photo.guy
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 p.35 #10 · Sony RX1 FF Mirrorless (Original 2012 thread) | |
Having spent a lot of time going over things in my head, I don't think this is going to be the camera for me.
As soon as the NEX line was announced, I bought a NEX-5 the day they were available here, and have been relatively happy shooting with that as my primary camera ever since. No viewfinder, but none of the AF problems that DSLRs had, or MF issues with focus screen alignment. For MF shots, being able to zoom in to a 14x view, or use focus peaking is a much better way to work in my opinion, and I prefer using a live histogram to anything else for metering. My biggest complaints with the NEX-5 is that it's relatively slow to turn on, noisy compared to newer sensors, and the shutter is quite loud. Oh, and the video options are terrible. These have already been fixed or drastically improved upon with newer revisions of the camera.
While the RX1 is going to be a huge step forward in image quality compared to my NEX, it also seems like it will be a big step backwards in usability. It was only when I grabbed my camera to use it again today that I realised just how often I actually make use of the adjustable LCD. It's rare that I am actually shooting with it flat on the back of the camera. Even just pulling it straight back gives you more options for holding it, and brings the screen closer to your face. (but I am often not shooting at eye-level now) I think the lack of a grip is going to be a problem as well.
While I have not missed a viewfinder terribly since getting the NEX, I certainly wouldn't object to having one for more discrete shooting. Obviously I know nothing of the engineering constraints with the design, but the camera I'm wanting would not have the flash, and an EVF would be in its place. The LCD would have to be smaller to accommodate this, but I wouldn't mind that if they could also make it adjustable.
What concerns me most about purchasing a camera like this, probably doesn't affect many of the photographers here too much, but it's actually software and future-proofing. With Sony adding WiFi to the new NEX cameras along with apps, I think we are headed towards a future where we'll have Android in the cameras a year or two from now, rather than Sony's proprietary apps, and that is going to open up a lot of options for photographers. I already want wireless photo transfer as standard (I have an Eye-Fi card, but it is slow and a big drain on the battery) and a wireless viewfinder. One of the other things I missed when getting the NEX was the USB camera control I had with my old Canon DSLR.
And video quality is currently terrible on just about all "DSLRs". The bitrates are low, and none resolve anything near 1080p. It's not an issue with the sensor, as they can clearly shoot stills far outresolving 1080p (2MP) but for some reason quality is seriously compromised. Motion suffers from "jello" to varying degrees on CMOS-based cameras, which won't be resolved until we see a global shutter introduced rather than the rolling shutter that current cameras use. While they advertise 1080p60 video, I guarantee it won't resolve anything close to 1080p, and will still suffer from "jello" with motion.
Hacked Panasonic micro 4/3 cameras are the only real option for anyone wanting to shoot video seriously on a consumer-grade interchangeable lens camera system today - image quality is actually better than the pro AF100 camera! This is something that a switch to a more open apps system is likely to improve, eliminating the need for firmware hacks. (the end goal would be RAW video just like RED is shooting)
It just costs too much for me to buy into this camera where a significant portion of the cost is going into the lens, but that lens will not be able to come with me when it comes time to upgrade - and I will want to upgrade, because there are a number of things we will see fixed or improved upon in coming years.
Now if all you're wanting is a camera for stills that can fit in a jacket pocket, that might suit you just fine of course, but the reason the general market is moving towards phone cameras is more than just the fact that they fit into your pocket.
rattymouse wrote:
That's true for gear chasers, but less important for photographers. We have long since passed what film is capable of and have reached a point where new sensors offer less advantage over the previous ones. Yes there may be the odd bit of improvement but it is less and less.
The world's most iconic photographs have been made with lesser gear than this and if you cant with this new Sony, a new, better sensor isnt going to be the reason why.
Just wait until it becomes feasible to bring their mobile sensor technology to SLR-sized sensors. Even if you are relatively happy with your camera, you will probably get the itch to upgrade again when we start seeing another leap in sensitivity.
And I agree that better technology does not necessarily lead to better images, but it certainly helps, and I don't think this hobby is just about the pictures for a lot of the people that visit photography sites - it's also about the gear.
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