Sony RX10 III Hands-On Field Test

We're big fans of the Sony RX10 and RX10 II as camcorder replacements that also take great stills. However, some people have found the 200mm equivalent zoom to be a bit restrictive. Sony addressed that in a big way with the RX10 III, with a huge 24-600mm equivalent zoom. However, is the extra size, weight and cost worth the upgrade? Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake find out.

Shot and edited by Jordan Drake
Shot on the Sony FS5

[MuchoBe]

A camera dealer that doesn't always praise the newest gear to be THE ultimate upgrade that you HAVE to buy. This makes me moist. <3

[batterseadancer]

Chris is using the Zoom Assist the wrong way round. It's main purpose is when you are fully zoomed in it can be easy to lose your subject. When you press your customised button for Zoom Assist it zooms out so you get a wider view and can pick your subject up again. Once you have found it you aim the small box at the subject and as soon as you release the button it zooms back in to your previous focal length. Quite useful for telephoto shooting.

Nice review though, guys.

[sjladopoulos]

You guys are awesome! Love your videos and the fact that they are true reviews and not infomercials. Keep up the great work!

[Jason_Hermann]

Excellent review guys! I totally agree about the aperture ring issue, lack of ND filter (why??), still no touchscreen, and variable aperture issue for serious video. Otherwise fantastic camera and IQ in both video and photography ;) Basically a complement to the RX10 II, but not a replacement due to the issues mentioned...

Jay

[kenross]

Seems they forgot an important point, lens wobble. That was present in the previous two generations but has been 100% solved in the RX10iii. For videographers that's a key point.

[aparkapark]

Guys, I am a big fan of your channel and your work - thanks for bringing a great balance of subject expertise and entertainment/humor.

One comment I have on this review is your comparison with the RX10 II. I have owned all 3 gens (as well as the FZ1000) - a piece you don't mention is just how much of an upgrade this lens on the III is vs. the II or I. Frankly, it is a massive difference. Yes, I agree that the loss of the ND filter and the constant aperture is a bummer, but this lens makes it all worth it. I had always preferred the sharpness and clarity (and zoom range) of the FZ1000 over the first two gens of the RX10, but now the III legitimately blows away the FZ1000.

And especially when you see the quality of the III at even the long end of the zoom range, the quality of the images is very impressive in decent light. The RX10 II has always been insufficient in zoom for me personally, especially for kids' events in larger auditoriums or concert halls. This lens wins hand down.

[Eliehbk]

best camera reviews on YouTube period!

[vy]

hi guys, love the video! you can totally set the zoom ring to zoom between the focal ranges with a tiny turn, so you dont need to turn the zoom ring like crazy

also the lens juggler made me super nervous

[jadesroom]

First, I really like your reviews--this may have to do with having a Canadian wife and my affinity for Canadian culture. But more than that I think you have a great balance of entertainment and information. With that said, over the past two months I've been waiting for this review, but it came just a bit two late. Basically, I have $2000 American budgeted to pay for a camera with the intention of primarily shooting video.  My finalists were the RX10iii, the GH4, the D750, the D500, and the A7ii. My primary criteria were little rolling shutter, little moire, good lowlight performance, headphone jack, and good video features.  4K would be nice but not necessary.  My deadline for making the purchase was last Friday.  I decided on the RX10iii and submitted the order. Over the weekend I thought of some of the issues you would later point out in your review and decided to cancel the order Monday morning. I decided to choose between the D750 and the D500. I finally ordered the D750 because, for me, the full-frame sensor is more important than 4k with a 2.5 crop. Anyway, great review.  Thanks for your work.

[expressphotolab]

Great review guys, keep pushing them to make better cameras. I believe you are the only ones, that say things how they really are. Thumbs up.

[frankluo]

Brave and honest review by Jordan ! Well done TCS.

[PostColorGear]

I agree with Jordan 1000%. The range and the built in ND makes the version 2 all you need for video. It's s something I've considered when renting.

[andrew_ep_curtis]

You have seriously let me down... every video, out loud, I say "welcome back TCS viewers, Chris Niccolls here from The Camera Store..." And I nail the timing to be perfectly in line with Chris. It annoys my girlfriend every time (Which you laughed about on a previous comment of mine explaining this).

But!... this video, you change the intro and I got it wrong. Thanks!

ps. This is playful banter, just a joke :)

pps. But seriously, I do say it on every video.

[GuamPhotography]

Glad to see TCS's recent videos in 4K :)

[SilatShooter]

Have to say I really appreciate the integrity in your reviews! Truly Outstanding and helpful information shared!

[joppetie]

Awesome video as always! I really appreciate all the time and effort it takes to produce such high quality, honest reviews.

[wesleyjordan]

The problem with many people here posting negative or "mixed" comments about this camera is they keep forgetting that they are camera enthusiasts/geeks/nerds. They will pick apart everything wrong with this camera, including price, as if most people will go along with the way they feel. YouTube commenters and other forums represent the smallest of minorities in the camera buying world. I'm betting less the 1/10th of a percent. For the rest of the camera buying world most people will walk into Best Buy and say, "Oh this camera fits my needs perfectly. I don't like switching lenses, the zoom is great and I like Sony". They will be more than happy to pay due to perceived value. That's why Sony gets away with over-charging the A7RII by $1000. Perceived value.

[amaryllisl]

Oooh I've been waiting for this one! A customer at the store where I work was telling me about it, but I didn't know all that much about this new version, so this is great :)

[gheorghefalcaru]

Oh Chris! You are good actor! New career on the way? BRAVO

[jbealsmusic]

Awesome review as always! Jordan's comments were as expected. Extra features that don't help (and actually hinder) the video side.

I recently bought an RX10ii for my business. It's the first non-camcorder camera that I've ever used for video. Image quality is great and the slow motion is cool, but damn do I ever miss B.O.S.S. and a fully articulated touchscreen (with selectable focus tracking). The new AX53 would be a contender if it had a better lens, flatter picture profiles, and some more manual features. It seems there's always something useful that is left out, no matter what camera you get. I guess that's how they keep people buying new ones every year or two.

An updated AX100 (with the newer 1" sensor) would probably fit the bill perfectly. But something tells me they would price it way too high to be worth it. :(