MW

I bought a RX100M3 a few months back. Now I have sold it. This isn't a rant , just why it didn't work out for me.

I have a Canon S100 that I carry around a lot in a shirt or jeans pocket. It has (for me) a major short coming -- no viewfinder. Hence my interest in the Sony.

So if the Sony had a viewfinder what's the problem? In order of importance these:

1-Maybe if you are 6'+ the Sony is a "pocket camera" but not if you are 5'8". The Sony looks small but compared to the S100 it is just a little taller, a little wider, definitely thicker and notably heavier. With effort I could squeeze it in to a jeans pocket but getting it back out again was another matter. In a shirt pocket (if it would go in) it was like a small brick bouncing around on my chest. Form factor was classic "more is less".

2-Auto focus was odd. You have two option AF-S or AF-C. AF-C simply would not lock on a moving subject. I thought maybe it was designed for video but a web search of the top produced several video oriented folks complaining about the same thing. It hunts like crazy. Set it on a table, point it at an object that should be easy to focus on and it hunts and hunts and hunts. It can't lock on a moving object or on a non-moving object. AF-S works better but not to my liking. Regardless of whether it was set to spot or wide it would focus accurately but often on the wrong thing. From the S100 up to a DLSR I have never experience such a case of what I'll call "inappropriate autofocus". Manual focus with focus peaking works fine but limits what you can do.

3-Too many bells and whistles. You can't get by without using the menu some of the time and while it is reasonably laid out it is just too big to scroll through quickly to what you need.

4-The viewfinder worked well but I would have preferred one that didn't need to be popped up for use. I got used to that but when it was up it seemed kind of vulnerable. Sooner or later it was going to get bashed.

Number one was the big thing. To take a photo you need a camera and a camera that is too awkward to carry with you is equivalent to no camera. I gave up carrying it in a pocket and just carried in-hand which put it in the same boat as a Nikon 1 series or an M4/3. It does have good IQ for a 1" sensor provided the autofocus is being sensible.

Despite the above, this camera might work really well for other people but I wanted offer my experience in case someone is thinking about getting one. If possible (considering the price) try before you buy.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

I love my RX100M3. It fits in the pocket of my jeans and I can easily shoot with one hand. Many of my candid's are shot from the hip, but when I need to look I use the LCD screen.

http://travelwp.com/2014-1009-street-times-square-page.htm

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

So then are you just sticking with the S100?

NeilL Loc: British-born Canadian

Thanks for the info.

MW

Yes, for now. If there an S130 that comes along with a viewfinder, I would be interested.

There is a gadget I found on Amazon from Delkin that is a foldable sunshade that sticks to the back of the S100. It's cheap so I'll experiment with that.

MarkD Loc: NYC

Take a look at the Panasonic LF-1. It has a Leica 28-200 f/2-5.9 lens, a 1/1.7 inch sensor, an EVF, and it fits in a shirt or pants pocket. I like mine very much.

MW

Definitely will do. It could be the very thing. With the number of pocket P&S's out there I guess I overlooked this one. Thanks!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for that. I considered getting one, but didn't. I had the NEX 5 and 7 and sold them. I'll stick with my DSLRs.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My DW bought one of those. She loves it and is frequently getting better shots than I do.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

P&S,,, junk words,,, how about 24/7 for those quality cameras that become part of us... wiling mates.

I have been a pocket ...super zoom junkie for years now. First was an expensive Kodak 3 mpix 4800. That camera had retro like dials and the noise was actually low.

Next was a Panasonic TZ-3, followed by a TZ30 (ZS20 20x Leica lens.. same as Leica modle but $300 intro cheaper) both of these would fit into a pocket. However, I used a belt pack that also contained my "as seen on TV" aluminum card/ID, extra battery and memory... and cell. All protected on your belt in foreign (or domestic) travel.

With no idea of change I saw a Sony HX-50 refurb at Newegg for $179... humm looked it up and 20 mpix and 30x with Zeiss made glass and Sony Exmor sensor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXp0u1XsrZw
OK this far and the reviews looked good. Camera arived and I had missed things like HDMI output directly to the TV, Net WIFI, USB port for remote/radio/interval timer.. and who know what in the HACK world. Oops forgot the hot shoe and special hidden multi contacts for mikes, viewer etc (expensive as hell!!)

Still fits in the pack, and am working on fitting with a 37mm ring that will open the world of IR, Polarized, ND, etc filters which are small and low cost. A quick test ... the camera will take 950 nm IR... that is like midnight dark... 750nm is typical... 650nm is too visible like. All my remotes have arrived: simple focus/shoot switch, Radio remote, and Interval unit. About 9, 20, 20 dollars respectively on Ebay. Wow they all work.

To add filters, refer to my UHH page:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-75114-1.html

PS: yep, I have two DSLR to look pro for shooting for $, both Sony using my 1985 AF lenses from Minlota 7000i days. Heavy stuff, ouch.

HeyYou Loc: SE Michigan

Same dilemma ! Thanks for the (brave!) post ! I only mildly jest because the Sony RX100 series has near-cult status around here.

I too am seeking a truly pocketable hi quality P&S with a viewfinder - in addition to my SLR gear.

I almost bought the LF-1 last spring. But when I actually held it (after finally finding a real brix'n mortar store) I couldn't tolerate the viewfinder.

Suggestions ?

NeilL Loc: British-born Canadian

I don't like to confuse the issue, but Panasonic is coming out with the LX 100 next month. Could be very interesting.

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

i too have a new rx 100 m3 and can fit it in my jeans pocket. I used Gary Friedman's e book to set up the camera menus, fn and custom button. I shoot raw and manual most of the time and NEVER need to go into the menu system. I have everything I need set up on the rings and camera back and the fn button which holds 12. I shoot af s and using the left side of the back dial as a custom setting to drop to manual focs with color peaking. the c button is iso so i can quickly set shutter speed f stop and iso. I use center focus and spot meter and recompose. I have not tried the c focus but will and look in my m3 gary friedman book to see what if anything he has to say about continuous shooting and focus modes.

Oh and last it really does take excellent quality photos and to me, worth the slightly heavier than a point and shoot and slightly larger size.. It's the camera I take when I don't want to carry my big FX dslr.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I've found only three "cults" here: Nikon DSLR, Canon DSLR and SX50.

Everything else is must be emotionally defended!

I bought my RX100 immediately after the NY Times declared it the best pocket camera ever. I bought it to learn RAW and Lightroom.

At the time I bought it, I was laughed off of a couple forums!

It has been in my pocket on three continents and Hawaii and has been my most productive camera in 50 years of picture taking, and now video shooting.

JTC Loc: Franklin, TN

[quote=MW]I bought a RX100M3 a few months back. Now I have sold it. This isn't a rant , just why it didn't work out for me.

I have the RX100MIII and like it very much. I'm over 6' so I don't have the problem that you mentioned of carrying it in my pocket, which I often do. While it is a great walk-around camera, I still depend on my D610.