Sony drops list price of Cyber-shot DSC-RX10

"...Sony has lowered the price of its Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 premium superzoom. The MSRP in the US is now $998, down from $1299, and prices in Europe have dropped as well (though it's unclear if they're official)..." (?)
As for this moment July/5/2014 (2:25pm EDT)
I'm here to report that the Sony.com home page STILL maintains the price of this camera at $1299.
Say, you guys at DPREVIEW...
Are you rainmakers?
Do you just blast a rumor without verifying the source?
OMG...Anybody with a keyboard can write ANYTHING nowadays.
Meanwhile...Those pigs are flying in formation all over the Eastern Board.

Jul 5, 2014*permalink

mpix345

Have you bothered to check other retailers, like B&H or Adorama, who are selling the RX10 for $998?

Jul 5, 2014permalink

http://www.eglobalcentral.eu/sony-dsc-rx10-digitalkamera-mit-24-200mm-f2.8-objektiv-nur-englisch-schwarz-en.html

You are RIGHT.
Then again those are wholesalers.
The news from DPR were that SONY itself have lowered the price, and I always buy my Sony products at the Sony Store. I trust them not to sell me returned merchandise or shiny refurbished demos.
It's a Sony Store's policy not to compete or acknowledge prices from large stores. They ONLY honor the SONY rebates.
Thanks for your kind aps.

Jul 5, 2014*permalink

Shamael

779.99 euros matches around 1060$

Jul 7, 2014permalink

JimmyR

Jessops are now selling this Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX10 for £699 in the UK. It's still £949 at Currys though! There's also a Sony £50 cashback on this camera.

Jul 7, 2014permalink

AlexRuiz

papa natas,

MSRP is MSRP, regardless of where you buy.

And I am sure most Sony products are sold via wholesalers, and their return policy is excellent.

Now, you can always go the Sony store and buy it for $1,299 if that makes you feel safer.

Jul 8, 2014permalink

http://store.sony.com/dsc-rx10-digital-still-camera-zid27-DSCRX10/B/cat-27-catid-All-Cyber-shot-Cameras

Papa don't preach, Sony sells this camera cheap.

Its listed for 999 on the Sony Store.

Jul 14, 2014permalink

Jul 15, 2014permalink

HS Wells

Soon , I believe there will be RX20 with 4K video !

Jul 5, 2014permalink

To me, this signifies that a new model is soon to come, with at least 400mm of reach and 4K. The RX10 price will probably drop another $200., after its release. I'd wait to buy, to see if the new camera's capabilities would offset the low RX10 price.

Jul 4, 2014*permalink

OR....Sony realized sales of the RX10 might plummet and in order to compete they need to drop the price several hundred. Even at the new price DPR gives a slight edge to the FZ1000. At the old price they risked losing a lot of customers to Panasonic.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

Except that the FZ1000 is showing very erratic and flawed results in the sample photos on numerous review websites.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

bluevellet

Yep, sales slower than expected, increased competition make prices go down.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

Stephen, a lot of sites were using the pre-release firmware from early June. That is why we see differences. Sites like Tech Radar using the latest FW are finding a slight edge to the FZ1000 in their tests. You can check their site to confirm this.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

Lab D, I have seen photos at some review websites from version 1.0. They did look a bit better, but not all were focused well. I don't know if it's user error, but professional reviewers should be able to get the best out of the camera. If I had a finalized version, I'd try to do a better job, if possible. It's too early to be so positive about this camera. It has to prove itself much more than it has so far.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

Catalin Stavaru

If Sony can afford to drop the price by $300 in an instant, can you imagine what profit margins they operate on ? Talk about customer rip-off.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

Remember when 500kb SD Cards were sold at $50?
Then again, they were very hard to find during the first weeks on the market.
I understand customer rip-off, but when the customer runs to be first in line to get ripped off, who's to blame?
As the great philosopher once said it:
"..Wise men say only fools rush in.."

Jul 5, 2014permalink

Shamael

yes 400%.

Jul 7, 2014permalink

101 economics for you.

When you create a new product, particulalrly something as unusual as the RX10, the R&D and initial engineering costs are very high. This investment by Sony needs to be covered by the first few months of sales to have any chance of making a profit. Once costs have been covered, and engineering processes have improved, and the invested technology is also being sold in other products, then Sony can drop the price and still make a profit.

Jul 7, 2014permalink

101 Economics? But of course! We all know that spoof excuse so widespread nowadays, which includes savage take overs, industry monopoly and whatnot. I would give approval to that 101 level when Sony was a nice portable radio inventor, but now Sony Corp is a Green Giant who has monopolized the music and the cinema industries as well. I agree with profits, yes. An industry lives from profits, but overpricing new products with eye drops of cosmetic boost do not fill my definition of new research. Don't take me wrong. I love Sony products. Then again I still believe in Mr. Henry Ford's creed of productivity.
What I don't approve from Sony is the fact that it pioneered cuts to dissatisfy customers in its insatiable hunger for profits, such as cutting on printed manuals, charging extra for battery chargers, which were part of the box, and now it charges for aps on their products. What part of 101 Economics is that?

Jul 7, 2014*permalink

steve ohlhaber

I think they just don't know what will sell. I think they just found out that there is not much of a market for a camera as big and expensive as an SLR with less quality.

Jul 7, 2014permalink

Cost cutting, upsell and complimentary products? You'll have to wait for Economics 102.

Jul 10, 2014*permalink

As for 6:14 am today Eastern Time, the price of the RX10 on the official US Sony.com is $1299.
POOOFFF!!!

Jul 4, 2014permalink

tampadave

OR, you can get a huge Bundle deal from Beach Camera via Amazon for $1029, same bundle I paid $1198 for 3 weeks ago. Use a new Sony credit card and get another $100 off. So let's see, that's $1029 - $100 = $929. sweeeet!

Not feeling good about what I paid, but great deal for others right now.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

You mean a good deal on a return?
A great package deal on a non-declared demo?
They are talking a rebate from SONY itself.
BRAND NEW ITEMS.
As I understand.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

tampadave

papa natas:

What? My camera was advertised as new. When I unpacked it I examined it, and it was new. My first shot was recorded as DSC00001. I inspected all contents and all looked new to me. No different than if I bought it from B&H, Adorama or others. My 2 64gb memory cards came in factory sealed packaging requiring me to use scissors to open. All other items looked equally new.

What do you mean. “They are talking a rebate from SONY itself. BRAND NEW ITEMS?”

If you are talking about the “statement credit” I mentioned, be advised: Statement Credit is not the same as “Rebate.” I purchased my items new from Beach Camera (Not Sony) and fulfilled by Amazon.

Sony had no strings attached to the statement credit other than the first purchase had to be made in I think within 90 days, didn't matter what you bought. Since my purchase I have in fact received my statement credit, and I am taking advantage of Sony Card's “interest free APR until April 2015” deal.

Jul 7, 2014*permalink

tampadave

papa natas:

One last note worth mentioning. The SonyCard is issued by Capital One, N.A., not Sony. Credit is issued by Capital One and payments are made to Capital One even though it says SonyCard on the front. They had a generous offer so I have no heartburn to carry their plastic, and get $100 back.

So, what's in your wallet?

Jul 8, 2014permalink

Paul_B Midlands UK

how much was this in the UK, before the announced price drop. Since I killed my NEX5N at the seaside (a erm, rogue wave), I need something to replace it, and this one is weatherproof!

Jul 4, 2014permalink

John Driggers

Still $1499 rrp here in Australia (that's $1409 USD). Sigh......

Jul 4, 2014permalink

Fabini

Competition at its best.
I declared elsewhere I would buy the FZ1000.
Now, I have a couple of weeks to think about options.
##
Thought about it. I want the 400 zoom.

Jul 4, 2014*permalink

Altruisto

I really feel fooled by Sony for paying full price. I've had cameras whose prices have fallen, but not in this fashion. I won't buy RX100 M3 until LX8 is out.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

Eleson

So you just commited to buy yet another Sony camera...
I'm sure they are crying right now :)

Jul 4, 2014permalink

Samaistuin

@Eleson But he could have bought it at its full price too. Still less money for Sony in the end.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

Altruisto

I mean if LX8 is good enough, I'm going to pick it instead. But I think it's not going to be as tiny as RX100 MK3.

Jul 9, 2014permalink

mark moe

Curious did DP review update their Mano o Mano with Panasonic...? Their $500 price difference was not accurate from The get go and now does the fulcrum move towards Sony?

Both camera are cool...

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Ken, the LX8 is coming with a vf and 4k video. Panasonic is on a roll.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Judging by the poor quality shown on all the many sample photos on review websites from the FZ1000, it's a roll downhill.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

I agree with TechRadar, "Our lab results also indicate that the Panasonic camera outperforms the Sony model", and other review sites that the FZ1000 image IQ is slightly better than the RX10.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

How do you know?

Jul 5, 2014permalink

Canon, Nikon, Oly has no bridge- supper zoom lines.

BUT, since S1, Fuji has not released a bridge- supper zoom yet.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

So what are Canon SX50, Nikon P7800, Olympus Stylus 1?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

They are [supper] zoom, but NOT BRIDGE camera by definition/category.

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Ken Rocket

please Panasonic make a rx100-like camera now

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Horshack

These niche cameras are the last bastion of high-margin profitability and even they are coming under competitive price pressure. Tough industry.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

wallbreaker

rx10 was overpriced from the beginning...thanks panasonic

Jul 3, 2014permalink

SkiHound

I thought so too. Seemed like a great concept for a lot of folks who wanted a good non-interchangeable lens camera, but I thought the price was too high for that market.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

aris14

Oh yes!
Comparing to SLT-77 launched some 3 months ago...
My guess is that these type of cams have an ex factory price at least the 1/6 of the suggested retail price.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

onghs7500

I am a big fans of Sony.I had RX10 for US$1299.00 and RX100III for US$799.00 but who cares because I got first hand experience on new models.
I love the features, the camera size and the picture quality which serve my needs. Hope Sony can appreciate loyal fans by say extending warranty for those who purchase at original price.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

joyclick

Sony need to be brought down to earth from their cloud 9 every once in a while,their self image is megalomanical

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Zoran K

How can that be ?

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 - MSRP in the US is now $998 (the STREET PRICE will probably not go much higher than $900).

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III - STEET PRICE $800.

These prices does not make sense. Does this mean that the DSC-RX100 III price will have to go down too ???

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

HowaboutRAW

No, the price of the RX100 III will not go down significantly for 12 month, unless Panasonic releases the rumored LX8 with a big sensor and excellent lens in a compact body. And the whole thing is well reviewed.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Tonkotsu Ramen

It does make sense. The RX100III has no direct competitor and fits in your pocket. The RX10 now has a direct competitor that priced itself aggressively and does not fit in your pocket.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

mwstebbins

I just bought this camera at the HIGHER price. IT has NOT yet arrived at my house. Does anyone know if SOny will rebate the difference? Or do I have to send the camera back to them UNOPENED, and buy another one? Thanks. M

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

caver3d

If you bought it from Sony you can send it back and get your money back. I did this with a Sony compact several months ago. As an added caution, to avoid any issues, do not open the camera box. Just contact them by phone and get the details from them for the return.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Write to them and ask. It will be cheaper for them to rebate you than go through all the trouble of handling a return and then you rebuying the camera at the lower price.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Call where you bought it from. You can refuse the delivery when it arrives and it will go back free of charge to you.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

mwstebbins

In reply to my own post, I bought it from Sony.com so that I could also order some accessorires. I just called Sony and they checked Amazon.com and they WILL refund the 301.99 back to my Credit card. I'm satisfied! m

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Great news and a happy ending!
You should send Panasonic a nice tip. :)

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Gesture

Impressive and sensible response.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

gskolenda

MAybe you should if you feel guilty

Jul 3, 2014permalink

windmillgolfer

That's good news. It can only put pressure on Panasonic to reduce their FZ1000 price sooner than it otherwise would. It is normal for new, market leading, tech to start at a high price and then reduce over time, once the early adopters have paid up, and as competitors release new similar or better products.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Joe M.

I have the Alpha and NEX line so really not needed. Unless they drop it to like $500 or lower. Maybe when the Next version comes out it will hit the bargain bin. But I would rather get a Superzoom instead. or a Superzoom Lens like Tamrons new 150 - 600mm. Which Sony is supposedly developing aswell.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

budi0251

How could they do that?
How on earth they paid for the production cost?
300 US$ would be around a little less than a quarter or the initial selling price, Would there be enough money left per-unit to pay for materials, production cost, employee, ads, logistics, etc.??

Unless of course their initial price profit margin was more than 30% (could it be up to 50% profit margin? :D )

Jul 3, 2014permalink

budi0251

now I wonder, how much Panasonic's set-up profit margin for FZ1000?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

What a coward and cheap move by Sony! So all of their cameras are overpriced? Proof that the company does not stand behind their products. Those defending the price cut (and sony) probably did not buy this camera at its overpriced original price!

Jul 3, 2014permalink

bluevellet

The Panny is still a better value even if they're the same price.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

We have some awesome business leaders on this forum. If only Sony would hire some of them everything would be OK.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

trekkeruss

Cowardly and cheap? Sony is a business. They name the price and people decide if it is worth it or not. All camera get cheaper as you own them; in five years you be able to buy an RX10 for even less. The point is, if you buy a new-to-the-market camera, you will pay more. Almost no one absolutely needs a camera, so don't chase after the state of the art, because you will always pay the "overpriced" price.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

cplunk

Releasing the camera in the first place was a pretty bold move.
Investing in the R&D to make it, taking the risk to develop the production tooling. All that invested to come to the market with something most industry analysts probably though would be dead on arrival and no one would be interested in.
Now that they've been apparently well received on the market, Panasonic comes along with a less expensive alternative, and good for them too.
I wonder if Canon or Nikon will follow along in another year or two?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

My point of view is not about buisness, Im speaking for the consumer

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Businesses goals are to make profits. Consumers' goals are to get the best value for money. Markets are the way we mediate these two opposing aims... but they need competition to be effective. Welcome to economics, cricket.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

yes, your correct, thats why sony has been loosing billions of $ in the last years, bedbug.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Sony Imaging (you know, the division that sells cameras) made an operating profit of $256 million last financial year. Losses elsewhere in the group (PCs, TVs, etc) have little to do with your point. How much did you make in that same period?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

sony imaging is selling less cameras year by year.... 256 millions? Im taking about Billion worth on losses so dont expect sony survival depends on their cameras sales.

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Ok, you just hold your breath waiting for Sony to go out of business there sonny!

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Axion

Maybe they have a mountain of stock in the warehouse. Better for Sony to get $ 998 while they still can than to hold out for the $ 499 deal?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Quezra: hold your breath until sony is profitable again, puppy!

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Why should I? My cameras don't start taking bad pictures when Sony is making a loss.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Seagull TLR

Yeah, right. Consumers always want free lunch and 5 cents ciga..

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Cameras dont take bad pictures

Jul 4, 2014*permalink

Users do

Jul 4, 2014permalink

Mahmoud Mousef

both will be compelling choices to me once 600 USD territory is approached

Jul 3, 2014permalink

njfz50

same for me.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Anywhere in the UK passing-on this price drop yet?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Fiduratur

Great news.
I had it at a very similar price here in Europe.
To me it's the best do-it-all camera, and the sensor is just the best (better than what I saw from the FZ1000).
High ISO is not stellar of course (still awesome considering the 1" sized sensor), but 12.6EV dynamic range and 22.9 bits color depth are the real deal, APSC-like.
Combined to that lens... hard to beat.

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Higuel

So Nice that the Brave Sony has at least one company making it competition!!! :D
Lucky us!!! :D

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Gotta love competition... now for Panasonic to do a "Sony" and drop the price of the FZ1000 before it even comes out :) (like Sony did with the NEX-3N)

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Under The Sun

Competition only brings good things to us the consumers.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Competition can also mean rivals outbidding each other at a loss making price until the weaker parties go out of business and the survivor has a monopoly, which is not good for the consumer.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Under The Sun

Your statement is true if the criteria is based on price war alone. Certainly you know that many good companies successfully compete through new features and innovation to their product instead of just lowering their price. The price cut is just Sony's ad hoc solution to Panasonic's challenge, perhaps because Sony simply wants to clear inventory so it can put out its own 4k bridge camera probably at a higher price point.

Jul 6, 2014*permalink

beavertown

Nikon 1 still hasn't woken up yet... zzZZ

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Benarm

I'm waiting for MKII version of it with A6000-like AF

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Yep, looks like the only thing really missing.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Jonathan F/2

Sony does a good job appealing to the tech geeks of the photo world.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

nathondetroit

$1300 was a bargain. Not one that fitted my needs, but definitely a solid value. Rather than bash sony, how about we send them some love letters for redefining several product categories?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Higuel

Nathondetroit, i Really do agree with you on how amazing job Sony is doind to advance photography! :D (unlike canikon, leica etc!!!)
However, unfortunately i must desagree on the rest: Certainly NOT a bargain for most people! I am happy if it is for you, but there is a lot of other people around the world not as lucky as you! Enjoy your camera lucky one! :D

Jul 3, 2014permalink

utomo99

Sony need to prepare for the next model which is much better.
lonegr zoom, better image. including on low light using new sensor. and many other things.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

are you. predicting or are you. showing facts? . that. cuz we can't tell.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Higuel

just daydreaming! Sony produced THE very best (untill this last arrival!), but i guess some people can do even better then Best! ;)

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Pretty obvious why they dropped the price.
I am sure all the owners planning on ebaying these to get the wider range lens and 4K on the FZ1000 are really upset now knowing their camera just lost $300 in value.
Since it can't compete for video nor for sports and wildlife due to the short lens and slower focusing, I am guessing used prices will drop even more.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

dougjgreen1

Most of the folks that bought the RX10 camera bought it when Adorama, Samy's and others were selling them as "Open Box" specials for $939 about a month after it came out.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

"No for sports"? How all these sports are shot with 70-200/2.8 on FF cameras? ;) Not every sport requires you to be million miles away, but faster lens is always welcome.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Ever tried to to shoot sports with a 200mm lens?? Even when standing 10 feet behind home plate at a baseball game 200mm is too short for anything past the pitcher unless you like cropping. On an APS camera it much more useful because that extra 100mm. On a soccer pitch or football field a 200mm limit is even worse unless you can move up and down the field. If you are up in the stands, forget about it.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Menneisyys

"Most"? Just don't forget we Europeans don't have access to most of those sites / sales...

Jul 3, 2014permalink

"a baseball game ... On a soccer pitch or football field "

Can only repeat myself - "not every sports..."
And yes, I shoot sports regularly.

Jul 4, 2014permalink

Aroart

Awesome, Now make the olympus omd $300 less please..Its funny, B&H still has the used rx100 at $1099..

Jul 3, 2014permalink

OM-D E-M5 is $300 less. :0) Even $340 less or so. :)

Jul 3, 2014permalink

" MSRP in the US is now $998", so the street price will be lower soon(?).

Jul 3, 2014permalink

saralecaire

Still more expensive than the brand new and 4K capable Panasonic FZ1000.

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

EthanP99

what does brand new have to do with anything?

-no constant 2.8
-no weather sealing
-no ND filter
-no top screen
-no metal body
-no clickless ring
-no full sensor readout (have not heard a peep about that)

This is supposed to be a video camera also right?

I would rather have quality than stuff you can put on a marketing ad.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Siobhan A

What does brand new have to do with anything?

-no 4K video
-slower autofocus and performance
-short and less useful lens

One can always buy an ND filter, but you can't add 4K, speed up autofocus, or add a longer more useful lens -- ever.

The RX10 is supposed to be a video camera right? but lacks 4K?

I would rather have better video quality than stuff listed in a marketing ad. The final output is more important than a "top screen".

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

tkbslc

like .005% of the population has a 4K TV and computer. It's a marketing gimmick.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

EthanP99

You forget that rx10 is 8 months old now, thats why no 4k. What 4k cameras were available 8 months ago? Only ones that cost $8000+

As the review says, the Panasonic cameras build quality is like any other plastic bridge camera... That is AWFUL if you have ever picked up ANY plastic bridge camera, yuck.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Its not awful build, try reading the comments by veteran and seasoned reviewers here on this site about its build quality. What a pizzing match though above, almost pulled out the popcorn!

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Dave Oddie

Siobhan A, the Panasonic may have 4K video but as the comparative review points out the Sony has far more than just an ND filter to aid it in producing its video output such as the way the auto ISO works which keeps shutter speed and aperture locked while still allowing for accurate exposure and the fact it has a full sensor readout.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

@saralecaire. 4K video is a fluff feature at this point. Most people don't have 4K TVs let alone a computer powerful enough to edit 4K video. Don't forget to add the price of a new 1TB external hard drive you will need to store all those 4K video files.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Bill Bentley

People, please understand that 4K capability is not just about use today, it is for future use too. You cannot go back and re-shoot today's memories. So why not record them in the highest quality possible.

Look at re-runs of Star Trek - The Next Generation. It was a great series for it's time. But the 4:3 format looks all wrong on today's tv screens. I'm sure they now wish they shot it in a different format at the time.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

You're right. Shoot everything in 4K and several years from now when you have a home computer powerful enough to edit them you can do something with the files. The 4:3 argument really isn't applicable since aspect ration is independent from resolution.

But since you mentioned TNG, you'll be able to watch several episodes while you wait for that 4K video to upload to youtube.

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

Bill Bentley

Sheesh, is it so hard to understand that you can only capture a live event ONCE. So why not capture it in the highest quality possible? You can always create a 1080p file from the footage and work with that until computers catch up (aren't we basically there yet though). Just upload a 720p file to You Tube if you want.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

saralecaire

I guess some people here still don't see the benefit for 4K video is literally in the details. You may not consume 4K video as it is, but having the 4K footage edited or even viewed down scalled on a regular HDTV give so much more detail. Last I checked, nobody every complained of having better detail in their footage. Anyway a 1TB drive is like $60 these days? What's the big deal?

And of course comparing the price of an old vs new model is valid, especially when they're going for similar consumer group for bridge cameras. Those who are unable to logically understand this concept will take too much effort to explain to here anyway. But suffice to say marketing guys love your type of consumer :)

Jul 4, 2014*permalink

To sum up. If you think 4K is going to give your home videos the much needed detail lost in 1080P, get a camera with 4K video.

Jul 6, 2014permalink

bluevaping

Fuji XF1 successor 1" sensor ok. Fuji X30 bigger than 1" sensor in between m43 and 1". That would be cool.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

intruder61

lol....probably another price drop when Fuji upgrade their XS1

Jul 2, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

If I had to wait for the motorized zoom on a camera to get to where I want it to be, I would expect the manufacturer to pay me to use it.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

thx1138

Ain't competition grand. Alas the Canikon duopoly have no qualms charging extortionate prices, especially on lenses. We've seen the Yen plummet in the last 18 months and yet prices are still rising.

Good on you Panasonic for shaming Sony into action.

Now tell me again how much that Nikon V3 was selling for?

Jul 2, 2014permalink

onlooker

Actually, equivalent Canikon lenses tend to be cheaper than some of the mirrorless vendors.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

abortabort

Because as long as lens and sensor 'specs' are comparable then everything should be the same price?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

In hydraulis

I don't understand this "weakening yen" argument.

Yes, it means that each US$ (or unit of any other currency) buys more yen in a direct transaction. But it doesn't make the cost of production any cheaper. Everything just costs more yen!

I know because I live here. Officially we have deflation, and that's what the rest of the world hears, but how they arrive at that conclusion is quite a contorted process. Prices are rising, companies are crying poor and cutting worker benefits, everything's going up --- except wages.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

With EVF and grip... Not a bad price really!

Jul 3, 2014permalink

With EVF and grip... Not a bad price really!

Jul 3, 2014permalink

With EVF and grip... Not a bad price really!

Jul 3, 2014permalink

With EVF and grip... Not a bad price really!

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Henry Richardson

Don't you just love competition? :-)

Jul 2, 2014permalink

SammyToronto

Typical example of a company charging an exorbitant price for a camera not based on merit, but because they can. They were one of a kind in the market, so, to Sony, that meant ripping off their customers is fair game. Thank God for Panasonic, and competition in general!

Jul 2, 2014permalink

btwango

1/ Sony is a business; they exist to make money.
2/ I don't believe you were being forced to buy one.
3/ Sony were not trying steal, cheat or swindle.
4/ "Exorbitant" is subjective.
5/ When would the correct time have been to announce a price cut?
6/ You are having a bad day and can't find anything more interesting to whinge about.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

"I don't believe you were being forced to buy one."

Exactly. He is implying it's "cheating" when no one was holding a gun on his head to buy a camera.

It's free market.

Also, $300 drop in price -- after 8 months -- is not really that big. Canon dropped 6D prices more than that after few weeks, as I remember last year

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

Beat Traveller

When you release a new category of product, you are taking something of a risk. Conservative pricing like this would be designed to ensure you at least break even on the investment.

As soon as a competitor emerges, it's a fairly clear sign that there is a market for the product, so you can afford to start discounting in order to wrestle over market share.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

qwertyasdf

Why don't you work for free first before complaining???

Jul 3, 2014permalink

fmian

'Thank God for Panasonic, and competition in general!'

Yes, let's forget the whole exorbitant price gouging Panasonic does with their batteries and Leica branded products.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Samaistuin

@btwango So you can't criticise anything unless you're compelled to buy it? Great sense of debate.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

Samaistuin, so you can't mention the fact that SammyToronto was not compelled to buy it? Great sense of debate.

It's a free world. A company is free to set a price, and buyers are free not to buy it.

Jul 5, 2014permalink

SammyToronto

Wow, didn't know my comment would unleash that much rabid fanboy vitriol, lol! To all, freaking CHILL! And the logic that you can't criticise this blatant price gouging by Sony since no one put a gun to your head is beyond ludicrous. Yes, it's a free market, but when a company's greed reaches risible proportions, it deserves the ridicule it'll be getting, no matter how much foaming at the mouth its rabid fanboys do!

Jul 5, 2014permalink

SammyToronto, let us know of a company that doesn't gouge prices of a unique product that does not have a direct competition in the market.

List them here:

1.
2.

Jul 6, 2014*permalink

Chanex

Now someone bring out a rival to the rx100mkIII so I can pick that up for a couple hundred less??

Jul 2, 2014permalink

SHood

I hope the LX8 will have the same impact on the RX100m3.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

If what is desired is a truly pocketable camera with a truly functional viewfinder (unlike the one on my Fujifilm X10, which is all but useless), I think it's going to be a little while--just guessing.

I just can't imagine that Fujifilm (with the X30, or whatever the next one is called) or Panasonic (with the LX8) will have thought to put a pop-up EVF on it. Perhaps they will now that Sony cleverly (or perhaps to some "cludgily") snuck an EVF into a camera the size of the previous RX's.

I think if the M3 does well, then perhaps in the LX9 or X40 we'll see a true M3 competitor. I just don't think it'll be the LX8 or X30.

Anyway, I bought the M3, and love it so far.

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

captura

It has been prophecied that soon there will be a Fuji X30 which should provide good competition for the 100mkIII. Then we might get drop in price for the 100mkIII.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

oselimg

it's amazing that some people even present this huge price cut for a new model as "smart move". It sounds like coming from a Sony executive trying divert attention from the fact how much the consumer was about to be ripped off. It would have been a dumb thing not to reduce the price against a very strong competition named FZ1000 but, one can hardly call it as smart. Or perhaps most of comments here are written by "brand lovers". Yes, love is a blinding thing but we mustn't fall in love with big, multinational companies.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

"it's amazing that some people even present this huge price cut for a new model as "smart move"."

New model? RX10 was released 8 months ago. It surprising that it was still selling for $1300 after that long.

Some cameras drop by $300 within a month (take K5 II as an example).

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

oselimg, perhaps it was selling well at the original price. If so, why lower it? It was worth it to me when I bought it--it's just a better deal now, likely spurred on by this new competitor.

I'm not a one-brand lover. I own cameras of almost every make.

So tell me how it is Sony ripped you off?

Jul 2, 2014permalink

Marty4650

Sony has just done a very smart thing, and has demonstrated how competition works to the advantage of all customers. This price drop was strictly a response to the Panasonic FZ1000, which is a very similar camera priced much lower.

I don't believe any price is "over priced" if enough people are willing to buy it at that price. (e.g.....Leica). Notice that Sony didn't drop their price UNTIL they had some real competition.

It is always easier to drop a price than to raise it, so I understand why manufacturers start out by setting a high list price, and then look to see if it sells well at that price.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

pedroboe100

I would still get a K5iiS and a Tamron superzoom lense and it would not cost that much. Don't care about video that much...

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

Tamron superzoom is significantly slower lens 2 to 4 stops slower (vs constant F2.8 on RX10). Much larger overall package too, and lens optically quality would be worse

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

oselimg

@ ET2...high ISO ability of K5 would more than make up for the loss of lens speed with better overall IQ. Also on Tamron the loss of speed is 1/2 stop at the wide end and though I don't know for a fact but, my guess is that around 200mm it would be 1,5-2 stops loss. How did you arrive at 4 stops loss? Even f6.3 on 300mm(450mm APS-c equivalent) is not 4 stops from f2.8.

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

flektogon

The main reason why I would buy RX10 (or that new FZ1000) is that I wouldn't need to carry a still camera and a camcorder on my trips. That's why those two cameras are so unique.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

oselimg, is K5 better at low light by 3 stops? I don't think so.
According to dxomark, the difference is 1.3 stops. Not enough to compensate for F6.3 vs F2.8 difference at tele end.

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

This Sony has an 1" sensor and a 8.8-73.3mm F1/2.8 lens. That's equivalent to an 16.-132mm F1/5 lens for a camera with an APS-C sensor like the Pentax K5whatever . So no, it's not faster.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

Gary Martin

A DSLR only makes sense over something like this Sony if you're going to buy multiple lenses for it. If on the other hand you're looking for a single-lens solution, the Sony makes more sense. A super-zoom on a DSLR delivers (almost always) fairly mediocre image quality and the slow aperture offsets the advantage of the larger sensor. In fact, I bet the RX10 produces *better* IQ than a typical DSLR with a consumer super-zoom in most situations.

Jul 2, 2014*permalink

yallo, K-5 is an APSC camera (not FF) so F6.3 lens on APSC would be equal to F9 or F10 lens on FF.

RX10 is indeed faster than APSC camera with super zoom

Jul 2, 2014permalink

F1:2.8 CX (1") is equivalent to F1:5 DX (APS-C) which is equivalent to F1:7.5 on an FX (FF).

Jul 2, 2014permalink

pedroboe100

I see price/size as the biggest problem. I used the K5 comparison as an example because of the size plus it is such an incredible camera which is also deeply discounted these days. I could also take my GX7 and have a somewhat limited zoom range, but I would have great video and stills quality in a diminute package. I also took my MX1 on a trip to europe and was extremely satisfied.; alas, limited zoom range, but enough for me. These are cameras under the price of the SOny. As for the argument of having a "one size fits all" solution, we all know that this is how a lot of us got started in photography. How long are you going to enjoy a camera like that before you feel like upgrading (which is a great marketing strategy)? If I was ignorant and disciplined, then I would get a superzoom camera for life, and I suppose there are some out there who would do just that. But if you are lurking on DPreview, you are looking for motivation and your "viscious other self" is looking to upgrade baby.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

flektogon

To yallo:
The RX10 lens has the (maximum) aperture 1:2.8 whether you like it or not. That "equivalent" aperture (1:7.5 or whatever) represents the DOF only. Please, learn some optics essentials first.

Jul 3, 2014*permalink

If you feed an 1" sensor and an FF sensor with a lens with the same numerical aperture , the FF sensor will catch 7.3 times as much light. Do you know what numerical aperture is?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

@flektogon
Please let Tony Northrup educate you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtDotqLx6nA

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Have not seen that any body tested RX10's weather sealed performance yet.

Hopefully, DPR will run the test.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

chadley_chad

Being DPR they probably will ... But give it a couple of years!

Jul 2, 2014permalink

Mike FL, my RX10 has gone sledding during heavy snow fall. It has been in heavy rain a couple of times, too. And during these episodes, I was using it.

While that might not be the rigorous testing that perhaps you were hoping for, it's something.

Jul 2, 2014permalink

Random Asian Guy

Just mention it to Kai from digitalrev, I'm sure he would be more than happy to dunk one in water or put it in the freezer.

Jul 3, 2014permalink

Eleson

Does Sony state it is weathersealed?

Jul 3, 2014permalink

http://www.mikekobal.com/blog/?p=10513

Eleson, from Sony's site:

"Magnesium alloy top and front casings make RX10 light, solid and robust enough for long, rigorous use by advanced photographers and videographers. Shoot in rugged outdoor environments without worry as the dust- and moisture-resistant design gives you that added level of confidence to follow your subject wherever they may roam."

Also, from the following link, the guy said, "Rest assured guys, this camera is weather resistant. It was wet to the bone after about 10 min and kept on working. Once back home, I extended the zoom barrel, dried it thoroughly and found no issues."

Again, my RX10 has been quite drenched by melted heavy snowfall and rain, and I've not had problems at all.

Jul 3, 2014*permalink