Sony 24-600mm SUPER ZOOM no one talks about

Should you get a bridge camera instead of a mirrorless setup?
In this video, I'm trying to figure out if the fairly unknown Sony RX10 IV is worth getting if you're looking to buy you first camera for wildlife photography, or if it's worth putting your money into a mirrorless camera system, such as the Sony Alpha series.

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[Floraunalaura]

This is actually the camera I currently own! A friend of mine who is a photographer recommended it. He uses it mostly while travelling. I had an old second hand camera before this one and was always very frustrated that I couldn't get closer to the birds and zoom in more, so I noticed huge improvements in my pictures. I am mainly a walker who enjoys birds and nature and I love this camera. Very handy to figure out what exactly is running/flying around very far away too. Thanks to the super zoom I recently figured out I was looking at an otter running around in daylight!

[StephenHOutdoors]

This has actually been my main camera for the last 2 years. I recently got a full-frame mirrorless setup and I still use the RX10 IV all the time. It's a nice backup and I like being able to take mega-zoom shots. Anytime I'm going somewhere where carrying a true 600mm would be impractica, it's my go-to.

[henkvandenbergh]

I learned about this camera earlier this week, and bought it yesterday. Hiking in the Colorado mountains I switch between birds, flowers and insects and whatever else interests me. Carrying 15 pounds of camera and lenses, having to take of my backpack and laying it on the dirty or wet or snowy ground to switch to a difference lens just gets to be too cumbersome. RX10's 24 to 600mm compared to my 90d, 18-55mm, 70-300mm, 150-600mm and 110mm macro? And having my camera plus Sigma 150-600 draped over my shoulder when getting on and off of my ebike during a bike ride?
CONVENIENCE.
This is worth a try, spring is coming in only 47 days.

And let's not forget my biggest problem in the summer: bringing all my stuff on a 5000 mile motorcycle trip: I was running out of space.

[norbertszaki]

I bought this camera used from a friend of mine as my first ever camera. It really got me into photograpy. I really love it as a hobby now, learning new things etc. It can achieve really good bokeh effect too especially at higher mm-s like 600 or even at 24mm if you have plenty of space, or close focusing. As you mentioned it can struggle in bad light conditions when you need fast shutter speed, crop hard for small birds, and it cannot handle high ISO well like a full frame camera, but AI noise redusction can help sometimes. This camera is a very good starter camera, and in our country it's way cheaper than an equal quality full frame with a same decent lens. The price/quality ratio is very good and you can enjoy this camera when you get to know how to use it properly and using lightroom to edit your raw photos. Of course I want to upgrade to full frame when I can afford it.

[JohnMark]

I was in Valley of Fire State park, and was shooting a macro shot of a beautiful desert flower. Then, my wife explained “Look!, ” I wheeled around extended the lens to 550mm and shot Big Horn Sheep that filled the frame. The camera was a Sony RX10 MKIV. I was happy with it then and still am now. In good light with prints up to 20”x20” the camera has excellent results.

[kalannash]

I've owned one of these for about 18 months and am very happy with my purchase. As long as the lighting is good, I get great stills and 4K video. My use case doesn't allow for a full interchangeable lens set-up and the 600mm reach is invaluable to me.

[lumixographer]

SAFARI! The RX10IV is a perfect safari companion. Compact and lightweight for all the bush flights and jeep rides. Dust and weather proof stands up against the harsh conditions. Fast enough to capture action with excellent focus. Decent low light performance even on night safari using the anti blur setting. The RX10IV rarely left my hand on tour in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. The 600mm focal length was perfect for closeups when you're really close to a lion. And produced excellent cropped images of eagle's roosting 250m away. Macro detail was remarkably good. Overall, the RX10IV proved itself under challenging conditions producing excellent out of camera images. Yes, my mirrorless camera and lenses might produce better results, but my back didn't ache and my wallet didn't get drained with excess baggage fees. 😊👍

[davidrosinski]

I was just recently telling a friend who uses a D850 Nikon like mine, how tired I was of humping it all around. He recommended the RX10iv and said he loves it. He's actually a world class photographer. So I just found one used for $800. Looking forward to trying it out!

[DavidSGMin]

Yes, I knew that RX10 exists even fron RX10 II era.
I eventually bought an used RX10 IV at CAD $1250 (USD $900) at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
The previous owner bought this as brand new then used little bit when he sold it to me.
He told me that he bought it for his next cruise trip, which he cancelled due to the lock down.
Someone's unluck became my treasure hunting and it was a fantastic deal to me.
I have totally enjoyed ever since using this versatile bridge camera specially using it in my daytime long hike.
I do use my Sony A7R IV with many different lenses when surrounding conditions are more challenging.

[pinestreet]

In 2024, I'm seeing this camera, released in 2017, still being rated among the best wildlife / bird photography cameras available. In a list I saw today, it was the only bridge camera in this list of 5 "bests".

[richreecer]

The RX10iv is a miracle of photo/video technology. If I could only have one camera and lens, this would be it. I keep waiting for the RX10v to come out.

[WeylinTracking]

Hi Olle! (Jeroen Kloppenburg here). This camera I have always with me if I can not carry my big camera. It is amazing, the image quality is so good for such a size sensor. Even at "600mm" it is still sharp. When we go hiking with the family, when I teach tracking classes, etc. This camera is with me and saved me so many times.

I recommend anyone who wants to spent a bit more money, but not go full body/lenses, to get this camera. By all means, keep them away from the "superzooms" like those Nikon's etc. They look crap compared to this camera. I am suprised you did not knew about it already!

[mindyourownbusiness]

I have a Sony RX10iv it's the best camera ever in my opinion. I got fed up with having to switch lenses on my Olympus EM5ii never having the right lens at the right time. With modern software you can clean up any noise in photos very easily. The image quality is fantastic and more than enough for general photography.

[allanhansford]

I am 79 almost 80 and use this camera almost every day for bird photography and the odd macro shot. Yes it's a little expensive but is an awesome tool. The autofocus is second to none in bridge cameras for birds in flight. I can carry it easily for hours on end in one hand with a wrist strap. Due to it's smaller size and weight than full frame or mirrorless camera with and up to 600mm zoom it is also faster to use especially for birds in flight. I've been with guys and gals with those cameras who've missed the shot for that very reason. I would highly recommend it for any non-professional.

[kelanadunia-landcruisingth]

I had this camera since 2018 and still have it before recently investing in a mirrorless camera set up. Agree with you, RX10 a very versatile camera for travelling and gives decent quality image. Now I used it as my backup camera.

[tinboxlife]

I bought one of these in 2019 for a trip to India. Hands down, it was the best choice I could have ever made. From street photography (if a little bulky), to wildlife, landscape, street portraiture, and documentary... it did it all. Sure, it has its cons, but if you understand them, and can find a workaround, it truly is a do-it-all camera. I have since moved on to other, more specific, camera systems and sold my RX10iv. But, if I were only allowed to own just one camera, that would likely be it!

[endowsk]

I've been using this camera for about 4 years. My main system is mirrorless, which I use for more serious photography. I mainly take this camera out for casual walks and hikes. As you mentioned in the video, it can handle various situations, from landscapes to wildlife. Also, it can be used for Tele-macro photography since the minimum focusing distance is quite short.

[michalsiegel]

Noone talks about? Man, this is the most popular and most known professional ultrazoom in the world. If you ever heard about Sony then you also heard about this camera. It is a legend that once set the competition pretty hight.

[rreichar]

I had an RX10 IV a few years ago and it was a solid birding camera. I ended up going with systems that are bigger and much more expensive with better results. But the Sony is a great camera. If Sony were to come out with an RX V with modern subject tracking and a faster card slot I would probably buy two of them. I think it is a much more viable option now than when I had mine because of the advances in noise reduction software.

[TinMoihOfficial]

Wow, a Sony 24-600mm super zoom lens sounds like an incredible tool for photography enthusiasts! With such a versatile range, it must be fantastic for capturing everything from wide landscapes to detailed close-ups. Imagine the creative possibilities with that kind of zoom! Whether it's for wildlife photography, sports, or even astrophotography, a lens like this could really expand the horizons of what's possible with a camera. It's great to see technology pushing the boundaries and offering such amazing tools for photographers. 📸✨