Sony has finally launched the RX10 V, a superzoom compact camera that comes with a 24-600mm optical zoom lens and a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor. The design has been tweaked compared to the nine-year-old RX10 IV for a more modern look and adds faster speed, an updated autofocus system and better video detail. The catch is the $2,300 price tag, making this one of the most expensive compact cameras on the market.
As before, the RX10 V offers tourists, street shooters and others incredible access thanks to the 9.1-210mm (24-600mm equivalent) f2.4-4.0 lens. The 20.1MP 1-inch stacked sensor appears intact and should deliver good quality images, even in low light, with minimal shutter rolling distortion. It’s disappointing that Sony didn’t improve the resolution, though, especially given the camera’s price. The new model also does not have the built-in RX10 IV.
The new model has a new processor that has improved burst speed, however. It can now shoot at 30 fps without switching off in electronic shutter mode, a nice improvement over the previous model’s shooting speed of 24 fps. Sony has also carried over a feature from the latest mirrorless cameras called “continuous shooting speed boost” which allows you to quickly jump to a high burst speed to capture those decisive moments.
Autofocus has also received a major AI overhaul to match the new A7 V. Rather than being able to see the face, eye, head and body of a person, birds and animals, as well as vehicles (cars, trains and planes) and insects (the whole head and body). Thanks to a unique deep AI processor, it will continue to track subjects even if they turn their backs, look down or move mysteriously. AF and AE speeds have been doubled to 60 fps for continuous tracking, and now offer 575 AF points compared to 315 before, and 70 percent sensor coverage.
Video gets perhaps the biggest upgrade, with 4K 60 fps 10-bit video (All-Intra, XAVC S, and XAVC HS formats) using the entire sensor width with no pixel binning for extra sharpness. That can be upscaled to 4K 120 fps with super slow mo, at the cost of a small crop, or 1080p at 240 fps. It also supports Sony’s S-Log3 for enhanced dynamic range and lets you import up to 16 LUTs to preview different “looks” early. Sony has also improved the built-in stabilization to make the video smooth even when you’re on the move.
The design was completely revamped compared to the RX10 IV’s bulbous, stodgy look. It’s now thinner and more square to match the A7 V’s aesthetic and has a bigger grip. It comes with a full complement of manual controls including a joystick, three control dials, a control wheel and dual top dials (with photo, video and S&Q selector), and an AF-ON button to control autofocus.
Sony
Both the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the rear display get a resolution upgrade to 3.69 million dots (from 2.4 million dots) and 1.62 million dots respectively. However, the rear display only tilts and doesn’t rotate, so it’s not ideal for vlogging or selfies. Again, that’s an unwarranted omission considering the price of the camera.
Other features include a single UHS-II SD card slot, a full NP-FZ100 battery that delivers up to 630 shots per charge, a mini 3.5mm HDMI port, microphone and headphone ports and a new USB-C port for high-speed charging and transfer. The RX10 V now supports live streaming up to 4K 30 fps as well.
Now for the bad news if you are interested in this new model. The RX10 V is up for pre-order now for $2,300 (shipping in August), a relative bargain for a 1-inch compact camera. If that price is in your wheelhouse, however, it gives you access to incredible zoom, shooting speed and video capabilities.
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