Sony RX100 Smart Zoom Quality, and i vrs ii ?

[Tracey41]

I am considering a RX100 ! or 2 and have a question on the quality of the smart Zoom feature. I understand it is a function of image zooming, but not sure what the quality of the final image is. I am used to the 1inch sensor with a 10mp file and it works fine for my needs.

Appreciate and and all comments.

I would like input from users of both the i and ii models to get opinions as it the ii is worth the uncharge,

I shoot majority JPG and believe this camera would fit my needs for a compact camera for travel and vacation use.

Thanks for looking

 

[KBKB]

I am considering a RX100 ! or 2 and have a question on the quality of the smart Zoom feature. I understand it is a function of image zooming, but not sure what the quality of the final image is. I am used to the 1inch sensor with a 10mp file and it works fine for my needs.

Appreciate and and all comments.

I would like input from users of both the i and ii models to get opinions as it the ii is worth the uncharge,

I shoot majority JPG and believe this camera would fit my needs for a compact camera for travel and vacation use.

I can't answer your question regarding Smart Zoom. I don't think I've ever used it. When I still shot JPEG, I did use Clear Image Zoom on my RX100 I, but not very often.

With regard to differences between the RX100 I and II, the most compelling features for me are the tiltable viewscreen and the hot shoe on the RX100 II. It is said that the II also has a better sensor in dark conditions, but most of my photography is in good light where I can use small ISOs, so that feature doesn't matter as much to me.

The tiltable viewscreen allows you to hold the camera high or low and still see the screen. I also use tilt it outdoors to avoid glare from sunlight. I probably use it more for this latter purpose than I do for the former.

I used the hot shoe to attach an external (and expensive) electronic viewfinder. This viewfinder works very well and is far better than the pop up viewfinder of the RX100 III. As noted, however, it is very expensive.

You will have to decided whether your find those (and other) features compelling enough to warrant spending the extra money for the RX100 II. (It was for me because when the II came out, I purchased it along with the external viewfinder.)

 

[Tracey41]

Thanks for your comments
I should have noted "Clear Image Zoom" in my OP. I understand this is proper term when taking JPG photos

 

[elliottnewcomb]

you were right originally,

Sony has Smart Zoom, (also called EOZ extended optical zoom) which, if you drop down to 10mp (or lower image size), becomes available. It is extended OPTICAL zoom, a sensor crop, no in-camera up-scaling.

you are also right, 10mp images from these cameras are more than enough for most of what we do.

Also available is CIZ, clear image zoom, an in-camera crop combined with in-camera upscaling, to get the crop back up to the full image size. It is available at full 20mp image size, and for smaller image sizes: 10mp, 5mp, etc.

In both cases, the smaller the image size, the more extra zoom you get.

I made an album when rx100 was new, 2-1/2 years ago, of all the various zoom options, here:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/9701497431/albums/rx100-extended-optical-and-clear-zoom

view the originals, see the ___x factor, multiply it by 28mm to get the 35mm equiv focal length.

they are handheld (except the amazing vga zoom tripod shot), as that is how I use it.

Quality: good enough for effortless occasional use. If higher IQ is needed for large prints, of course you would use another camera with real optical zoom. If so, you are probably shooting RAW. These extra zooms are Jpeg only.

With effort, you could shoot RAW, do some PP, then crop, then upscale, with similar results, but hardly effortless. Of course, shooting Jpeg to get these extra zooms, you need to 'get it right' when you shoot, more so than RAW which gives more corrective leeway.

IF you only have rx100 with you, (or any camera with extra zoom features) and you see something a bit too far, you would be crazy not to try these zooms, you will be glad you did.

my Oly Stylus 1 zoom, 28mm-300mm optical, offers 2X, which is like Sony's CIZ, and gives in-camera upscale to 600mm.

--
Elliott

 

[Tracey41]

Thanks for this explanation and examples.
Is the ii hood for your needs or are you considering upgrading? The flash option could be beneficial

 

[elliottnewcomb]

Thanks for this explanation and examples.
Is the ii hood for your needs or are you considering upgrading? The flash option could be beneficial

I was going to keep my mouth shut, but, I highly recommend the m3 over either m1 or m2, unless you truly need an external mic or external flash, or the 70mm limit of m3 is problematic because you shoot lots of portraits.

Originally, I worried about how weak the m1 flash would be, but, it is surprisingly strong, I typically cut it's strength when I use it, and, you can boost it's strength if needed, so hot shoe flash of m2 is not 'needed'. Don't forget, these lenses are bright, flash is not needed like it is with a camera you may have been using with a darker lens. The low light difference between my rx100 f1.8 start and my R1 f2.8 start is significant, I need flash often with R1 (or tripod) when m3 gives me handheld no flash.

Also, Image Stabilizaton of m3 is FAR better than m1, also giving more handheld no flash use.

external mic via hotshoe would be nice, but the camera and mic are bigger than my compact Sony video camera with superior sound and zoom.

I say, skip going out for dinner a few times, eat peanut butter, sell something, find an open box m3 (around $650.) which gets you the Sony 1 year warranty,

the EVF makes a huge difference outdoors, or indoors to both avoid glare, and more steady shooting position of arms in evf use, again allowing no flash handheld use.

 

[KBKB]

Thanks for this explanation and examples.
Is the ii hood for your needs or are you considering upgrading? The flash option could be beneficial

I was going to keep my mouth shut, but, I highly recommend the m3 over either m1 or m2, unless you truly need an external mic or external flash, or the 70mm limit of m3 is problematic because you shoot lots of portraits.

Originally, I worried about how weak the m1 flash would be, but, it is surprisingly strong, I typically cut it's strength when I use it, and, you can boost it's strength if needed, so hot shoe flash of m2 is not 'needed'. Don't forget, these lenses are bright, flash is not needed like it is with a camera you may have been using with a darker lens. The low light difference between my rx100 f1.8 start and my R1 f2.8 start is significant, I need flash often with R1 (or tripod) when m3 gives me handheld no flash.

Also, Image Stabilizaton of m3 is FAR better than m1, also giving more handheld no flash use.

external mic via hotshoe would be nice, but the camera and mic are bigger than my compact Sony video camera with superior sound and zoom.

I say, skip going out for dinner a few times, eat peanut butter, sell something, find an open box m3 (around $650.) which gets you the Sony 1 year warranty,

the EVF makes a huge difference outdoors, or indoors to both avoid glare, and more steady shooting position of arms in evf use, again allowing no flash handheld use.

Adding to this...

I still use both my RX100M2 and RX100M3, but I grab the M3 over 90% of the time. My M3 is even getting more use than my NEX-7. These days, when I do bring my NEX-7, I'll often outfit it with either a prime or the SEL1014 (ultra-wide) and bring my M3 to handle whatever focal lengths I miss with whatever lens I have on my NEX-7.

My reasons for liking the M3 are different than Elliot's. The M3 has excellent bracketing modes and the focal lengths provided by the M3 are usually more useful to me than the focal lengths of the M2. The M3 also has a better and more useful manual exposure mode.

 

[elliottnewcomb]

the focal lengths provided by the M3 are usually more useful to me than the focal lengths of the M2.

You are right. I have truly missed 24mm, m3 gives you that.

The M3 also has a better and more useful manual exposure mode.

Right again, Auto ISO in Manual is wonderful, a real asset for me.

 

[Tracey41]

Thanks for comments. A strong case for the m3. Unfortunately the cost would require a total abandonment of my rather large Nikon n1 system. As small as the Nikon is, for vacation photos it get rather large bag full to carry. However the more I learn of the RX100 the more I am temped. As I see it the RX may cover all my needs with exception of the 70-300 zoom. Of course I could keep one body and the zoom.
Camera stores, in my area, only have the RX, so I have no ability to compare the various renditions.

 

[elliottnewcomb]

Thanks for comments. A strong case for the m3. Unfortunately the cost would require a total abandonment of my rather large Nikon n1 system. As small as the Nikon is, for vacation photos it get rather large bag full to carry. However the more I learn of the RX100 the more I am temped. As I see it the RX may cover all my needs with exception of the 70-300 zoom. Of course I could keep one body and the zoom.
Camera stores, in my area, only have the RX, so I have no ability to compare the various renditions.

The sooner you sell some Nikon stuff, the sooner you will have an m3 in your hands. Buy from a 30 day return source if you can, I suspect you will keep it.

 

[DaveOl]

Here's a picture taken with my RX 100 I using the clear image zoom? at 200mm. I think the shutter speed was a little slow and it was handheld. There is a black butterfly on the far right bloom of the Rhododendrum. I'll try posting a severe crop with the butterfly in a few minutes.



The top image is a crop of this image. The butterfly may have been moving when I took the picture also.

 

[KBKB]

Here's a picture taken with my RX 100 I using the clear image zoom? at 200mm. I think the shutter speed was a little slow and it was handheld. There is a black butterfly on the far right bloom of the Rhododendrum. I'll try posting a severe crop with the butterfly in a few minutes.

I think this is a pretty good result. You can't expect to get macro-like results using clear image zoom and severe crops.

A faster shutter speed might have helped. But in order to go faster, you probably would have needed to use a somewhat higher ISO which will increase the amount of noise. That noise might not be visible in the JPEG output, but the image might end up being softer due to noise reduction.

 

[garypen]

I am considering a RX100 ! or 2 and have a question on the quality of the smart Zoom feature. I understand it is a function of image zooming, but not sure what the quality of the final image is. I am used to the 1inch sensor with a 10mp file and it works fine for my needs.

Appreciate and and all comments.

I would like input from users of both the i and ii models to get opinions as it the ii is worth the uncharge,

I shoot majority JPG and believe this camera would fit my needs for a compact camera for travel and vacation use.

Thanks for looking

For me, the M2 was worth the upcharge. The tilting screen, wifi, and NFC are all important features to me.

I also use the ClearZoom quite often. In fact, it's the shorter FL of the M3 that kept me from choosing it, despite what appears to be higher IQ, from the many reviews and comparisons I've read.

I like getting in close on my subjects, without having to always physically get in close. And, the 70mm equiv of the M3 just wouldn't cut it for me. I use every mm of the 100mm equiv on the M2 plus ClearZoom quite often, as I said.

Also, if you like to upload photos to the web (FB, Flickr, G+, whatever), the ease of wifi and PlayMemories mobile app makes the M2 a clear choice over the M1. And, if you have an Android device, NFC makes it a piece of cake.

Even if you don't share or upload, it's nice to transfer images to a tablet just for previewing on the larger screen.

If you don't mind buying refurbished, the RX100M2 bundled with leather case and sd card is usually available from Secondipity for under $400. (Either on their own site, Ebay, or through Amazon marketplace.)

 

[Tracey41]

Thanks for comments, I am leaning to the m2, the majority of my camera purchases have been used or re manufactured, I have not had any problems at all.

 

[Tracey41]

If you don't mind buying refurbished, the RX100M2 bundled with leather case and sd card is usually available from Secondipity for under $400. (Either on their own site, Ebay, or through Amazon marketplace.)

Thanks again to all posters, I purchased the m2 from Secondipity via for Amazon for well under $400. It look like a new camera including a case, 32 GB card,

It arrived today and i am downloading the manual to see how to get the most from this little beauty.

 

[elliottnewcomb]

If you don't mind buying refurbished, the RX100M2 bundled with leather case and sd card is usually available from Secondipity for under $400. (Either on their own site, Ebay, or through Amazon marketplace.)

Thanks again to all posters, I purchased the m2 from Secondipity via for Amazon for well under $400. It look like a new camera including a case, 32 GB card,

It arrived today and i am downloading the manual to see how to get the most from this little beauty.

Congrats, it is a great camera,

I wrote a 14 page 'Super-Condensed' mini-manual and learning guide for the m1, that might get you up to speed in some areas faster than the bloated Sony manual.

If you (or anyone), want it, send me a private message with your email address and I will send it to you.

--
Elliott