High-end bridge cameras: Sony RX10, Panasonic FZ1000 etc

Its been awhile!!......I confess to not using my Panny FZ1000 throughout this year (just used the Panny G9 for the most part).......................However, after setting up some over ripe (ooozing) bananas on a table in my garden recently, a Red Admiral butterfly couldnt resist nectaring on the banana.

Panny FZ1000, with Raynox 250 or 150 lens?? (i cant remember which Raynox, as i used both on the day!) Home made Pringles diffuser, with onboard flash. Handheld, Jpeg, minimal editing, single image, an no cropping. F/8 1/200 ISO 100.

P1700485-copy-to-900.jpg
 
Hi folks

For a long time I've toyed with the idea of getting an RX10 iv. I had a Panasonic FZ2000 for a while, but px'd it to purchase a Fuji X-S10 (which I'm happy with for a lot of what I do).
However, much as I love the Fuji, and do intend to keep it, I frequently find myself wanting a greater reach than my longest Fuji 50-230, although in reality 99% of the time my 16-80 lives on the X-S10 as the extra reach of the 50230 isn't usually significant enough for capturing wildlife and it's something extra to lug around. As we all know it's a hassle changing lenses and I consequently I often don't take the 50-230 with me

My interests are pretty broad , landscape, street but also wildlife. With the latter as I don't have the reach I often end up cropping, and even with the APSC sensor and software like Topaz Denoise and Sharpen, shots aren't as nice as I'd like

Which in a long winded way brings me back to....the RX10iv.

I'm looking for versatility (so the bridge ticks that box), reach when I need it, and good quality images - which you folks able demonstrate is possible.

I'd hoped since I last made and significant effort to look at the RX iv the price would have come down, but it doesn't appear to have, at least by much, even with Black Friday upon us.

I don't mind used in good nick, and MPB have loads from about £1200, but down to around £1,130 for one in excellent condition. I am tempted, but digging further I can also get a Mk3 for around £750. so my question for those more knowledgeable than me, is is the Mk4 worth the extra £400? I know it has a better focusing system but I'm not sure whether that's a big enough win for the premium.

Unless, of course anyone know where I can get a dirt cheap Mk4 ;)
 
SimonH said:
Hi folks

For a long time I've toyed with the idea of getting an RX10 iv. I had a Panasonic FZ2000 for a while, but px'd it to purchase a Fuji X-S10 (which I'm happy with for a lot of what I do).
However, much as I love the Fuji, and do intend to keep it, I frequently find myself wanting a greater reach than my longest Fuji 50-230, although in reality 99% of the time my 16-80 lives on the X-S10 as the extra reach of the 50230 isn't usually significant enough for capturing wildlife and it's something extra to lug around. As we all know it's a hassle changing lenses and I consequently I often don't take the 50-230 with me

My interests are pretty broad , landscape, street but also wildlife. With the latter as I don't have the reach I often end up cropping, and even with the APSC sensor and software like Topaz Denoise and Sharpen, shots aren't as nice as I'd like

Which in a long winded way brings me back to....the RX10iv.

I'm looking for versatility (so the bridge ticks that box), reach when I need it, and good quality images - which you folks able demonstrate is possible.

I'd hoped since I last made and significant effort to look at the RX iv the price would have come down, but it doesn't appear to have, at least by much, even with Black Friday upon us.

I don't mind used in good nick, and MPB have loads from about £1200, but down to around £1,130 for one in excellent condition. I am tempted, but digging further I can also get a Mk3 for around £750. so my question for those more knowledgeable than me, is is the Mk4 worth the extra £400? I know it has a better focusing system but I'm not sure whether that's a big enough win for the premium.

Unless, of course anyone know where I can get a dirt cheap Mk4 ;)
Click to expand...
Short answer - no, unless you do a lot of birds in flight...

I upgraded from a Mk3 to a Mk4 and honestly they are very very similar - the good things are all pretty much the same (it's sharp all the way from 24-600 equiv at f4 in a *relatively* handy package) and the bad things are all much the same too (sensor noise, messy bokeh).

Happy to help with any specifics or post samples etc if needed :)
 
dibbly dobbler said:
Short answer - no, unless you do a lot of birds in flight...

I upgraded from a Mk3 to a Mk4 and honestly they are very very similar - the good things are all pretty much the same (it's sharp all the way from 24-600 equiv at f4 in a *relatively* handy package) and the bad things are all much the same too (sensor noise, messy bokeh).

Happy to help with any specifics or post samples etc if needed :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike. That’s helpful. I don’t really do BIF, or only very rarely. I’ve perused these forums extensively so I’m fairly familiar with what’s possible, and the general limitations, but for me I think the reach and sharpness outweigh any negatives. The FZ2000 I had was ok, but I think the superior glass in the Sony is a step up.
Sounds like a Mk 3 would do me.
 
SimonH said:
Thanks Mike. That’s helpful. I don’t really do BIF, or only very rarely. I’ve perused these forums extensively so I’m fairly familiar with what’s possible, and the general limitations, but for me I think the reach and sharpness outweigh any negatives. The FZ2000 I had was ok, but I think the superior glass in the Sony is a step up.
Sounds like a Mk 3 would do me.
Click to expand...
A good condition Mk3 is a real bargain considering what it can do - look forward to seeing some results if you decide to go for it :)
 
I've never had the mk3 so can't comment upon it. I had the fz2000 for quite a while but after getting the rx10 iv it got used less and less so I parted with it.
The mk 4 fits my needs perfectly and as said, I also find the auto focus superb and although you state you don't do BIF shots I would imagine the mk3 is still capable with practice of getting said photos.
 
Can i ask you guys who use the Sony a lot, what is it like at high iso??

Do you really need to purchase some decent noise software, and if so does the software work well with the photos out of the Sony.
 
Padman400 said:
Can i ask you guys who use the Sony a lot, what is it like at high iso??

Do you really need to purchase some decent noise software, and if so does the software work well with the photos out of the Sony.
Click to expand...
Yes if shooting higher than 800 iso. both of my 2 last posts were at1600 iso, quality is fine for me. I use Lightroom and Topaz noise ai.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top