Sony announced the compact camera, Cyber-shot RX100 III (or RX100M3) in Singapore. It will be available at all Sony stores and authorized outlets from June 2014 for S$1,199. Definitely not cheap for a compact camera. However, it has a super cool built-in viewfinder (trust me, it is not cheap if you buy a Sony external viewfinder separately) that pops up like a flash.
One of the most interesting thing, in my opinion, about the Cyber-shot RX100 III is that it DOES NOT replace the Cyber-shot RX100 II. They will be sold together. Therefore, I have a question: “Why name a camera with a sort-of upgraded name but does not replace the previous model?”
Imagine, without looking at the specs, would you like to buy a RX100 II or a RX100 III. Normally, without looking at the price, you would want to choose the latter, right? BTW, good news for those who still love RX1oo II. The price has dropped to S$899.
Back to this RX100 III. It ditched away the hotshoe but added a Tru-Finder into the compact body. A caution for those who wanted to add external microphone. As the hotshoe is gone, you will not be able to do it like in the RX100 II.
I urge you to read the specs (right after the Press Release). It is quite remarkable that Sony can squeeze so many things into this tiny body. And yes, you can take selfie with it now. It has an upgraded bracket that allows you to turn the LCD to face you.
Press Release
Cyber-shot™ RX100 III with wider, brighter lens and built-in viewfinder packs even more shooting power into a compact body
- Bright, wide angle ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 lens
- Clear, retractable OLED Tru-Finder™ with ZEISS® T* coating
- 20.1 effective megapixel back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and powerful BIONZ X processor
- 50 Mbps high bit-rate Full HD movies with XAVC S support
- LCD flips for easy selfies
- 4K still image output
- Evolved manual controls and new custom button
- Support for PlayMemories Camera Apps
(SINGAPORE, 27 May 2014) – Loved by photographers who value serious imaging and extreme portability, the popular Cyber-shot™ RX100 family has an exciting new addition.
Crafted in tough, travel-friendly aluminium for lightness and looks, the Cyber-shot™ RX100 III builds on the acclaimed reputation of its predecessors. An uprated lens and speedy image processor are complemented by a retractable OLED Tru-Finder™ with ZEISS® T* coating, enhanced movie features and a 180-degree tilting LCD – all in a stylish fixed-lens camera that’s truly pocket-sized.
Brighter and wider than before, the ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 lens captures everything from expansive landscapes to soulful portraits. Thanks to a large F2.8 maximum aperture at its telephoto end, subjects stand out crisply against smooth background bokeh. The lens’s impressive light-gathering power also allows faster shutter speeds to freeze fast-moving subjects. A built-in 3-stop (1/8) Neutral Density filter gives even more creative flexibility with sun-drenched exteriors or intentionally-blurred shots of moving water.
Another eagerly awaited addition to the Cyber-shot™ RX100 III is its high-contrast retractable OLED Tru-Finder™ that offers bright, detailed viewing with the camera held to your eye. The viewfinder’s optical surfaces include a ZEISS® T* coating that dramatically reduces reflections and delivers exceptional corner to corner clarity. There’s also a handy eye sensor that automatically switches between viewfinder and monitor display.
From detail-packed stills to vibrant Full HD movies – everything’s beautifully clear thanks to the new camera’s 20.1 effective megapixel 1.0-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor. Far larger than the sensor in regular compact cameras, it’s the key to breathtaking stills and video with beautiful background defocus effects.
Offering excellent low-light sensitivity and low noise, the sensor is complemented by Sony’s latest-generation BIONZ X processing engine. Three times faster than its predecessor, it powers detail reproduction technology for natural reproduction of fine textures, diffraction reducing technology for enhanced quality at small apertures and area-specific noise reduction that maintains clarity in dimly-lit regions of indoor and night-time shots.
The speedy BIONZ X processor also powers exciting new video features. In a Cyber-shot™ first, the RX100 III now supports the efficient XAVC S format. Based on the professional XAVC standard, it records stunning Full HD video footage at up to 50 Mbps with minimal artefacts and noise – even with busy, movement-packed scenes. Want to capture every nuance of that golf swing, tennis serve or balletic leap? HD footage can be recorded at 100 fps[1] in XAVC S mode for silky smooth slow motion replays via an application like Sony’s PlayMemories Home application.
Handheld video footage is even more of a pleasure to watch with Intelligent Active Mode that minimises the effects of camera shake. Frame analysis technology and 5-axis stabilisation are combined for the first time in the RX100 series, ensuring steadier movies even when you’re walking along.
A newly-added 4K still image output allows photo viewing on 4K TVs. High-resolution images can be transferred via HDMI or Wi-Fi, with support for Triluminos Colour® assuring opulent tones and textures on compatible BRAVIA TV models.
Despite its diminutive size, the camera inherits several movie functions from Sony’s professional camcorders. There’s a clean HDMI output, allowing Full HD footage to be stored on an external recorder. ‘Zebra’ patterning on the LCD and in the viewfinder helps identify brightest areas in a scene, and dual video recording[2] simultaneously stores small MP4 format files alongside top-quality AVCHD /XAVC S files.
Selfie fans will welcome the articulated 3.0-type Xtra Fine LCD that now flips up 180 degrees for effortless arms-length portraits and is also very useful for shooting from either high or low positions.
Making its debut in the RX100 family, PlayMemories Camera Apps boosts your photo experience with a growing range of free and paid-for apps. It’s easy to enhance your photography with a choice of creative effects and filters, utilities and more and the integrated NFC/ WiFi connectivity ensure an easy customer experience.
Enthusiasts will value uprated manual control possibilities to help craft the perfect image. Functions can be assigned to the new Custom button or control wheel to suit individual shooting styles. The control ring and function button are also customisable for fumble-free access to frequently-used settings.
The Cyber-shot™ RX100 III compact digital camera from Sony will be available in Singapore at all Sony stores and authorised outlets from June 2014 for S$ 1,199.00.
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Specifications Sheet
About Sony Electronics (Singapore) & Sony South East Asia
Sony Electronics (Singapore) was established on 1st October 1999 with business activities comprising engineering and manufacturing, sales and marketing, and logistics and information systems. As part of Sony Electronics (Singapore), Sony South East Asia is responsible for the marketing and sales of consumer products in Singapore, as well as for business and professional products in Singapore and other countries in the South East Asia region. It also handles export business for consumer products from Singapore to various parts of Asia. Since establishing our presence in Singapore in 1973, we have grown steadily over the years to become a leader in the consumer electronics market. For more information on Sony’s products and services in Singapore, please visit http://www.sony.com.sg/
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