Sony today revamped its RX10 premium EVF hybrid camera with version III, replacing its 8x zoom lens with a 25x superzoom lens. The electronics giant also announced two new lenses, the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS and the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 with full 35mm frame sensor coverage.
Sony RX10 III
In the third generation of the RX10, Sony swapped out the modest but fast 24-200mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8 constant-aperture zoom of model II for a longer (25x), variable aperture 24-600mm f/2.4-4 superzoom lens. The other major specs—a 1.0 type stacked 20MP CMOS sensor, 40x super-slow video capture, 1/32000 sec top shutter speed and 4K video, remain essentially unchanged.
Sony RX10 III Key Features
- 20MP 1.0 type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor
- 24-600mm f/2.4-4 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
- 18 elements in 13 groups; 6 aspheric elements
- Closest focus 3cm in wide-angle setting
- 4K video without pixel binning
- 40x (960fps) super-slow video
- ISO range 64-12,800
- Shutter speeds 60-1/32,000 sec
- Silent shoting mode
- Up to 14fps burst mode
As with its predecessors, the Sony RX10 III offers a DSLR-like look and feel but with a non-interchangeable lens. Aperture, zoom and focus rings are placed on the lens barrel. The sensor, a 1-inch “stacked design” type that debuted with the RX10 and specs out exactly the same as in previous models, offers effectively the same resolution as its predecessor.
But the big news is a bigger, longer-reaching lens. More complex than a typical zoom, the 24-600mm lens consists of 18 elements in 13 groups, including eight ED glass elements and one super ED glass elements. There are also two ED glass elements and two ED aspherical elements. That should take care of most flare, glare, and linear distortion issues. The lens has a nine-blade aperture for good bokeh.
Because its lens is so different from that of the 10-month-old Sony RX10 II, it is possible both cameras will be available at the same time for at least a while.
Other new features include Photo Capture, which lets you save a specific 4K movie frame as an 8.2MP still image, and Zoom Assist, which helps you track a subject during framing by zooming out, finding the subject, then quickly zooming back in to get the close-up shot.
Sony also claims strong image stabilization up to 4.5 stops of shake correction. If you’re shooting at the widest setting it is possible to focus as close as 3 centimeters from the surface of the lens or 72mm away in the Telephoto settings. The lens is fronted by a 72mm filter thread. A protective UV filter is highly recommended to protect the front element of the lens. A focus hold button lets you lock in focus.
The back of the camera includes a 2.95-inch, 1,228k dot resolution flip-out LCD monitor that can be flipped up 107 degrees or down 42 degrees. This is in addition to the electronic eye-level viewfinder, with 2.35 million dots of resolution, making it one of the highest resolution viewfinders available. A second LCD display on the camera’s top plate displays exposure information in monochrome.
Some under-the-hood features are quite nifty, like the “Anti-Disortion” shutter, which suppresses the “rolling shutter effect” that can make moving subjects appear to be bent. Sony claims the AF acquisition time of 0.09seconds, which is darn fast.
The 4K 3840×2160 XAVC-S video quality is said to be of pro caliber, with full pixel readout and no pixel binning. The sensor collects around 1.7 times as much information needed for 4K movie output. This oversampling improves image quality by minimizing moire and jaggies.
The Sony DSC-RX10 III has two custom function buttons with 58 assignable functions. The camera has been sealed against dust and moisture but isn’t waterproof or splash proof. It has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, and works with Sony’s PlayMemories camera apps.
The Sony DSC-RX10 III can be pre-ordered from Adorama starting March 31, and will cost $1,498. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis; credit cards will not be charged until orders ship.
Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS, Full-Frame Tele Zoom
Sony also announced the first full-frame E-mount lens to reach 300, the new Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS. Designed for both full-frame and APS cameras, its 35mm equivalent range on an APS sensor camera is 105-450mm. Consisting of 4 aspherical elements and two ED glass elements, it boasts minimal chromatic aberration and distortion, while a Nano AR coating is said to reduce ghosting and flare.
The lens features a minimum focus distance of 0.9mm, with a 0.31x maximum magnification. Optical Steady Shot reduces the chance of camera shake, while AF is fast and quiet thanks to a linear actuator.
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS lens will be a great companion to cameras like the recently-announced Sony a6300. The lens can be pre-ordered from Adorama starting March 31, and will cost $1,198.00. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis; credit cards will not be charged until orders ship.
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8: Fast Normal Prime Lens
The new normal? The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is destined to be a go-to lens for photojournalists, street and documentary photographers looking for something fast with high image quality and smooth bokeh. It has a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture and is small and light, and the 7-blade circular aperture is said to produce nice defocus effects.
Sony spent a lot of time on the lens’s optical performance, which they say will achieve clear, high-quality images by minimizing distortion and chromatic aberration. An unusual double-gauss configuration suppresses field linear distortion while a precisely-placed aspherical element reduces spherical and coma aberrations.
The lens sports a durable metal mount and is said to offer fast, accurate focus via a newly-developed DC motor focus actuator system. It pairs well with Sony’s full-frame cameras, such as the A7II.
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 will be available for pre-order from Adorama starting March 31, and will cost $248.00. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis; credit cards will not be charged until orders ship.
