Of course it has auto focus. And a really fast one too using piezo technology. It autofocuses in Photo AND Video mode as you are shooting. Low light capability should really be amazing as it has a backlit sensor design in it. This thing is going to sell like crazy. All my other cameras are going up for sale,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but will the technology to autofocus at f2.8 at 200mm not have to be very good? I mean, if the auto gets confused, that DOF will jump badly. Am I wrong?

Autofocus is always unreliable, especially on a dslr with a shallower dof.

One of the touted features (albeit for stills) is the ability to "eye focus" - meaning the focus is capable not just of focusing on a face, but on the EYE of a subject... and keeping it in focus. I don't know why the same AF system would not be used by the video side of the equation. So yes, it should do just fine as an unmanned camera (what a waste, but...) - keep in mind the 29 minute clip limit.

The auto focus on the RX100M2 is very good. Struggles a little in difficult light, but no worse than any other camera, and I'd say better than most. NO AF system is "perfect", they can all be fooled under the "right" conditions.

What little footage is available (from ONE reviewer who definitely is NOT a video shooter) is pretty tough to use as a "sampling". I'd suggest finding people who are using the RX100M2 for video and use that as a yardstick, expect more lens range and better low light performance... but the basic sensor performance should be in the general ballpark.

I suspect Sony saw this as a STILL camera first, and some engineer that defected from the HandyCam department realized what the potential was for video... but most likely the reviewers are based on "it looks like a still camera" - meaning they may well be drowning in the deep end when presented with a camera with an extensive VIDEO subset. I still see that many STILL shooters don't give a hoot about the video "features"... and as a consequence don't have the slightest idea how to set them or properly show capabilities.

I don't leave autofocus on for the unattended cameras. But i do setup with touch spot focus and I have not seen that mentioned for the RX10 though would be very useful.

Ron Evans

No touch screen, but zebras and peaking... can't have everything I guess, touch focus/exposure certainly would be handy!

This shallow depth of field thing got a few brides irritated when they asked me if I had eye problems or I cannot focus right. They do not understand how that effect/look means and wouldn't give a hoot about. In a way, I regret at times spending the extra time setting up the shots for it, I mean if a few do not appreciate , then I just don't have the time or the desire to start editing those scenes out. Especially with the very affordable prices I charge. I do quite a lot of business by meeting the customer's budget. I am not saying that my prices are in the el cheapo category, but when the work has to go out in a timely manner, I have no intention to burn the midnight oil. so they say. Anyway, this is( shallow depth of field) what many clients want because they are always seeing all the fancy stuff that others are offering and so most of them want that too. I would rather concentrate on getting the "basics" than spending time at the event to figure out some scenes for that bokeh and defocus look. Over the years, I have had most compliments on how thorough I captured the day rather than the few effects I included. As far as image quality is concerned, most don't care that much unless it is noticeable inferior to what is going around,and cannot see the difference between a little bit of moire or not.I am talking in general although I had a few that are really into the high tech arena and are even asking for 4K capture. I am not changing or upgrading just to please a few especially when they won't pay the big price hike. if thee are any complaints it is usually because of the content ( if any) missed or how steady the camera is. They sure put a lot of scrutiny on the audio though. Sure, I could go for the Sony A7 to get that extra bit of quality but my average client won't ever say what a sharp and clear video you got there over the competition. They would only compliment on that if there is a huge difference from what they are usually used to seeing.

Gordon Laing has posted some short clips from the RX10 on Vimeo with the original .mts files available for download. The detail looks pretty amazing & it's noise free at ISO3200. The continuous AF is impressive too.

Sony Cyber-shot RX10 sample movie: static zoom on Vimeo
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 sample movie: 1080 / 60p and 3200 ISO on Vimeo
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 sample movie: continuous AF at 400 ISO on Vimeo
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 sample movie: continuous AF focus pulling at 400 ISO on Vimeo
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 sample movie: manual focus pulling on Vimeo
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 sample movie: low light handheld pan 1080 / 60i at 1600 ISO on Vimeo

BTW Brits may know Gordon Laing as the former editor of Personal Computer World which was Britain’s first and longest-running IT magazine until it went out of business in 2009. He has obviously found a new niche doing camera reviews Camera reviews, DSLR reviews, lens reviews, photography guides | Cameralabs (http://www.cameralabs.com)

Interesting quotes from the mind (KImio Maki) behind the RX10, from a DPReview interview:

"The RX10 is different - that's the camera I wanted for events, like sport, when my children are playing soccer and basketball. The lenses on the RX100 and RX1 aren’t long enough for that. Also for movies - as you know we use every pixel on the sensor for video recording, therefore the movie quality is better than some professional video systems."

I think it's interesting that this was DESIGNED to be an "event" camera - may well have unexpected strengths "under the hood" once we get hands on 'em!

The article is an interesting read, you get to see where a manufacturer finds themselves with the "smartphone/tablet" rapidly shifting the imaging market - looks like we will see more "professional" orientation than "consumer" cameras...

Yesterday I spoke with my reseller who in turn spoke with Sony New Zealand. ‘Will need to be in fast if he wants one before Christmas’ was the response. Stock arriving 12/12.

I place an order. I shall keep you posted :-)

Some suggestions for Mr.Maki for the RX10 ll
using the same zoom lens formula and sensor size

1- Interchangeable lens mount, come up with an affordable series of fast 1.4 primes or a F2 short zoom
2- No rec. time limit
3- Drop the AVCHD
4-XLR MIC inputs, placed somewhere on a optional 2 battery grip
5-Rear screen should flip to the left
6-A 4K video sensor would also be nice
7- Keep the same price

Art -

1 - I don't think they will be supporting yet another lens mount system... A & E are confusing enough - and this camera is supposedly moisture and dust resistant... an ILC would defeat much of the purpose. Plus, the whole idea of a 24-200 with constant aperture is to give a highly versatile dedicated range, in a small package... but 300mm might have been nice <wink>. Even so, the f/2.8 lens by itself would probably be almost half the camera price at least...

2 - The rec time limit might well be easy to remove, Panasonic has done it on at least SOME cameras. Don't see why Sony shouldn't follow...

3 - AVCHD dropped for what exactly? Compatibility is good with that format, maybe something with a higher bitrate, but then it would eat memory cards... (see below)

4 - There's already an XLR adapter option, albeit expensive, via the MIS (Multi interface shoe). I'm a bit leery of the FW50 battery life for video (wasn't impressed with NEX testing I did), but wouldn't want to add bulk and another potential "leak point" (see first point). I do wish they had gone with the BX or FV for compatibility with the other RX's or Handycams... a dual BX setup would make some sense...

5 - I liked the articulating screen on the FZ200 (and that it could flip around, ALA the Alpha cams to protect the screen when not in use!), and it does add a nice "video camera" quality, but the tilt has worked rather well for most situations, and likely will be more durable over the long term. Still, might be nice!

6 - This sensor is ALREADY a 4K+ sensor - and the Bionz X is supposedly able to process the 5K data stream coming off it. My suspicion is that there is no memory capable of handling UHD at the moment at a "consumer" price point, thus while the "hardware" may be capable, there's a missing link... no doubt that will change shortly, as UHD is coming.

7 - Prices typically stay pretty close or come down... but a Cybershot camera at $1300 is ALREADY going to impact the Handycam lines, if they put too much more into it, it actually might impact their "pro" cameras... the quote was telling as to the quality of the video...this IS a fully manual camera, with a relatively large sensor, and a pretty decent lens... and should take darn fine stills TOO, much better than the "still" function on a Handycam!


All that said, other than the record time, which I've already worked around using OTHER Cybershot cameras, and it's not a big deal if you're on your toes, the RX10 already checks a LOT of boxes for a "prosumer" video cam that will almost fit in your pocket....and take great stills too...

I've said elsewhere, this is a new animal, as were the previous "RX" releases - there isn't anything to compare it to exactly, and yet it has a lot of promise for "event" shooting. We will have to see how it holds up in "live fire", but sure looks good so far. I thought it was interesting to see the "idea guy" behind it! Hopefully it sells like hotcakes and we see more innovation in the future!

Art, i can't be as gracious as dave in response to your suggestions for sony

1- Quit asking companies for 4 times the camera and expect 0x the price-
2- Quit waiting for a mark 2 camera before a mark 1 is even out and shown its abilities
3- Did you seriously just suggest they make a whole new standard in lenses? Totally reasonable...
4- If a camera doesn't do what you want, find one that does, if the price isn't for you, that's your issue.

Sorry for the bluntness, but these kinds of posts are hyperbole and just plain stupid. companies already know you want everything for nothing, and no, they're not just going to give it to you.

I think the "funny" thing is how many boxes the RX10 ticked, and it wasn't a camera ANYONE expected, or even speculated about... barely even any rumours in advance!

I know I was thinking, hmmm, the HX300 and the RX100M2 are pretty cool as a pair for most everything I really need... aside from the sticker shock, the RX10 hits a spot I'm happy with, as is! That's presuming there is not some strange fundamental flaw with it, but I don't see that happening...

It's "fun" to think about what "could be", but it's helpful to at least consider the physics (in the case of sensors and lenses), the economics (in the case of price points and markets), and the practical considerations (things like archaic tax situations on video clip limits).

I know for myself, I would have liked to see 4K, but only so I could experiment - the memory costs for now are probably too much to justify... the other stuff is quite literally "little stuff".

Perhaps one consideration that isn't on ANY spec sheet is that I'd expect this to be a FUN camera to shoot with - the HX300 and RX100M2 provide that in buckets, along with 1080/60p video and stills that I really can't complain about - now I just need some more HDD's to store all the "fun" I get to shoot because I'm not lugging around big cameras!!!

This camera and cameras like these will bring you pleasure, and it will give you pain. Let me explain. This camera was designed to be an all around, all purpose camera suitable for weddings and events. Looks like it'll be child's play to get great images at an event. Now here's the problem. All of us professionals have invested quite a lot for the latest, greatest cameras you can afford. Say, for example, I have a Canon C100. When an RX10 is put in capable, professional hands, the images will look stunning. A shopping bride will not be able to distinguish the difference in picture quality between a C100 and the RX10. Now here's the pain. My competitor will buy 5 of these and will be able to run circles around what I am capable of now, all because of the incredibly low cost of the camera. The days when 1 camera was used to capture an event will be obsolete. Brides will want more, and it will be possible because of this low priced workhorse camera. Companies will begin to charge even less than what they are charging now to stay competitive, and the downhill spiral of video production will continue. More and more professionals will acquire bucketloads of these cheap, but capable cameras and change the way a "standard" video is shot. Oh, and don't forget that any college kid will be able to get one and try his hand at shooting weddings on the weekends too. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, I'm just looking at reality head-on and trying to figure out what to do for the future.

"Oh, and don't forget that any college kid will be able to get one and try his hand at shooting weddings on the weekends too."

This scenario happened a long time ago, like around 1995-96 when the miniDV format came around with the Mac G4 tower and firewire as an example, and somehow everyone got on the bandwagon. Anyone could have afforded a non-linear system back then. Even today, I know of more than a few that edit HD on a Macbook Pro burn on Blu-Ray and use Rebel cameras. The quality ain't the best, but they sure grab a lot of business from those that are seemingly " on a budget". It has become way too easy and affordable to instantly become a "cinematographer". Same goes for photography, there weren't many college students that knew how to handle a manual Hasselblad film camera and would not bother to take a photography course just for mastering the use of.
The auto exposure digital Canon of 2004 took care of the Hasselblad which eventually were either all sold off on eBay or served as door stoppers and paperweights. Videography became a lucrative way to make extra pocket money for the students over the weekend. So even if they charged little, who cares ? But when the recession hit in late 2008, it became obvious that this was a good source of income as well. That's when they became aggressive and started to compete with the pros. Welcome to the dog eat dog arena, let the most creative survive.

As I see it the rx10 is just not the type of camera a beginner would be using, it's a fully manual camera that requires experience to get the most from it, you need to know how to control focus and exposure manually and you need to understand when to apply your ND's based on your f-stop, You can let any camera run in full automode but that doesn't make you a better videographer, no matter how good the camera is.

Steve Huff has a review up on Youtube.

The Sony RX10 Hands On - Steve Huff Photo - YouTube

Like other businesses before (I remember going into a print shop, complete with lead type and a printing press...), technology "disrupts" even as it "improves".

That print shop is long gone... as I would suppose are most... Film labs are an endangered species... compact cameras, video cameras and large segments of the "personal computer" market have almost vanished in a very short time...

Sure, there will always be "amateurs" entering into business, hoping to make enough to survive or buy an extra case of beer or whatever... a business is a business because it has what it takes to survive... talent, vision, capital, equipment, AND a service or product that people want to exchange sufficient amounts of money to sustain the expenses and a profit.

I don't see the RX10 as being so cheap as to be something most amateurs will buy... and there are PLENTY of cheaper "imaging devices" capable of high quality (or at least sufficiently high quality to please a client) output. This is not "new", it's been ongoing.

I'm looking at it as another potentially better "tool" - not for "everything", but for some things... and in 3-5 years, it will probably be "obsolete", with newer, "better", prolly UHD cameras, and that's just in cell phones <wink>. For now, if it's a better tool that gets better results and is reasonably priced, that's fine. If it advances imaging technology, great. If I get better results and it's easier to shoot with, whoo hoo!

Whether there will be business for wedding photographers/videographers... well I'm guessing people will still get married, and want a record of it... whether you or I or someone else is there to provide that service, and with what equipment, I'm sure there will be SOME business opportunity for those who wish to do it....

A camera that makes my "job" easier, with less gear to lug around... yeah, I'm OK with that... if it is cost effective, even better...

As I see it the rx10 is just not the type of camera a beginner would be using, it's a fully manual camera that requires experience to get the most from it, you need to know how to control focus and exposure manually and you need to understand when to apply your ND's based on your f-stop, You can let any camera run in full automode but that doesn't make you a better videographer, no matter how good the camera is.


Yep - I'm sure it will, being a Sony, do a pretty decent job in "Superior or advanced auto", but to get the most out of it, you'll need to know some old fashioned things like aperture, shutter speed, white balance, etc....

I can vouch for the RX100 having been a bit of a shock with the "all manual" settings - took a while to get a handle on what the camera could REALLY do. The RX100M2 came easier, after using the M1 for a while, but it's part of what makes shooting "fun" again. Auto is great, but if you want to get creative, it's there for you.

I'm sure that there will be plenty of these available "lightly used", simply because it will go WAY over the head (and the needs) of the average user/buyer. The gap between a P&S compact or cell phone and this type of camera is more of a gigantic chasm! And to get the most out of a camera like this, you'll need to take time to learn how it works...

Here is 6th December
Sony RX10 Cybershot 20.2 MP Digital Still Camera with: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Cybershot-Digital-Camera-3-Inch/dp/B00FYPUXPI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383734466&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+rx10)

Should have held back on my new pana g6 jeez my wife hates my spending