Sony’s RX100 line has long been one of, it not the best pocketable compact cameras on the market. The combination of fast lenses and great image quality in a small form factor has given us a reason us to shoot with compacts again.
According to the latest buzz, the RX100 M4 could be coming at some point this month, and it could have an interesting new twist. If the rumor is to be believed, Sony will move to put the RX100 M4 in better competition with Panasonic’s LX100 by giving it a larger – possibly Four Thirds sized – Sensor.
This would be an interesting move from Sony, as one of the main advantages of the RX100 is its pocketable size, and an increase in sensor size, means an increase in lens size, which means the camera could lose its pocket-ability.
[REWIND: Panasonic LX100 Review]
Personally, I would much rather have a pocketable RX100M4 with maybe slightly worse low light performance than a slightly better low light performing camera that I can’t easily fit into a pocket. But that is just me, you may feel differently.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Would you like to see an RX100M4 with a larger sensor, even if the end result meant a camera that was no longer easily pocketable? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
[via Sony Alpha Rumors]
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Pocket sized cameras HAVE to bring more to the table. Otherwise we would just use our phones…
Hard to improve on the Rx100 M3! But if they did keep the for factor small, added a 4/3 sensor, touch screens and a fast lens… We would buy this “premium” pocket camera for sure. Sony is clearly going after the enthusiasts that already have a DSLR (and the income) that would pay and like a “proper quality” pocket camera to match! Yes I will buy this M4 version if it comes out. I love my M3 just as well too! Can’t wait to see what transpires from this range of cameras (RX SERIES) from Sony!
I guess it depends on your pockets. The RX100 isn’t all that much smaller than an m43 camera today, like the Olympus E-PM1 or Panasonic GM1, with a pancake or collapsible lens. The LX100 adds that viewfinder, which I’d like, but definitely blows up the size a bit. Sony doesn’t have to make things all that much larger, they don’t need to add a viewfinder, etc. They do need to make a competitive upgrade. That doesn’t mean selling exactly the same camera.
I like the idea of keeping it pocket size. What I would love to see is keeping the EVF and add the hot shoe back to the camera.
In my view, Sony has been moving in the wrong direction with the RX100, generally. They’re never going to achieve the same image quality as interchangeable lens systems with larger sensors, but they’ve been continuously compromising on size, to the point where it’s difficult now to say that the RX100 M3 is pocketable with a straight face.
The original RX100 was 35.9mm thick. The M2 was 38.3mm. The M3 is now 41mm.
Rather than making faster lenses to try and compete against something they can’t legitimately compete against, I think a more flexible lens range with a more reasonable (i.e. slower) aperture in a thinner package would be better satisfying the requirements that most people have for a pocket camera.
That. and a touch-screen would be greatly appreciated.
Doesn’t sound like a problem, as the RX100 M3 stills seems to lead the way. They will probably keep selling it. Then you will have two choices :
– “Pocketable” : M3
– Better low light performance and IQ : M4
24-100 1.8
I would go with pocket sized, any bigger then I may as well just go for a 4/3. Pocket sized premiums are great for when I am going out, gigs when I am on holiday and want to leave the dslr in the hotel.
That sounds like a pocket size problem to me, I have one too, mine are just not deep enough.