The new RX100M3 will be announced within the next hours (exactly at 5am of May 16). And here are the worldwide first full size images of the new camera!
It has a unique pop-up viewfinder with 1,4 m dots. A new Zeiss 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens. Playmemories APP support, “Selfie-capable” LCD screen, XAVC-S video recording and built-in ND filter. All that stuff is packed in a body that is just 2,5mm thicker than the previous RX100M2.
Really a unique camera!
More images here:
17 Responses
Wow, that´s what I call novelty: pop-up viewfinder. As regards new unusual solutions Sony really rocks. This is by now the closest to a perceft compact camera: big sensor in small body, fast lens and a viewfinder (that adds nothing to size of the camera). Well done Sony, all thumbs up!
> pop-up viewfinder.
But it’s tiny!
RX100 is a tiny cam. It is 101.6mm wide. The EVF appears to be slightly narrower than the 1/6 of the cam, and the rim of the EVF takes probably 3-5mm. That translates into: 100mm/6 – 3-5mm = 11.5-13.5mm opening windows of the EVF. And no eye cup…
As long as it doesn’t crank up the price too much, it should be fine. The rumored price is $900 CAD = $830 USD. And that is about $100 more than the launch price of the RX100m2 / $200 of the RX100m1. And that might be too much…
It´s 799 USD, so pretty competitive and reasonable for what it offers. When you simply count the prico of MkII plus the EVF, it´s more expensive than this Mk III.
Sony really seems to know what customers want. Great little camera. I’d like such an evf in my ‘troubled’ samsung nx300.
I wasn’t expecting the mic input. Unless Nikon can answer with something (Canon’s g1x markII has no mic input) I think I’m in.
Now the big question of price – I do have the RX100 – just could not justify the RX100m2 as I had the Fuji X20 as well which has the faster lens at F2.0-F2.8 – so when I needed the zoom in lower light I would take the Fuji X20 – although it has a bit smaller sensor it does better at 100mm in low light – not as small though –
but I just did not see the need for the hot shoe so it was just the ExmorR sensor with a bit better ISO performance but given the lens stops down to F4.9 at 100mm the Fuji X20 was enough at F2.8 at 100mm –
Now Sony comes out with a faster lens – but at a price – Focal length – I am not sure why they could not do a 28-110mm at F2.0-F2.8 like Fuji X20 – granted 24-100 would have been ideal – but 30mm is quite a bit –
to me for a point and shoot 24/28-100/110 is the ideal length – I do have the Olympus Stylus 1 with the 28-300mm F2.8 lens and it is nice – but it has a small sensor – I also have the Sony HX50v with the super zoom to around 800mm I thing or 30x – but again a small sensor
I really like the small EVF – Panasonic started with theirs in the LF1 – to me the EVF in the Stylus 1 is way to big for the camera – not that I do not enjoy it but it makes the camera not so pocket able – so like with the LF1 and now the RX100m3 it does not add any size to the camera – most will not be using the EVF except in sunny days so better to have a small EVF rather then none but it needs to remain small to not add much size or a hump –
Wish there where some other improvements as I suspect the price to be at least $800 –
so if I am getting it right it is just the EVF and lens ?
I suspect that Fuji will come out with a X30 soon – the rumor is that it would have at least a 1inch sensor and keep the same lens – so I might hold on a bit until I am convinced that there will not be a X30 –
also need to see the low light improvements from the RX100 – RX100m2 to the RX100m3
The RX100/m2 has been the king of the hill of small compact pocket able cameras for sure – with only the Fuji X20 coming close – close all around but it has the edge in few things but the RX100/m2 in more like a bit larger sensor and better video etc.
The lens is not 24 – 70 mm, it is 8.8 – 25.7 mm. You could put the word “equivalent” in there between the aperture and focal length if you want to use 24 – 70 mm. In terms of APS-C equivalency it is like 16-50mm f/3-5 so nothing more than the pancake power zoom. Not really that exciting, but not bad either. I would probably buy it over an APS-C mirrorless with compact zoom if I never planned on changing lenses.
I think a power zoom kit APSC mirrorless is way better value for that price. I´d probably go for the NX3000+16-50 for $529 and for me is “pocketable” enough. This said, if you really need a camera this small, then go for it.
I have the MKI version and I have nothing but praise for the camera, except for 2 things addresed now, the lack of a viewfinder and the poor performance of the lens at the tele end. The MKIII picks up where the Panasonic LX series stopped, same concept, much better execution. This is no bridge camera and if a longer lens means more bulk and compromised performance, I think they did the right choice.
I only shoot in RAW, save for the dismal distortion, the little Sony is a killer. However, at 800 €, that is pushing way, way out of reach or me. Granted, they are not comparable, but for that ton of money, the Ricoh GR becomes even more intersting. Lets hope the prices will go down after the initial craze!
The only real competitor is Canon G1x Mk II and the body costs exactly the same, but you have to buy an extra EVF for 300 USD which makes it 1100 USD.
You can also compare smaller CSCs like Pana GM1, but those are even more expensive when you want to have fast lens and an EVF (GM1 is 750 USD with slow kit lens and without EVF). Ironically the closest competitor is Sony´s own a6000 for the same price, already having an EVF, but again: slow kit lens and bigger body.
So the RX100 is still the best offer considering the size, lens speed and EVF.
But you are comparing here very different sensor sizes…
I am aware of it, however the two closest competitors (RX100 and G1x) do not differ that much (1″ vs. 1,5″) and the size is relativized by sensor technology/outcome: the Sony is top in 1″ sensors, whereas the G1x is quite mediocre (being outperformed by smaller 4/3 sensors), so the picture quality is comparable.
Hats off to Sony for the pop up EVF — that’s genius! And for the awesome selfie tilt screen — wow! But as sleek as the lines of the camera are, I’d have preferred a more ergonomic grip on the right side rather than an accessory. Still, this camera really looks like a winner, on paper. Of course, Sony’s UI and handling are often less than awesome, and the direct access controls are often not particularly “enthusiast friendly.” Hopefully that little hard to reach rear dial will have a great feel. Fuji X30, where are you?
It’s truly amazing how much sony is pushing the pedal, in these times. Technically speaking it’s ahead of any other brand, in camera business. I’m not interested in a compact camera like this, but any recent product by sony shows its committement towards innovation and customers’ needs.
Amazing. Was going to buy nx mini at 499. This will be 849, but with better lens and evf. Decisions.
Very different beasts. As a samsung nx user, every time I use it I regret not having an evf (which samsung only puts in the bigger dslr alike form factor, which I don’t like at all).
For this reason, I would never buy another camera w/o any evf.
None of my cameras have evf, and it’s been fine, but I’m curious about it.