Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Noa, I feel exactly the same about the camera as many reviewers felt, it's great for video, but it's not spectacular for photos.

In the right light with a gorgeous subject, any camera can take a stunning photo. I have taken a few nice photos with the camera, but overall it seems very lackluster. Not horrible, but nothing special by any stretch of the imagination.

Sure, send me your photos, love to see them!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

My experience: I find the RX10 spectacular for both video and photographs. My NEX 5n gathers dust (as does my BMPCC by the way). The slow zoom does not bother me but I do understand how for certain uses, such as you describe Noa, it is problematic. I have read reviews wherein it is stated that within the specifications of the camera it is capable of delivering excellent photographs. I agree.

I am so happy with the RX10 that I have more or less lost interest in new machines.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

@Jeff -

Under what conditions are you finding the stills to fall short? I'm very happy with the results from mine, but I'm coming from long experience with Alphas and the RX100. It's not an APS-C or FF, but the f/2.8 lens gives you some pretty good stuff to work with. There are a lot of "pro" photographers who find it to be very acceptable. I'm confident shooting with it, both stills and video, and seldom get a "bad" or even "so-so" result.

The zoom hasn't bit me yet, I can live with it.

And yes, other than a future Mk2 or Mk3 with higher bitrate XAVC S (that could be a FIRMWARE UPDATE, if Sony cared to do it!!), or 4K, the RX10 is my main "go to" camera as it covers 90+% of what I "need" out of a camera. Not a lot of room to "improve" upon the design, other than minor tweaks. It also replaced enough other cameras to make the price seem "almost" reasonable.

The only "new machine" that caught my interest was the AX100, simply as a video-centric variation on the design. So far I'm liking it, but the RX10 (or an RX100M2) will do most times.



@Noa - about that flickering - try reducing any "sharpness" setting on the TV I repro'd flickering that another user reported with the AX100, Haven't seen it with the RX10, but there seems to be something bad that happens to video with a lot of detail already when you try to sharpen it some more...

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Dave, pretty much all of the time. I've used it a lot at weddings lately. I just don't find my photos pop as I would like. They seem soft.

As long as I have decent light, photos are ok. Not great, but acceptable.

To me, it's images are NOT pretty above 800 ISO. They start to suffer at about 400, but they are ok up to 6-800. After that they are not so good.

Video is very good, love it, but the photos, not so much. They seem soft for my taste.

My previous still cameras were the Canon 40d with prime lenses, including L lenses, then the GH1 (hated it), several GH2s and a few prime lenses.

I'm not photographer by any stretch of the imagination, so it may be I'm not using the camera properly.

My biggest complaint currently is the focus ring, takes way to many turns to adjust and I find auto focus to be too slow at times.

I did not buy the camera with specific expectations for photo quality but I expected a bit more. It seems that a couple of years of shooting with the GH2 combined with prime lenses has ruined me for bridge cameras.

As much as I dislike shooting video with a DSLR form factor, I like the video from the camera so much I may keep it!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I send you a few photos Jeff, curious what you think of them and if these are in line of the results you are getting with your rx10? My last photographic experience dates back to 30 years ago so what looks fine to me might look like an amateur shot to a pro.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

OK, so you're shooting without flash then? I can see where it's tough sometimes in lower light, you'll get noise as ISO ramps.

I guess I'm used to having flash or a small LED "fill" light (or both) as part of the package, though I don't "like" flash, as it adds other potential problems. I prefer bounce/diffused flash as well, and haven't picked up anything compatible with this MiShoe yet... but I've had surprisingly decent results using one of those silly cheap "puffer" diffusers that takes the edge off the pop up flash.

Not often you'll see a 'tog without a flash, even if they have a good "low light" rig. Heck, I even prefer using "fill" flash outdoors when shooting in bright/shadow conditions!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Noa, the photos you sent me were were excellent, of course! You have a great eye and know how to set up a great photo!

Dave, I guess the quick detail shots I like to take at the church and reception disappoint due to the 1" sensor. I am probably expecting too much from the camera.

I do use a supplemental light as needed, when I have time, but even then the detail I'm accustomed to seeing in my photos is just not there.

I strongly prefer natural light or to use a video light handheld off to the side from an angle, but I often shoot alone so I don't always have the ability to do that. Flash is cool but I don't use it, don't have room in the bag for more stuff.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I know that the GH series produce some very nice output, so maybe that's part of it, I think you're onto something with the higher ISO's, that ALWAYS softens things up, same as "gain" does. There's only so much you can squeeze out of limited photons! That f/2.8 does a whole lot, but there are limits!

I'm also trying to travel small and light (thus the RX10!), but there are a few things, like a polarizer, a small folding bracket to help stabilize video and mount a light if needed, a small dimmable LED if I know I may need supplemental light, and for now, the aforementioned "puffer" style diffuser... yeah, the bag starts to fill up fast! And I just potentially added cold shoe adapters and maybe a mic... most of that is "optional" unless I'm getting paid though!

I know "real" photographers tend to sneer at the puffer, but it was a Gary Fong "invention", and I've actually found it takes the "edge" off the built in flash enough to make it worth the sub $10 cost (if you order from China direct, a couple bucks more from a US supplier). I HATE on camera and "direct" flash, but have found the puffer diffuser useful, FWIW. Cheap and not terribly large or heavy, might be worth a try if you don't want a "dedicated" external flash!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Re: puffer, I have one. I have taken photos with and without and can see absolutely no difference. I read someone say they saw no difference. So I tried it, and in fact just did it a minute ago for kicks, no difference.

I have to admit though I have not used the onboard flash once on a job, but thanks to your encourgement I will try it. The onboard flash has seemed fine when I've played with it.

Thanks for mentioning the flash, Dave! Can't believe I didn't think of it. Setting the strength of it to the right setting could give me much more usable photos!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Hmm... not sure about what shooting situation would show "no difference"... a diffuser will soften shadows and usually improve on overall harshness by spreading the light from a single source. It's most obvious with a subject closer to the camera where the background can show harsh shadows. I've found a diffuser (preferably on a bounce flash) to be a big help for stills, but YMMV...

At the very least I'd expect a bit of change to the exposure settings...

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Dave, try shooting a pic, then remove the puffer without moving the camera any more than you have to. Then take another photo. See if you can tell any difference in the second photo.

I have done just that, the darned thing actually makes no difference. It doesn't seem logical, but that's what I have found.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

It's maybe worth mentioning that I shot all photos in raw but even with my limited experience in lightroom I managed to make them pop quite easily, there is still a lot to learn about the camera, I do like the live view I get when taking a photo so can see in advance how it will look like. I have been planning to sell the camera many times but every time find something about it that makes me wanna hold onto it a bit longer :)

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I've had the RX-10 for about a month now, and have been pretty happy with it. Like Noa, I'm finding the slow zoom during recording really tries my patience sometimes. Love the video quality - was able to incorporate it into a multi camera shoot of a recent college graduation ceremony - the footage cut well with a Sony ea50 and nx5u. Getting the footage off the card and into FCPX was a chore - had to run the avchd through a converter program to extract the individual clips into pro res format before Fcpx could read it. For some reason fcpx can read the avchd files from my canon xa10 with no problem, but it doesnt see the avchd file on the sd card from the rx10 (i'm probably doing something wrong).

On the stills side, I'm really liking the Zeiss 24-200 constant f2.8 lens. Normally when I shoot wedding photos , i'm lugging around a 5dmkii and a 7d, and 24-70+70-200 for lenses. It gets pretty tiring really fast. On recent jobs I've slowly been mixing in shots from the RX10 and my clients have had no complaints. Seriously considering doing my smaller sunset beach weddings with just the RX10 with my 5D as a backup. ;-)

Plus the fact that the RX10 lets me flash sync at up to and over 1/1000 as opposed to my 5d which tops out at 1/160-1/200, really makes me love this camera.

Planning to use this at our upcoming glamour photography workshop this weekend for both stills and video. Hopefully will be able to post some stuff on vimeo later, (but might be a little NSFW) .

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

@Jeff -

Took a few test shots, some were nearly identical, others noticeable differences, so it does depend on the particular "scene". I think much like the onboard mics, the pop up flash on the RX10 is better than most, and any inbuilt exposure compensation makes for better looking results.

Shoot a close shot of a person (or an object), with a few feet between the subject and the background (anywhere the target will cast a shadow) - check "shadows"... this is a pretty common shooting scenario, and you should be able to see where a diffused flash will improve the resulting shot. Basically the difference between a "hard" and a "soft" light source. Typically the latter will be more "flattering".

Just curious if your diffuser is glossy or matte finish - I just noticed I have two different "versions"... the matte one seems to be giving results more pleasing to my eye, as well as a bit more effective. They look like they came out of the same molds, maybe different materials, but I'd say the one is noticeably better.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Dave, interesting. thanks for sharing. It seemed to me to not diffuse that much, but I will give it another go and try it in more situations.

It would be worth taking along Friday night to see if it helps with some shots I need to take!

My diffuser is bumpy and of course opaque, certainly not glossy. just a dull plastic finish http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought it for my Lumix camera but it fits my Sony perfectly.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I was surprised when I noticed the glossy ones in my pile of stuff, and they don't work as well, the matte/dull work better! I think the gloss reflects more of the flash "back", seems to reduce the output even though they are about the same opacity.

They are pretty much a "universal" design - just pick the set of holes that center your pop up emitter!

I was introduced to bounce and diffusers when I noticed how you'd get harsh shadows behind your subjects (or shadows under chins or next to noses!) - it's worse the further the flash is from the lens axis of course (so it's not as bad on the RX), and is usually worse in "portrait" mode, as the shadowing will be to the left or right depending on the camera orientation.

Bounce is of course used to direct the flash off off any convenient large light colored surface to create a bigger/diffused "soft" light source. Diffusers seem to work best to soften the flash, spread, and if you're lucky "bounce" some of that single point light source.

Lighting is of course a "dark art" of good imaging - and use of flash is definitely one of those "tricks" that tends to separate the "pros" from the "average". Fill flash is another "trick" that is worth using (and the diffuser can also be useful there).

I actually have taken to sticking the diffuser on the camera (still fits in my bag that way), and just popping the flash when I think it's needed - my preference is to shoot "ambient", using the fast lens and the in camera processing, but having another "tool" in the box is always good!



There's a lot to learn on the RX's (I include the RX100 series "baby sister", as it's a fine camera for many things on its own merits), it takes a while to find all the tricks and options, but they are fun to use, and very capable when used to their full potential.

I know that there inevitably will be a "Mk2" and so on, but the RX10 is definitely a camera I've waited for a long time. The AX100 is beginning to "settle in" for me in much the same way - I'm liking the "package" of the RX100M2 (and the M3 actually looks like a decent update...), RX10, and AX100. Compact multicam, not much you can't shoot with that trio, and your "baggage" is much lighter!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Thanks for sharing and for the tips Dave. Will experiment as soon as I have time.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Please forgive me for asking a question in regards to comparing rx10 video to cx550v video as it may well have been addressed in this long thread
Apart from the no p mode on my cx550v is the video produced by the rx10 worth another thousand buck investment?
I have a hx300 which for my needs is sufficient in the stills department and it's video is ok.enough
I'm itching to buy another video camera but I want a dv to hdv experience.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Can't say if it's worth the extra cost over your cx550 but it certainly is worth it's price, many have complained about the fact that its' an expensive camera but actually it's not expensive at all if you see what features and especially what lens it has. I have got lenses that cost as much as the rx10 and for that price the rx10 offers you nd filters, peaking, zebra's, waveform, a stabilised constant f2.8 power zoomlens, good enough internal audio, clickless irisring, sharp viewfinder and lcd screen and a very good functionality in run and gun which is much better then any other dslr out there which is what I"m comparing it with. You can also shoot pictures in raw and while it's not a 5dIII I got some very decent photos out of it eventhough I have very less experience in photography.

It's not all gold that shines, I find the zoom much too slow and the OIS is not very good, batterylife is also not that good, those are the 3 main issues that stand out for me. If I had to take one camera only with me for photos and video and to shoot a whole variety of situations this would be the camera I would take with me. It's a swiss army knife.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I'd have to do some digging to find stuff I shot with a CX550... I'm sure you would get some improvements in quality, but I'd say you also will get better low light performance, and some boost from p vs. i. I don't think it will be as obvious as "dv to hdv", but it should be better.

Sony cameras tend to be "incrementally" better between model years, the 1" class sensor represented an entirely different "shift".

If stills are part of the requirements, you'll likely see a bigger jump there from the HX300 to the RX10 - I just dumped a card the other night with shots from both... and the AX100... Let's just say that when displayed on a 4K display, the differences start to become rather noticeable, where they weren't that big on an HD display - building a 4K system has been literally an "eye opener"... stills perhaps more than video really show the differences...

Much as Noa says, the RX10 is a competent "swiss army knife" camera that will do both stills and video at a quality level that should easily meet the expectations of a camera at this price point. You can easily spend as much for a DSLR rig, or a video camera that won't be as versatile.



Here's where it gets interesting... to get that "dv to hdv" jump, you can go 4K with the AX100, and literally get that same 4x "jump", with some limitations. I'm still adjusting to 30p motion... and experimenting with shutter speeds and computer capability!

I've shot (using the AX100, which has several modes) a bit of comparison between AVCHD 28Mbps 1080/60p (typical "best" quality on prior Sony models), XAVC S 50Mbps 1080/60p, and XAVC S 50Mbps 4K/30p. 4K is obviously insanely sharp, but the higher bitrate 1080 is also "better" than the older AVCHD, keep in mind you may need more computer horsepower to process it. No free lunch as the saying goes...

The AX100 is of course oriented towards video more than the RX10, but seems to take good stills so far in my limited use. More $$, and you may end up spending for a new high end computer too, but you'll get a "DV to HDV" jump on both stills and video!


Sony's 1" class sensor cameras are expensive, but not overly so when contrasted to older high end "consumer class" cameras, and I've sold off enough other gear to offset what initially seemed like "painful" purchases. No regrets on the purchases when I look at the resulting images.

A very real question becomes whether stuff I've shot with say an older CX, PJ, TX or HX (been shooting video with still cams for a while) is so massively "inferior" that it hurts my eyes <wink>? Nope, it's still "valid", the quality is not terrible, and the stuff that is captured, was as well captured as it could be with the technology available at the time. I could shoot with any of the cams I've owned (and some I still have!), and be reasonably happy with the results...

Here's the part that isn't quantifiable, but is widely reported... the RX is FUN to shoot with, it WILL put a smile on your face when shooting, and when looking at results. That's something that there is no "spec" for, but it's been a pleasant part of shooting with the RX100, the RX10, and so far with the AX100.

To put another angle on it, IF I had to get rid of every other imaging device (I don't consider my smart phone in that category!) I've got... the RX10 would be the one I'd keep, for image quality and versatility.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I'd guess that based on what you're shooting with you'd be pleased with the RX10. As Noa put it so well, all that glitters is not gold. It is not a perfect camera. But I love the video from it. Really, really great images.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as is perfection whether it glitters or not. Jeff, we know the RX10 is not perfect for you and your needs. Please understand that for others it may well indeed be a perfect camera. For me it is absolutely perfect, most of the time :-)

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Interesting that you should single me out John. Why? My criticisms are identical to most everyone else! I praise the video quality of the camera, so I certainly do not bash it! I admit I've not been happy with the photos but I never said they were horrible, just not to my liking. I've also taken suggestions from Dave to improve things.

The camera's shortcomings are very real and EVERY professional reviewer has mentioned the same ones that Noa, Dave and I have specified: the zoom, battery life, and more. The focus ring is abysmal. These issues are not debateable, they are fact. Now, whether they interfere with a person's shooting is individual and will vary from person to person.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I'm doing a rehearsal dinner tonight, I'm not doing the wedding.

Customer called this morning and asked that before the speeches, (which I'm videotaping) that I use his Canon t3i for photographs of the people early in the evening.

No, I'm not comfortable using his camera, total weirdness to me, but before I call him back, I have a question.

Does anyone here have an idea of how the RX10 will perform against the rebel with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens?

I suspect the Canon Rebel will blow the Sony away at higher ISOs, but I would prefer to use my RX10 because live view is poor on the rebel, at least I think it is. I am not comfortable using viewfinders due to my poor eyesight.

The first thing that popped in my mind is how much larger the sensor is on the Canon. Common sense dictates it would be the camera of choice, but would like to get away with the RX!0. Customer wants no flash.

Any thoughts?

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

@Dave
Thank you sir that was a really good piece.
Is the x8 zoom just a tad short? (I realize it is a fabulous lens) but the reach is less than a sports shooter needs imo

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Jeff, DPREVIEW, arguably one of the most credible photography web sites out there if not the most credible, gave the RX10 a Gold award and they don't hand out Golds willy nilly. Read the review.

As I read this thread again the thing I find somewhat odd is that you say 'Not a fan of the photos coming from the camera at all. Very disappointing.' That is quite strong language especially the 'very disappointing' phrase, and very specific. Seems to me you haven't got a good word to say about the photographs you shoot with the RX10 which I find a bit strange and based on many reviews I have read and the comments here.

I don't single you out as such but rather your comments do that in that they are singularly negative about the photographs. And that's fair enough in that it is your experience with the camera. It is also fair enough to point out that your experience, very disappointing photographs, is far from the norm.

Your praise of the video capability of the RX10 is indeed par for the course so that more or less rules out the possibility that you have a bad copy.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

@ Jeff -

Can't remember offhand which photo site has the "comparison" setup where you can pick your cameras you want to compare, and review their studio test shots and such, but with that you should be able to pull up both cameras (presuming the RX has been tested), adjust ISO, and see how things look. As with all test sites, you have to take things with a grain of salt, but it's worth doing some homework "pre shoot"!

As far as the actual shoot, I'd take your camera of choice, pop off a couple shots with both, and let the customer decide whether a several year aged Canon will be a match for a current model... I think I know the results, but hey, I can be wrong sometimes! Maybe he wants the shots to download right away, in which case I'd just take an unused card and hand it off at the end, asking for it back when he gets the chance (if it even matters, 8G cards are nearly obsolete and cheap)


Depending on the lighting conditions, the "no flash" may be risky, but I'd at least give it a try with the superior auto mode (The yellow camera symbol, or at least the green "intelligent auto" one - you may want to try both, as they work differently, and sometimes you'll get better results out of one than the other - it's easy to switch from the "fn" menu - the RX10 puts them both under the "auto" position of the rotating selector - IIRC "superior" is sort of hidden in the "fn" menu). Let the camera work every electronic trick in the book on your behalf (it'll outshoot most users trying to match the results in manual, and do it faster).

In that shooting situation, the RX10 would be my first choice over say an A57, A65, A77. I've watched the RX10 and RX100 "develop" (processing.....) shots that would have been otherwise impossible to get usable - sometimes you just have to trust the "Genie"!

You mentioned you prefer not to use the VF (usually desirable for a third contact point), I'd suggest using some sort of additional support to help keep the camera steady - with the "auto" modes, it can help improve the multiple shots the camera uses to composite the final result - the less movement the better! Maybe a monopod, either to your pocket or belt, or floor if necessary? You never realize how much you wobble till you try to take "long" or multiple exposure shots in low light! Even using the old "take a breath, hold and squeeze the shutter" trick, I'm still positively unstable!

It's also a situation where a diffused flash may be more desirable than a "direct" blinding flash (likely the reason for "no flash"). Of course the customer is always "right" but if he's wrong, you as a pro should show him how your technique is superior and will give better results by using your equipment and proper methodology.


@ Bruce -
At 200mm, the long end is obviously shorter than say the HX300... BUT, both cameras also have clear and digital zoom ranges... I've shot the RX100 at full digital and still gotten shots at silly distances!

Here's the "rub" - the CZ lens and 1" sensor are a "tad" better than the "G" glass and 1/3" sensor, a tad being a rather significant boost in "real world" conditions! I'm not afraid to shoot in the CIZ range, meaning that you can squeeze "400mm" equivalent out of the camera, maybe even a little more with some "acceptable" image degradation.

I know shooting sports is sort of specialized, usually involving honkin' huge fast lenses, but I just shot some at Sea World a few weeks ago... I'd post the shots, but I'm doing "file management", so everything's a bit scrambled until I get that done! I did just review those shots in glorious 4K..., with "perfect" freeze frames of dolphins, whales, and birds in "midair"... not "sports", but I'd certainly be willing to "try" a sports shoot with the RX10. I'll try to put some samples on my list to post (I owe Noa some "rig" shots! And pix of the DIY AX100 shoe adapter!), but again, there's a reason the RX10 has pretty much replaced most of the rest of my "toys"... er... tools! After looking at the shots on a 4K monitor, I really couldn't find much "fault", and some of the shots were actually pretty "good" <wink>! I think I may have nearly shed a tear at the quality...


That said...
No camera is "perfect"...

We know that the RX10 zoom defaults to "slow" while recording (doesn't bother me, drives others a bit crazy)... I tested my other Cybershots, they behave EXACTLY the same way. No big deal. IF I were on the Sony testing/development team, I'd add an advanced menu option... but I'm not.

Battery life is not as good due to the FW50 battery (lousy choice by Sony IMO), but I've got a stack of "backups", not just for the RX10, but for EVERY camera! I won't walk out with ANY less that 3, 1 in cam and 2 fully charged in the bag. Battery change should be no longer than a mag change for a trained soldier... yeah, I can handle it.

People used to a mechanically coupled focus ring will find "fly by wire" to be less desirable due to the lack of sensory feedback... People used to the BOSS "magic eyeball" will not be as happy with the IS, but these are simple necessities of the design, which gives so many other BENEFITS that the few downsides are just not worth quibbling over... noting, yes... but it's such a darn fine camera to shoot with that I'd rather shoot than worry about the few weaknesses. I've said I had to go dig out my old "rigs" for stabilizing, and I may or may not need to use them, but they worked way back when before BOSS... dust 'em off, no big deal.

The fact that the camera COULD have been the first with 4K... or at a minimum the new high bitrate XAVC S, yeah, I'll continue to spit nails about THAT "marketing decision", and probably pick up a "MK2" if they don't update the firmware (which I believe is technically feasible, and would give Sony "goodwill" points out the wazoo!!)

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I have used the rx10 yesterday much more extensively then other weddings, actually all through the day until I emptied 2 batteries.

When reviewing the footage I have to say this camera is starting to grow on me, I used a b-grip belt camera holder to have the camera on me all day, what I find easy in this way is that I can use my steadicam or slider with the gh3 or g6 and if something comes up I can place the steadicam down and quickly use the rx10 if needed, in the past I would have to leave my nex-ea50 on a tripod or in the bag while I was using a slider or steadicam and if something happened I was stuck with what I had. The b-grip is comfortable enough to carry the rx10 for a long time.

I also switched from active to standard stabilisation again, even in active there was still microvibration and sometimes still had to stabilise in post, so I lost in image quality because active stabilisation crops in the image and I had another hit in post, most of the shots in standard is good enough but some zoomed in shots can use some stabilisation in post, especially if you like me shoot handheld without any extra rig for stabilisation. Even after stabilisation the footage is still sharp enough.

I used it now for most run and gun stuff but also beauty shots, all handheld during bride prep, during the ceremony, talking heads at reception and during the evening part and the camera performed very well, I really like the sharp colorful images, the internal sound is also very good, I picked up everything that was said during bride prep, big difference compared to the gh3 which sounds like inside a tin can. Just being able to take the camera from my belt and start shooting if I saw something interesting actually gave me more variety in footage.

Allthough the slow zoom can be very challenging and at times very frustrating the camera does give me a large range without having to switch lenses and it's constant f2.8 can give some nice looking bokeh if you zoom in enough, then it matches my gh3/6 nicely and it gives that dslr kind of look. But here, Sony, give us zoomspeeds to choose from!!! The zoomspeed I get in standby mode would do fine.

All my shots look well exposed, you do get a what you see is what you get look on screen but the histogram and zebras are invaluable in dialing in the right exposure.

the batterylife is a problem but it depends, I was looking all the time at how much was left and it was distracting, it seems to go down pretty quickly if you use it on and off for short periods but I had several longer continuous recording periods yesterday and 2 batteries gave me 2 hours and 25 minutes which actually doesn't look that bad but I also have emptied the battery once in 45 minutes.

It was very hot yesterday and during the ceremony I got an indicator on screen that the camera was overheating, my cx730's don't even twitch an eye under these circumstances but the rx10 seems to be more sensitive, it didn't shut down but it wasn't continuously recording, I used it more for b-roll and longest recording was maybe 20 minutes. I do wonder if it eventually will switch down when it gets too hot.

Since yesterday was a success in using it more then just during photoshoot alone I will extent that use over the next wedding, it will become a more prominent camera in use as I slowly learn to operate it faster and having it on me all the time like a gun in a holster helps in gettng my footage, it compensates a bit in the footage I loose because I can't zoom out quickly enough, do you hear me Sony?!. :) .

I have to make a trailer of this one, if I am allowed to shown it online I will post it here as it does contain a fair amount of rx10 footage.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Just saw your post, Dave, thanks for your tips, missed them before the shoot.

I was there primarily to videotape the speeches so that was the priority. I just told the customer I would use my camera for photos as I was more comfortable that way.

Camera did fine. I adjusted ISO manually using the wheel as I went shot to shot. This was to keep shutter speed fast enough to take clear pictures but as low as possible to avoid unnecessary grain. Seemed to work pretty well.

I ran auto for a bit but stuck with using shutter priority, results were good.

Overall it was a fun shoot and I do feel better about the camera. Fine tuning manually seemed to really help minimized grain because it was a bit dark in the room.

For the money it is a very nice camera. I think if I shot more photos I would get better with it and like it more.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Noa, thanks for sharing the details of your experience with the camera. I do like the camera very much for video as you do, but I strongly prefer operating my CX900 most the time.

I think the AX100 will be my primary camera, I just like the form factor much better.

I have achieved some nice bokeh with the CX900 also, by the way.

For me it's becoming about consistency and not needing to switch cameras any more than necessary. The RX10 is handy in those instances where I need to grab something quick. As a B cam it's perfect except for the recording limit.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I believe the cx900 or ax100 has the same sensor size as the rx10? Then the bokeh should be the same I guess, my cx730 will have to serve me at least one more season, not wanting to have the latest when it comes out always means getting serious price reductions, that's how I saved about 600 euro on the cx730 and gh3 because that's how much they together got cheaper after a year, look at what happened to the nex-ea50 after 1,5 year, it dropped 900 euros in price and the same will happen to the ax100 and cx900 if you can wait that long, wouldn't be surprised if both decrease about 300 euro's in prize, next year probably we"ll be seeing 4k 50p and once that happens then they will have my attention. :)

the rx10 won't be replacing my handicams, it has a specific purpose and I"m glad can finally give it it's place because otherwise it would have been a waste of money.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Noa, I do not know the technical side of things, but isn't is likely that DOF potential would be more so with the RX10 with the constant F/2.8 lens? Of course with the longer zoom on the CX900/AX100 it might make up for things so on a 10X or 12X zoom shot you might have an advantage but one might lose some of the advantage due to the fact you'd be at a smaller aperture (4.5 or wherever it tops out at).

I think it's probably close, anyway. I have both so I might set them up and see what I can learn.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

This is a trailer of the wedding I shot last Saturday, like I said before much more Sony rx10 footage now so I thought I'd share it here. I still have not had the time to test the presets on all my different camera's as I use sony cx730's and a pana gh3 and g6 but I used standard presets on all of them and dialed the contrast a bit down. Everything you see is straight from the cameras with no CC and for me all match closely enough now. I am not so into colorcorrecting my footage, I have too much editing work and always try to get it "right" in camera, saves me a lot of time and gives me a private life as well :).

The only thing I changed is to use the gh3 instead of the g6 on the steadicam, the g6 is softer in 50p compared to my gh3 but it does have a very sharp 25p so I used the g6 more for static talking heads and closeup beautyshots with a fast prime and in 25p, for steadicam I need 50p to be able to slow down my footage for my trailers.

That weddingday was like running a marathon, I was totally drained by the end of the day and needed 2 days to recover but in the end it was worth it, the ceremony was difficult, I used my 2cx730's as main cams in front and my rx10 for some b-roll, the problem was with the weather at that moment, it was very hot and the sun was glaring with very harsh contrasts but during the ceremony clouds started to appear and the light intensity would constantly change so I had to leave one cx730 on full auto and the other one I operated manually unless I was going around with my rx10 so I had both camera's shoot unattended in full auto, I would be totally lost without those little handicams as they did a great job.

My rx10 did show something that looked like a overheat symbol at the end of the ceremony, the camera continue to run though but it is a bit worrying if you would have to rely on 2 of those camera's for a longer continuous shoot in very warm conditions.

When I compare my rx10 with my gh3 they are both a very good match, both do sharp and colorful 1080p and while I know 4k downsized to 1080p looks even more sharp when I view my film on a large screen it looks really great, otoh I do see my cx730 starting to struggle to keep up imagewise, they do have that bit more "video" look to it and are not as detailed so I need to sharpen a bit in post but that is something only I do notice.

Soundpurists would not agree but I do find the internal mike on the rx10 very good for capturing ambient sound and also voices, most of what I shot was just handholding the camera with no additional rig and if I didn't need it just lock it on my belt, what a relief having had the nex-ea50 to drag around for over a year. The nex-ea50 is a better camera when it comes to functionality but it's a big beast while the rx10 does a very good effort making a bridge between a dslr and a videocamera.

Here you can find the times when the rx10 was used:
from 00:00 to 00:25, from 00: 33 to 00:44, from 01:09 to 01:22, from 01:39 to 01:48 and from 01:57 to 02:11.
There are a few more rx10 shots inbetween but those I mentioned give a good impression how it performs.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Gorgeous footage Noa. Absolutely gorgeous.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Thx Jeff :) The location did help as well, a beautiful setting and great weather, there where a few clouds during the ceremony but in general a quite hot day (28deg celcius) day, very lucky as well because we have had some severe hailstorms the past days.
I feel more confident now using the rx10 more throughout the day, I"ll order myself another battery so with 3 I should have enough, I only wished the batteryloading time was not so ridiculously long with the camera. Does anyone know if there is a sony loader for this battery and if it loads much faster?

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

As far as we know, the sensors on the RX10/100M2/100M3 are the same as the one in the AX100 - the 100M2 has an earlier Bionz, but otherwise they share processors as well. Minor differences in the lenses, and of course different firware, but generally all in the same ballpark at least! I think the AX100 can gain up a bit more than the RX10 in low light, not a huge thing, and you pay for gain with grain/noise!


@Noa - I finally got around to taking a couple pix for you - a couple of the Stratos FBX folding bracket I use to make the small camera format more stable (particularly if you're using the LCD for monitoring rather than VF) - it's small and light when folded, doesn't look like much, but adds a lot to stability for such a silly little thing - it's like a mini fig rig! They can be had in several colors, and are cheap enough to be worth a try - I've used other brackets, but like the folding aspect and a true vertical grip - those weird angled ones don't work as well for me!

I'll guess you're asking about chargers? I'll sometimes let a camera charge up after a download, but generally in camera is pretty slow, you could probably speed it up with a beefier USB wall wart (I've noticed that tablets have faster charges than phones...).

Sony has three chargers for the FW50 battery that I know of:

BC VW1 is the charger that shipped "stock" with NEX series cams, very basic with a flip out plug (at least here in the US - the HK/China ones seem to use a short cable matched to the locale (and may well be knockoffs?!).

There's a BC TRW that is pretty much like the tiny TRV (for FV series), I think that one has the multi stage LED indicator, and is "supposed" to charge faster.

Then there's the relatively new BC-QM1 - it charges FM, FP/FH/FV, and the FW50, one at a time with three different "bays" and terminal sets overlaid in a single charger - again, has the multi-stage LED charge indicator, and supposed to charge faster. It's a bit bulky... I took a couple shots of the VW1 and the QM1 I've got, to give you some idea of the sizes.


Since I've got a varied selection of Sony cameras, I've got various wall chargers for the motley lot of 'em! Fortunately they have a few models that will charge several different battery types in a single unit!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

Thx for the pixs Dave, looks like a great setup and like you said gives you a wider grip for stability, I only need to have my left hand on the lens at all times to control the iris and/or focus so I was looking more for something that I could push against my shoulder as extra contactpoint. Last wedding I just shot a lot handheld and that actually worked out well, as long as I didn't zoom in too much. I"m currenly looking at Edelkrones pocket series, they make awesome small products, their new pocket slider and pocketskater look like interesting products. Their pocket slider I"m going to order as soon as it becomes available, I absolutely hate my slider as it's way to cumbersome to drag around at a wedding, their new slider is not wider then the camera and has 20cm (7,9 incnh) travelwidth and literally fits in your pocket. You could just leave the slider attached to your camera and have it with you whenever you want a gliding shot. Will see how that works out.

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I'm glad to see that folding flash bracket / handle Dave! Great find.

I'm using a folding flash bracket (no handle) that I bought for flash... but setting up for some macro work recently I realized this is a great place to mount a monitor. I was always afraid of the weight and leverage of a 7" monitor on a dSLR (canon 60D). Mounting it to a flash bracket like this takes all those worries away. Kind of a mini-cage, but fits in your pocket. Good for all kinds of hot-shoe mounted accessories, and some of them have extra 1/4"-20 holes drilled and tapped in them (or drill/tap your own!) to mount additional accessories.

Somehow I seem to have too many things that want to mount to the cam, and a folding flash bracket is a sturdy mount, sturdier than adding a multi something to the hot shoe...

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

@Noa -

Hmmm, the only thing for video is if you're pressing against your shoulder, you can't move around without transmitting it to the camera (resting on the shoulder is another matter, that CAN work - guess I'll have to dig out the prototype folding shoulder rig and put a pic up!)... I've got a couple oddball things in my collection that are probably JUST what you're looking for... IF you could find them (I collect odd bits and pieces that look like they might be useful on eBay!). I've got this one molded/folding Sony shoulder thingy that's the ONLY one I've ever seen...

The FBX bracket is nice for actual "steadicam like" moves - with practice you can get amazingly close if you learn the "steadicam glide" walk... your arms act much like the articulated Steadi arm, and the two point grip is especiallly helpful to stop roll (unless you WANT to "dutch"), as well as prevent the camera from pitch and yaw motion.

Of course my goal is small, light and efficient... less gear the better IF it will do the trick!

Re: Sony RX10 user experience thread
 

I forgot to mention Noa - your observation on audio quality is correct - MOST still cameras (even expensive ones!) seem to have crap mics added as an afterthought, with varying degrees of body noise thrown in for added good measure of annoyance...

The RX10 in particular, and even the RX100 seem to be FAR more competent at audio capture, to the point where ambient capture is at least potentially useable!

From what I've read, the Sony exec that is managing the group creating these RX cameras is very much of the mind of having one camera to do it all, and do it well. I seem to recall the RX10 nearly moved him to tears...

As much as I'm enjoying the AX100, in no small part because it shares RX DNA, the RX10 the way I have mine kitted out is still the first "weapon of choice" for overall versatility - if it had high bitrate XAVC S and 4K, I would prolly cry tears of joy myself!