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The Sony RX series became quite popular thanks to the superbly made RX100 and RX1. And of course we can expect Sony to release an RX10 APS-C sensor camera this year. But while the RX100 and the RX1 have no competition to fear the RX10 will play in a busy and growing segment. Today Nikon announced the “Nikon Coolpix A“. An APS-C compact camera with fixed 28mmf /2.8 lens. I am not impressed by the use of a slow lens but more about the tiny size of the camera. it’s much smaller than the Fuji X100s and Pentax MX-1.
There are so many ways Sony could do the RX10. I just hope they will use a faster lens than the Nikon, a hybrid viewfinder like the Fuji and the price of the Pentax…yeah I know I am dreaming. I am pretty sure there will no built-in viewfinder!
Nikon price and specs at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
RX series price and specs check:
RX100 at [shopcountry 12780]
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824]
86 Responses
I’ve been looking at RX100 very closely lately. Incredible. Sure to get one. Satisfying all the pocket-ability concerns of other promises, and with the Alpha style menu system, makes for a better match to my big boy cameras, rather than being an entirely different, and confusing platform.
What a great little low light lens, with ability for some tele too.
Checking on this new Nikon, they seem to have lost any function for the outer ring. Whereas the RX100 makes it function… looking uncannily similar to the original Minolta AF lenses with the little black focus ring. Boy this cam is gonna play nice with my others.
I would say that with the exception of a small advantage in the sensor size, the Sony RX100 beats the Nikon in all other regards:
The Zeiss lens is faster F1.8 vs F2.8
Lens is a zoom with great quality
Has optical stabilisation
Battery is +50% more shots !!!
Better LCD 1.2kwhitemagic vs 0.9k dots
Body is 20% lighter
Body is 10% smaller
Video has Full HD 60p vs 30 on the Nikon
20MP vs 16MP
HALF PRICE !!!!
My personal pick would be the Sony, but the Nikon has a few more advantages than just raw sensor size. The Nikon has a hot shoe, for one, and its effective depth of field for its angle of view is the same as that of a 28mm f/4 lens, whereas the Sony is a half stop behind it at f/4.8 or so (negligible, I know).
But how realistic is it to compare a $650 camera to a $1100 camera? I’m sure that any compact camera Sony offers at that price point will be astonishing, but they’ve got their work cut out keeping it as compact as the Coolpix A, which is only slightly larger than the RX100.
“But how realistic is it to compare a $650 camera to a $1100 camera?” – considering that Nikon overprices it’s compacts? It’s perfectly realistic and reasonable.
When you put ‘Nikon’ and ‘overprice’ in one sentence the 1 system springs to mind immediately. The V1 was released at £800 in the UK, now £250!
http://camerapricebuster.com/Nikon_Nikon_1_V1_+_10-30mm_Lens_pc.html
I also wonder how many people use flashes with a compact that weights less than any half-decent hotshoe flash. I have trouble with people using flashes on mirrorless (where you most likely want to hold it by a flashgun, not the camera, lol), but compacts? seriously? Even something as small as HVL20M is stretching it.
Though I must admit some jealousy that Nikon puts a flash shoe on their camera, fully compatible with their entire flash system. If Nikon had changed their flash system in exchange for a microphone, the masses would be at the gates with pitchforks and torches, frenzied crazy enraged.
http://chan.catiewayne.com/z/src/130630642466.jpg
hehehe
they did change their flash system in Nikon 1, and the world didnt end
That’s more akin to the original NEX accessory socket style of flash, of which, that world indeed ended with revisions of newer cameras not having it at all, or being replaced with a full sized shoe, both iISO and MIS. Lessons learned, abandoned quickly without notice or much investment lost to user. Not quite an equal analogy to Sony Alpha users invested in smart dedicated speedlight with 25 years of acceptance and plethora of 3rd party support from multiple choices of smart dedicated radio slaves to flashes from Metz, Nissin, Sigma, Sunpak and many others.
But hey, if you enjoy spending $600 on a new flash that has no dedicated radio slave available, and requires an adapter to use on iISO radio slave, which threatens proper fit into soft box investment… then please, enjoy the foibles.
I’ve used optical triggers to flash sync my RX100 at 1/2000s, there’s no excuse.
Now that is interesting tech news. Please post some results of this on Dyxum lighting forums and DPReview. Send Carl Garrard and Paul Genge this info too. That’s a hot feature. Spread the word and evangelize the brand man!
Looks like all those rads are really getting to your brain. Blog Hog.
High SonyCyberPunk. Where do I send your check for bringing so much attention to my posts? Really, thank you. Were it not for you, then my comments would more than likely be unnoticed. Thanks to you, more and more users are becoming aware how Sony screwed their user base by abandoning their entire flash system in favor of an expensive microphone.
Did you know that the XLR adapter is a hassle to put onto even their video cameras too? Got to make circus maneuvers in the field and use yet another adapter just to make it fit. It is rather ridiculous. See Paul Genge review of XLR on VG cams. What were they thinking?
And the fact that it forces the purchase of a Sony microphone with it is even more of a slap in the face. Why couldn’t they have just sold the XLR by itself, and let user chose their own mic, or use what they already have?
Anyway, I want to express my gratitude, to you personally, my friend, for drawing so much extra attention to these important topics. The Sony user base is much better informed to the truth… Thanks to you!
I have mixed feelings. I like the new mount but hate that the flash shoe does not go on all the way. I will wait and see what they have planned for this new/old mount but I kinda agree with you. I don’t really see the point but at least I can use my sb-28 on my nex-6. I am selling all my minolta guns for nikons which I like better anyway. I am really hoping sony works things out. I really like them.
I appreciate your workaround innovation, but I don’t believe Sony created the new shoe for you to use Nikon flashes with. You’re the second person I’ve come across that has indicated this, as somehow a benefit to the brand, and good for majority of your fellow Sony users.
Can’t say I get excited about a flash program which is backfiring more than they ever imagined with togs willing to loose every modern advancement over the past 25 years in order to happily shoot manual flash from competitor brand. Just don’t think that’s what they had in mind.
I never use TTL or any other setting on my flash even when I had sonys 58am. I only use manual because I do/did events and moving around always changed the way the light bounced so I just got very good at manual. I am not really saying its a benefit. I just like to work around things to make it fit my needs. The only thing I really liked about my 58am besides the power, was the quick shift bounce head. I really like nikon flash because they are cheap compared to sony flash and do the same thing with more options as far as power output. I just ordered 7 pc sync to 2.5 plug to attach to my radio trigger to then add velco to the trigger so I can stick it on the nikon flash because the mount on my 4 triggers are all iiso so I completly understand your frustration and I actually think I agree with you 100%. I don’t see the point at the moment but nothing is perfect. I also heard that the new 60am breaks very easily at the mount and slips off the adapter.
Understood and applauded. But please understand that for brand security, the system should be fully functional in every modern way. Workarounds for personal individual use are not good for the brand as a whole. Not many will see advantage investing in system that offers 1950’s flash tech.
I’m glad it works for you though. Really, I do similar workarounds. But we have a responsibility to hold our brand accountable to the promises made.
I really don’t like flash photography, but sometimes it’s the only way to go. Anyway, after using the Minolta flash shoe since its inception, I bought the A99 with the new “old” ISO shoe and it came with the adapter. I must say that ,although the flash gun ( is raised a bit, it has worked fine for me . No loosening or malfunction with the HVL-F58AM, F20AM or the Sigma 140 ring flashes. I also didn’t notice any problems when triggering the F58 wirelessly with the F20 on camera.
You should report your findings to Dyxum lighting forums and Gary Friedman. The issue with iISO to MIS adapter isn’t noticeable unless used in the field, at an event/wedding, for example. Togs have caught it falling off when carrying around the neck all day.
Now, if you don’t have problems with F58am with F20am trigger, then there must be something amis with the F60m with F20am as trigger. That’s what Friedman discovered, and has been duplicated in other environments. Please report your findings to Dyxum lighting forums and send a message to Friedman. Helps the Sony strobist community.
Looking forward to see how Sony makes the RX10 so interesting!?
I guess an APS-C-based RX10 is the obvious next step for Sony. However, I’d much rather see a RX10 with the same sensor as RX100, but with more features like a faster/better lens, built in viewfinder and tilt screen. How many fixed focal length, slighty large sensor cameras does the world really need?
Just get an NEX-6. Problem solved.
With exactly which bright zoom lens it’s pocketable? Cause there’s only one pocketable zoom lens for NEX6 and it’s not really bright.
I know right… Yet RX100 28mm f1.8 equiv with image stabiization… pretty slick trick. Really looking forward to this one, which may satisfy all the fantasies I had for NEX fulfillment.
NEX is fine. Just didn’t turn out to be what I thought it would, for me anyway.
The poster I was replying to didn’t mention anything about pocketable. But since you bring it up, the 16-50 powerzoom is pocketable, has more range and almost just as fast as the Nikon built in zoo. The 16/2.8 is pocketable and just as fast as the Nikon. So again, Just get an NEX-6 and problem solved.
Major features of RX100 are it’s small size and bright pocketable zoom.
16-50 isn’t bright, 16mm isn’t zoom (nor bright either).
NEX6 doesn’t solve ANYTHING.
I for one would like to see something simple: Bright, prime lens, 16 or 20 MPx sensor, something I can grip (unlike in Nikon), A-mount style menu, if possible: a focusing ring for MF (doesn’t have to be big, but it’d be nice to have an option there). That’s pretty much all.
“I am not impressed by the use of a slow lens but more about the tiny size of the camera. it’s much smaller than the Fuji X100s and Pentax MX-1.” Admin, it would be pretty much impossible to have a faster lens without having a larger lens, therefore a larger camera. Surely you’d know this.
They could have a multiple tube collapsable lens. Sure, it increases startup time, but that can be worked around.
“…I just hope they will use a faster lens than the Nikon, a hybrid viewfinder like the Fuji and the price of the Pentax…”
Nice one, but I want to add something to this dream – the lens from X10. I know this is even more absurd, but this would be the killer camera and again, without any competition!
Holy eff… $1100?! No way… it would have to take some seriously good photos for that price.
Isn’t the RX100 (with more than 3 times smaller sensor) $649???
Both are too expensive, IMO, but I don’t think price depends on sensor size.
550$ as of today 😉
Nex 7n specs!! Come on, what u waitin for?! Post as sr1!
SR5… More of the same, with a different hot shoe, and slightly lower noise and slightly higher resolution EVF. There will be a little “n” printed behind the “7”. It will have slightly longer EVF overheating timeout than original 7.
It will still have the awful NEX menu system, with no option for Alpha style menu. And it still won’t allow for diagonal scrolling in magnified focus or magnified review. It still won’t allow for vertical swing on lcd.
Whether it will have better optical magnifier to view the EVF with is unknown. Hopefully it will be more similar to a77/a99 or optional add on EVF unit, and not like original 7 that causes smearing on edges of viewfinder if eyeball isn’t aligned absolutely perfect.
No, I’m not a fortune teller. Yes, I pay attention to the past, and expect history to repeat itself.
28mm on crop seems like a good start, would want f2.0 like the RX1.
would like sensor stabilizer/optical stabilizer for sure.
I would not mind seeing a 50mm version (75mm crop) come out later either for candid street photography. Would love for that to be f1.4, but no more than f1.7
Cudos for Nikon though – this little coolpix is actually MADE IN JAPAN.
ADMIN – Andrea –
SLT – APS-C – A78 – Any and all updates appreciated a78
Thanks – We are hoping for a timely SONY response to
Nikon’s D7100 launch
Not impressive, as usual from Canikontax when it concerns mirrorless… Comparing to a Nex 6 with 19 mm sigma, (almost the same sensor), what are the advantages of this toy? A little bit smaller, yes, but that’s all…
No viewfinder, no hybrid focus, fixed and relatively slow lense, poor video mode… Focus numérique (french website) is also not impressed at all by the build quality…
So?
Don’t expect any integrated viewfinder on the future APS-C RX10. If RX100 and RX1 doesn’t own it, It’s hard to imagine Sony puting one in the third camera of the line-up…
Why bother 28mm f2.8 not a great choice for a fixed lens. X100s is the king of the hill and has a viewfinder too. Another misfire from Nikon
And the Fuji x100 fits so nicely into pocket too, and shares conformity of menu system with Alpha users for ease of use… oh, wait.
So? Why buy a Nikon that you can’t use with your Sony flashes?
At least Fuji have the viewfinder and the lens and the stuff photographers want
This new Nikon is overpriced and a big yawn
where’s the lightning fast PDAF from the Nikon 1 series?
and the VR?
This supportingly “lightning fast” AF is there where you can find tiny sensor and dark lenses giving you huge depth of field so that AF wouldn’t have to work too much.
And VR is somewhere next to “larger & more expensive lenses”. 1100$ is already high enough for compact.
but isnt tgere any kind of stabilization? not even by software? cause its crutial on video
How about an electronic viewfinder that you can review through and NO back display. I know that sound awkward and ridiculous on a consumer model but a pro camera could have a realtime Bluetooth facility to review on a tablet. This could all reduce the size of the camera and costs and/or allow a better lens and other facilities.
my words!!
I would even go further and implement focus aids only into an optical viewfinder, add bluetooth for those who want to chimp on their smartphone
we need smaller cameras
I think Sony should approach the RX10 more akin to the Canon G1X with emphasis on keeping the size down.
Do not make it a fixed lens camera, look at sales of Sigma’s DP series compared to a similarly priced variable fixed lens camera. Sure every photographer would use a Fuji X100, but it’s not for the masses.
Do not go this route Sony!
So it sits a little smaller than the rx-100, but the lens is a stop and a 3rd slower? Would it really have a stop and a third better ISO performance? Just seems like you might as well opt for the camera that’s $500 less and gain a zoom lens and better video.
Seems like you aren’t losing a lot when going with the rx-100
It might have sharp corners.
The RX100 also has built-in OIS. The Nikon would be better for landscapes but the RX100 would be about equal or better in other situations. Doesn’t seem worth double the price of the RX100.
I have used the RX100 for six months. I carry it with me almost very day. I think it is a remarkable camera. It’s size, build, features and IQ are great. It has replaced my panasonic camcorder for recording stage productions. I have recorded video for over an hour and never shown any overheating issues. The power zoom and clear zoom feature give me very good reach. I do not hesitant to use it with the iso up to 1600 indoors. I want the RX10 to have a hotshoe and tilt screen (features I miss on any camera) even if it needs to be a little bigger. I am very happy with a number of Sony’s products. I do not care about how so many people constantly comparisons to Nikon and Canon. Get out and shoot pictures. I think that having good people skills to work with subjects is even more important than gear.
Yes! RX10 with tilt screen would be great. I think it could still be no bigger than RX1, maybe slightly smaller. I would also like the option of adding an EVF like you can with the RX1.
The Nikon Coolpix A makes you really appreciate that RX100 even more. Why you ask?
The A has a fixed F2.8 lens with an APS-C sensor. The RX100 has an F1.8 lens at the same FL with a 2.7X crop sensor. In terms of DOF, they are less than half a stop apart and if the 16MP DX sensor performs as expected, in terms of noise as well (thanks to the F1.8 in the RX100 which means you can usually shoot at lower ISO’s).
Now add the fact that the Coolpix A is about 70% more expensiveis and the RX100 has *optical zoom* up to the equivalent of about 100mm, has optical image stabilization, is smaller still and offers a 43% longer battery life (same CIPA test method, adds 60P full HD movie mode and 2.5 times the burstspeed. That’s a lot of sacrifices for about half a stop better noise performance and half a stop more DOF control.
+1
+1.
If the RX10 comes with a 3x zoom similar to the G1X (ie. starting at f2.8) except in a much more compact body, I may actually consider replacing my RX100 with it. This Nikon doesn’t make sense in many ways unless you are looking for a compact landscape camera. But then the Sigma compacts make more sense for that king of work.
Did anybody note, Nikon also announced their new 80-400 at USD 2,696.95. Sony’s new 80-400 is to be had for ‘just’ USD 2,199.00?
Nikon’s lens does come with built-in OIS and weather sealing. Some may prefer that for the extra $500.
I’ve been looking at Sony RX100 and Canon G15 for underwater photography use mainly but also maybe some Macro… and I must say I’m incredibly impressed by the Canon G15s Macro ability… 1 cm! But the RX100 had a overall very nice image quality indeed… Hard choice! … Could probably skip a macro lens for my a77 and just get a G15?!
not for me but it looks ok maybe should be about 699.99
For $1100 you get a NEX6 (with EVF) with a lens or two.
E.g Sigma 19mm F2.8 and 30mm F2.8.
And even $50 in spare to buy youself a good dinner 🙂
If Sony makes a RX10 I am only interested if it got a in-camera EVF.
And the focal range 24mm-85mm (FF equivalent) most interesting.
RX10 has no chance once done in other RX style. That is, no swivel touch screen, no VF. This segment is busy and Sony has no advantages here.
RX10 with APSC sensor and 50mm/1.4 would be very tempting!! 😀
What would you do with a camera, that has 75mm equiv? 35mm F/1.4 I can understand as an all-around lens, that has a 49mm Equiv.
I agree, give the RX10 a 30-35mm f2 lens (45-50mm FF EFV) including close focus a la RX1, and it will be the best all around fixed lens camera for me!
@stan
well, i think 50mm/1.4 or 50mm/2.0 will be good for street n potraiture photography 🙂 that will be perfect combination beside RX1 and RX100 😀 especially if sony add wide conventer lens 35mm 😀 that would be sweet ^^
28-35mm, f1.8 and IBIS it will make me buy it even if i already have got a couple of NEX and a lot of lenses!
i would love an RX100 from 24-48 mm equivalent focal length with f2.0-f2.8. can it still be pocketable?
That would be nice. Though it would be an RX101. I say do it!
I think the Nikon will have better output due to a better lens and jpeg engine.
Nikon doesn’t have the resources to develop such a camera and didn’t do any R&D to make this camera special. This is the same rebranded Sony “part” they make for Pentax K-01 and Leica X1 X2.
When you see that the K-01 was selling for Pentax at $399 (and I believe they were still making a profit), this circuit board and sensor probably cost Nikon around $50 and another $50 for the Coolpix “wrapper”.
I don’t believe this camera costs more than $100 to make. Probably closer to $75.
And that is why they made it.
Nikon’s coolpix division needs a big slap upside the head, I’m sorry to say. I see intentional dumbing down of cameras that compete with DSLRS and I think that is a very bad way to go. 200 image battery life, 1/2000th second, and 30 second max exposure time are really silly specs this day and age especially in a fixed lens compact with a leaf shutter for over 1K USD. Especially when the $350.00 P330 has a brighter lens and 1/4000th top end with 60 seconds max shutter speed.
“Stop that, it’s silly”- Monty Python
-Carl
But Carl, I thought the new fashion was the “intentional dumbing down” of everything.
I say, include a good book on composition, instead of spending R&D on Auto Portrait Mode. Reviewers would go wild over the inclusion of such a book. And Sony wouldn’t have to spend money advertising it either.
I bet I could teach Grandma how to compose a portrait faster than she could menu dive to set up AP mode.
LOL “New and in style: dumbing down products for higher prices, and you’ll like it cuz it’s cool” I kinda like that sarcasm, it’s rather true on a lot of things now a days. 🙂 Maybe the average buyer ought to start educating themselves a little bit more before buying, enough do it and manufacturers will have to start to take notice.
Far as successful business goes- Notice today’s’ best businesses stay with a tried and true plan and that almost always revolves around one thing: Pleasing the end user. In fact it’s always been that way.
What a shocker! 🙂
Why businessmen think they can get away with any other plan is simply beyond me. You get what you play with- if you play with fire you’re going to get burned.
C
RX 10 with APS-C sensor, Zeiss optics, 4x zoom, and all the other features of the RX 100 would be lovely…, maybe a tiny bit larger than the RX 100 if necessary…, I’d pay up to $1000…, and maybe a bit more if the rear screen articulated…, and still more with an EVF. (And maybe one day SONY will make an RX 1ZZ (standing for Zeiss Zoom) with all this and FF.)
I find the Nikon A a completely boring non-starter.
Please sony give RX100 (or incoming RX10) a shutter wire……. RX100 is good to see having a Bulb mode , but lack of Shutter wire made It not really useful…
That is a bit silly to offer B without a wired remote. Any camera capable of this level of quality should at least be on par with technology from the early 1900’s.
I’m not sure there is much of a market for an RX10 or this Nikon for that matter. Anyone willing to spend that kind of money for a fixed lens camera will likely look at the Fuji X100s, and I doubt people will chose a no viewfinder aps-c fixed lens camera for $1100 over it.
why RX10 if there is NEX3n/5r with 20mm F2.8 pancake?
A true sucessor for the mythical R1 is needed. The RX10 could be it. Put a 20+ mp APS-C sensor with no AA filter, a Zeiss 16-80 f2.8-4 lens, articulated LCD, a 2,800k dots EVF, 1080p video… That’d be the perfect bridge camera / DSLR backup for many!
I’d suggest the following spec for RX-10/RX-20:
Same sensor as OM-D
scaled down Zeiss 28/1.8/Zeiss 24-70/2.8 + Makro with OIS
Articulated LCD (sideways please, for self-timer on tripod)
Built-in Flash like NEX-3N
IAS hotshoe
Flash Sync 1/4000s
Optional RX-1 EVF
Optional OVF (for Leica fans)
Clean HDMI 1080/60P 4:2:2 out
Sell it at USD999/1199
If Sony is going to release RX10, it should look at Fuji X20
as its rival. A fast ZOOM lens (with low magnification factor)
has to be there to differentiate from RX100. If it is going to be
another fixed prime, what is the point? They already release an
amazing Rx1
The Coolpix A shouldn’t be compared with the RX100. The Coolpix A should be compared with the RX1, Leica X2, Fuji x100(s), Ricoh GR V.
Actually I’m looking for a pocket cam with great quality. I have looked at the RX100 but wouldn’t even consider it concerning the low light output. But I guess that’s personal. I’ll pick the Coolpix A when it drops to the 600-800 range.
Sounds like the hobbiest is getting frustrated at Canon and Nikon offerings.
I think Davidlam nailed it pretty close.
Canon, Nikon, get this guy’s phone number and do us all a favour,
hire him to sit on your board.
Is common sense too rare to find these days???
Same sensor as OM-D
scaled down Zeiss 28/1.8/Zeiss 24-70/2.8 + Makro with OIS
Articulated LCD (sideways please, for self-timer on tripod)
Built-in Flash like NEX-3N
IAS hotshoe
Flash Sync 1/4000s
Optional RX-1 EVF
Optional OVF (for Leica fans)
Clean HDMI 1080/60P 4:2:2 out
Sell it at USD999/1199