Sony RX100 for interior photos

kayaker353 · Oct 25, 2019

My daughter asked me to research point and shoot cameras for her use. Her price limit is about $400. She needs a camera to document features and conditions of ship and barge interiors as an early step in planning for overhaul or refurbishment. In some cases, space will be limited, perhaps requiring stitching to get the whole subject in the image. By looking at specs online, the Sony RX100 (new) looks promising. I would appreciate any insight that could be offered regarding this camera's suitability for this type of work. Thanks

sybersitizen · Oct 25, 2019

kayaker353 said:
Her price limit is about $400 ... By looking at specs online, the Sony RX100 (new) looks promising.

Yes, that's the original RX100.

kayaker353 said:
I would appreciate any insight that could be offered regarding this camera's suitability for this type of work.

First, the RX100 and RX100II only go to 28mm equivalent at the wide end. All the later (and more expensive) models go to 24mm equivalent. That's better for interiors, but the stitching option you mentioned can substitute for a wider lens.

Second, how is the lighting in those places? These cameras don't have very powerful flash output if that's needed. The II is the only model that can support an external flash.

Third, is a camera with no eye-level viewfinder okay? If you need one, the II can support an add-on EVF mounted in the flash shoe. Or go with the III or later to get a pop-up EVF; those also add a tilting rear screen.

I don't think you need to consider anything above the III for the stated purposes.

Once you sort out the options, the 'quality' of the results will be pretty much identical throughout the RX100 line.

seri_art · Oct 26, 2019

The RX100 III has 24mm equivalent lens at the wide end, and later versions wouldn't help with her type of use. I got my RX100 III (used, amazon seller) two years ago for $475 so $400 should work now. However, one unknown about her use is what the light level would be. If it's dark enough to require flash and the areas large enough that the small built-in flash wouldn't suffice, then a camera allowing external flash would be needed.

66GTO · Oct 26, 2019

The original RX100 is available new from Abt for $368.00. Try one, you should like it.

kayaker353 · Oct 26, 2019

Thanks to all who have replied. You have brought up several important issues that I need to discuss with her. Whatever her decision, it will be better for the comments you have made.

Digital Nigel · Oct 26, 2019

kayaker353 said:
Thanks to all who have replied. You have brought up several important issues that I need to discuss with her. Whatever her decision, it will be better for the comments you have made.

I'd go along with others, and suggest the RX100M3 for its wider, brighter lens and EVF.

A cheaper option might be the Canon G7X, which has a slightly brighter lens on average, is a bit easier to use, but doesn't have an EVF. There are three versions available, but the lens and image quality are the same in each of them, so the original would do the job. However, unlike the Sony, it doesn't have an in-camera panorama option.

It hurts me to say it, but a premium smartphone might actually be a better option, apart from the price. Some have an ultra-wide lens, and their clever computational tricks help them handle low light very well. She might also find it more convenient, as the photos are immediately available for sharing.

tbcass · Oct 26, 2019

I find the flash in my RX100 M1 adequate as long as it's less than 15-20 feet.

--
Tom

tbcass · Oct 26, 2019

Digital Nigel said:
kayaker353 said:

Thanks to all who have replied. You have brought up several important issues that I need to discuss with her. Whatever her decision, it will be better for the comments you have made.

Click to expand...

I'd go along with others, and suggest the RX100M3 for its wider, brighter lens and EVF.

Price limit is $400.

Digital Nigel · Oct 26, 2019

tbcass said:
Digital Nigel said:

kayaker353 said:

Thanks to all who have replied. You have brought up several important issues that I need to discuss with her. Whatever her decision, it will be better for the comments you have made.

Click to expand...

I'd go along with others, and suggest the RX100M3 for its wider, brighter lens and EVF.

Click to expand...

Price limit is $400.

Yes, it would have to be used.

LarryB2 · Oct 26, 2019

I would look at a used or refurbished Canon G7X ii. I have one and love the colors coming out of the camera. The older RX100 series do not have good colors as compared to the newer ones.

Also the Canon G7X ii has touch menu and is much easier to navigate. She should be able to get good images shooting in auto mode.

Digital Nigel · Oct 26, 2019

LarryB2 said:
I would look at a used or refurbished Canon G7X ii. I have one and love the colors coming out of the camera. The older RX100 series do not have good colors as compared to the newer ones.

Also the Canon G7X ii has touch menu and is much easier to navigate. She should be able to get good images shooting in auto mode.

Why the ii? Wouldn't the original G7X be just as capable for the job, but cheaper? The lens, sensor and image quality are identical.

tbcass · Oct 27, 2019

LarryB2 said:
I would look at a used or refurbished Canon G7X ii. I have one and love the colors coming out of the camera. The older RX100 series do not have good colors as compared to the newer ones.

Also the Canon G7X ii has touch menu and is much easier to navigate. She should be able to get good images shooting in auto mode.

Interesting you say that because from looking at samples the G7X ii does not have better colors and the newer RX100 cameras do not have better colors than my RX100M1. Possibly your opinion is psychosomaticly based? Additionally if the default colors don't please you they can be easily changed in the camera. All cameras produce colors that deviate from reality so which is "best" is purely an opinion.

This idea that Canon colors are better than Sony is false IMO and it dates back to Ken Rockwell over 10 years ago. If you look at KR photographs and the heavily saturated unnatural colors in his photos then I would think his opinion would be the last to believe.

seri_art · Oct 28, 2019

tbcass said:
This idea that Canon colors are better than Sony is false IMO and it dates back to Ken Rockwell over 10 years ago. If you look at KR photographs and the heavily saturated unnatural colors in his photos then I would think his opinion would be the last to believe.

Ha ha, definitely agree. I can't stand his color images.

LarryB2 · Oct 28, 2019

Lol. Ken Rockwell shoots everything at Vivid +10. I didn’t mention anything about him.
for ease of use the Canon is better in this price range. I’m sure she doesn’t have time or the knowledge to post process every image to get good colors.
I love my RX100Vii and the colors which come out but can not say the same about the IV or V which I previously owned.

Michael Fritzen · Oct 29, 2019

LarryB2 said:
...I love my RX100Vii and the colors which come out but can not say the same about the IV or V which I previously owned.

What about tweaking AWB to your liking - if you don't want to shoot RAW and adjust WB afterwards? Available from Mk1 through Mk7.

tbcass · Oct 29, 2019

Michael Fritzen said:
LarryB2 said:

...I love my RX100Vii and the colors which come out but can not say the same about the IV or V which I previously owned.

Click to expand...

What about tweaking AWB to your liking - if you don't want to shoot RAW and adjust WB afterwards? Available from Mk1 through Mk7.

And it's easy to do but apparently not many users know about customizing AWB.

elliottnewcomb · Oct 29, 2019

I agree, 28mm is too narrow, any model with 24mm start gives not only more width, it gives more height as well, and, verticals, you get both taller and wider

an rx100m3, open box, free returns, $400. or best offer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Cyber...827167&hash=item2887fb02bb:g:n38AAOSwh~pdnOt9

These Sony's have built in Panorama option, the camera processor stitches it for you. It is quite good, I would think she could use that feature, get acceptable very wide shots effortlessly.

You don't need full landscape Panos, just wider shots. I get tall wide shots by turning the camera vertically and sweeping sideways. (set the Pano direction 'up' in the menu for this use)

She might want a helmet with a light for ship interiors, keeps both hands free.

--
Elliott

elliottnewcomb · Oct 29, 2019

I just want to add,

the rx100's bright f1.8 lens combined with it's 1" sensor will give low ISO photos, needed for ship's low-light interiors.

Low ISO gives a cleaner photo, and 20mp is very croppable, so she could shoot wider than needed, stay 24mm to maintain f1.8, get the resultant low ISO, and aggressively crop alternate detail shots, cleaner than if she zoomed in for the details, because, when you zoom, the lens darkens, and the ISO will be higher, thus a noisier zoomed original.

No motion in this intended use, so it can be used as a P&S, in Auto Mode.

however, to assure primary subject selection, she ought to learn the camera, at least P mode (auto with some available options)

to get the advantage of it's features, benefiting by selecting desired area size and area location for both focus and metering.

We are here to help.

--
Elliott

JohnnyLuddite · Oct 29, 2019

I have the Mk 1, and am very happy with the colors and the lack of EVF, and brightness wide open.

I think you'd need to factor into the budget some mini-tripod or gorilla pod, because this will allow you to keep the ISO down.

If doing panorama or stitch, I'd recommend NOT being in auto/P or non-manual mode or with autoWB because you will get inconsistencies across the pan range.

The on-board flash is good, particularly if you can use it in bounce mode; but the recycle time is poor. However, you cannot get an external flash for it, unless you choose the mk ii, so if that was required, then one of the competitors might be more suitable.

rvdzee · Oct 29, 2019

Digital Nigel said:
It hurts me to say it, but a premium smartphone might actually be a better option, apart from the price. Some have an ultra-wide lens, and their clever computational tricks help them handle low light very well. She might also find it more convenient, as the photos are immediately available for sharing.

Agreed. A 1'' sensor is nice, but with a wide aperture, the DOF starts to deteriorate, which might not be desirable, depending on the scene of course.

In low-light situations that require depth of field, my Pixel 3a and (previously) Nexus 5X (now cheap) offer by far the best results thanks to the small sensor (DOF) and computational photography (median stacking mostly I guess). And that's comparing to my otherwise much better cameras like RX100M6, A5100 or EOS R.

Sony RX100 for interior photos

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