to speed, the camera probably won't be to blame. Granted, it's not the fastest gun in the West, but it's definitely one of the best in its class. As with any compact camera with a power zoom lens, it takes a second or two to get the camera powered on and ready to capture its first shot. If you're anticipating an upcoming capture, it's best to leave the RX100 powered on -- once the camera's standing by, shutter lag is barely noticeable.
As for battery life, I took the RX100 on vacation and managed to get through three days of exploring without charging up. On average, I probably used the camera for a few hours each day, so if you tend to capture hundreds of shots and dozens of video clips during each day of touring, you'll need to charge up overnight. During that period, I was able to snap more than 500 stills and 13 minutes of 1080p/60 video, which was captured with the high-bit rate (and processor-intensive) XAVC S codec.
IMAGE QUALITY
Since we're already on the topic of video, I'll start with some analysis there. The XAVC S codec available with Sony's latest cameras is a significant step up from AVCHD. Video looks great on the cam
Скроменый эксперт
14.07.2014
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
Summary of my thoughts: a good "palm sized" camera that outperforms a smartphone but is still some distance from an interchangeable lens camera.
Everyone buys a camera because they have a "use case," that is one or more set of needs they'd like to have met. I use a range of cameras, from the one in my iPhone 5s to a Leica MP film camera with a collection of prime lenses and a medium format "folder" camera, the Fujifilm GF670. I am a serious amateur with a passion for shooting black and white film (which I then scan, post-process, and print or post).
Though my Leica has set the benchmark for me in terms of image quality when shooting film, I enjoy the convenience of small digital cameras, particularly the one in my iPhone 5s. I can capture an image, process it in Snapseed (convert to BW, add a touch of "grain," juice up the contrast a bit), and upload it to Instagram "in a heart beat." But the iPhone lacks the ability to provide any real shallow depth of field, which I enjoy for portraits and to give images that "3D" appearance. Its zoom is digital and its low light performance . . . well, it's great for a phone.
I also own a Lumix GH1 with the 20mm "pancake lens" with a fast f 1.7 aperture. It's marvelous . . . but not really "palm sized". And fitting a zoom on it, makes it even larger.
So, my dream "palm sized" camera is one that provides a meaningful level of shallow depth of field, functions well in low light, has some optical zoom capability, and can fit in the palm of my hand.
The Sony RX100M III does MOST of these things . . . it fits perfectly in the palm of my hand, has a moderate zoom, does very well in low light, and has an acceptable though not outstanding shallow depth of field capability. While the lens IS an f1.8 aperture (and that get's the heart racing if you're an old film buff like me), it's mated to a 1 inch sensor, which is a long way from a full frame sensor. So while the low light capture capability is nice, the shallow depth of field? Meh. Unimpressive. Once you begin moving towards 50mm field of view, the aperture has dropped to nearly f 2.8 on a 1 inch sensor and "subject isolation" is scant to non-existent.
You might ask: why not get an Sony RX1 or RX1r? Besides the fact that it's nearly 4X the price, it doesn't zoom. And don't give me the "zoom with my feet" lecture . . . I own a collection of Leica primes and I get that part really well. It's just I'm getting a bit lazy in my "old age" and prefer more "reach" to the optics :-)
I'm not a purist who shoots only RAW. When I really get fixated on information density in an image, I shoot an ISO 50 speed film in my medium format camera and scan it to get a 500 Gb file. Lots of data . . . but I'm not a pixel peeper so if the jpeg output of my digital camera is decent, I'm happy. And the jpeg output of the Sony RX100M III is excellent.
And for the black and white film purists out there, fasten your seat belt: the high contrast monochrome setting on the Sony will knock your socks off! I'm tempted to call the Sony RX100M III a "Mini Monochrom", Leica's $8,000 black and white only digital camera. There are two other monochrome settings to use as well but I am having lots of fun with the high contrast setting. Is the sensor really as good as Leica's? No, of course not. But it is VERY good for the size and price.
The zoom range is nice: 24-70mm. To be honest, I'd like it to reach 100mm like the earlier models but then I'm not ready to trade the smaller aperture for that ;-)
A couple of other features I enjoy: you can shoot video in black and white . . . but I should point out that the sound of zoom "motor" is audible in the recording. Second, there is a built in ND (neutral density) filter that is automatically "turned on" if, like me, you are seeking to shoot with the lens "wide open" in sun light. When using the Aperture priority mode (and auto ISO), the camera will step down the ISO and increase the shutter speed to accommodate a wide open lens. But if that is not enough, it will engage the ND filter to enable you to "open up the lens." This is a very nice feature.
Finally, the built in WiFi transfer is serviceable for iOS devices. I don't fault Sony that Apple doesn't support NFC but the interface on Sony's iOS app is pretty weak. That being said, I now routinely transfer images from my camera to my iPhone or iPad. If anyone's having trouble with the process, ask a question on this "review" and I'll be happy to take you through the precise sequence that works nearly 100% of the time. (Rube Goldberg was Sony's software consultant).
So if you have a use case that is similar to mine, I'd recommend the camera. Or you can wait about 3-5 years or so and Sony will put a full frame sensor in an $800 palm size camera, with a zoom and a fast lens. And I'll own one :-D
Everyone buys a camera because they have a "use case," that is one or more set of needs they'd like to have met. I use a range of cameras, from the one in my iPhone 5s to a Leica MP film camera with a collection of prime lenses and a medium format "folder" camera, the Fujifilm GF670. I am a serious amateur with a passion for shooting black and white film (which I then scan, post-process, and print or post).
Though my Leica has set the benchmark for me in terms of image quality when shooting film, I enjoy the convenience of small digital cameras, particularly the one in my iPhone 5s. I can capture an image, process it in Snapseed (convert to BW, add a touch of "grain," juice up the contrast a bit), and upload it to Instagram "in a heart beat." But the iPhone lacks the ability to provide any real shallow depth of field, which I enjoy for portraits and to give images that "3D" appearance. Its zoom is digital and its low light performance . . . well, it's great for a phone.
I also own a Lumix GH1 with the 20mm "pancake lens" with a fast f 1.7 aperture. It's marvelous . . . but not really "palm sized". And fitting a zoom on it, makes it even larger.
So, my dream "palm sized" camera is one that provides a meaningful level of shallow depth of field, functions well in low light, has some optical zoom capability, and can fit in the palm of my hand.
The Sony RX100M III does MOST of these things . . . it fits perfectly in the palm of my hand, has a moderate zoom, does very well in low light, and has an acceptable though not outstanding shallow depth of field capability. While the lens IS an f1.8 aperture (and that get's the heart racing if you're an old film buff like me), it's mated to a 1 inch sensor, which is a long way from a full frame sensor. So while the low light capture capability is nice, the shallow depth of field? Meh. Unimpressive. Once you begin moving towards 50mm field of view, the aperture has dropped to nearly f 2.8 on a 1 inch sensor and "subject isolation" is scant to non-existent.
You might ask: why not get an Sony RX1 or RX1r? Besides the fact that it's nearly 4X the price, it doesn't zoom. And don't give me the "zoom with my feet" lecture . . . I own a collection of Leica primes and I get that part really well. It's just I'm getting a bit lazy in my "old age" and prefer more "reach" to the optics :-)
I'm not a purist who shoots only RAW. When I really get fixated on information density in an image, I shoot an ISO 50 speed film in my medium format camera and scan it to get a 500 Gb file. Lots of data . . . but I'm not a pixel peeper so if the jpeg output of my digital camera is decent, I'm happy. And the jpeg output of the Sony RX100M III is excellent.
And for the black and white film purists out there, fasten your seat belt: the high contrast monochrome setting on the Sony will knock your socks off! I'm tempted to call the Sony RX100M III a "Mini Monochrom", Leica's $8,000 black and white only digital camera. There are two other monochrome settings to use as well but I am having lots of fun with the high contrast setting. Is the sensor really as good as Leica's? No, of course not. But it is VERY good for the size and price.
The zoom range is nice: 24-70mm. To be honest, I'd like it to reach 100mm like the earlier models but then I'm not ready to trade the smaller aperture for that ;-)
A couple of other features I enjoy: you can shoot video in black and white . . . but I should point out that the sound of zoom "motor" is audible in the recording. Second, there is a built in ND (neutral density) filter that is automatically "turned on" if, like me, you are seeking to shoot with the lens "wide open" in sun light. When using the Aperture priority mode (and auto ISO), the camera will step down the ISO and increase the shutter speed to accommodate a wide open lens. But if that is not enough, it will engage the ND filter to enable you to "open up the lens." This is a very nice feature.
Finally, the built in WiFi transfer is serviceable for iOS devices. I don't fault Sony that Apple doesn't support NFC but the interface on Sony's iOS app is pretty weak. That being said, I now routinely transfer images from my camera to my iPhone or iPad. If anyone's having trouble with the process, ask a question on this "review" and I'll be happy to take you through the precise sequence that works nearly 100% of the time. (Rube Goldberg was Sony's software consultant).
So if you have a use case that is similar to mine, I'd recommend the camera. Or you can wait about 3-5 years or so and Sony will put a full frame sensor in an $800 palm size camera, with a zoom and a fast lens. And I'll own one :-D
Скроменый эксперт
03.07.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Today's compact cameras offer (almost) no advantage over the smartphone cameras. SLR cameras and the new generation mirrorless cameras (such as Sony NEX) do provide better quality but are too large and heavy to schlepp around unobtrusively. The RX100 is a camera that is pocketable while giving a dramatic quality advantage over an iPhone 5s. Its beats the larger NEX camera in nearly every aspect. And it is equal or better than bulky SLR cameras (unless you need a true zoom capability).
Amazon sent my pre-ordered RX100-3 just in time before leaving on a vacation to Spain. This offered a great opportunity to test my brand-new camera under many different conditions: in dark churches, bright beaches, city panoramas, pictures in musea, selfies, concert videos, etc. After shooting over 700 pictures I am more enthusiastic about this camera than any camera I have owned until now. The pictures are very good. The RX100-3 seems to do most everything right. On top of that, it feels great in the hand as its made of high-quality materials.
It shoots razor sharp pictures that are a feast for the eye. The quality difference is immediately apparent when viewed on an retina-display iPad. Thanks to the large 1" image sensor and F1.8 lens it can crank up the ISO without introducing noise, resulting in spectacular low-light capabilities. I hardly used the flash as there is little need with such great hardware. In bright sunlight the built-in ND filter allows to perform some background defocussing.
The built-in viewfinder is unique and turns out to be very useful in practice, especially if you need reading glasses such as myself. Popping it out automatically switches the camera on, popping it back in switches it off again. The regular LCD screen can be tilted 180 degrees to shoot selfies, which is a nice touch. Apropos touch: the LCD screen is not. All controls are with tiny buttons, making for s steep learning curve given the many options of the camera. Sometimes I accidentally pushed one of those buttons, and it turns out to be hard to quickly recover from that. This camera is not for you if you are easily intimidated by options and buttons, or prefer a zen/Apple style minimal user interface. To make things worse, the built-in help feature is borderline useless. One has to consult the paper manual to understand what the DRO1 or HDR3 is, and what the sweet spot for each is.
The easy to grip ring around the lens controls the zoom, focus or exposure (depending on the shooting mode). Compared to the RX100-2, the ring operation is much faster, allowing for smooth zooming. The default 24mm is nicely wide-angle, great for most shots. In some situations a slight zoom in is better to prevent the unavoidable distortion from becoming noticeable. Maximum zoom is only 70mm, which makes this camera no suitable for birdwatchers. I do not mind as most of my shots did not require zoom. I enabled the digital zoom to get a little more zoom range. Given the super high resolution the penalty is not too bad.
It is strange that all expensive cameras lack GPS geotagging and easy connectivity. The good news is that the RX100-3 has a built in wifi which avoids messing with adapters and wires. I used it many times to send pictures to my smartphone and iPad. That still requires a bit too many button clicks, but it does work well and does not depend on external wifi network.
I did not have the time to read the manual, but I discovered a few other interesting features in the past 2 weeks of shooting:
- It has a built-in 'beautification' tool for those hedonistic selfies: skin smoothing, eye-widening, teeth whitening and more. It worked remarkable well even though it seems a bit of a marketing gimmick.
- Sweep panorama pictures can be shot either horizontally or vertically. I found the vertical sweep panorama to be an excellent way to get a wide-angle view without much distortion. All panoramas are shot at 1/500s.
- I still need to figure out when to use 'intelligent auto' and when 'superior auto'. If seems that superior auto is more creative with HDR (multi-exposure) in high contrast situations.
- The built-in flash can be aimed upward to the ceiling, resulting in a softer effect.
- The viewfinder can show an artificial horizon that helps shooting straight pictures.
- Digital zoom has 3 modes: 'off', 'clearimage', and 'on', where 'clearimage' seems to cleverly adjust zoom range to avoid too much resolution loss. (I have not read the manual yet ;)
- Battery life turns out to be quite good. I short over 200 pictures on a day and still had 20% battery left.
- The camera has a tendency to focus on the front object and defocus the background in auto-mode. That is great for portraits, but not always what is intended. Forcing a larger depth-of focus seems to require using the A or S modes instead.
The RX100-3 is probably the best portable cam
Amazon sent my pre-ordered RX100-3 just in time before leaving on a vacation to Spain. This offered a great opportunity to test my brand-new camera under many different conditions: in dark churches, bright beaches, city panoramas, pictures in musea, selfies, concert videos, etc. After shooting over 700 pictures I am more enthusiastic about this camera than any camera I have owned until now. The pictures are very good. The RX100-3 seems to do most everything right. On top of that, it feels great in the hand as its made of high-quality materials.
It shoots razor sharp pictures that are a feast for the eye. The quality difference is immediately apparent when viewed on an retina-display iPad. Thanks to the large 1" image sensor and F1.8 lens it can crank up the ISO without introducing noise, resulting in spectacular low-light capabilities. I hardly used the flash as there is little need with such great hardware. In bright sunlight the built-in ND filter allows to perform some background defocussing.
The built-in viewfinder is unique and turns out to be very useful in practice, especially if you need reading glasses such as myself. Popping it out automatically switches the camera on, popping it back in switches it off again. The regular LCD screen can be tilted 180 degrees to shoot selfies, which is a nice touch. Apropos touch: the LCD screen is not. All controls are with tiny buttons, making for s steep learning curve given the many options of the camera. Sometimes I accidentally pushed one of those buttons, and it turns out to be hard to quickly recover from that. This camera is not for you if you are easily intimidated by options and buttons, or prefer a zen/Apple style minimal user interface. To make things worse, the built-in help feature is borderline useless. One has to consult the paper manual to understand what the DRO1 or HDR3 is, and what the sweet spot for each is.
The easy to grip ring around the lens controls the zoom, focus or exposure (depending on the shooting mode). Compared to the RX100-2, the ring operation is much faster, allowing for smooth zooming. The default 24mm is nicely wide-angle, great for most shots. In some situations a slight zoom in is better to prevent the unavoidable distortion from becoming noticeable. Maximum zoom is only 70mm, which makes this camera no suitable for birdwatchers. I do not mind as most of my shots did not require zoom. I enabled the digital zoom to get a little more zoom range. Given the super high resolution the penalty is not too bad.
It is strange that all expensive cameras lack GPS geotagging and easy connectivity. The good news is that the RX100-3 has a built in wifi which avoids messing with adapters and wires. I used it many times to send pictures to my smartphone and iPad. That still requires a bit too many button clicks, but it does work well and does not depend on external wifi network.
I did not have the time to read the manual, but I discovered a few other interesting features in the past 2 weeks of shooting:
- It has a built-in 'beautification' tool for those hedonistic selfies: skin smoothing, eye-widening, teeth whitening and more. It worked remarkable well even though it seems a bit of a marketing gimmick.
- Sweep panorama pictures can be shot either horizontally or vertically. I found the vertical sweep panorama to be an excellent way to get a wide-angle view without much distortion. All panoramas are shot at 1/500s.
- I still need to figure out when to use 'intelligent auto' and when 'superior auto'. If seems that superior auto is more creative with HDR (multi-exposure) in high contrast situations.
- The built-in flash can be aimed upward to the ceiling, resulting in a softer effect.
- The viewfinder can show an artificial horizon that helps shooting straight pictures.
- Digital zoom has 3 modes: 'off', 'clearimage', and 'on', where 'clearimage' seems to cleverly adjust zoom range to avoid too much resolution loss. (I have not read the manual yet ;)
- Battery life turns out to be quite good. I short over 200 pictures on a day and still had 20% battery left.
- The camera has a tendency to focus on the front object and defocus the background in auto-mode. That is great for portraits, but not always what is intended. Forcing a larger depth-of focus seems to require using the A or S modes instead.
The RX100-3 is probably the best portable cam
Скроменый эксперт
23.06.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I have been waiting over a month for this camera and I am excited to say, "I LOVE IT!". Best quality I've seen on a COMPACT CAMERA. Even on some DSLRs I've tested out. I have been bouncing back ENDLESSLY between getting a Sony A7/r, an a6000, an RX1/r (yikes!), or this camera. Keep in mind that I am not a professional photographer. On we go...
Since I'm upgrading from my iPhone, I didn't want anything too big or too drastic of a change. For me, I knew I would get frustrated with having to decide what kind of lens I want, bringing the lenses, etc. But I kind of wanted that same high quality look to the pictures I was taking...something you can no doubt get with a DSLR at half the price of this camera. So it's really up to your affordability and what you're willing to sacrifice in terms of the ability to change lenses or the ability to have something compact. If you want something a bit of both, I recommend getting the a6000. A camera I was very close to getting until I found out about the RX100M3. The a6000 is the same price as the M3 INCLUDING the lens. Some notes:
WiFi: I used the WiFi a LOT with this camera. I used it while I waited in line at Disneyland and during down time at sporting events. I uploaded them quickly onto my Instagram/Flickr account. It's pretty easy to set up...just make sure to read the instructions carefully. You can select the pictures you want to send to your phone/iPad and it only takes a few seconds.
VIEWFINDER/LCD: One of the only reasons I bought this camera over the previous RX100 models and the RX1/r is because the viewfinder is built in instead of buying an extra $400 accessory. The viewfinder is clear and almost exactly what you see when you take the picture. I kind of wish you were able to pull out the viewfinder a bit more because my cheek touches the screen and so my makeup ends up getting on it. BUT I was still able to see the LCD screen in broad daylight with no problem. So those of you who want the cheaper RX100s and don't really need a viewfinder...by all means get the previous models. It's not that different in terms of picture quality. And the LCD is almost perfect. I just wish it was touchscreen so I can easily navigate through the different tabs on the menu screen. But other than that, I love that you can flip it 180 degrees for selfies ;)
MENU: As I said in the previous paragraph, I wish I was able to touch where I want to go instead of constantly clicking through the different tabs. But the menu is pretty self-explanatory.
FLASH: The pop-up flash is useful instead of buying a flash like you have to do with the previous models . Haven't found a flaw with it yet.
BATTERY: Taking about 50-100 shots a day and the battery was still halfway-3/4 full. I did notice that it drained the battery significantly if I did continuous action shots.
HANDLING: There is no grip on this camera, so it might be hard for people with larger hands to hold this. Sony sells an attachment grip (really a sticker) that you can put on the front. It's about $15. But I'm kind of iffy on sticking something on an $800 camera. The weight of this camera is heavier than a usual compact, but I like that. Its a good balance for my hands. Sony does sell a leather jacket case for this camera for a whopping $85. Unfortunately, you can't use both the attachment grip and the case with this camera.
QUALITY: I think I've already established how great the quality is on this camera. It's comparable, if not better, than some DSLRs out there. At 20.1 megapixels, this thing is a monster. In a good way.
In the end, this camera gives me everything I want and more. Ever since I've had an iPhone, I've rarely used a REAL camera...besides my GoPro (is that considered real?). And I didn't want to lug around a huge DSLR either. Now that I have this camera, I know I'll be taking this everywhere I go. I'd recommend this to anyone whether they're a beginner or not. I know some people who already have DSLRs that will purchase this as a second camera because it's so compact yet the picture quality isn't sacrificed. If you're somewhat of a beginner like me and love to learn about how things work, definitely read up on apertures, shutter speeds, ISO, etc. You'll love your camera a lot more. Anyways, can't wait to start scrap booking! :)
Side note: If you plan on taking video with this camera, you have to get the 64GB Sony memory card because it records in XAVC S format. They normally retail for about $145, but I was able to get it for half off for $73. On the box: "Use SDXC card of Class 10 or faster to take movies in XAVC S format."
*Update 07/26/14
Took my camera on a recent trip to Hawaii. My review for the camera is still the same. If not, better. What I wanted to update you all on is the leather jacket case that Sony sells as well as the software I use to edit my photos. For the case priced at around
Since I'm upgrading from my iPhone, I didn't want anything too big or too drastic of a change. For me, I knew I would get frustrated with having to decide what kind of lens I want, bringing the lenses, etc. But I kind of wanted that same high quality look to the pictures I was taking...something you can no doubt get with a DSLR at half the price of this camera. So it's really up to your affordability and what you're willing to sacrifice in terms of the ability to change lenses or the ability to have something compact. If you want something a bit of both, I recommend getting the a6000. A camera I was very close to getting until I found out about the RX100M3. The a6000 is the same price as the M3 INCLUDING the lens. Some notes:
WiFi: I used the WiFi a LOT with this camera. I used it while I waited in line at Disneyland and during down time at sporting events. I uploaded them quickly onto my Instagram/Flickr account. It's pretty easy to set up...just make sure to read the instructions carefully. You can select the pictures you want to send to your phone/iPad and it only takes a few seconds.
VIEWFINDER/LCD: One of the only reasons I bought this camera over the previous RX100 models and the RX1/r is because the viewfinder is built in instead of buying an extra $400 accessory. The viewfinder is clear and almost exactly what you see when you take the picture. I kind of wish you were able to pull out the viewfinder a bit more because my cheek touches the screen and so my makeup ends up getting on it. BUT I was still able to see the LCD screen in broad daylight with no problem. So those of you who want the cheaper RX100s and don't really need a viewfinder...by all means get the previous models. It's not that different in terms of picture quality. And the LCD is almost perfect. I just wish it was touchscreen so I can easily navigate through the different tabs on the menu screen. But other than that, I love that you can flip it 180 degrees for selfies ;)
MENU: As I said in the previous paragraph, I wish I was able to touch where I want to go instead of constantly clicking through the different tabs. But the menu is pretty self-explanatory.
FLASH: The pop-up flash is useful instead of buying a flash like you have to do with the previous models . Haven't found a flaw with it yet.
BATTERY: Taking about 50-100 shots a day and the battery was still halfway-3/4 full. I did notice that it drained the battery significantly if I did continuous action shots.
HANDLING: There is no grip on this camera, so it might be hard for people with larger hands to hold this. Sony sells an attachment grip (really a sticker) that you can put on the front. It's about $15. But I'm kind of iffy on sticking something on an $800 camera. The weight of this camera is heavier than a usual compact, but I like that. Its a good balance for my hands. Sony does sell a leather jacket case for this camera for a whopping $85. Unfortunately, you can't use both the attachment grip and the case with this camera.
QUALITY: I think I've already established how great the quality is on this camera. It's comparable, if not better, than some DSLRs out there. At 20.1 megapixels, this thing is a monster. In a good way.
In the end, this camera gives me everything I want and more. Ever since I've had an iPhone, I've rarely used a REAL camera...besides my GoPro (is that considered real?). And I didn't want to lug around a huge DSLR either. Now that I have this camera, I know I'll be taking this everywhere I go. I'd recommend this to anyone whether they're a beginner or not. I know some people who already have DSLRs that will purchase this as a second camera because it's so compact yet the picture quality isn't sacrificed. If you're somewhat of a beginner like me and love to learn about how things work, definitely read up on apertures, shutter speeds, ISO, etc. You'll love your camera a lot more. Anyways, can't wait to start scrap booking! :)
Side note: If you plan on taking video with this camera, you have to get the 64GB Sony memory card because it records in XAVC S format. They normally retail for about $145, but I was able to get it for half off for $73. On the box: "Use SDXC card of Class 10 or faster to take movies in XAVC S format."
*Update 07/26/14
Took my camera on a recent trip to Hawaii. My review for the camera is still the same. If not, better. What I wanted to update you all on is the leather jacket case that Sony sells as well as the software I use to edit my photos. For the case priced at around
Скроменый эксперт
23.06.2014
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I'll start off with the good. I owned the Fuji x100s for about a year before I sold it. Not becuase I didn't like it, because I did, but because it was simply too big to fit in my pocket and its weird in camera rendering to skin tones when the iso increased. I also still own a Nikon D800 and D600 but needed something for every day photo's with family and just for fun. This camera on paper is perfect. Size, large aperture, 24-70mm equivalent, image stabalized AND has a revolutionary built in EVF. When it arrived the first thing I noticed was how compact it really is. It is a tiny camera even if the previous generations are small as well. It seems very solid (except the popout flash which feels like I'm going to break it every time I push it back in) for being so small but at the same time there is so much packed into a tiny space I'm constantly worried I'm going to break something. I guess that's what I get when I go from 2 full frame DSLR's to a pocket cam for travel. Nonetheless this is a technological marvel. My favorite feature, that incredible rotating LCD. Awesome. I shoot weddings with pro-level DSLR's and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the rotating LCD! The fact I can flip it around 180 degress to take a picture with my wife and then rotate it to 45 degrees down to shoot over my head is so useful I can't recommend it enough. We've taken more pics together since getting this camera than in the past year simply because it is easy to do. The viewfinder is very neat but to be honest I haven't found a situation where I've wanted to use it yet (that doesn't mean that I won't but I haven't as of yet). The image quality, in terms of focus and clarity, is excellent. The low light results have been reasonably good up to about 1600 iso and I allow it to go up to 3200 iso sometimes if I really need a shot. This is impressive for a camera with a sensor this small. Now I have to mention my number one issue with this camera and the reason it gets a 4 instead of a 5 from me.....Auto White Balance. I don't know why but every sony camera I've ever used has substantially cooler white balance than any other brand I've used. This comes across as a slightly blue and green tint in photos. Maybe the average consumer won't notice but I look at images all the time when I edit for weddings and these colors are off. I know I can set multiple manual white balances with this camera but my purpose in getting this was to have a small camera for everyday use that I can shoot JPEG's with in aperture priority and have no editing to do in post. The Auto White Balancing is, in my opinion, terrible. My old fuji rendered significantly more accurate colors straight out of camera. I plan to play around with the camera to see if I can globally adjust the auto white balance to a level I'm comfortable with. If sony reads these I would encourage them to examine their AWB outputs vs the competition and release a firmware update that at least offers a second "auto" setting to warm up the tones across the board. I hate to harp so much on this as the camera itself is excellent. Hopefully I can find a way to make it work as I don't want to return the camera. If you have a lot of experience with these cameras and know of a solution for me, I am open to input from the community as well! The only other con to this camera is the On/Off button. I don't know why they insisted on this being a button. A switch would have made this a non-issue. I accidentally turn this thing on frequently while sliding it into my pocket. This is a scary thing to do as the lens shoots out as soon as the power goes on. When this happens you are greeted with the unpleasant sound of the motor griding to push the lens out through your pocket. I have to be very careful when holding the camera as you barely have to press the button to activate the power.
In conclusion, fantastic small camera with some small issues. Definitely the best pocket camera out there. If you prefer cool tones in your images this is a no brainer. If you prefer more realistic tones, I'll post an update if I find a way to get this thing to warm up.
UPDATE: So if you don't mind shooting in the Auto modes then there is a pretty good solution. If you click down on the rear dial it brings up a simple settings menu. On that menu is a temperature adjustment that lets you warm up the image to your liking. The downside is that it resets everytime you turn the camer off. Also, that simple menu is only available under the auto modes and does not activate under the A,S or M modes. For me, this is a good enough answer as my usage of this camera is primarily in auto mode (if I want a highly technical photo I'll probably use my D800). No doubt this camera can do great things and has very versatile raw files but I have no desire to edit these files and it is meant to be a quick fix when I want a picture:) I'm still not giving it 5 stars because the
In conclusion, fantastic small camera with some small issues. Definitely the best pocket camera out there. If you prefer cool tones in your images this is a no brainer. If you prefer more realistic tones, I'll post an update if I find a way to get this thing to warm up.
UPDATE: So if you don't mind shooting in the Auto modes then there is a pretty good solution. If you click down on the rear dial it brings up a simple settings menu. On that menu is a temperature adjustment that lets you warm up the image to your liking. The downside is that it resets everytime you turn the camer off. Also, that simple menu is only available under the auto modes and does not activate under the A,S or M modes. For me, this is a good enough answer as my usage of this camera is primarily in auto mode (if I want a highly technical photo I'll probably use my D800). No doubt this camera can do great things and has very versatile raw files but I have no desire to edit these files and it is meant to be a quick fix when I want a picture:) I'm still not giving it 5 stars because the
Скроменый эксперт
20.06.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I bought the RX100 in its original configuration a few years ago when it first came out. I liked the camera from the outset and have taken more than a few pictures with it that I am really happy with. It is my choice for backing up my Nikon D4 or D800 when I can't deal with taking along two large DSLRs. I took a look at DXO mark and they rate the sensor the same as the sensor for my old D200 which may sound like damning with faint praise but the D200 was a workhorse and shot a lot of great stuff. I will say at the outset that I like the M3 a lot. I am happy I upgraded from the original but I think that if you have the M2 you may not need this update. The faster lens is a noticeable improvement. Indoor shots without flash at reasonable ISO's are much more feasible now.
Updated 6/24/14 - I thought I would add a comment about a statement from the dpreview piece on the M3. Dpreview praises the cameras abilities and then go on to say that it is not "fun" to shoot with. I guess an old SX-70 may have been more fun with all the whirring and spitting of prints but beyond that I am at a loss. I have had great creative session with both the M1 and M3. In fact, one of my favorite things about the camera is that is so easy and transparent to handle.
Pros:
Articulating LCD - I think this is a huge improvement over the original RX100. The ability to easily shoot high or low angle pictures is a great advantage. I have always liked using compact cameras from the ant's eye view and this makes it a lot easier to do. Like most of the construction of the RX100m3, the articulating LCD feels well built but clearly this is not a ruggedized camera. Care must be taken with the flash, EVF and LCD or damage could result. Things don't feel cheap they just don't feel "battle ready"
Picture Quality - I really like the output of the RX100M3. The pictures are sharp, vivid and relatively free of noise at moderate ISO settings. One of the big improvements in the area of low light is the enhanced widest aperture of the lens. One can pixel peep any lens into a corner (no pun intended) but Sony has done a very respectable job here. I will discuss this more later but by going with a fast, modest zoom with a nice wide end, Sony has created a more enthusiast oriented camera. As Robert Capa said, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."
Zoom - As mentioned above the zoom range is modest. I just really like the ability to use 24mm equivalent at the wide end. The zoom speed is quite good. Again, I think it compares favorably to other high-end compacts that I have used.
EVF - When I opened the EVF for the first time and look through it was terrible. Then I adjusted the diopter and it was beautiful. Seriously beautiful. This is my first EVF and I like it very much. I can see using it a great deal with this camera.
Shutter - The shutters drops very quickly without any undue lag. I really like the burst mode on this camera with the shutter sounds turned off. It is a great way to get very natural candids of friends and family.
Neutrals:
Weight - The RX100M3 is noticeably heavier than the original. Noticeably but not significantly heavier. Yes, when you pick it up you are just a touch more cognizant of gravities pull but nowhere near the point where you would leave on the table because it's too heavy to deal with. When carrying and using the camera the extra weight never crossed my mind.
Size - Certainly related to weight but also a function of adding goodies like the EVF and articulating LCD. I wear a lot of clothes with big pockets and I have never been one to just stuff a compact camera in a pants pocket on an ongoing basis. I have a very small Lowepro belt case for my original RX100 and the new one fits perfectly even with an extra battery tucked inside. The size and weight differences are certainly discreet.
Added 6/22/14 The current implementation of the Fn button is very nice. I really didn't use this button in the past but now it brings up a very clear, easy to follow UI for the some of the most commonly accessed functions. I really like this feature.
Added 6/22/14 I am growing very fond of the artificial horizon in the EVF. Despite 30+ years of photography I am still amazed how often in Lightroom I have to straighten the horizon. Maybe my head is just tilted. Whatever the cause, the artificial horizon really helps and as a result I am not losing any of the frame having to rotate in post.
Cons:
Menus - While the menu system on the M3 is improved and certainly better than the old NEX software it could still use improvement. My biggest complaint has to do with navigating between menu categories and sub-menus. To me the UI manipulation is not intuitive but is certainly workable.
Functions - Marketing people are wonderful and I know scene modes and scene recognition m
Updated 6/24/14 - I thought I would add a comment about a statement from the dpreview piece on the M3. Dpreview praises the cameras abilities and then go on to say that it is not "fun" to shoot with. I guess an old SX-70 may have been more fun with all the whirring and spitting of prints but beyond that I am at a loss. I have had great creative session with both the M1 and M3. In fact, one of my favorite things about the camera is that is so easy and transparent to handle.
Pros:
Articulating LCD - I think this is a huge improvement over the original RX100. The ability to easily shoot high or low angle pictures is a great advantage. I have always liked using compact cameras from the ant's eye view and this makes it a lot easier to do. Like most of the construction of the RX100m3, the articulating LCD feels well built but clearly this is not a ruggedized camera. Care must be taken with the flash, EVF and LCD or damage could result. Things don't feel cheap they just don't feel "battle ready"
Picture Quality - I really like the output of the RX100M3. The pictures are sharp, vivid and relatively free of noise at moderate ISO settings. One of the big improvements in the area of low light is the enhanced widest aperture of the lens. One can pixel peep any lens into a corner (no pun intended) but Sony has done a very respectable job here. I will discuss this more later but by going with a fast, modest zoom with a nice wide end, Sony has created a more enthusiast oriented camera. As Robert Capa said, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."
Zoom - As mentioned above the zoom range is modest. I just really like the ability to use 24mm equivalent at the wide end. The zoom speed is quite good. Again, I think it compares favorably to other high-end compacts that I have used.
EVF - When I opened the EVF for the first time and look through it was terrible. Then I adjusted the diopter and it was beautiful. Seriously beautiful. This is my first EVF and I like it very much. I can see using it a great deal with this camera.
Shutter - The shutters drops very quickly without any undue lag. I really like the burst mode on this camera with the shutter sounds turned off. It is a great way to get very natural candids of friends and family.
Neutrals:
Weight - The RX100M3 is noticeably heavier than the original. Noticeably but not significantly heavier. Yes, when you pick it up you are just a touch more cognizant of gravities pull but nowhere near the point where you would leave on the table because it's too heavy to deal with. When carrying and using the camera the extra weight never crossed my mind.
Size - Certainly related to weight but also a function of adding goodies like the EVF and articulating LCD. I wear a lot of clothes with big pockets and I have never been one to just stuff a compact camera in a pants pocket on an ongoing basis. I have a very small Lowepro belt case for my original RX100 and the new one fits perfectly even with an extra battery tucked inside. The size and weight differences are certainly discreet.
Added 6/22/14 The current implementation of the Fn button is very nice. I really didn't use this button in the past but now it brings up a very clear, easy to follow UI for the some of the most commonly accessed functions. I really like this feature.
Added 6/22/14 I am growing very fond of the artificial horizon in the EVF. Despite 30+ years of photography I am still amazed how often in Lightroom I have to straighten the horizon. Maybe my head is just tilted. Whatever the cause, the artificial horizon really helps and as a result I am not losing any of the frame having to rotate in post.
Cons:
Menus - While the menu system on the M3 is improved and certainly better than the old NEX software it could still use improvement. My biggest complaint has to do with navigating between menu categories and sub-menus. To me the UI manipulation is not intuitive but is certainly workable.
Functions - Marketing people are wonderful and I know scene modes and scene recognition m
Скроменый эксперт
08.12.2014
4/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
I was excited when I bought the new Sony RX100M3 Camera brand new from Amazon about 3 months ago. I used it for a week on vacation and took about two thousand pictures. I have also used it for a couple day trips since then with no issue. I turned it on last week and to prepare it for my Christmas trip, format the SD cards, and set some of the presets. The camera powered on, the lens extended, but the rear screen would not display text or images. Also, all the buttons stopped working and it seemed to be stuck in movie mode, regardless of the dial settings, any button I pressed turned on and off record mode.
At that point, I checked Amazon online to see what the service policy was and where to go for support. Amazon's site said to contact the manufacturer for questions and/or repair, fair enough. So I called Sony support. The Sony tech asked me to try a couple things, power off and on, take the battery out, and finally said it sounded like a firmware issue and told me to send the camera back. He said that Sony would fix it under warranty.
I sent the camera in. A few days went by and Sony called me. They told me that the camera has some corrosion inside on the circuit boards, and said it was probably due to the humidity or moisture that may have entered the camera while in my use. I explained that I take very good care of tech gadgets and know for a fact that this camera was never exposed to any water or moisture. Apparently, corrosion is conveniently excluded from coverage under their warranty. Anyway, they told me that the repair of my camera is going to cost $225. I could either accept the fee or they would send the broken camera back to me. What was I going to do with an $800 paperweight and I really wanted this camera for Christmas photos. After trying to negotiate a more amicable solution, with no success, I agreed to the repair.
This was an $800, "TOP OF THE LINE" Sony camera (plus case, batteries, and other accessories) that I used for one trip, owned it for a total of 90 days, and now I have to spend another $225 to have it fixed. I checked online and found a lot of similar complaints about this corrosion issue with this camera and others are in same situation having to pay out of pocket for repair. In my opinion, here are the reasons this camera failed: inferior parts; poor construction; lack of quality control; and the body is not sealed from humidity. I have gone back and forth with Sony customer support and keep hearing, "this is our policy" and "while we would like to help, there is nothing we can do". I asked them to send me pictures of the corrosion, which I have not received. I can see me being charged if this was negligence on my part or if I had dropped the camera in the pool or ocean, but this camera has been dry since day 1. I don't expect every product to be perfect, if Sony would just acknowledged the camera was faulty and fix it under warranty, I would be happy.
I have several other cameras, Panasonic, Canon, and Nikon as well and iPhone, iPad, etc. Most are less expensive than the RX100M3 and some more than 10 years old. They are all still in top working condition, except for the Sony RX100M3.
Needless to say, I am very disappointed in Sony! The product quality and customer service are horrible! At one time, Sony was the go to company for high quality equipment and you didn't mind paying a little extra for it. It's just not that high quality company anymore. If Sony won’t stand behind the products they sell, who will?
There are far too many quality products on the market to waste your money on this overpriced junk. It takes great pictures and has lots of features, but in my opinion the costs are not worth the risks of getting one with a corrosion issue.
This will definitely be my last Sony product!
At that point, I checked Amazon online to see what the service policy was and where to go for support. Amazon's site said to contact the manufacturer for questions and/or repair, fair enough. So I called Sony support. The Sony tech asked me to try a couple things, power off and on, take the battery out, and finally said it sounded like a firmware issue and told me to send the camera back. He said that Sony would fix it under warranty.
I sent the camera in. A few days went by and Sony called me. They told me that the camera has some corrosion inside on the circuit boards, and said it was probably due to the humidity or moisture that may have entered the camera while in my use. I explained that I take very good care of tech gadgets and know for a fact that this camera was never exposed to any water or moisture. Apparently, corrosion is conveniently excluded from coverage under their warranty. Anyway, they told me that the repair of my camera is going to cost $225. I could either accept the fee or they would send the broken camera back to me. What was I going to do with an $800 paperweight and I really wanted this camera for Christmas photos. After trying to negotiate a more amicable solution, with no success, I agreed to the repair.
This was an $800, "TOP OF THE LINE" Sony camera (plus case, batteries, and other accessories) that I used for one trip, owned it for a total of 90 days, and now I have to spend another $225 to have it fixed. I checked online and found a lot of similar complaints about this corrosion issue with this camera and others are in same situation having to pay out of pocket for repair. In my opinion, here are the reasons this camera failed: inferior parts; poor construction; lack of quality control; and the body is not sealed from humidity. I have gone back and forth with Sony customer support and keep hearing, "this is our policy" and "while we would like to help, there is nothing we can do". I asked them to send me pictures of the corrosion, which I have not received. I can see me being charged if this was negligence on my part or if I had dropped the camera in the pool or ocean, but this camera has been dry since day 1. I don't expect every product to be perfect, if Sony would just acknowledged the camera was faulty and fix it under warranty, I would be happy.
I have several other cameras, Panasonic, Canon, and Nikon as well and iPhone, iPad, etc. Most are less expensive than the RX100M3 and some more than 10 years old. They are all still in top working condition, except for the Sony RX100M3.
Needless to say, I am very disappointed in Sony! The product quality and customer service are horrible! At one time, Sony was the go to company for high quality equipment and you didn't mind paying a little extra for it. It's just not that high quality company anymore. If Sony won’t stand behind the products they sell, who will?
There are far too many quality products on the market to waste your money on this overpriced junk. It takes great pictures and has lots of features, but in my opinion the costs are not worth the risks of getting one with a corrosion issue.
This will definitely be my last Sony product!
Скроменый эксперт
01.01.2014
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
I echo all the accolades of this camera from other reviewers. RX100M2 produces beautiful images that rival (or sometimes better than) DSLRs. The new backside illuminated sensor is supposed to be 40% better at gathering light than the 1st gen RX, though this has been debated. The daytime photos are fine. Evening/low-light photos are another story.There is one big problem that just destroys the camera experience for me. I'm a long-time photo enthusiast and understand enough about photography and cameras. I'm not a beginner-DSLR user that never graduates from the 18-55mm kit lens and full auto mode. But carrying a DSR kit while hiking the mountains in Canada, I got tired of all the bulk and subsequently sold and bought a NEX outfit (currently 5R). I also wanted to upgrade my p&s Nikon P310 (a 2012 camera) as a capable complimentary camera to the NEX, so I bought the RX100M2.Especially for p&s cameras, I prefer to use the cameras in "P" mode for the least amount of thinking. Sure I can tinker with all the dials and settings like a DSLR but you know what, most of the time, I'd rather let the camera do the job, intelligently, and intervene when I have to. The one huge problem with RX100 is that if you have auto-ISO and in low light, then the max shutter speed that the camera chooses is 1/30 and even with OIS and with my best efforts to keep the camera still, I often get blurry photos in low-light situations. A handheld, auto-ISO 1/30 is too slow for this camera and you cannot set min shutter speed with auto ISO. I've gotten more blurry handheld photos than I've ever gotten compared to my older, tiny-sensor Nikon P310 in similar lighting situations. The components inside the camera are not to blame. It's how they're being used. Why did Sony choose to cap the camera at 1/30 knowing this is too slow for handheld shots? I just don't get it. Yes, I can set it on Shutter priority and force faster shutter. Or I can boost ISO for the shots that need it. But then now I feel like I'm using a DSLR, which is what I don't want using the RX to feel like, and even with DSLRs, you don't have to do this much tinkering for a quick/easy shot. It's a P&S after all - a capable one, but for my usage, I'd prefer to use it like a P&S and don't want to be adjusting the controls on every shot I take. In a dimly lit environment, it's very difficult to simply turn on the camera, have it in auto-mode and snap and get a good blur-free pic. Instead, I feel like you have to endlessly tinker with shutter and ISO settings to "get it right". Imagine being out with friends at a restaurant - you're either taking photos of them or your food (and forget asking the waiter to take a group photo w/o flash - but to be fair, that's probably the case with other cameras too). This simple task now feels like a big chore b/c it's not a simple 1-2-go operation. I never had this problem with my Nikon P310. And come to think of it, not with my NEX 5R (or the previous 5N) either. So I spent $600+ on a camera I can't simply turn on and snap when it's dark. I'll give you an example. I took a pic indoors in a semi-well lit env. Not outdoors-bright, not an Italian restaurant for dinner dark. In Program mode, the camera took a photo of the subject at 1/5, f4.5, ISO400. The resulting photo is blurry and unusable. My point is simply this - why is the camera programmed for such a dismal aperture/shutter/ISO combination when in many real-life, hand-held situations, the resulting images are just unusable? In dark settings, the camera should boost ISO (to a point) until the shutter speed becomes usable for handheld pics. Sure it's noisier but I'd rather have noisier, usable pics than clean but blurry, unusable pics. Plus, this camera can handle higher ISOs anyway.On many occasions, the camera also chooses to set low ISO and compensates for that by setting the aperture wide open (1.8)... it's great if you want to get bokeh deliberately but not when you're taking a closeup of something (i.e. your dinner) and only part of the image is in focus because of the shallow DOF. That's when the 1" sensor gets in the way compared to other P&S with equally large apertures but smaller sensors.The 1/30 issue is extremely disappointing and frustrating for such an expensive camera with so many good features packed. On top of that, this camera is supposed to be the low light champ. Why couldn't Sony get this right? All it takes is a firmware update to fix this well-documented problem that's existed since the original RX but Sony hasn't corrected this. My workaround is using Shutter mode in dark places, using shutter speeds that I know won't create blur hoping for aperture and ISO to adjust and take care of the rest. Though when I do this, it tends to open the aperture to max so again, you're not getting the sharpest pics and now you get unwanted bokeh. So to close the aperture, I'd raise ISO manually. But if it's still not closing up, then I'd go to aperture mode to close it up.
Скроменый эксперт
20.06.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
(Update Dec 6th 2014)
I highly recommend this book for the RX100M3 by Gary Friedman. I bought it and love it (http://friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/2014/12/lots-of-announcements.html?m=1)
I bought this camera because of its faster lens (f/1.8 to f2.8), which means, to me, more light entering onto the cameras sensor which, in turn, means to me slightly better images than previous models. Which translate to a shallower depth of field available. And that's exactly what I like and want in this model, and precisely why I bought it, even though I also have the previous M2 model. One thing I want to note here before I go on. The Aperture seems to move quite fast from 1.8 to 2.8 thru the smaller zoom range. In that, a case could be made that this lens is more of a steady 2.8 thru out the zoom range.
So then what exactly did I get with this upgrade from my M2 to my new M3? Well, you've got the newer Bionz X processer. The new 180 degree LCD (for Selfies if you are so inclined). The pop-up EVF (which is an innovation in and of itself, and a help with image stabilization when pressed against my face). Zebra pattern and focus peaking which is available on my RX10 and now the M3.
I feel the 24mm-70mm lens (though not the same reach as my previous M2 model - 28-100mm) is a good walk-around lens. And since I have been using this same zoom range for a long time on my DSLRs, I feel very comfortable with this zoom range in a very capable and now compact camera. When I use this for portraits at the long end of 70mm I expect to shoot mostly 1/2 to 3/4 body shots to full body shots. As opposed to the previous models zoom range of 28-100mm where I used it up to head and shoulder shots at the long end.
This camera has the same Bionz X processor that Sony has in their A7 line of cameras (one of which, the A7R, that I have). That was another plus for me in buying this camera. As far as image stabilization, it is important to compact cameras today and thus, to me. And I find that holding the camera up to my face while using the EVF gives me the 'feel' of a more stabilized shot. And my pictures look better to me. This is important to me because now that I am in my 60's, try as I might, holding the M2 or my smartphone without an EVF - is not as steady as I'd like it to be or as I remember it was when I was younger. And I need image stabilization in lower light. And this EVF on my new compact M3 seems to provide that for me. The only 'unofficial' (perhaps non-technical) test I could do with this camera was to zoom it out to 70mm, and hold the shutter half-way to see how much 'lock' I had on the image. Then I tried it with my M2. My observation was that I did see an improved difference with the M3.
There is a slight difference in camera size from the previous model (which I also have). The thickness of this model is about 2mm more. And the weight is about 8 to 9 grams more. What this also means in terms of fitting a leather case to it is that my previous models Sony leather case will not fit this camera. You're going to need the Sony LCJRXF/B Premium Jacket Case (Black). This new case will fit all previous models as well as this model. Just as the Sony LCJRXC/B Premium Jacket Case (Black) would only fit the M2 as well as the M1. Some people think that the case for the M2 will also fit the M3. It will not. I have tried it. I also recommend the custom camera grip by Richard Franiec (camera accessories by Richard Franiec). This goes for about 35$ and is worth its weight in gold - to me. It is far better than the Sony grip that I used on the M2 for 15$. Its made of metal (anodized aluminium) is sleek looking, feels good quality and solid, and gives you a good grip on the camera while still maintaining the cameras pocketability (because it doesn't protrude past the lens assembly). Of course with the camera grip added, the M3 will not fit in the Sony Leather camera case. So it is either one or the other. So to get around this I ordered another OP/TECH USA Soft Pouch Digital D-Micro (Black) for my M3 which I also have for the M2. And it fits great.
If my review was any help with your decision to purchase, and I hope I was of some help, kindly choose 'Yes' in the comments section below. Thank You. Richard
I highly recommend this book for the RX100M3 by Gary Friedman. I bought it and love it (http://friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/2014/12/lots-of-announcements.html?m=1)
I bought this camera because of its faster lens (f/1.8 to f2.8), which means, to me, more light entering onto the cameras sensor which, in turn, means to me slightly better images than previous models. Which translate to a shallower depth of field available. And that's exactly what I like and want in this model, and precisely why I bought it, even though I also have the previous M2 model. One thing I want to note here before I go on. The Aperture seems to move quite fast from 1.8 to 2.8 thru the smaller zoom range. In that, a case could be made that this lens is more of a steady 2.8 thru out the zoom range.
So then what exactly did I get with this upgrade from my M2 to my new M3? Well, you've got the newer Bionz X processer. The new 180 degree LCD (for Selfies if you are so inclined). The pop-up EVF (which is an innovation in and of itself, and a help with image stabilization when pressed against my face). Zebra pattern and focus peaking which is available on my RX10 and now the M3.
I feel the 24mm-70mm lens (though not the same reach as my previous M2 model - 28-100mm) is a good walk-around lens. And since I have been using this same zoom range for a long time on my DSLRs, I feel very comfortable with this zoom range in a very capable and now compact camera. When I use this for portraits at the long end of 70mm I expect to shoot mostly 1/2 to 3/4 body shots to full body shots. As opposed to the previous models zoom range of 28-100mm where I used it up to head and shoulder shots at the long end.
This camera has the same Bionz X processor that Sony has in their A7 line of cameras (one of which, the A7R, that I have). That was another plus for me in buying this camera. As far as image stabilization, it is important to compact cameras today and thus, to me. And I find that holding the camera up to my face while using the EVF gives me the 'feel' of a more stabilized shot. And my pictures look better to me. This is important to me because now that I am in my 60's, try as I might, holding the M2 or my smartphone without an EVF - is not as steady as I'd like it to be or as I remember it was when I was younger. And I need image stabilization in lower light. And this EVF on my new compact M3 seems to provide that for me. The only 'unofficial' (perhaps non-technical) test I could do with this camera was to zoom it out to 70mm, and hold the shutter half-way to see how much 'lock' I had on the image. Then I tried it with my M2. My observation was that I did see an improved difference with the M3.
There is a slight difference in camera size from the previous model (which I also have). The thickness of this model is about 2mm more. And the weight is about 8 to 9 grams more. What this also means in terms of fitting a leather case to it is that my previous models Sony leather case will not fit this camera. You're going to need the Sony LCJRXF/B Premium Jacket Case (Black). This new case will fit all previous models as well as this model. Just as the Sony LCJRXC/B Premium Jacket Case (Black) would only fit the M2 as well as the M1. Some people think that the case for the M2 will also fit the M3. It will not. I have tried it. I also recommend the custom camera grip by Richard Franiec (camera accessories by Richard Franiec). This goes for about 35$ and is worth its weight in gold - to me. It is far better than the Sony grip that I used on the M2 for 15$. Its made of metal (anodized aluminium) is sleek looking, feels good quality and solid, and gives you a good grip on the camera while still maintaining the cameras pocketability (because it doesn't protrude past the lens assembly). Of course with the camera grip added, the M3 will not fit in the Sony Leather camera case. So it is either one or the other. So to get around this I ordered another OP/TECH USA Soft Pouch Digital D-Micro (Black) for my M3 which I also have for the M2. And it fits great.
If my review was any help with your decision to purchase, and I hope I was of some help, kindly choose 'Yes' in the comments section below. Thank You. Richard
Скроменый эксперт
03.12.2013
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
There is no such thing as the perfect camera. In general, small cameras must sacrifice picture quality for convenience; most professional grade cameras must sacrifice portability. I chose the RX-100- II as a possible compromise, choosing portability with the expectation that I would have the camera with me more often, and because of the relatively large sensor the photo quality would satisfy for most purposes. After about a month of use, I find the camera is slightly less portable than I thought. At the same time the picture quality far exceeds my expectations.On the portability - it's a small point, but that was the rationale for getting a compact - it is just big and heavy enough to be awkward in my jeans pockets. If the pocket is loose enough, like a jacket pocket, there is no problem, even if the power button is accidentally pushed and the lens extends. But in my pants pockets, it's a squeeze getting the camera in and out, and if the lens extends when you reach in for the camera, extracting becomes a major operation. After trying the pocket route for several weeks, I decided to purchase the beautiful Sony camera case that comes with a shoulder strap. This is more convenient than digging the camera out of your pocket, although the camera is less concealed, but having the option works well for different shooting situations.The picture quality is much better than I expected. The main reason I chose this camera is the sensor size, which is among the largest of any compact camera. Unsurprisingly, in my test comparisons of the same shot, it beat hell out of my older point and shoot, but I didn't expect it to run circles around my 5-year old Olympus DSLR. SLRs are supposed to give better results than compacts, period. Apparently not so. Except for rare situations where an extended telephoto is needed, if picture quality is essential, there is no good reason for me NOT to use the Sony. The resolution, color rendition, relatively low noise even at 1600 ISO and above, low light capability with its f1.8 lens, all this in addition to the extensive control features -- this is one terrific package.Some of the disadvantages (I've listed them below) were inherent in the design of a compact, so I don't downgrade it for being what it is. I haven't tried all the features yet, including video, but overall for two main reasons so far I give this the highest rating: 1) The picture quality exceeds my expectations. I was planning to invest in a full-frame DSLR as well, but for my purposes, after seeing what this camera can do, I'm not sure I'll bother. In the long run, this may offset the disadvantage of camera's expensive price; 2) There is virtually unlimited control if you want it, as much or more than most DSLRs. But the two automatic modes quickly and accurately determine ideal settings if you're in a hurry or if you just prefer to leave decisions up to the camera. In summary:The good:* compact - fits in jacket pocket or fanny pack, a bit of a squeeze for jeans, but beats an SLR for travel.* rugged construction, heavy weight (even though aluminum), doesn't feel cheap* Modest appearance for security: doesn't call attention to itself as an "expensive" camera.* fold down 3" LED screen - good for shading and angle shots. - an upgrade from the earlier model RX-100 which does not fold out, and well worth the extra expense.* Superior quality photos for any camera, particularly a compact: -- considerably sharper, less noise and better color rendition than my SLR.* large sensor for a compact: close to 4/3 size* Good dynamic range: ISO to 1600 with virtually no noise, higher when needed.* Fast lens: f1.8 max aperture (f4.9 at telephoto position). Great for low light situations.* Good resolution at 20 mp (RAW image), 6-8mp (.jpg).* sharp lens* Excellent macro position - as close as 2"* RAW capabilities (.arw) - see below* Flexible arrangement of dials and buttons, most are programmable to user's choice, a huge plus (i.e., traditional "focus" ring can be used for manual focus, exposure compensation, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc.)* Lens cover closes when lens retracts - provides lens protection without having to place and remove cap. A major convenience in my view.* Menu intuitive and extensive.* Good battery life.The bad:* No viewfinder -Difficult or impossible to compose shots in bright sun. This is a big sacrifice, but necessary for compactness.* Expensive for a compact, and expensive accessories (i.e.,case = $70)* Small size awkward to manipulate if you're used to full-size SLR.* Zoom only 3X telephoto, not extensive.* RAW files are proprietary Sony .arw - requires conversion to .dng for Lightroom 4, i.e., a slight inconvenience.* WI-FI doesn't connect to my iMac. Others have reported this problem. I'm using Eye-FI instead, but the USB cable is fast and easy enough. I haven't tried the NFC and probably won't have much use for it.* No GPS, but Eye-Fi memory card (optional) has WPS.* Some edge distortion
Скроменый эксперт
08.07.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
WHERE I'M COMING FROM
I would describe myself as an advanced beginner and (I confess) a pixel peeper. I was looking for a small camera that I can tuck into my purse when it's not practical to bring my Canon 70D for everyday still shots. I had picked up a used Canon PowerShot SX260 compact camera for this purpose; however, certain manual features (for example, focusing manually, setting a specific focus point, or locking exposure to recompose a silhouette) were not intuitive, slow to implement, or nonexistent, and I quickly got frustrated. I gave the SX260 to my husband, closed my eyes and took a deep breath, and wrote the hefty check for the RX100 III.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
What I lost in the telephoto reach of the SX260 I gained in other technical aspects that are important to me at this time. Right out of the box, I could pop into aperture mode (for example), spin a dial to change aperture, press a button to set exposure compensation, and, using another button, quickly access other functions such as ISO, drive and focus mode, and white balance. When I wanted quick access to a function that wasn't on the Fn screen, I just replaced one of Sony's choices with one of my own. When I wanted a super-quick way to set a specific focus point, I just set a custom key to pop me right into the Flexible Spot focus area mode (how cool is that, for a compact camera?). This camera really seems like a full-fledged dSLR, in miniature.
IMAGE QUALITY
I mostly shoot raw. This camera's .ARW files are recognized in Lightroom with the 5.5 update. I tried the RAW + JPG setting to compare the two formats; I'm impressed with the quality of the JPGs that come straight out of the camera.
I don't have a particularly steady hand, and I'm finding that I end up with more keepers using this camera than the 70D in similar situations, maybe because of its lighter weight and brighter lens. Even shots I took from the back of a motorcycle, at speed, came out surprisingly crisp.
My aim here is not to compare camera specs but to offer my impression of overall image quality and the ease with which I can obtain an image that pleases me, no matter which camera I'm using. I've spent countless hours viewing my images at 100% and beating myself up over shots that I missed because I moved, or focused on the wrong thing, or couldn't get the camera to do what I wanted at that moment. The point is that I'm pleased with the results I'm getting with this little camera, and now that I'm getting more consistent results I can stop obsessing over the technical aspects of my gear and concentrate on what I think making photographs is all about--composition, mood, and lighting. I'm excited!
OTHER RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
- The documentation for this camera is pretty sparse, but I've picked up some great tips from helpful contributors on various user forums.
- Personally, I don't mind that this camera "only" reaches a zoom of 70mm. I think it will make me a better photographer in the long run. In the meantime, I can crop in Lightroom if I missed an opportunity to get up close. I don't print larger than 8x10 prints, so cropping won't be a problem for me.
- I had gotten used to the touchscreen on my dDLR, but I don't miss having a touchscreen on the RX100 because accessing functions is speedy enough with the Fn button.
- I love the viewfinder and the control ring around the lens. I think these features help me hold the camera much steadier than having it positioned out at arm's length in front of me, like I was doing with the SX260.
- I like that the flash tilts so it can be bounced off of the ceiling instead of pointed directly at one's hapless subjects. It's a bit odd that the camera lacks a mechanism to hold the flash in a desired position, however. This makes it seem like a happy accident for Sony rather than a deliberate feature.
Hope this helps someone with similar expectations and shooting style make their purchase decision.
I would describe myself as an advanced beginner and (I confess) a pixel peeper. I was looking for a small camera that I can tuck into my purse when it's not practical to bring my Canon 70D for everyday still shots. I had picked up a used Canon PowerShot SX260 compact camera for this purpose; however, certain manual features (for example, focusing manually, setting a specific focus point, or locking exposure to recompose a silhouette) were not intuitive, slow to implement, or nonexistent, and I quickly got frustrated. I gave the SX260 to my husband, closed my eyes and took a deep breath, and wrote the hefty check for the RX100 III.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
What I lost in the telephoto reach of the SX260 I gained in other technical aspects that are important to me at this time. Right out of the box, I could pop into aperture mode (for example), spin a dial to change aperture, press a button to set exposure compensation, and, using another button, quickly access other functions such as ISO, drive and focus mode, and white balance. When I wanted quick access to a function that wasn't on the Fn screen, I just replaced one of Sony's choices with one of my own. When I wanted a super-quick way to set a specific focus point, I just set a custom key to pop me right into the Flexible Spot focus area mode (how cool is that, for a compact camera?). This camera really seems like a full-fledged dSLR, in miniature.
IMAGE QUALITY
I mostly shoot raw. This camera's .ARW files are recognized in Lightroom with the 5.5 update. I tried the RAW + JPG setting to compare the two formats; I'm impressed with the quality of the JPGs that come straight out of the camera.
I don't have a particularly steady hand, and I'm finding that I end up with more keepers using this camera than the 70D in similar situations, maybe because of its lighter weight and brighter lens. Even shots I took from the back of a motorcycle, at speed, came out surprisingly crisp.
My aim here is not to compare camera specs but to offer my impression of overall image quality and the ease with which I can obtain an image that pleases me, no matter which camera I'm using. I've spent countless hours viewing my images at 100% and beating myself up over shots that I missed because I moved, or focused on the wrong thing, or couldn't get the camera to do what I wanted at that moment. The point is that I'm pleased with the results I'm getting with this little camera, and now that I'm getting more consistent results I can stop obsessing over the technical aspects of my gear and concentrate on what I think making photographs is all about--composition, mood, and lighting. I'm excited!
OTHER RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
- The documentation for this camera is pretty sparse, but I've picked up some great tips from helpful contributors on various user forums.
- Personally, I don't mind that this camera "only" reaches a zoom of 70mm. I think it will make me a better photographer in the long run. In the meantime, I can crop in Lightroom if I missed an opportunity to get up close. I don't print larger than 8x10 prints, so cropping won't be a problem for me.
- I had gotten used to the touchscreen on my dDLR, but I don't miss having a touchscreen on the RX100 because accessing functions is speedy enough with the Fn button.
- I love the viewfinder and the control ring around the lens. I think these features help me hold the camera much steadier than having it positioned out at arm's length in front of me, like I was doing with the SX260.
- I like that the flash tilts so it can be bounced off of the ceiling instead of pointed directly at one's hapless subjects. It's a bit odd that the camera lacks a mechanism to hold the flash in a desired position, however. This makes it seem like a happy accident for Sony rather than a deliberate feature.
Hope this helps someone with similar expectations and shooting style make their purchase decision.
Скроменый эксперт
21.06.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
You can imagine camera manufacturers trying their best to squeeze every possible feature into a compact camera body while still keeping it priced reasonably. In my opinion, Sony has innovated the most and made the third iteration of the RX100 the best of the three, as well as when compared to the competition.
I have both the original RX100 and the RX100M3. I bought the first model right away when it came out a couple of years ago. It is still an excellent prosumer camera in 2014 with a good, basic feature set.
I did not buy the RX100M2 because I felt it did not have enough additional useful features to justify the added cost. Visually, the protruding multi-function hot-shoe also made the camera less aesthetically pleasing.
I bought the RX100M3 because of the following reasons:
1. The excellent Zeiss lens offering a wider wide angle (24mm) and much larger aperture (f/1.8 to 2.8) while trading off a smaller zoom range (24 to 70mm vs. 28 to 100mm), when compared to the original RX100. I use the wide end of a zoom lens much more often, and frequently in low light, so this lens is more suitable and useful for me than the one on the original RX100. For shooting in the bright outdoors, the M3 has a built-in 3-stop neutral density filter that helps to keep the aperture from stopping down for a pleasing blurred background effect.
2. The built-in, pop-up Electronic ViewFinder (EVF) which allows picture-taking the traditional way (up against the eye/body for more steadiness), is useful, unobtrusive, and more convenient than an external one. It is also a necessity when the shooting environment is the sunny and bright outdoors, where the LCD screen cannot be seen clearly. An external EVF is available for the RX100M2, but beside additional bulk, it costs $450 extra. The built-in EVF is great not just for composing a shot but also for checking exposure after a shot (or a video) is taken. You can't appreciate this feature enough until you find how frustrating it is trying to compose/check a shot under a bright sun, looking at a dim and washed out LCD screen.
3. An even more versatile tilt screen. The RX100M3 now allows you to take pictures from a low position, above the crowd, and of yourself. Without the protruding hot-shoe of the RX100M2, it was then possible to design the M3 screen to tilt up 180 degrees for taking selfies (self-portraits). You may be surprised how much you will use this feature now that it is possible. No need to risk asking strangers to take pictures for you anymore when you want to be included in a travel scene.
4. Last but not least, the RX100M3 is a vastly better video shooter compared to the two previous models. The new BIONZ X image processor permits full-sensor readout and XAVC S compression (requires SDXC memory card class 10) for excellent quality video comparable to the Sony RX10 bridge/superzoom camera. Video frame rates now include 24p, 30p, 60p, and 120p (@720p).
The RX100 series cameras utilize a 1-inch image sensor in a compact body while most point-and-shoot cameras use 1/2.3 inch sensors. A larger sensor can gather more light so its image quality tends to be better than a small sensor. But compared to 1/2.3 inch sensor cameras, a 1-inch sensor camera's lens size needs to be physically bigger and its zoom range much smaller, given a limited camera size. With these constraints, I deem it a wonder that Sony can come up with the RX100 series camera with so many features while keeping it very compact. Sony also makes cameras in the Compact System Camera (CSC) category that feature an even larger sensor (APS-C) and interchangeable lens capability, but they are not "pocketable" and an equivalent 24-70mm Zeiss lens costs $1,200 alone.
While I have other cameras, the Sony RX100M3 IS the one that I carry with me all of the time. I suggest using Sony's well-designed LCJ-RXF jacket (ever-ready) case to carry around your RX100M3. It allows the camera to be well protected until the moment you want to use it.
I have both the original RX100 and the RX100M3. I bought the first model right away when it came out a couple of years ago. It is still an excellent prosumer camera in 2014 with a good, basic feature set.
I did not buy the RX100M2 because I felt it did not have enough additional useful features to justify the added cost. Visually, the protruding multi-function hot-shoe also made the camera less aesthetically pleasing.
I bought the RX100M3 because of the following reasons:
1. The excellent Zeiss lens offering a wider wide angle (24mm) and much larger aperture (f/1.8 to 2.8) while trading off a smaller zoom range (24 to 70mm vs. 28 to 100mm), when compared to the original RX100. I use the wide end of a zoom lens much more often, and frequently in low light, so this lens is more suitable and useful for me than the one on the original RX100. For shooting in the bright outdoors, the M3 has a built-in 3-stop neutral density filter that helps to keep the aperture from stopping down for a pleasing blurred background effect.
2. The built-in, pop-up Electronic ViewFinder (EVF) which allows picture-taking the traditional way (up against the eye/body for more steadiness), is useful, unobtrusive, and more convenient than an external one. It is also a necessity when the shooting environment is the sunny and bright outdoors, where the LCD screen cannot be seen clearly. An external EVF is available for the RX100M2, but beside additional bulk, it costs $450 extra. The built-in EVF is great not just for composing a shot but also for checking exposure after a shot (or a video) is taken. You can't appreciate this feature enough until you find how frustrating it is trying to compose/check a shot under a bright sun, looking at a dim and washed out LCD screen.
3. An even more versatile tilt screen. The RX100M3 now allows you to take pictures from a low position, above the crowd, and of yourself. Without the protruding hot-shoe of the RX100M2, it was then possible to design the M3 screen to tilt up 180 degrees for taking selfies (self-portraits). You may be surprised how much you will use this feature now that it is possible. No need to risk asking strangers to take pictures for you anymore when you want to be included in a travel scene.
4. Last but not least, the RX100M3 is a vastly better video shooter compared to the two previous models. The new BIONZ X image processor permits full-sensor readout and XAVC S compression (requires SDXC memory card class 10) for excellent quality video comparable to the Sony RX10 bridge/superzoom camera. Video frame rates now include 24p, 30p, 60p, and 120p (@720p).
The RX100 series cameras utilize a 1-inch image sensor in a compact body while most point-and-shoot cameras use 1/2.3 inch sensors. A larger sensor can gather more light so its image quality tends to be better than a small sensor. But compared to 1/2.3 inch sensor cameras, a 1-inch sensor camera's lens size needs to be physically bigger and its zoom range much smaller, given a limited camera size. With these constraints, I deem it a wonder that Sony can come up with the RX100 series camera with so many features while keeping it very compact. Sony also makes cameras in the Compact System Camera (CSC) category that feature an even larger sensor (APS-C) and interchangeable lens capability, but they are not "pocketable" and an equivalent 24-70mm Zeiss lens costs $1,200 alone.
While I have other cameras, the Sony RX100M3 IS the one that I carry with me all of the time. I suggest using Sony's well-designed LCJ-RXF jacket (ever-ready) case to carry around your RX100M3. It allows the camera to be well protected until the moment you want to use it.
Скроменый эксперт
22.02.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I've been using a Canon Powershot for years now and have very little experience with fiddling with camera settings. I just point and shoot. But that camera is showing its age and it was time to upgrade, and I was interested in a bit more engagement with the camera. A DSLR seemed like too much so I went for this one, and I have no regrets at all.The image quality is excellent. At the "Intelligent Auto" mode, which is basically a standard point and shoot mode, I consistently get good pictures. The largish sensor also means that I can crop or zoom poorly framed pictures and they'll still be really high quality. Best of all, it means I can hand the camera to my wife and she'll be able to use it and still get good results. So right off the bat you get a camera that takes great pictures and is really easy to use.The remaining modes are a bit overwhelming at first, but once you start trying them out their uses become more apparent and they're all still pretty easy to use. Basically each setting changes what the lens ring adjusts, while still holding your hand and auto-selecting most of your options. So this camera in a lot of ways is a stepping stone to a DSLR, where you can learn about how to set your shutter speed, aperture, etc. while the camera helps make sure you don't screw up your pictures. You could probably set the camera to Intelligent Auto permanently and still get great pictures 90% of the time though. But take advantage of the other modes and you can make a lot of good adjustments that the computer can't quite do.For me, where the camera shines is the Shutter control setting and the burst mode settings. Taking pictures of my kids typically results in blurs and missed shots. With the ability to set a fast shutter speed and burst photos that's a thing of the past. Action shots are crisp, and usually I'll have a bunch of them in sequence thanks to burst capture, so I can pick the best one. Or upload them all to Google Drive and they get "auto awesomed" into a GIF or cool time lapse shot.Another notable thing is the dedicated video button, which eliminates the fumbling to switch to video mode (or back if you forget after taking a video). The video quality isn't the best (my 4-5 year old HD camcorder still gets better quality) but it's still pretty good. You can take pictures during the video capture which is great too. It's a nice plus overall, but if you're doing a lot of video capture an HD camcorder is a better choice.The camera itself is typical Sony engineering. They've crammed a lot of technology into a small body, cleverly hidden the ports, and made the whole thing pretty sleek. This is actually a bit of a drawback; the lens is kind of huge relative to the small body of the camera, which can make it hard to hold. I got a leather case for the camera that alleviates that problem nicely though. The camera is still bigger than most point and shoots, although smaller than the G1 or other large sensor cameras. Also in typical Sony style, the menus are awful. They get the job done, and are pretty clear as to what they do, but there are a lot of them to get through.The connectivity features are excellent. They are fairly easy to get working, and once you do you can back up your photos easily to your computer or phone. This is huge for me, no more plugging my camera into my computer or pulling out the SD card. Just turn on the computer, hit "send to computer" and you're done. Come back in a bit and all your new photos are on your computer. The smartphone transfer is easy if you have an NFC enabled phone, although the process is a bit slow. Smartphone control is a bit too slow to be super-useful, but it's nice in a pinch if you're taking group photos or something. If someone wants a photo off the camera its now really easy to transfer it. It's not quite as easy to send to someone compared to smartphone pictures, but it's close, and the marginal effort needed is certainly worth it to get the far better image quality.The only real downsides to the camera, other than the size and menu issues I mentioned, is probably the price. It's pretty expensive and you can get a DSLR for the same or less that can probably produce better pictures. Also, if you're just going to point and shoot, you can get cameras that are almost as good but much cheaper. But as in terms of being easy to use, while still giving you lots of control over your settings, I don't think this camera can be beat.
Скроменый эксперт
14.09.2013
4/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
I've been using compact cameras for recording indie rock/folk shows, from big venues to basement shows, for a few years now. The idea was to capture the look and sound at being at the show as unobtrusively as possible. I started off with a Kodak Zi6, and then several months later replaced that with the Kodak Zi8 with a Sony DSM-DS70P mic plugged into it. This turned out to be very good combo at the time and for a couple of years afterwards. There was no good follow-up device from Kodak and they exited the camera business. Alternatives from other manufacturers all had deal-breaking drawbacks, usually in regards to not having a mic-in jack. Nikon came out with the semi-compact Coolpix P7000 and I got that because it did have a mic-in jack, but while it took nice pictures, it was rubbish as a videocam -- fussy with plug-in microphones and issues with focusing, and even color drift. I updated its firmware and got its color drifting repaired under warranty, but it was really only good as a camera and not as a Zi8 alternative. I finally got a Sony HX9V after seeing some live music videos online, despite it not having a mic-in jack. I got got a Zoom H2n Handy Recorder to record the main audio (the HX9V's audio track was used only for syncing), and mounted it on a hand-holdable bracket with the Sony. This made for an awkward combo to hold and operate, and more tedious post-processing, but resulted in some very nice looking & sounding videos. I later on got a Zoom Q2HD Handy HD Video Recorder with 2GB SD Card and Two AA Batteries pocket videocam as something a lot more convenient to use and edit, like how the the Zi8 was, and while its audio was stellar, better than even the H2n at rock club sound levels, the video was only very modestly better than the Zi8's, and definitely inferior to the HX9V's in most cases (the Q2HD has has this "Concert Lighting" mode that actually helped it take better videos in extreme lighting conditions than the HX9V.)When Blackmagic announced their Pocket Cinema Camera earllier this year, I thought I finally found my ultimate rock club camera, but that has been plagued with delays, and early reviews and videos were not what I expected -- I was just looking for a compact videocam that can handle typical rock club and basement lighting and sound, and not some very fussy, battery eating puppy shaped like a camera. In the meantime the Sony RX100 II came out to glowing reviews, and with a proprietary hotshoe, the "Multi-Interface Shoe," that can take a Sony microphone, the Sony ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone (Black). Unfortunately, there were no good videos to be found on the Internet using this combo that applied to what I had in mind. It seemed like a not too risky a risk, though, so I ended up ordering both the RX100 II and its matching mic. My verdict:Short version: When it's good, it's very, very good, but there are so many gotchas overall that I'm likely going to return the RX100 II at least (I may replace it with the much cheaper HX50V because that can also use the ECM-XYST1M mic.)Longer version: My HX9V made for a good comparison -- the RX100 II is about the same size and has similarly laid out controls and options. My first video tests were at two small clubs with dimmish lighting that's normally are a struggle for my HX9V, and the results were confusing at first: with the RX100 II at its default wide angle, it definitely shot brighter than the HX9V would. But when I zoomed in, things darkened quite a bit. When I got this Sony combo, I was initially more concerned about the ECM-XYST1M because it simply attached and there is no level control whatsoever either on the unit or in the RX100 II. But this performed very, very well even when I shot some videos deliberately by the main club speakers to see it that would cause distortion. It's audio on needed some mild EQing in the editing later on, and it had very impressive frequency range to just over 20 kHz.As far as that strange darkening while zooming issue I ran into, later experimenting showed that this was caused by leaving it in its default "Program Auto" movie mode. To keep things from darkening while zooming, I had to set movie mode to "Aperture Priority". This brought up the first big "Gotcha!": when you do set it into "Aperture Priority" mode, the overall video brightness drops a lot if you're in a dimly or complexly lit room. So while it doesn't darken while zooming in this mode, it basically cheats by starting off dark to begin with! A recent second test at a larger music venue with more typical rock club spotlighting verified this: while in "Program Auto" mode, the video went from actually too bright to too dark, while Aperture Mode was generally too dark overall, and with very murky colors compared to what I was seeing in Program Auto mode. To get a balanced video, I zoomed in while in Progam Auto mode until I was happy with the overall brightness level and then simply kept it there -- no more zooming, in or out. This sort of wo
Скроменый эксперт
28.11.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
This little camera provides incredible performance in a very compact package! I was looking for a "pocketable" camera with a fast lens and large sensor, and the RX100 III delivers. I initially felt that the pop up electronic view finder was a critical feature. However, in practice I have seldom used it, even though it provides a great image. An extremely useful feature is the tilting rear LCD screen, which I use often when holding the camera at waist level or over my head. This allows me to effectively frame the shot when the subject is down low (pets or grandkids) or if I have to contend with a crowd or other obstruction blocking the subject.
I haven't found the limited zoom range to be much of a handicap, especially when the camera is set to take 20MP exposures. While the files are big, this allows for substantial cropping, which has the same effect as zooming in further- without significant loss of detail. In the past, I typically set my cameras on "Intelligent Auto" or equivalent. However, with the RX100 III I've gone to consistently using the "Program" mode, in which the camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture. It is very easy to rotate the control wheel on the camera back with your thumb to select other aperture and shutter speed combos to your liking, depending on the situation. I've also set up the rear control wheel to allow very quick ISO adjustment. All the buttons plus the control ring on the front of the camera are programmable, which makes the camera highly customizable to suit your personal way of shooting. I've programmed the front control ring to adjust exposure compensation while in Program Mode. Being able to customize the functions of the buttons, etc., eliminates the need to dig through the many layers of menus to set the camera the way you want.
Another feature that sold me on the RX100 III is its ability to shoot video in both AVCHD and XAVC S formats, the latter of which allows 50Mbps Full HD (1920x1080) 60p recording for incredible results. However, I've quickly found that my dated iMac isn't nearly fast enough to easily work with such high quality video.
I've found two references to be very helpful in getting up to speed on the RX100 III. The first is a YouTube video by Dave Cheung (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SqyM3_AQu0) that offers what is essentially a tutorial on how to customize the functions of the camera's buttons and other controls. You don't have to set the controls as he recommends, but his suggestions are a very good starting place.
The second is an eBook (Kindle edition) by Alexander White (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N325FIY/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&psc=1) that in effect provides a comprehensive pocket guide on my iPhone or iPad (requires the Kindle Reader app). I found this to be very useful during a recent trip to Disney World, unlike the useless little manual that comes with the camera. This eBook includes color photos showing the results of various camera settings and functions, and I often refer to it on my iMac as well.
While the RX100 III fits in the front pocket of my jeans or shorts, I also often use the ApeCase120 belt pack, which is just large enough to hold the camera by itself. It has a secure velcro closure on the flap, which allows for quick retrieval of the camera, and the pack is well made and about as small as possible.
I haven't found the limited zoom range to be much of a handicap, especially when the camera is set to take 20MP exposures. While the files are big, this allows for substantial cropping, which has the same effect as zooming in further- without significant loss of detail. In the past, I typically set my cameras on "Intelligent Auto" or equivalent. However, with the RX100 III I've gone to consistently using the "Program" mode, in which the camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture. It is very easy to rotate the control wheel on the camera back with your thumb to select other aperture and shutter speed combos to your liking, depending on the situation. I've also set up the rear control wheel to allow very quick ISO adjustment. All the buttons plus the control ring on the front of the camera are programmable, which makes the camera highly customizable to suit your personal way of shooting. I've programmed the front control ring to adjust exposure compensation while in Program Mode. Being able to customize the functions of the buttons, etc., eliminates the need to dig through the many layers of menus to set the camera the way you want.
Another feature that sold me on the RX100 III is its ability to shoot video in both AVCHD and XAVC S formats, the latter of which allows 50Mbps Full HD (1920x1080) 60p recording for incredible results. However, I've quickly found that my dated iMac isn't nearly fast enough to easily work with such high quality video.
I've found two references to be very helpful in getting up to speed on the RX100 III. The first is a YouTube video by Dave Cheung (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SqyM3_AQu0) that offers what is essentially a tutorial on how to customize the functions of the camera's buttons and other controls. You don't have to set the controls as he recommends, but his suggestions are a very good starting place.
The second is an eBook (Kindle edition) by Alexander White (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N325FIY/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&psc=1) that in effect provides a comprehensive pocket guide on my iPhone or iPad (requires the Kindle Reader app). I found this to be very useful during a recent trip to Disney World, unlike the useless little manual that comes with the camera. This eBook includes color photos showing the results of various camera settings and functions, and I often refer to it on my iMac as well.
While the RX100 III fits in the front pocket of my jeans or shorts, I also often use the ApeCase120 belt pack, which is just large enough to hold the camera by itself. It has a secure velcro closure on the flap, which allows for quick retrieval of the camera, and the pack is well made and about as small as possible.
Скроменый эксперт
26.07.2013
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
m2TWGRBMKA0SUI / mo153K787DYXEY2 Length:: 5:48 Mins♦ Brief ♦I purchased the RX100 last year, which has since been my favourite compact camera to use, and so far I haven't come across a camera that betters it, that is of course until this upgrade that brings some much welcomed extras.Here are some of the upgraded features:☑ An improved sensor (Exmor R CMOS Sensor); it's still the same size and has the same effective mega-pixels, but is now backlit which means it's able to pick up light by a further 40%.☑ Hot-shoe; no idea why they didn't include this on the previous version, but at least it's here now.☑ Tilt-able screen; one of the things I was longing for on the old RX100, this is one of my favourite upgrades by far!☑ NFC (Near-field communications); I love this extra feature, by tapping the bottom of this camera onto your phone that has NFC enabled, it will connect them both together straight away.If you don't have PlayMemories Mobile installed, it will take you to the store to download it (for free), if you have it installed already, it will connect them both together where you can then control the camera with your phone, though the modes are limited, you're able to take stunning quality photos and instantly transfer them over to your phone when taken.☑ 24p recording; an extra welcomed option for those who love having more choice when recording (24p, 60i & 60p).☑ PAL & NTSC choice; in the settings you can switch from one to the other which I'm sure certain people will love.- Zoom is still 3.6x optical zoom, this is normal for high-quality compact cameras such as this one.☒ One thing this camera doesn't have is a touch-screen, this is debatable as a lot of people like this kind of feature, however others don't, personally I'm not a fan of touch-screen on cameras; I have a NEX 5RL and I always use the buttons to navigate, I hate using the touch-screen for some reason.☒ Grip is minimal (best used with the wrist strap), once again this is down to preference, I like the combination of the sleek style whilst having just enough grip, but others may not like this.- - -♦ Box contents & recommended items ♦Included in the box are the following:Camera | AC adapter | Battery | Micro USB cable | Wrist strap | Two shoulder strap adapters | Manual.Things you NEED:SDHC Memory Card (You can choose a different brand/memory capacity, though do remember as this is a 20MP camera, files sizes average between 3MB-5MB if your using Jpeg in fine detail, or is around 20MB if using the RAW format (RAW image has a '.ARW' file extension)).Optional:Camera Case (LCJ-RXC) | SDHC Card Reader | Spare Battery NP-BX1 | HDMI - Micro HDMI Cable.- - -♦ Settings & Modes ♦Just like the RX100, this is aimed towards people who are more advanced in photography due to it's great amount of changeability in settings, that said, like most cameras these days, regardless if it's a professional camera or for basic needs, they all seem to have automatic modes which allow people to snap shots quickly without having to worry about tweaking the settings in most situations.The interface is pretty much identical to that of the RX100, with the addition of a few extra available settings located within the menu, for those who haven't seen it before all the settings are changed within the main menu, unlike the other cyber-shot cameras where a side menu pops up allowing you to change settings whilst being able to see what the camera is pointing at, this one has a solid menu that covers the whole screen, which is very appropriately tabbed making it easy to navigate.Though if you wish to change a few settings quickly without going into the main menu, you can edit the 'Fn' button options (located on setting tab 2 in the main menu), this will give you the choice to select 7 out of 17 settings which will instantly be available upon pressing the 'Fn' button, choices range from image size, exposure, ISO, white balance, picture effects, HDR etc...This function is partially transparent, so you can see where your pointing at.To change modes, all you have to do is twist the mode dial located on top of the camera to the setting you want:Intelligent Auto | Superior Auto | Program Auto* | Aperture Priority* | Shutter Priority* | Manual Exposure* | Memory recall** | Movie | Sweep Panorama | Scene Selection***.* Advanced modes which allow you more customization in the settings.** Allows you to set three different profiles, giving you quick access to your favourite settings.*** Gives you a choice of many pre-set modes such as 'portrait', 'landscape', 'night scene' etc...- - -♦ Image Quality ♦The quality is utterly fantastic, the camera is able to focus quickly to the subject to then take very nice sharp photos.This camera is able to deliver an amazing amount of depth of field (obviously depends on which mode or settings you use), and found it be a bit more better than the previous RX100 when it comes to focusing on subjects at a closer range.Due to it's sensor it's able to produce g
Скроменый эксперт
31.07.2013
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
My primary camera is a Sony A65 with a G Series 70-300mm zoom, a macro prime, a wide angle prime and a 18-135mm kit lens. I shoot wild life, ultra marathons, sunsets, friend's weddings, events and anything else that takes my fancy. I keep buying point and shoot cameras because I love the idea of a pocket sized camera that is always ready. But the image quality is never good enough and I end up selling them. I read the reviews of the RX100 and decided to go all in on the RX100 II. Maybe this time I'd find a worthy compact camera to supplement my A65.I got the Sony RX100 II on the day it was released (thanks Amazon). I had bought the Wasabi external charger and spare batteries from Amazon in anticipation, so I could start shooting immediately I got the RX100.If you have used Sony Alpha cameras, the menus are easy to navigate. I soon figured out how to shoot in Manual mode and how to use the front dial and rear wheel to adjust shutter speed, ISO and f-stop quickly. The only problem I found was I'd sometimes pop-up the flash menu while using the rear wheel. I shoot RAW and JPG. Until Adobe release support for the RX100M2, I need to use Sony's image converter to process the RAW files. It creates a TIFF file that loads into PSE 11.The camera feels very solid and it is easy to handle. I keep putting my left forefinger over the flash, but I've kept the flash turned off, so it isn't a problem so far. The LCD screen pivots nicely, so you can take overhead shots and shots with the camera held low and discreetly. I do miss the A65's EVF but I'm not quite ready to spring for the RX1's $400+ EVF option.Image quality is amazing. I compared macro shots of bumblebees on flowers taken with the A65 and 300mm zoom and the RX100. The RX100, wide open at f1.8, and held 2" away from the subject delivered more detail and nice brokeh. The RX100 turns out to be a great camera for casual macro photography.The few sunset shots I've taken match those taken by the A65.The WIFI capabilities will appeal to many users. It was very easy to pair the camera with my PC and my old Android phone. I can use the phone as a remote control and view finder. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm planning to use this feature to shoot small birds, such as hummingbirds.I shot an ultra-marathon using the A65 and the 18-135 zoom. I considered using the RX100, but the lack of a view finder stayed my hand. If Sony releases a cheaper, lower-res EVF for the RX100, I'd be in hog heaven.It is starting to look like the RX100 is going to be my primary camera, with the A65 staying home until I need the reach of the 300mm zoom or the power of an external flash. I am blown away by the RX100 and I've just started dipping into its capabilities. I'll update this review as I use the camera in different shooting situations.I was going to give it 4 stars because it doesn't have an affordable view finder option. I'd like a lower resolution EVF that would plug into the multi interface shoe. On the other hand, an external view finder compromises the ideal of a pocketable camera that is ready to shoot at a moment's notice.Update - Aug 1st, 2013:I just discovered that when the camera is off, I just have to touch the review button to see my pictures. This saves the camera from extending the lens.I bought the Sony PCKLM15 LCD Protector for DSC-RX1 (Black) to protect the screen. This has a stiff border and seems to be better than those 3rd party films. I also ordered the Sony RM-VPR1 Remote Control with Multi-Terminal for when I use a tripod and the Sony ADPMAA Shoe Adaptor for Mi Shoe so I can mount my Sony DSLR Alpha HVL-F43AM Camera Flash. Will update again after I've tried them out.Update - Aug 4th, 2013The RM-VPR1 works very well on the RX100. I'll be using next time I need to take tripod mounted shots. The Shoe Adaptor makes it easy to mount the F43AM flash. There is a protective cover you need to remove from the adaptor before you can slide it onto the camera. The combination of a large flash unit and the tiny RX100 looks odd and makes the camera more difficult to handle. You end up holding the flash and the camera. It sort of defeats the portability requirement, but the camera takes such great photos that you can use it in contexts where you would normally use a DSLR.Update - Aug 12th, 2013I tried using my old Android phone as a remote control to take pictures of a hummingbird at a feeder, using Sony's Play Memories app. This could be a great feature but it is fairly primitive; it seems to be geared towards getting photos from the camera to social media. It was sluggish and introduced a long delay between shots. You couldn't trigger a burst of shots, even though the camera can do that. Focus is an issue, because you don't want to introduce focussing delays and sounds. I chose to use manual focus and pre-focussed to where the bird would be. Despite the limitations, I got a few nice shots of a hummingbird shooting while wide open (f/1.8). Next time, I'll zoom in. If Sony could mi
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