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Sony Announces RX100 III
16 May 2014
With a pop-up electronic viewfinder and a fast Zeiss 24-70mm f1.8-2.8 zoom coupled with a one-inch image sensor, the Cyber-shot RX100 III packs some intriguing features in its 10 oz. body.
While the body is based on the RX100 and RX100 II, the 24-70mm lens is shorter than its predecessors' 28-100mm 35mm equivalent, which also featured an f1.8 aperture at wide angle. But Sony said the f2.8 aperture at 70mm allows the RX100 III T* to gather about twice as much light as the RX100 and RX100 II models at 70mm.
"With the new RX100 III model," Patrick Huang, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics, said "we've added a brighter, wider aperture lens and an impressive retractable OLED EVF, while also utilizing the latest Sony imaging technologies to boost the camera's processing speed and efficiency."
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the RX100 III include:
- 20.1-megapixel 1.0-inch back-illuminated CMOS image sensor
- Bionz X image processor
- Built-in 3-stop (1/8) neutral density filter
- Popup OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder with 1.4 million dots
- Articulated LCD (180-degrees for self-portraits)
- Full HD video in XAVC S
- 120 fps recording at 720p HD resolution, zebra pattering on the LCD and built-in EVF
- Intelligent Active Mode to reduce camera shake in Movie mode
- Built-in WiFi and NFC for sharing and remote control
- Customizable control ring and custom C button with 40 assignable functions
Top Panel. Popup EVF, popup flash, Power button, Shutter, Mode dial.
Sony said the RX100 III compact camera will be available in June for about $800. We're awaiting pre-order sponsored links and will update this story when they're available.
For more information see the news release below.
Sony Adds New Pocket-Sized RX100 III Camera to Acclaimed Cyber-shot RX Line
New RX100 III Model Features Large-Aperture Zeiss 24-70mm lens, Built-in OLED Viewfinder with Zeiss T* Coating, Bionz X processor and more
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Building on its lineup of acclaimed compact cameras, Sony Electronics has introduced a new addition to its popular Cyber-shot RX series: the pocket-sized RX100 III camera.
Based on the same sleek, stylish design as the existing RX100 and RX100 II models, the new RX100 III features a specially developed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm1 f1.8-2.8 lens and adds a built-in OLED viewfinder with Zeiss T* coating. The camera utilizes the same high-resolution 20.1-Mp 1.0-type back-illuminated CMOS image sensor as the existing RX100II model and adds the powerful Bionz X processor featured in several high-end Sony cameras including the full-frame 7, 7R and 7S models.
"Sony continues to push the modern limits of engineering and innovation with our Cyber-shot RX family of products" said Patrick Huang, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics. "With the new RX100 III model, we've added a brighter, wider aperture lens and an impressive retractable OLED EVF, while also utilizing the latest Sony imaging technologies to boost the camera's processing speed and efficiency. And we've done this without sacrificing any of the true pocketability' of our RX100 line, creating an especially unique compact camera unlike anything else in market today."
New Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f1.8-f2.8 Lens
The unique new Zeiss lens on the RX100 III camera covers the popular 24-70mm focal length with a wide f1.8 to f2.8 aperture. This is particularly noteworthy at the 70mm telephoto end of the lens, where the maximum f2.8 aperture allows it to gather about twice as much light as the RX100 and RX100 II models (at 70mm), ensuring that portrait subjects can be captured against beautiful background defocus. The wide aperture also allows the lens to capture moving subjects clearly without any blur due to camera and/or subject shake.
The versatile new lens is capable of capturing dramatic landscapes or large group photos at the wide 24mm length while also boasting impressive macro shooting capabilities throughout the focal range. For example, it can still focus accurately as close as 30cm from the front of the lens (working distance) when fully extended. There's also a built-in 3-stop (1/8) neutral density filter that adds to shooting flexibility in a wide range of outdoor conditions.
The new Zeiss lens realizes outstanding corner-to-corner sharpness, with nine total aspherical glass elements including two advanced aspherical elements that have been cemented together -- a world's first in lens manufaturing. This results in an ultra-compact physical footprint while maintaining a wide maximum angle of view. Additionally, the 24-70mm lens features Zeiss T* coating that minimizes flare and ghosting and a seven-blade circular aperture that enhances bokeh' background defocus.
Clear, High-Precision Built-in EVF with Zeiss T* Coating
Largely based on customer feedback of existing RX100 series cameras (RX100 and RX100II), the new RX100 III adds a versatile, high-quality OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder. The EVF has an impressive 1.4 million dot resolution, adding exceptional brightness and clarity to the overall framing and viewing experience and handily pops in and out of the top of the camera body based on shooting preferences. This allows the camera to operate in the traditional rangefinder' style without sacrificing any of its portability or compactness.
The unique new EVF also features a specially-designed eyepiece lens with Zeiss T* coating, dramatically reducing reflections that can interfere with clear viewing. The viewfinder achieves exceptional corner-to-corner clarity and includes an eye sensor that automatically switches between viewfinder and monitor display.
Exmor R CMOS Sensor and Bionz X Processor
The powerful new RX100 III camera shares the same critically acclaimed 1.0-type back-illuminated 20.1-Mp Exmor R CMOS image sensor featured in the RX100 II and RX10 cameras. With approximately four times greater image capture area than the 1/2.3 type image sensors commonly used in compact cameras, the sensor takes in significantly more light, translating into brighter, clearer images and sharper Full HD videos that capture all of the finer details of a scene.
The high-resolution sensor is paired with the evolved Bionz X image processor introduced in the 7, 7R models this past fall. Around three times faster than the BIONZ processing engine in the RX100 and RX100 II models, it employs detail reproduction, diffraction-reducing and area-specific noise reduction technologies that allow the camera to produce amazingly detailed images and Full HD videos in all types of lighting conditions.
Pro-Quality Full HD Video Capture
The new RX100 III model is equipped with a host of HD video capabilities to satisfy the most demanding enthusiasts.
The new compact is the first Cyber-shot model to offer high-resolution HD video recording in the XAVC S format, which allows for full HD recording at a data rate of 50 mbps with lower compression for improved video quality. Additionally, with the power of the Bionz X processor, the camera is able to read, process and output data from all of the sensor's pixels during video recording, ensuring that it produces the highest quality video possible by eliminating aliasing, moir and false color artifacts.
Other video features include a clear HDMI output for reviewing footage on an external monitor, 120 fps recording at 720p HD resolution and zebra pattering on the LCD and built-in EVF. The camera also has dual video recording capability (XAVC S/AVCHD files along with MP4 files), which allows users to shoot a high bit-rate video for storage or editing purposes while also recording a lower bit rate video that's optimized for sharing via WiFi .
The camera also has Intelligent Active Mode -- another first for Cyber-shot RX series cameras -- which utilizes Sony's frame analysis technology and 5-axis compensation to dramatically reduce the effects of camera shake while shooting movies.
Camera Design, Customizability and Control
Despite its small "pocketable" size, the new RX100 III features many opportunities to adjust common shooting settings, including a Fn' key, customizable control ring and a "C" custom button with more than 40 assignable functions.
New to the RX series, the RX100 III model features an articulated LCD that can tilt upward by about 180 degrees for self-portraits and all the way downward to approximately 45 degrees for high-angle shots. The camera also can output still images in 4K resolution with full wide-gamut Triluminous Color support when connected to compatible 4K televisions.
WiFi and PlayMemories
The RX100 III camera has built-in WiFi, giving consumers one-touch connection with Xperia or NFC-compatible Android smartphones or tablets for instant image transfer and sharing. A single touch also activates Smart Remote Control, linking the camera with a smartphone or tablet for a live image preview, to fire the shutter from a distance and to review shots instantly.
For devices without NFC one-touch capabilities, users can wirelessly transfer images and videos and activate Smart Remote Control through Sony's free PlayMemories Mobile application, available for the iOS and Android platforms.
The camera is also the first Cyber-shot RX series model to feature compatibility with Sony's growing assortment of downloadable Sony PlayMemories Camera Apps, adding a range of exciting and creative capabilities. Learn more at http://www.sony.net/pmca .
Pricing and Availability
The Cyber-shot RX100 III compact camera will be available in June for about $800. The camera and a range of compatible Cyber-shot accessories will be sold at all Sony retail stores and other authorized dealers nationwide.
The camera will be showcased to the public for the first time this weekend at the PMA Big Photo Show in Los Angeles at the LA Convention Center. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 17 to 18, Sony Booth 301.
For a full video preview of the new RX100 III camera, visit http://www.blog.sony.com and please follow #SonyCamera on twitter for all the latest Sony Electronics camera news and updates.