pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

have a close friend that uses this camera and gets outstanding shots. He moved to this for the same reasons. The 24-600MM Zeis lens is superb. He sells many of his bird photos. Good choice!!!

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

You might want to consider using a monopod . . . and it can do double duty as a walking stick!

RolandDieter

I'd go Sony 16500 or m4/3 rather than Sony RX10iv. I have all three and, at 86 yrs old, am only keeping the RX10iv for future if I get too frail to carry the others. Of the a600 series, the 6500 has stabilization, so I strongly recommend it over the others. There are also a lot of wonderful, and lighter still, m4/3 options. Which I use depends on what I'm shooting the Sony for travel and an Olympus EM-1iii with vertical battery grip for sports. With fast sports-oriented lenses the m4/3 is the heavier rig than the Sony with slower lenses. It's all in the trade-offs.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

The pelican was shot with a Sony RX10 iv, not the 𝜶6500 (which was what I used for the Osprey). I had forgotten about editing out the limbs but I now see from comparing to the raw version that I did. It was handheld. I sometimes use a monopod but the area where I shot that is a drive-thru and I usually just get out of the car and shoot. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel, FL.

The Pixelmator Pro (only on Mac) is an excellent post processor but many others are good, too. I find it easy to "repair" shots with it. It's also very affordable compared to most other apps of that level. It's comparable to PhotoShop, they say. I only use basic editing.

Here is the EXIF. I'm no longer steady as I was when young. The shutter speed was 1/500. The Pelican was in sunlight but the background was in shade. You can see from the EXIF that the picture is dark (BV 10 is normal average daylight) but it would have been a morning drive since that is when the birds are feeding at the refuge. At that time, the sun is on my right, birds usually on the left.

btw, the date is wrong. It was this year. My camera's battery was out so long it forgot the time/date. That camera and the 𝜶6500 both run the battery down even when shut off so I keep the battery out of them.

This shot of 2 pelicans was taken by my wife with a Nikon Coolpix P1000 (in bird mode) and is not edited other than a bit of brightening for a print. It proves that you don't need a high-end camera (sometimes). I had it printed 8x10 and it is just as good as my stuff. It shows the environment where the pelicans were loitering so that's why I'm including it here. These birds were on the sunny side of the road but it shows why my picture looked so dark.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

I have been shooting Canon 300/f4 & 400/f5.6L lenses for a decade+. At 86 weight has become an issue. My children gifted me a SONY RX10iv several years ago and I carry that rather exclusively since. Be aware, in my experience the RX10 "thinks" quite differently than what I have been used to, AUTO & Program have been where it has shown great results whereas I used to shoot Manual exclusively, Manual didn't do too well for me in general, on this incredible camera.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

This too works even with an RX10.

markwilliam1

You Can’t go wrong with the Sony! I own this Wonderful camera. I’m 70 and the RX10 IV will make your excursions Much Easier without losing image quality. No worries about changing lenses. F2.4-f4 aperture.

gwilliams6

The Sony RX10 IV is excellent and you have an excellent quality Zeiss 24mm-600mm equivalent lens in a more compact and lightweight package. Many fellow pros I know also have this camera in their kits and love it, especially when traveling and out in the field, I has a super fast stacked sensor, amazing AF, and can shoot at some amazing frame rates for stills and video, and more.

https://www.sony.com/ke/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx10m4

Enjoy

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Have you tried a mono-pod? It supports the weight and can double as a hiking pole.
Also high shutter speeds fit in with wildlife and birds, freezing action and canceling the camera wobble.
I am 78 and use a couple of heavy lenses. I find that everything available; fences, railings, trees, poles, window sills, car tops etc. becomes a brace for shooting.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Both are beautiful pictures! Did you notice the large sensor spot below the osprey?

Chiroman8

Dear iyndacast,
As I always say,"it is what it is", please do not have any pangs of regret, please ! Have fun with your bridge camera!

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

What is important is that you find a way that works for so that you may enjoy you craft. Good for you. Keep on shooting!

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Good spotting (pun intended). I should have edited it out. I have since cleaned the sensor. This illustrates (pun) the advantage of the RX10 which doesn't have interchangeable lenses and thus no opportunity for dust on the sensor.

Thanks for liking them.

W9OD Loc: Wisconsin

I want to thank you and everyone for their thoughts. I have been getting disappointed results lately. Camera shake, I am going to start packing my monopod.

RustyM

I’ve been using the RX10 IV for more than four years. I love it. I don’t think you will regret your decision.