DMCMD

I love photographing wildlife especially birds. I go out with a buddy birding and photographing . We both have the Sony RX10. Mine is the mark 111 and his is a IV.
His results are mostly better than mine. We are standing side by side aiming at the same subject.
I am in my 80th year so that may have a lot to with it.
Looking into the AF systems the IV uses Phase Detection and the III uses Contrast Detection.
There is an article by jmpeltier.com online that discusses this issue.
So do I have a Mark IV in my future? Or is this much ado about not much.
Thanks,
Dave

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

The M4 is MUCH faster at focusing, using a large array of hybrid focusing sensors that are both PDAF and CDAF. I almost bought an M3, but the AF system was lacking. I waited another 6 weeks and bought the M4 when it came out - I describe the AF system as "pre-emptive" or mind-triggered - it is so instantaneous.

I would wait until the M5 comes out though, unless you can get an M4 for a really good price.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I had been using a Canon SX60 as my bridge camera, but wanted to leap to the RX10. At the time, the iv hadn’t been released yet. I found a used iii on eBay for a good price. Got it home and started going out for shooting walks. For about a month, my wife had to listen to my grumblings about focus challenges with the Sony contrast system. At the time, I also owned a Sony a6000, which (other than the menu system), I really liked. After 5 weeks or so, I sold the RX10 iii losing a few bucks, and never looked back. Gene51 mentioned when the v comes out that we may see a bit of a price break on the iv. I’m still waiting.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

I purchased a iv for my wife and I've always been impressed with the AF and tracking on that camera. I never used a iii, but everything I read when doing research is that the iv is substantially better.

DMCMD

Thanks guys. Suspicions confirmed. I will wait for the V.