Sony RX0

[gobiodon 62]

Am I the only one who thinks that the new sony RX0 has tremendous potential as a small underwater video camera?

http://wetpixel.com/articles/sony-unveils-the-rx0-action-cam

I think it shouldn't be treated as an action cam and it's not a competitor of GoPro or Yi (and others) but due to the large sensor size and a non-fisheye lens it might be a great alternative small camera with a professional output. It was specifically developed for multi camera systems, so it might also be used to build a 3D system but it could be used as a pole cam. Adding macro filters looks possible and it makes sense due to the 24mm equivalent lens.

What do you think?

 

Cheers

 

Marcell

 

[kc_moses 142]

It's a good B-Cam camera that one can just mount on housing cold shoe and shoot away. I expect it to infinity focus so if something swim by, the RX0 can just start recording and we don't have to worry about focus. But color would be interesting, not sure if it has custom white balance feature. Does the $700 price tag include the 330ft housing?

[gobiodon 62]

"Does the $700 price tag include the 330ft housing?"

I think not. I agree that it's a bit expensive.

[Davide DB 487]

Hummm 24mm it's really too narrow. With a flat port it's even narrow. I see it as a very specific tool.

 

It a shame that Sony chose that infamous shape for its real action cam fdr x3000.

I had the opportunity to use it and it's the best one. Optical stabilization and amazing image quality.

Unfortunately no uw housing and no way to have a display in a useful way.

[gobiodon 62]

Sure, it's a specific tool but there are lots of good ultra-wide (weitwinkel) options in small size. I've just started to use Yi 4K and it's quite good, but I feel those action cams too wide. I've tried to implement some wide macro option to my gopro or yi but I haven't found any quality solution. Probably I won't buy the sony RX0, because it's too expensive, but I see many professional application (mainly multicam things) for this camera in underwater filming.

For an amateur, like me, the Sealife DC2000 would be a better option.

[thani 86]

Hummm 24mm it's really too narrow. With a flat port it's even narrow. I see it as a very specific tool.

It a shame that Sony chose that infamous shape for its real action cam fdr x3000.

I had the opportunity to use it and it's the best one. Optical stabilization and amazing image quality.

Unfortunately no uw housing and no way to have a display in a useful way.

If it is 24mm full frame equivalent as advertised, it is not too narrow. I agree with kc_moses that it could serve as a B-cam. When shooting either macro or ultra-wide (weitwinkel) angle, the 24mm sets in between and would capture angle of view that will add value for both lenses. Of course, it all depends on the image quality and how closely it color matches with the A-cam .

What do you guys think?

[thani 86]

It appears that it only records FHD internally. I will pass this one. May be next version or another cam that does good quality 4k internally.

[John Doe 0]

Thani,

 

Is 4K *REALLY* all that important ?

 

My impression was that it was mostly hype. I suppose as time goes on it will be mainstream but how far away is that?

 

If you could only chose ONE feature above any other thing, what would it be?

[EvilOtter 41]

The primary features of the RX0 are high quality FHD video at up to 960 fps with multi-camera control. This seems to be targeting the action sports market to showcase rad moves in excruciating detail with super slomo, bullet-time and time-slice effects. I don't see any mention of a custom white balance setting and most of the video quality options are available on capable compacts. As such, I don't see a good value proposition for a single RX0 unit versus a GoPro or compact. A stationary multi-camera setup could be really interesting for filming fast action sequences underwater (e.g., sharks feeding), however, the cost will be prohibitive for enthusiasts. I guess this is why Sony refers to it as a "pro level action camera."

[EvilOtter 41]

RE: 4K

 

I personally think that it is very important and that we are on the cusp of seeing more widespread adoption. The difference in image quality is astounding, whether displayed in native 4K or downscaled to 1080p. I recall having a similar reaction when we moved from SD to HD formats and, of course, now we would never go back. I suspect that the RX0 shoots only FHD to limit file size and maximize clip length in super slomo. If it shot 4K 960 fps, it would fill an SD card in a matter of minutes, which would be impractical in any circumstance.

[Davide DB 487]

This seems to be targeting the action sports market to showcase rad moves in excruciating detail with super slomo, bullet-time and time-slice effects.

 

 

 

Speaking of bullet-time effect, a small thread hijack... a couple of videos from Laurent Ballesta latest expedition.

 

It was made with a tons of gopro cameras mounted on a DIY semi circular pod.

Here a brief description of the custom build:

 

 

 

 

And here at 2:44 a small preview of the upcoming results:

 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2017 by Davide DB

[EvilOtter 41]

That is exactly what I had in mind @DavideDB. I am not surprised that the guys at Gombessa have already tried it. They are nuts!

[Davide DB 487]

Continuing with the thread hijack...

 

Which kind of NLE is needed?

[EvilOtter 41]

I have no idea what is required to produce these effects. I did note, from the RX0 promo materials, that Sony is developing a multi-unit wireless control system for release in January. Presumably, this will come with software that can "stitch" together images from multiple units into a single file for import into any NLE. It's kind of a moot point for me since I can barely afford one RX0, let alone the 30 that would be required for one second of bullet-time video.

[thani 86]

Thani,

 

Is 4K *REALLY* all that important ?

 

My impression was that it was mostly hype. I suppose as time goes on it will be mainstream but how far away is that?

 

If you could only chose ONE feature above any other thing, what would it be?

I always shoot 4k to help me in post production:

Helps me frame the shots better,

Use software stabilization,

Publish high quality FHD

 

One of the most important features IMHO is Daynamic Range.

[Davide DB 487]

I'm sure you have already seen it.

 

A demo/promo video of the RX0 capabilities made by Sony:

 

 

And of course the making of:

 

[gobiodon 62]

Great. Unfortunately wifi based wireless won't work underwater.

[Nick Hope 151]

Continuing with the thread hijack...

 

Which kind of NLE is needed?

 

I think it would be straightforward to edit a bullet-time shot in Vegas Pro, so presumably also in other NLEs.

Edited September 17, 2017 by Nick Hope

[gobiodon 62]

Competition is good:

http://www.diyphotography.net/canon-bringing-modular-camera-system/