We are pleased to learn that Sony has just announced the RX10 Mark III, an update to the earlier RX10 Mark II model with upgrades that many photographers will appreciate. 
This new camera wears an impressive ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* Lens, with a zoom range equivalent to a 24-600mm lens on a 35mm camera. It uses ZEISS T* coatings to reduce flare and ghosting; and contains a number of ED Glass Elements, including one Super-ED element, that work together to achieve the best possible image quality in a compact lens design. This new lens also has OSS (Optical SteadyShot) built in to reduce blur from camera shake, with Sony claiming up to 4.5 stops in compensation.
This new lens is also brighter than expected for a lens with its zoom range, starting out with an available f/2.4 aperture on the 24mm end, and still allowing an aperture of f/4 when zoomed in all the way to a 600mm equivalent setting.
The new RX10 III Camera is using a 1.0-inch 20.1-Megapixel EXMOR R CMOS Sensor that has a DRAM chip on board to allow it to process large quantities of images and video quickly when used in conjunction with this camera’s BIONZ X Image Processor. This new camera supports 4K video capture at up to 100 megabits per second quality, and also includes a slow motion video mode that can capture video at up to 960 frames per second.
In addition to the impressive video capture modes, the RX10 III can capture full resolution still images at up to 14 frames per second with minimal blackout to allow photographers to easily follow the action. Sony also claims that this new model has incredibly fast Autofocus, with the ability to lock on a subject in as little as 0.09 seconds
We are looking forward to testing this new model soon, since from what we can see from the Sony RX10 III specifications and features, it will be a super camera model that offers a wide range of features for use in many conditions in a compact size.
We can expect to see the new Sony RX10 III available from dealers in May 2016 for approximately $ 1,500.
See our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Preview for more information. Below you will find Sony’s official press release.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Sony – a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer – has today announced an exciting new addition to its acclaimed Cyber-shot RX lineup, the high-zoom RX10 III camera.
Featuring a newly-developed 25x super-telephoto zoom lens with an extensive focal range of 24-600mm1, the new RX10 III camera is able to produce high-quality content at a variety of focal lengths and camera settings that would require three or more large, heavy and expensive lenses for an interchangeable lens camera user. It’s an outstanding choice for shooting anything from landscapes to distant wildlife and everything in between.
The RX10 III high zoom camera is equipped with a 1.0 type stacked 20.1 MP Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor with DRAM chip and advanced signal processing, along with a powerful BIONZ X™ image processor. These components work together to ensure the highest possible image quality throughout the entire zoom range of the 24-600mm lens. Additionally, they are responsible for a variety of standout professional-caliber features including 40x super slow motion video capture at up to 960 fps, an ultra-fast Anti-Distortion Shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32000 second, high resolution 4K movie shooting and more.
“By pairing the convenience of an ultra-telephoto lens with our innovative stacked CMOS image sensor design, we’ve created a whole new image experience unlike anything else in market today,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics. “The new RX10 III offers a true ‘all in one’ package that will appeal to a wide range of amateur, hobbyist and professional photographers and videographers.”
New ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-600mm F2.4 – F4 Lens
The impressive 24-600mm ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* lens on the Cyber-shot RX10 III camera features a large maximum aperture of F2.4 – F4.0, helping it achieve outstanding image quality throughout the entire zoom range, all the way up to ultra-telephoto. This differentiates it from many other high-zoom lenses that often struggle with light-gathering at longer focal lengths. The aperture unit itself has nine blades that are designed to create a near perfect circle in the F2.4 – F11 range, enabling shooters to create content with beautiful bokeh, where the subject stands out against a softly defocused background.
In total, the extended zoom lens features eight ED glass elements including one super ED glass element, five ED glass elements and two ED aspherical lenses, which all work together to minimize chromatic aberration and deliver high-contrast, ultra-sharp image quality. It also has ZEISS® T* Coating for minimizing flare and ghosting and delivering accurate, faithful color reproduction.
The new lens has built-in Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization that helps to reduce camera shake and image blur, in particular when shooting at longer focal lengths. When active, the OSS is equivalent to shooting at a shutter speed approximately 4.5 stops3 faster than the current setting of the camera.
Additionally, with a minimum focusing distance of 72 cm (2.36 ft) and 0.49x maximum magnification at a fully extended 600mm, the new lens is capable of producing amazingly detailed tele-macro images.
High Quality Image Detail
The RX10 III features a back-illuminated 20.1 MP 1.0-type stacked CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processing engine that allow the camera to achieves a wide sensitivity range of ISO 644 – ISO 12800 and produce images with exceptionally low noise, even at higher sensitivity settings.
Additionally, the rear of the sensor has a DRAM chip that allows it to read and process large volumes of data exceptionally fast, enabling the camera to shoot super slow motion video at up to 960 fps. The powerful DRAM chip also allows the RX10 III to shoot continuously at up to 14fps with minimal blackout.
With shutter speeds as fast as 1/32000 second, the electronic shutter on the RX10 III minimizes image distortion at faster shutter speeds. It also offers silent shooting at all settings and speeds, ensuring all content can be captured quietly without disrupting the subject, a powerful feature when combined with the wide-ranging zoom lens.
High Quality 4K Movie Recording
The new RX10 III model becomes the latest and most versatile Cyber-shot RX camera to offer the advantages of 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) movie recording thanks to its far-reaching 24-600mm lens, which gives videographers the luxury of shooting high quality 4K video from extreme distances.
In 4K video mode, the RX10 III camera utilizes full pixel readout without pixel binning, capturing approximately 1.7x more information than is required for 4K movie output to enhance image detail and minimize moiré and jaggies. It achieves these high-quality results through use of the XAVC S codec, which records video at a high data rate of up to100 Mbps during 4K recording and up to 50 Mbps during full HD recording5.
The new camera also has a variety of other professional caliber video features including Picture Profile, S-Log2/S-Gamut, Gamma Display Assist, Time Code and more, as well as input for external microphone and output for headphone monitoring.
Super Slow Motion Video Recording
The new RX10 III also possesses the ability to record super slow-motion video at up to 40x slower than the standard rate, allowing users to capture and replay fleeting moments of action with incredible detail, resolution and clarity.
In “HFR” (high frame rate) setting, it offers the option to choose among 960fps, 480fps and 240 fps frame rates and among 60p, 30p and 24p playback formats4,5 with the option to use the movie record button as a ‘start trigger’ to begin recording once button is pressed or ‘end trigger’ to record footage up until the button is pressed.
High Speed Autofocus
The new RX10 III camera is equipped with an impressive autofocus system with spatial object detection, allowing the camera to detect and predict motion of a subject before the shutter button is pressed, This helps the camera achieve an incredibly fast and efficient AF response when the shutter is halfway pressed, enabling it to lock on to a subject in as little as 0.09 seconds 8. This is a yet another compelling technology, especially when paired with a versatile, highly capable 25x zoom lens with a range up to 600mm.
Ergonomics and Design
Aesthetically, the new RX10 III features a number of upgrades compared to existing RX10 models including triple lens rings for focus, zoom and aperture for direct, precise control. The hand grip shape has also been optimized for the new high-magnification, large-aperture lens to enhance stability when holding the camera at eye level. There is a new focus hold button on the lens barrel as well, allowing the focus to be easily locked on a subject while the shooter reframes the image.
The new model features a high-contrast XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ with approximately 2.35 million dots of resolution, ensuring true-to-life image preview and playback functionality. The camera is also dust and moisture resistant and both Wi-Fi® and NFC™ compatible, with the ability and can access Sony’s growing range of PlayMemories Camera Applications. Learn more at www.sony.net/pmca. A dedicated LCJ-RXJ soft carrying case will also be available for the new camera.
Pricing and Availability
The new Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III extended zoom camera will be available this May for about $ 1,500 US and $ 2,000 CA, respectively.
The new cameras and all compatible accessories will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America. More information can be found here.
A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new RX10 III cameras and other high-end Sony imaging products can also be found at www.alphauniverse.com, Sony’s community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of Sony imaging products.
For access to all of the latest Sony camera news on twitter, follow #SonyCamera.
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