I’m a fairly active part of bird groups here in NYC. And one of the coolest things that we do is not just use binoculars to spot birds, but use cameras to get great photos of them too. But would you believe that the most common camera that I see is the Sony RX10 series? Sure, I see some DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. However, those are often big and heavy. And instead, lots of folks prefer the smaller, lightweight, and weather resistant options like the RX10. So why doesn’t Sony bring it back?
Honestly, I don’t know why Sony won’t bring it back. To me, it seems like they’re too smitten with trying to please YouTubers and social media whores — I don’t use that term lightly. But if they were indeed working on a Sony RX10 camera of some sort, then I think that it would need to be built for good photos first and foremost and make video an afterthought of some sort. If someone wants to shoot good video, let them move up to a higher end camera. But stills? I mean, they and every other camera brand are treating us like a second-hand citizen of sorts.
So how could they improve the Sony RX10 series:
- A bit more zoom range
- Much better high ISO output using the AI tech that they brag about
- Really solid animal, bird, and insect autofocus algorithms
- A significantly better processor to support all this
- Weather resistance like crazy — it has rained often when we’re out photographing birds and none of us try to take cover from the rain.
- More megapixels, or even an APS-C sensor
- Free content credentials
I swear that there were times where I was testing small sensor Sony cameras and thought that the brand was using processors to make the bokeh look better than it really is. I thought this with the last RX100. Honestly, if they did that, I wouldn’t be all that mad at them because at least it’s being organically made at the point of creation.
Sony could be doing so much more; and I’m always baffled why a billion dollar company like them doesn’t.