Sony introduced the latest addition
to the award winning line of RX Cyber-shot cameras, the new RX10 III
(DSC-RX10M3). Featuring a newly-developed extended 25x super-telephoto zoom
lens with an incredible focal range of 24-600mm and silent shutter capability,
it is designed for demanding photographers and videographers who want to shoot
fast moving, far away subjects such as sports events, concerts or wild animals.
It is able to reproduce high-quality content at a variety of focal lengths and
camera settings that would require more than three, large lenses for an
interchangeable-lens camera user.
The combination of the 20.1MPi
1.0-type stacked sensor, bright zoom lens and BIONZ X processor ensures the
highest image quality throughout the whole focal range, whether shooting stills
or video at up to 4K quality. Furthermore, by pairing the convenience of an
ultra-telephoto lens with an innovative stacked CMOS image sensor, the RX10 III
delivers new imaging experiences such as super slow motion video capture at up
to 1000 fps all the way up close at ultra-telephoto range. It benefits from an
extremely accurate AF that focuses in just 0.09v seconds and all of this is
packaged in a premium body that combines practicality and rugged good looks.
Lens
advantages
The jewel in the crown of the RX10
III is the newly developed ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* lens. Covering a huge
24-600mm (25x Optical magnification)[vi] focal range, the RX10 III is ideal in
a range of different shooting conditions, from wide angle scenery shots to
ultra-telephoto images of sports events or wild birds, all in one compact
package. The large-aperture lens (F2.4-4.0) maximizes the ability of the
1.0-type large sensor to achieve high image quality and beautiful bokeh, even
in the ultra-telephoto region.
Newly designed optics include eight
ED glass elements including one super ED glass element, and two ED aspherical
lenses. All of these elements work together to compensate for chromatic
aberration that often afflicts telephoto lenses and results in high-contrast
and ultra-sharp image quality from corner to corner across the entire zoom
range. The newly developed optical design contains the sophisticated advanced
aspherical (AA) lens and delivers excellent imaging performance while keeping
the lens unit itself small. Additionally, with a minimum focusing distance of
72cm at a fully extended 600mm(0.49x maximum magnification), the new lens is
capable of producing amazingly detailed tele-macro images. The ZEISS® T*
Coating minimizes flare and ghosting that often affects image quality in
adverse lighting conditions and delivers faithful color reproduction and clear
image expression.
The aperture unit has nine blades
that are designed to create a near-perfect circle in the F2.4 to F11 aperture
range which enables soft, beautiful bokeh expression. The Optical Steady Shot
algorithm has been optimized for the lens design of the RX10 III and delivers
up to 4.5 stops image stabilization for outstanding protection against camera
shake, even when shooting from the hand in ultra-telephoto or low-light
conditions.
Premium
Speed and Response Times
The RX10 III features a 1.0-type
stacked CMOS sensor with DRAM chip which is back-illuminated to allow it to
collect light more efficiently. Combined with the BIONZ X image processing
engine, the RX10 III achieves a wide sensitivity range of ISO 64[ix] - ISO
12800, with low noise, even at high sensitivity settings. It employs a stacked
structure that places the high-speed signal processing circuit on a different
layer from the pixel area, significantly expanding the signal processing
circuit and achieving astonishing high-speed processing. The DRAM chip at the
rear of the sensor temporarily stores and allows readout of large volumes of
signal data which can be processed without delay, enabling super slow motion
recording at up to 1000fps.iii This is especially beneficial when capturing
dynamic footage from a long distance, such as stadium based sports events where
close access to the subjects is impossible but impactful, high quality footage
is required. The accelerated readout of data from the image sensor also
delivers a major reduction in image distortion of fast-moving subjects such as
tennis players or animals on the move.
With shutter speeds as fast as
1/32000 second, the electronic shutter performs comparably to mechanical
shutters that don't distort images. Moreover, the electronic shutter can
operate silently, so you can shoot recitals, wildlife and other sensitive
subjects without disrupting the scene. Continuous shooting is possible at up to
14fps[x] which enables the photographer to capture moments of fleeting beauty
or facial expressions. In addition, the RX10 III offers accurate tracking
during continuous shooting with AF at up to 5fps.
The combination of the premium
performance characteristics of the RX10 III and its extended zoom capabilities
open up a whole new world of imaging experiences.
High
Quality 4Kiii Movie Recording
The RX10 III records video in 4K
quality at a high bit rate in the highly efficient XAVC S format with full
pixel readout and no pixel binning. This means that it captures approximately
1.7x more information than is required for 4K movie output and this
oversampling effect enhances image detail as it minimises moiré and jaggies.
The newly developed lens means that the camera can shoot high-quality 4K movies
between 24-600mm, enabling huge flexibility in the types of shooting situations
that can be captured. Furthermore, the inclusion of a high-speed front-end LSI
assists the BIONZ X high-speed image processing engine in significantly
reducing the rolling shutter phenomenon that can often distort how fast-moving
subjects appear in 4K movies.
To enable compatibility with a
professional video workflow, the RX10 III supports a variety of movie functions
that are typically found on professional video cameras. The functions include
Picture Profile, S-Gamut/S-Log2, Gamma Display Assist, enhanced Zebra function,
clean HDMI output, TC/UB, REC Control, Dual REC, and Marker function.
High
speed autofocus
The RX10 III features the Fast
Intelligent AF system that has attracted praise amongst RX10 II and RX100 IV
users, with the spatial object detection algorithm fully optimized for the RX10
III. This allows the camera to predict the point of focus by detecting the
subject even before the shutter button is pressed halfway. Once the shutter
button is pressed halfway down, the camera focuses on the subject without
delay, delivering a very smooth AF performance in just 0.09 seconds.
New
innovations
The RX10 III features a number of
other upgrades compared to the current RX10 models. These include triple lens
rings for focus, zoom and aperture, each operable on the side of the lens for
smooth operation. The handgrip shape has been optimized for the new
high-magnification large-aperture lens, particularly to enhance grip security
when holding the camera at eye level. A new Focus Hold button on the lens
barrel allows the focus distance to be locked when it pressed and can also be
assigned as a custom function button. A new soft carrying case, LCJ-RXJ, will
also be available for the new camera.
Full technical details of the RX10
III can be seen here and it will be available in April priced at approximately
$1,498.00.
