Hey, everyone!
After announcing the release of a brand new camera line-up about a month ago, Sony Malaysia finally held a product launch for the eyebrow-raising RX0. Along with it, they also launched the latest iteration of the bridge-camera series with the RX10IV and a new 4K handycam, the FDR-AX700.
The launch event was held at the beautiful Glasshouse at Seputeh
As per usual, the event started off with opening words by the flyest looking managing director, Mr. Satoru Arai.
Mr. Satoru Arai, Managing Director of Sony Malaysia holding the almost invisible brand new RX0
“0 (zero) means infinity... For this model, we envision users having creativity and always seeking new expressions. With the RX0 we encourage to shoot freely and look at the world in a new way, which is emphasized in our tagline, Zero to Infinity”- Mr. Satoru Arai (paraphrased quote)
Following Mr. Arai's opening remarks, presentations were held by product specialists from Sony and an experience sharing session by DP/Director Baron Abbas.
Mr. Chiou Bing Han, Head of Digital Imaging gave a presentation on the RX0
Some impressive specs of the RX0 include:
- High-quality imaging technology in an ultra-compact waterproof, shockproof, and crushproof body.
- 1.0-type (1") stacked 15.3MP Exmor RS™ CMOS image sensor (same sensor as in RX100V)
- ZEISS® Tessar T* 24mm F4 fixed wide-angle lens with maximum shutter speed of up to 1/32000 second and ability to shoot at up to 16 fps
- Range of creative video functionality including 40x super slow motion (1000fps at 1080p) recording, S-Log2 (flat) picture profile, and 4K clean HDMI output
- Multi-camera control for multi-view shooting either wirelessly or with wired connection
Mr. Christopher Choong, Product Marketing of Digital Imaging gave a presentation on the RX10IV and FDR-AX700
Highlights for RX10IV:
- Fast AF speed of 0.03 seconds, 24 fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking
- 315 focal-plane phase-detection AF points covering approx. 65% of the frame
- ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-600mm F2.4-F4 high magnification zoom lens
- 4K movie recording with full pixel readout (no pixel binning = no crop)
Specs for FDR-AX700 handycam:
- 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor
- Fast Hybrid AF system ensures highly-accurate focusing and tracking during shooting, delivered by 273 phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 84% of the shooting area
- High-resolution OLED viewfinder (0.39-type OLED, 2,359k dots) and a 3.5-type large LCD screen (1,555k dots) with advanced touch screen operation that allows users to quickly switch focus from one subject to another
- 4K full-pixel readout without pixel binning using an enhanced BIONZ X™ image processing engine
- Super slow motion recording up to 960fps, which is industry-leading among palm categories and Slow & Quick Motion Full HD recording up to 120fps
- S-Log3/S-Gamut3 capabilities for users to create and work with images as they desire
- 29mm wide-angle ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom lens and 18x Clear Image Zoom
- Less image distortion (rolling shutter phenomenon), in comparison to conventional models, when shooting subjects in motion
Mr. Baron Abas, Key Opinion Leader of Sony Malaysia showed how he implemented only the RX0 into his production titled Stretched
After the presentations, two demonstrations were conducted by Mr. Abas, where he used the RX0 to record a breakdancer's dance routine and Mr. Bubbleman's bubble routine. Through his demonstrations, he showed both the toughness of the RX0 along with its superb slow motion capability.
Next came the fun part: touch & try session! I didn't spend too much time with the cameras, not only because we had to take turns between two available units but also because I was still busy wrapping my head around the exact reason Sony came up with the RX0. My first impressions on all cameras are as follows.
RX0
The nomenclature of Sony cameras bears somewhat significance to the intended use of the cameras. Here, with the "RX" name, the RX0 is mainly meant as a B-cam for filmmakers and/or production houses/studios. From all the promotional material with respect to the RX0, it is obvious that it is geared more toward professional creators that utilize rigs such as dolly tracks or multi-axes gimbals, attached to external recorders and LCD screens.
The RX0 still bewilders me with the way it presents itself. The way it is ultra-compact with a tough-as-nails exterior screams "action cam" yet nobody from Sony wants to admit that it is. It has unbelievable slow motion capability for action and stunts and provides seamless connection for ease of use by consumers. But at the same time, Sony already has their ActionCam lineup and has named this camera with the "RX" label, which supports their notion of the RX0 not being a typical action camera.
For the time being, I see the RX0 as a niche product. It is not officially considered as an action camera but can certainly work as one. It is a camera that suits a particular need, where you would buy it only if you need it. The 24mm fixed lens is both a limitation and in itself an invitation for creators to get creative. I personally am not a fan of slow motion or even super slow motion, but maybe some others may use the slow motion capability in tandem with the multi-cam perspective feature. Therefore, the tagline "zero to infinity" becomes more meaningful to represent the spectrum of ideas and applications of the RX0.
Or maybe it is just binary and represents two kinds of creators: those with zero ideas (me) or those with infinite ideas (everyone else).
RX10IV
A sneaky little update this was when I first heard of it. I have not seen many of the RX10's in the wild myself but after the release of the third and now the fourth iteration, I actually see some good prospects.
Previously with the RX10III, Sony appealed to a bigger percentage of consumers when the focal range of the lens was improved from 24-200mm to 24-600mm. They claim that more travellers and casual shooters have shown more interest in the series since it not only boasts that sweet, sweet slow motion but also had the zoom range that would beat most entry-level DSLR and lens combinations. Not to mention the RX10 cameras possess a large aperture throughout the range, maxing out at f4.0.
Fast forward to the present, Sony looks to entice even more shooters to the all-in-one series by releasing a model with much faster autofocus that shoots at a high frame rate. These two new improvements would certainly appeal to sports and wildlife photographers.
The RX10IV seems like it is simply one of the most versatile cameras around that provides everything you need in image quality, focal range and performance. In contrast with the RX0, I see myself using this kind of camera much more.
FDR-AX700
The Handycam FDR-AX700 was released as a trio of new camcorders about a month ago along with the XDCAM PXW-Z90 and the NXCAM HXR-NX80. I am not sure about the popularity of handycams these days but assuming Sony know what they're doing (and they usually do), I guess it is safe to say that there is still definitely a market for handycams.
I have had people ask me in the past regarding which "DSLR" they should get if their main focus is video. I simply tell them to get a handycam for its long recording limit, great built-in sound quality and battery life. With the AX700, all these features and more are dialled to eleven.
People who intend to shoot interviews, documentaries, home videos and performances will have a blast with this one.
* * * * *
Sony have outdone themselves yet again with the release of three new cameras that further challenge the creative capacity of the creative community. They are persistent in providing game-changing innovations and spearheading the movement to provide huge performance in tiny form factors, as tiny as the palm of your hand.
The RX0, RX10IV and AX700 will be available in Malaysia in the end of October 2017, retailing at the prices as follows:
- DSC-RX0 – RM 3,199
- DSC-RX10IV – RM 7,999
- FDR-AX700 – RM 7,299
Massive thanks goes to Sony Malaysia for having me at the launch event.
Till the next entry. Take care.
DISCLAIMER: I do not represent Sony or any other brand that might be showcased/mentioned in this first impressions. This first impressions is written for THE FEAR and is delivered with utmost honesty and sincerity.
Comments