Lack of Zoom on Sony rx100 iii?

[MamaBear58]

Does anyone have this camera and not care for the lens? I'm looking for a high-quality compact camera. This seems to fit the bill EXCEPT for the zoom issues. But I'm not an expert. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here? I'm not going to do close-ups of nature, but I did want to take some close shots of my kids. Anyone have some close-ups he/she could share?

The Canon G7x apparently has a longer lens, but I really dislike the lack of viewfinder. Plus it hasn't been out as long so it's harder to find user reviews.

Thanks.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Does anyone have this camera and not care for the lens? I'm looking for a high-quality compact camera. This seems to fit the bill EXCEPT for the zoom issues. But I'm not an expert. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here? I'm not going to do close-ups of nature, but I did want to take some close shots of my kids. Anyone have some close-ups he/she could share?

The Canon G7x apparently has a longer lens, but I really dislike the lack of viewfinder. Plus it hasn't been out as long so it's harder to find user reviews.

Thanks.

Yes, the zoom is a bit short when compared to other point-and-shoot cameras. The RX100 II has a bit more reach, but the viewfinder is separate. However, with 20MP you will have plenty of room to crop to what you need.

What exactly do you mean by close-ups? The RX100 III can get real close at 2 inches on the wide angle and 12 inches zoomed in all the way.

Here's an older thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3278217

 

[havoc315]

Does anyone have this camera and not care for the lens? I'm looking for a high-quality compact camera. This seems to fit the bill EXCEPT for the zoom issues. But I'm not an expert. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here? I'm not going to do close-ups of nature, but I did want to take some close shots of my kids. Anyone have some close-ups he/she could share?

The Canon G7x apparently has a longer lens, but I really dislike the lack of viewfinder. Plus it hasn't been out as long so it's harder to find user reviews.

Thanks.

Great image quality = large sensor size. Large sensor size requires large lenses, in order to achieve zoom. All those 50x cameras -- they have tiny sensors, that allow them to cheaply and compactly achieve that type of zoom.

On a regular full frame dSLR.. to get something even like 30x zoom, the lens is the size of a suitcase and weighs 10 pounds.

The focal range of the RX100 is the one often relied upon by professionals. For portraits, you will want to rely on the long end -- 70mm. For landscapes, 24mm is great. The older RX100 started at 28mm, which often is not wide enough.

But a 24-70 zoom requires the photographer to "zoom with their feet." It's not meant for shooting from 50 feet away... You need to get in close to your subject.

But another option would be the RX10 or Panasonic FX1000.... They only cost a little more than the RX100iii, and offer much more zoom, with the same image quality. But getting back to the size issue, they do start to get a good bit larger.

The G7x does give more zoom, but there really isn't a massive difference between 100mm and 70mm... it's a 4x v 3x difference. It's something, it's noticeable, but it's not a make-or-break difference.

Here is a portrait taken of my kids at 62mm:

D750Oct26_48.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

Here is a "face" at 72mm:

First test of high ISO on Nikon D750 by Havoc315, on Flickr

60mm

DSC09630.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[MamaBear58]

Yes, the zoom is a bit short when compared to other point-and-shoot cameras. The RX100 II has a bit more reach, but the viewfinder is separate. However, with 20MP you will have plenty of room to crop to what you need.

What exactly do you mean by close-ups? The RX100 III can get real close at 2 inches on the wide angle and 12 inches zoomed in all the way.

Here's an older thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3278217

I mean a closer view of my kids' faces--their expressions let's say--if I am further away. I know that it's hard explain...not sure what I want!!!

 

[MamaBear58]

Great image quality = large sensor size. Large sensor size requires large lenses, in order to achieve zoom. All those 50x cameras -- they have tiny sensors, that allow them to cheaply and compactly achieve that type of zoom.

On a regular full frame dSLR.. to get something even like 30x zoom, the lens is the size of a suitcase and weighs 10 pounds.

The focal range of the RX100 is the one often relied upon by professionals. For portraits, you will want to rely on the long end -- 70mm. For landscapes, 24mm is great. The older RX100 started at 28mm, which often is not wide enough.

But a 24-70 zoom requires the photographer to "zoom with their feet." It's not meant for shooting from 50 feet away... You need to get in close to your subject.

But another option would be the RX10 or Panasonic FX1000.... They only cost a little more than the RX100iii, and offer much more zoom, with the same image quality. But getting back to the size issue, they do start to get a good bit larger.

The G7x does give more zoom, but there really isn't a massive difference between 100mm and 70mm... it's a 4x v 3x difference. It's something, it's noticeable, but it's not a make-or-break difference.

Here is a portrait taken of my kids at 62mm:

D750Oct26_48.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

Here is a "face" at 72mm:

First test of high ISO on Nikon D750 by Havoc315, on Flickr

60mm

DSC09630.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

Thank you...this answers my question because it seems as though this would work for me, although I will also look at the others--not necessarily tied to a compact, so long as it isn't massive it works. At that point I might as well lug around a DSLR. But if the difference in zoom isn't worth it, I do like the Rx100 iii in low light.

 

[MamaBear58]

I wanted to thank you both again for your replies. Yesterday I ordered the rx100iii. My husband has a good Canon compact with a zoom lens so I decided that if we REALLY wanted a shot that the rx100iii couldn't take, we've got an alternative. And I like everything else about the rx100iii.

I bought an extra battery and charger with USB cord, 2 different cases (to see which one I like better), a 64gb memory card, a protector for the screen, and a grip. I didn't buy the telephoto lens (put out by a "Digital Nc"?) because I couldn't find ANY reviews on it. So other than eventually getting a tripod, I think I'm set.

I am looking forward to learning the camera and taking it with us when we go to Disney on 11/15! Thanks again!!

 

[havoc315]

Congratulations and good luck.

Skip a formal tripod -- get a gorillapod instead. Then the whole system can fit in a pocket. I got great fireworks shots at Epcot with the rx100 and gorillapod.

 

[MamaBear58]

Congratulations and good luck.

Skip a formal tripod -- get a gorillapod instead. Then the whole system can fit in a pocket. I got great fireworks shots at Epcot with the rx100 and gorillapod.

wiil do!!!