Re: New Sony RX100 mkIII announced
 

Did a little fiddling on the Sony web site, putting the M2 alongside the M3 and matching the scale.. There is little if any added protrusion on the back side of the cam - looks like it's mainly if not entirely the lens sticking out a bit more that accounts for the 2.7mm difference in stated specs. Probably won't be that big a deal, and since the RX10 would be the "big gun" with the longer lens, I can see the RX100M3 actually being an interesting upgrade.

From the limited test shots I've had the chance to take with the AX100, the XAVC S at a higher bitrate looks a bit better than the AVCHD, and for most use, should be rather nice... even if it's not "4K". As I work with the AX100, 4K/30p has it's pluses and minuses, I think it's not ready for the "average" consumer shooter quite yet, though it can look quite stunning, with careful camera technique!

I'd love it if Sony put out a special firmware "enthusiast" version that COULD access 4K (we KNOW the sensor and processor CAN do it), only available aftermarket with a secret handshake or something! These cameras BEG for firmware updates to allow deeper access to the BionzX capabilities!

Re: New Sony RX100 mkIII announced
 

I read through this thread and see there aren't any updates after the RX100III came out (although reviews are all over the web) so I thought I'd add my 2 cents. I've had the camera about a week and a half, shooting my usual test videos and stills.

It fits my pocket. I previously had a RX100II, and there is little size difference - just the lens sticks out a little further.

The XAVC S format is a huge improvement over AVCHD. It makes the III a useable video camera, where I never incorporated any video from the RX100II into anything serious. Plus the MP4 plays directly with Mac QuickTime for reviewing clips (AVCHD is a pain with Mac). The CIZ zoom function works well out to 140 mm for video. The ND filter is wonderful - don't know if it is a real filter or just a gain change, but without this it would be a poor video camera.

I wish it had audio in. And I had expected more with the EVF, it is awfully small, although it works in a pinch in bright sunlight. But you can do a lot with the monitor brightness all the way up and with the fully articulating monitor.

It took a while to get comfortable enough with the interface so I could quickly change settings. But finally it seems natural. I'll use the RX100III as a pocket camera, and for hand held video in tight spaces, and I'll try it as a B camera and see how it goes.

Re: New Sony RX100 mkIII announced
 

An initial project with the Sony DSC-RX100M3. New video features this upgrade provides are impressive.

XAVC 60p codec edits better than AVCHD in FCPX. Video improvement over M2 is likely due more to full sensor read than XAVC codec. Unfortunately, XAVC 30/24p are so prone to moire as to be unusable.

The LCD is much less fiddly and useful than the RX100M2. No more squeak and scrape when opening from bottom.

The EVF is very useable for a compact. Better than hoped for. Easy to forget to pull the eyepiece out, but more use will make a habit.

The ND may eliminate need for a polarizer for exteriors. Most of this project was shot with ND and no polarizer.

Zebras obviously minimize incorrect exposure issues.

My RX100M2 had constant, slight focus pump issues with wide, distant landscape shots. If manual focus wasn't used for these shots, clips would be unusable. The RX100M3 has no such issue. Big, big thanks Sony.

RX100M2 Active SteadyShot seemed no better than Standard. RX100M3 Active SteadyShot is much improved, and Intelligent Active is a step above Active. However, Active requires image crop, and Intelligent Active even more.

Video Clear Image Zoom, like the RX10, is very usable but soft after 115.

Overall the camera seems more responsive.


For an RX100M2 comparison: vimeo.com/79542495

Sony DSC-RX100M3
Sirui T005KX Tripod
P&C Grip for handhelds
XAVC 60P/50Mbps

Re: New Sony RX100 mkIII announced
 

Dan, nice work. This really shows what this miniature RX100III is capable of, and how good the XAVC S codec is.

If it were me I'd lift the black level a little and drop the saturation some in this video; I think this would give it a nicer look.

Today I've been working to match the video color of the RX100III with my other cameras so I can work it in with them. It's more is there a formula I can use in Color Finesse that will get the RX100III video close to the XF100 and to Canon DSLRs. I'm not there yet, but I think it will get there.