Good information. I will add that especially when I shoot in aquariums that I use auto ISO with TTL flash and set the upper limit of ISO at 6400. I frequently find images where the camera used ISO 6400 and the images are good. This makes sense in the Sony a7 line of cameras. You used a 24mp camera at 3200 and my numbers are with a 42 mp camera. Yes, there is a difference in the construction of the sensors, non-back-lit vs back-lit.

Steady Shot in-camera allows a lot of flexibility and even more flexibility with a Sony lens with IS. Using both SS and IS together is great. Sony also made these systems to work together and on a tripod too.

Delkin Sd cards!!! the lifetime warranty is great. Delkin also has great customer service.

https://www.delkindevices.com/delkin-black/

I will speak of two cameras I used, The Sony A500 and the Sony A77ii. both of these cameras had buttons to use 1.4x and 2x zoom (only in jpg not RAW). These would work regardless of what lens was on the camera.

I have not seen this feature on the Sony mirrorless cameras.

Two other programs worthy of serious consideration are Capture One and Zoner Photo Studio.

Sony has announced its latest flagship phone.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/02/sonys-latest-flagship-phone-is-the-219-xperia-1-and-its-very-tall/

ZPS X works great. The most recent updates are good.

I have not ever had the issue you describe with ZPS. I could be that as WIN 10 upgrades, it is not able to support programs that were not built for WIN 10. As ISP's upgrade, programs also upgrade to work in that environment.

That is a good image of a dahlia. The exact variety, I would need to look up the name.

As for the Oregon list linked in this thread...you should still do your research. For example, I think all the people that live in Dufur, Oregon would object to being called ghosts. However, there are some areas around Dufur that have old abandoned structures or at they were still standing until the fires hit that area last year. I have this area on my agenda (weather permitting) for the second week in March.

Jerry, thank you for the tip. Every time I saw this device advertised I wonder how it lock in place when lifted when the weight of the camera.

I have a "ring light" that goes over my flash gun, using the light from the flash. I have control of the light with controls on the flash unit and through the camera. I think I paid less than $30 for it. You can pay a lot more for other ring flash systems, but unless you use it the majority of time, paying less is a good thing. I will use this ring flash a few times a year when shooting flowers (dahlias).

With Sony mirrorless cameras live view is the same as the viewfinder. I choose to use live view 100% of the time. When handholding it is easier to get the camera at the same level as the subject. It is also easier to get different angles on flowers for example. Live view should be embraced not avoided. the most important thing about using live view is that you use both eyes (is you have two) so you can see better.

As photographers, we like to wear black clothes so what we wear should not be a problem. However, using flash during the service or at the reception is always distracting and seems less acceptable at funeral/memorial services than at weddings.

From personal experience, it seems that the "photographer" is some family member who knows about photography ethics. Services I have officiated or attended that a photographer has shown up has mixed responses. I officiated a service for a photographer and friend that was videotaped and sent to the daughter who later was pleased with the service.

As stated above in this thread, funeral photography is not a new aspect, but the manner we behave as photographers is always most important.

Yes, any version of the RX100 would be a good choice. Only the RX100m2 has a hot shoe in this line of Sony cameras. However, each version improves on the last version. Knowing what you want the camera to do will help you making your choice.

Since the original OP is wanting to go to someplace cold to see whales, maybe the artic to see Narwhals would be a better choice.

It is a matter of what you want the image to say. Rule of thirds is boring and uninteresting, if not cliche. Use the golden spiral if you want to use a guide. Rather than being constrained by "rules", be creative and compose the image as you see it and what you want to say with that image. Many aspects of design and tones, and color, and negative space, and filling the frame, and lighting, etc. are there to use. One or two of these could more important to use to tell show what you want.