Sony RX10 iv for wildlife

[James Tabet]

Hey guys, My current wildlife setup is a Nikon D850 with a sigma sports 150-600mm and a 1.4tc. I generally do long day hikes and I’m finding lugging the sigma lens is becoming more of a burden then an enjoyment. Once it’s mounted and I’m snapping away it’s a joy to use but the long walks and steep climbs can become a real pain with the bulk of the sigma. I’m contemplating switching my setup to the Sony rx10 iv which is a 24-600mm (f2.8-f4) mirrorless bridge camera and then using my d850 for landscape and macro only. Obviously optically I doubt the Sony can hold its own against the sigma/d850 combo but I’m wondering if anyone owns this camera and wether high quality images can still be achieved? The reviews sound very promising but I’m wanting the opinions of anyone who either uses both a long lens and the rx10 or has made the switch to the rx10. I’m not a professional wildlife photographer but would still like to be able to achieve printable images, basically I’m trying to find a balance between high quality images and mobility.

 

[ruley74]

You may have been better off posting the question on the general or wildlife area?

However... not used the Sony but there's a person on DPR that posts some fantastic images with the RX10, including Kingfishers in flight etc. So i think it's achievable in the right light/conditions.

Another option which I'm sure will come up is looking at the PF lenses, 300 plus TC or 500. keeps the D850 sensor size for versatility and performance.

 

[James Tabet]

Oops, I meant to post it in the wildlife section, I’ll see if I can figure out how to move it over!

I hadn’t even thought about the PF lenses, seems I need to do some more research! As you say it would be nice to make use of the d850s sensor size! Thanks a lot, definitely food for thought here

 

[Oztours]

@James Tabet. You will need to contact @Steve to move the post. Supporting members get more options to edit, delete, etc. Click on the "Upgrade" button in the menu for more info. I have found it extremely useful because I am a hopeless typist and also forget to put things in that I meant to.

 

[Ado Wolf]

Hi James, we seem to be in the same situation.. I too find it challenging to carry around with my D7500 +200-500 combo on hikes in the Alps. I have been trying for the past few weeks to list out the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony RX10 iv versus the 300 pf + TC Combo. So far I came up with the following:
- RX wins financially ($1500 vs $2200)
- RX wins with size / weight
- PF wins with image quality
- PF wins with long term use

I searched for RX pictures on Flickr, to get an idea of the quality.. i didn't find many Wildlife photos there, so I took this as a negative input.

I am leaning towards the PF solution, cause photos without enough Image Quality aren't worth having.. just my opinion of course.

 

[PhilM]

FWIW, I tried the RX10 IV.
Conceptually, it made great sense. In practice, it was nowhere close what I had hoped for - other than weight.
IQ was decent in ideal conditions, but due to the tiny sensor it required a lot of light. You also need to understand that the advertised FL is based on sensor size vs. full frame equivalent. Reach was not what I had anticipated.

At the time, I was shooting mainly a D500 & D850 with 300PF, 200-500, & 600F4. The RX10 IV experiment lasted a couple months, but in the end it got a new home and I am perfectly happy with what I have. Having added 500PF to the mix, (and Z6 & Z50) I no longer worry about rig weight.

My current favorite "light weight" config is Z50 + 500PF.

EDIT add: If you're a Nikon shooter, w/o Sony experience - you will not like the menu system in the RX10 IV. ;-)

 

[Venkatesh VT]

I have d 850,d 500 with 500 PF.I also use Sony Rx 10 IV for video and still images .It is a fantastic camera for video,BIFs and it has a high FPS of 25 and it's AF is really great
.I have got some great shots and even framed few of them.It is pretty ok at low light too since its maximum aperture is 4
It just weighs a kilo and if weight is the main consideration nothing comes close to it.The only cons are that it is 1" camera and need to carry more batteries.
How ever at best it can complement other cropped/ FF cameras and can not be the only camera in one's bag unless one is bothered by weight
Yestarday we (self & wife) shot a a white breasteed kingfisher & Plantive cuckoo at Hyderbad@India with d 500 +500 PF and a Sony Rx 10 Iv.Both were shot wide open i.e at 5.6 & 4 The top image is D 500 with 500 Pf & the bottom one is wirth Sony Rx 10 Iv .The light was pretty good

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[Ian]

I have used an RX10 iii in the past. In good lighting conditions I have got some very good shots. If you are really pushed for space/weight its excellent but as you would expect not up to my A7Riii and G master lenses. But for the money and the weight it's a cracking camera.

 

[Ado Wolf]

@Venkatesh VT thanks for the comparison photos..
They clearly show that for Hobby/Professional photographer the RX10 is no match to the DSLR IQ.
Having said that, it is the best 1" Camera out there, and does deliver lots of features for that class.