A while back , television camera shaper decide that masses want to whizz in really , really far . More latterly , they also realized people want great paradigm quality and advanced ascendancy . ( Who’da suppose ! ? ) Here are unexampled two cameras that do both . countenance ’s see which is deserving your severely - earned dollar mark .
The Competitors
Sony ’s RX10 Mark II and the Canon G3X are both what I call premium superzooms . They both have long - range rapid climb lenses and one - in sensors , which intend much better image quality than your distinctive dadcam . ( Full revelation : I am a dad . ) Why compare these two specific cameras now ? They ’re the most recent exchange premium superzooms on the market , and they ’ve got similar prices .
In the left box , we have the $ 1300 Sony RX10 Mark II . In fount you ’re not aware , Sony’soriginal RX10sort of paved the elbow room for the premium superzoom . The new Mark II has some re - worked guts for extra stopping power . It has a 20 megapixel one - column inch sensor , a 24 - 200 mm f/2.8 lens with 8.3x optical rapid climb , a very beneficial electronic viewfinder , and the ability to shoot 4 K video recording .
In the proper corner , the $ 1000 Canon G3X has a like 20 megapixel sensor to the Sony . But it has a 24 - 600 mm f/2.8 - 5.6 lens , which is 25x opthalmic zoom . That ’s treble the zoom range , and really where Canon hop to win hearts and judgment . It also shoot HD picture , but not 4 kibibyte footage .
At those prices, why not just buy a DSLR?
An introduction - level DSLR has better image quality , is far cheaper than $ 1000 , and you may transfer lenses if you want to . But the system of logic here is that most people who grease one’s palms entry - level DSLRs never buy good lens . They stick with the outfit lens with its cheap quality and limited rapid climb chain of mountains . A exchange premium super - zoom does everything your average amateur require to do with a DSLR , but in a more compact , all - in - one parcel .
The Test
Over the preceding few weeks , I nonchalantly toted around these cameras and inject things like landscapes , my kid , and other random horseshit . Sometimes I land one Cam River . Sometimes I brought both . Below are the main areas that I found to really lay out these two cameras apart .
Before dive in , a quick promissory note about image quality : these two cameras are extremely faithful in terms of figure of speech character . It ’s not deserving pouring over moment conflict because they ’re so little as to make utterly no remainder for any practical covering . Both Cam River bring forth beautiful double . Onward !
Above : Canon G3X at 330 mm , ISO 125
Above : Sony RX10 Mark II at 200 mm , ISO 100
Zoom
On paper , the braggart departure between Canon and Sony is zoom . How much do you need ? The G3X ’s 600 mm mountain range is certainly fun , but that fun has limit .
First , you need to have some story of photography acumen to pull off telephoto shots at that range . You require to know what shutter speed are safe ( auto modality does n’t always do a great job ) to avoid fuzzy pics , and you ’ll need daylight since the aperture at 600 millimetre run down to f/5.6 . If I want to shoot at 600 mm in anything but bright daylight , I usually had to bump my ISO up to account for the faster required shutter speeds , and that hurts image timbre . Oh , and you’re able to leave about shooting usable video with your bare hand at that soar storey .
Here are shot from each tv camera at their widest focal length . See the flushed boxes I ’ve drawn ? That ’s how confining you’re able to get if you zoom in all the way .
Above : Canon G3X at 24 mm
Above : Sony RX10 Mark II at 24 mm
And here are the real shot when zoomed all the way in .
Above : Canon G3X at 600 mm
Above : Sony RX100 Mark II at 200 mm
The Sony ’s 200 mm lens wo n’t get you nearly as nigh as you’re able to get with the Canon , but it has a magic up its sleeve : a unremitting aperture of f/2.8 , when the Canon can only do f/2.8 at its wide focal length . This makes the Sony more versatile in low light . Even though you ca n’t zoom in as far , you ’re likely to total out with more usable guess when limited to 200 mm .
I never in reality establish myself yearning for more than the Sony ’s 200 millimeter . peradventure if I was hit a passel of wildlife .
success : splice
Stabilization
As I underscore above , shooting telephoto is hard because camera shake is magnify the farther you zoom in . ( attempt to hold a long control stick still with just one hand , equate to a curt one . ) That ’s why a tv camera ’s stabilization arrangement is really important . The Sony RX10 II and the Canon G3X both have optical stabilization , meaning the lens element move around to correct for handshake . They also have some digital stabilization .
I compared the two by blast burst at 200 mm with a slow shutter speed of 1/20 , but neither tv camera rose above the other in any meaningful way . I might give a slight edge to the G3X , but both cameras have enceinte stabilization in universal .
Above : Canon G3X at 100 mm , ISO 1600
Above : Sony RX10 II at 24 mm , ISO 1600
Viewfinder
Electronic finder have become key view of advanced cameras , providing constancy and easier go in smart luminosity , but Canon seldom includes one . The G3X ’s lack of a finder made it awkward to use given its size and purpose as a farsighted - range crap-shooter . Stability is crucial with long - range zoom , and holding your oculus to a viewfinder provides a stage of link that can serve steady your shaky arms .
candidly , I really did n’t care holding the G3X out in front of me trying to fritter away telephotograph shots . The RX10 Mark II ’s terrific built - in viewfinder feel easier and more comfortable .
victor : Sony
Size / Weight / Ergonomics
The G3X is just a fuzz smaller , but significantly lighter , than the RX10 II . I recover both the grips to be comfortable , but the Canon ’s plume weight made it easy for me to carry around .
Controls on both cameras are pretty good , though the RX10 II ’s more robust layout suited me better , especially the aperture ring around the lens that can splay smoothly for seamless video vulnerability adjustment . That said , I found myself liking the ease of the tinge screenland restraint of the G3X , which the Sony lacks . The simpler preferences will appeal to beginners , no incertitude .
The G3X also has a display that can twitch up for selfie preference , but with a larger camera like this it ’s really sticky to hold that way , so I do n’t consider that an reward . Perhaps if you ’re going to set it on a rock and apply the self - timer ?
Winner : Sony for advanced users , Canon for beginners
Focus
Autofocus speed is substantive for middling much every case of shooting , and the RX10 II comes out hands down on top . The Canon always has a noticeable postponement before it locks on . For moving field of study particularly , this form all the dispute . Sony ’s trailing and face detection worked considerably as well . A clear profits for Sony .
Above : Canon G3X at 600 mm , ISO 250
Above : Sony RX 10 II at 200 mm , ISO 125
Video
Another flat - out profits for the RX10 II . The Sony really is gear toward high - end video . Its 4 K footage is beautiful , and it ’s just easier to shoot with on score of the viewfinder and aperture ring . you could do heavy slow motion at 120 fps , and even go up to 1000 fps , but with gravely reduced quality . telecasting is n’t of import to everyone , but for $ 1000 and up , a tv camera should charge decent quality telecasting . The G3X ca n’t do 4 kilobyte , but that ’s not the full-grown letdown . The major bummer is that the tone of its HD video is atrocious by modernistic criterion .
For the warm trial footage TV above , I chose to show how the 1080p of the Canon compared to the 4 K of the Sony when scale down to 108op . The reason for this is because the recommended background for maximum quality with the RX10 II is 4 M , even if you are only displaying your video in 1080p .
Test Notes
Both tv camera have some measure of weather waterproofing
Both have ND filter built in for shooting with large aperture configurations in vivid light .
When whizz in quick during video transcription , the buzz of the RX10 II ’s rapid growth motor is quite audible in the footage . The G3X is much quieter .
Both have earphone and microphone jack for audio transcription .
Battery life is far superior on the Canon G3X. The Sony drains rather quickly .
Expect some noise even at low ISOs . The images are n’t perfect .
The G3X has somewhat more natural gloss equalizer , but nothing most people would notice .
If you care about salvo rate , the Canon has a rate of about 6 fps , and the Sony has a rate of 14 fps .
Above : Canon G3X at 200 mm , ISO 125
Above : Sony RX10 II at 200 mm , ISO 125
Above : Canon G3X at 380 mm , ISO 320
Above : Canon G3X at 600 mm , ISO 160
Above : Sony RX10 Mark II at 24 mm , ISO 100
Conclusions
If I were go to buy one of these camera today , I would go with the RX10 Mark II . However , I am a photographer who like more advanced controls and place a enceinte deal of importance on video quality . These two factors , combine with the speedier autofocus system , constant f/2.8 aperture , and built - in viewfinder , make the RX10 II mouth to me over the Canon . That say , if you are a beginner , I think you just might choose the Canon G3X. Its simple surgical procedure , swooning body , and longer zoom range ( not to note low cost ) will invoke to those just starting out .
If you ’re wondering about choice aside from our two contender , there are a couple that are worth mention . The only other premium A-one - zoom on the marketplace is thePanasonic FZ1000 . It has n’t been update in over a year , but with 4 K video and a 24 - 400 mm f/2.8 - 4 crystalline lens , it is sort of in between the Sony and Canon . I ’ve used it . It ’s a solid tv camera , specially for the going Leontyne Price of around $ 750 .
Then there are the smaller superzooms . Yes , the dadcams . These are extremely cheap , sometimes $ 300 or under , and can often zoom to high heaven . The recent Nikon P900 rapid climb to an incredible equivalent of 1440mm . That ’s ridiculous . Superzooms like this are cheap and small , but they have midget sensors that just do n’t produce outstanding icon quality .
If you ’re looking for beautiful pro quality image , Both the Canon G3X and the Sony RX10 II will give you really great quality to equate their high price tags . And they ’ll both give you the key superpower so many people crave : the mightiness of ZOOOOOOOOM .
connect with the author at[email protected ] .
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