Sony RX100 M3 broken (again) - what alternatives are there?
Discussion
Hi everyone, have had my Sony RX100 M3 since August 2016 and taken several thousand photos with it but it's now playing up, as in the menu keeps showing delete confirm, etc. so assume the toggle button mechanism is worn. Am guessing that the rest of the camera parts are similarly worn so not keen on sending it away for another expensive repair only for something else to fail on it. It's been back and forwards for several repairs whilst under warranty so I'm none too chuffed with it.
Have been looking at alternative and less expensive cameras from Canon and Lumix (Panasonic) and seem to think a few PH users are using the Canon G7X ii and the TZ70 or TZ90 (can't remember which is the smaller model. How do these cameras compare in use and photo quality to the RX100 M3. I don't want to purchase a camera that is much larger than the Sony.
If the Corona virus outbreak hadn't temporarily closed the shops I would call into John Lewis or PC World for a play but that's not currently possible.
I have an iPhone SE for taking day-to-day pics which I'm very pleased with, but don't want a monster sized and hugely expensive iPhone to lug around when all I use it for is making phone calls and picking up my emails with a bit of internet browsing.
Any comments or recommendations much appreciated.
Have been looking at alternative and less expensive cameras from Canon and Lumix (Panasonic) and seem to think a few PH users are using the Canon G7X ii and the TZ70 or TZ90 (can't remember which is the smaller model. How do these cameras compare in use and photo quality to the RX100 M3. I don't want to purchase a camera that is much larger than the Sony.
If the Corona virus outbreak hadn't temporarily closed the shops I would call into John Lewis or PC World for a play but that's not currently possible.
I have an iPhone SE for taking day-to-day pics which I'm very pleased with, but don't want a monster sized and hugely expensive iPhone to lug around when all I use it for is making phone calls and picking up my emails with a bit of internet browsing.
Any comments or recommendations much appreciated.
I had an rx100 mk3 from new - used for hols ( whatever they were ) and as a take anyway / better than the iPhone camera. Mine wasn’t faulty but after a year or so realised I just wasn’t getting along with it. I found the viewfinder too small and the controls.... well, a bit too computer-like for want of a better description.
To replace it (I sold it to MPB) I went to the used market. I went for an as-new Fuji X-T1 and added a Fuji 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Total cost was about £400.
Size is certainly a bit bigger than the Sony, but build quality is in a different league. It is still almost pocketable due to the small lens though. It takes a bit of learning to get the best out of the Fuji but if you are prepared to put the effort in it is worth the investment in time.
I don’t miss the zoom or any of the clever features of the Sony - the new setup is fixed at a very slight wide angle (27mm = 40mm full frame) - it is very versatile. The viewfinder is much better as are the controls.
The Fuji is just such a pleasure to use after struggling along with the Sony. Don’t get me wrong - all RX100s are an amazing example of a big camera in a small body, but they are a bit too small and delicate perhaps?
To replace it (I sold it to MPB) I went to the used market. I went for an as-new Fuji X-T1 and added a Fuji 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Total cost was about £400.
Size is certainly a bit bigger than the Sony, but build quality is in a different league. It is still almost pocketable due to the small lens though. It takes a bit of learning to get the best out of the Fuji but if you are prepared to put the effort in it is worth the investment in time.
I don’t miss the zoom or any of the clever features of the Sony - the new setup is fixed at a very slight wide angle (27mm = 40mm full frame) - it is very versatile. The viewfinder is much better as are the controls.
The Fuji is just such a pleasure to use after struggling along with the Sony. Don’t get me wrong - all RX100s are an amazing example of a big camera in a small body, but they are a bit too small and delicate perhaps?
I've had a Panasonic TX for years. I carry it with me most days, in the car, in the pocket, on holiday, when going to sports. It's taken a number of knocks but doesn't seem to be bothered. It has an alloy case and feels reassuringly robust. It's lens is marked as Leica and it is of excellent quality taking the cost into consideration. I can't fault it for the price.
The zoom is limited but it's within the range I expected to use a pocket camera for, so not a problem. It replaced a Panasonic bridge and I also have a G7, so the controls are almost second nature to me.
The zoom is limited but it's within the range I expected to use a pocket camera for, so not a problem. It replaced a Panasonic bridge and I also have a G7, so the controls are almost second nature to me.
I have had both the Canon G7x and the G7x II which I have really enjoyed using and gave great results. However I just changed last week to a Sony RX100 M6 because it (finally) offers touch screen focusing and have been blown away with its sharpness.
Having said that the Canon g7x II is a great little camera
Having said that the Canon g7x II is a great little camera
Cheers folks for your replies, gives me food for thought.
edwheels, I hadn't considered buying the Fuji X-T1 with the f/2.8 pancake lens, I used to have a 700D with a 28mm pancake lens and as you say, it's tiny but I think I need some form of zoom lens in this instance. I thought the EVF was a gimmick but it does work remarkably well in bright sunlight. From what I've read on here many users like the Fuji brand of cameras so if they made one with a zoom capability I would probably take another look. Once again the camera needs to be compact in size.
Derek Smith, thanks for your input, the Panasonic TX sounds like it is more durable than the Sony, I take your point over the limited zoom but 24 - 70 or thereabouts is fine with me. I have a larger Sony RX10 MK2 for those instances when I need a monster zoom but that camera is nearly the size of my 5D3 so isn't exactly pocketable and there are quite a few things I don't like about it, such as the SD lid which doesn't flip back far enough when opening so makes ejecting the card difficult, these sorts of things should have been spotted and adjusted at the design stage. Is just one example, oh and the Sony menu system is somewhat interesting to say the very least but I have adapted!
I've had a RX100 MK1 which went back in for repair a few times before I traded it in under warranty for the RX100 MK3, which has also been back and forth over the past couple of years for repair under warranty so I'm kind of losing faith with the brand, as you say the TX has a Leica lens which is definitely one of the better camera and lens manufacturers.
Ironically I did actually swap the original RX100 for a G9X but when I opened the box it was the silver model rather than the black model and unfortunately JL didn't have any of the black models in stock so I went back to Sony again. BTW, the silver casing is no good for me because my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, so black lettering on silver is difficult to see, whereas the black body with white lettering is much easier on the eyes.
anomiepete, is interesting what you have said about using both the Canon G7x and the G7x II before you moved onto the RX100 MK6, am sure it is better and faster than the Canon cameras, and certainly Sony do seem to be on the ball with the focusing systems on their cameras, the problem for me is that the MK6 version costs a hell of a lot more money so is well out of my price range. Sony have managed to cram an awful lot of technology into such a compact design it's truly incredible.
Have been looking at compact cameras for the past few days and have narrowed it down to either the Canon G9X which is slightly smaller than the RX100 cameras, or the Panasonic Lumix range, though still can't figure out which one is best, like I said before, if John Lewis was open I would have been in and purchased a replacement by now but they're not. Very annoying!
I do look after my cameras with kid gloves, I don't throw them around or neglect them, and I keep them in a bag when not in use, so am none to chuffed with the continuing problems I've encountered with them, it's like they are just a bit too complicated for their own good. Don't get me wrong, technologically the Sony RX100 range are outstandingly good, the lens quality is extremely good as is the focusing systems used, and they do feel very well made indeed, actually feel like they have been machined from a solid billet of aluminium, so it's somewhat disappointing that I keep hitting reliability issues.
edwheels, I hadn't considered buying the Fuji X-T1 with the f/2.8 pancake lens, I used to have a 700D with a 28mm pancake lens and as you say, it's tiny but I think I need some form of zoom lens in this instance. I thought the EVF was a gimmick but it does work remarkably well in bright sunlight. From what I've read on here many users like the Fuji brand of cameras so if they made one with a zoom capability I would probably take another look. Once again the camera needs to be compact in size.
Derek Smith, thanks for your input, the Panasonic TX sounds like it is more durable than the Sony, I take your point over the limited zoom but 24 - 70 or thereabouts is fine with me. I have a larger Sony RX10 MK2 for those instances when I need a monster zoom but that camera is nearly the size of my 5D3 so isn't exactly pocketable and there are quite a few things I don't like about it, such as the SD lid which doesn't flip back far enough when opening so makes ejecting the card difficult, these sorts of things should have been spotted and adjusted at the design stage. Is just one example, oh and the Sony menu system is somewhat interesting to say the very least but I have adapted!
I've had a RX100 MK1 which went back in for repair a few times before I traded it in under warranty for the RX100 MK3, which has also been back and forth over the past couple of years for repair under warranty so I'm kind of losing faith with the brand, as you say the TX has a Leica lens which is definitely one of the better camera and lens manufacturers.
Ironically I did actually swap the original RX100 for a G9X but when I opened the box it was the silver model rather than the black model and unfortunately JL didn't have any of the black models in stock so I went back to Sony again. BTW, the silver casing is no good for me because my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, so black lettering on silver is difficult to see, whereas the black body with white lettering is much easier on the eyes.
anomiepete, is interesting what you have said about using both the Canon G7x and the G7x II before you moved onto the RX100 MK6, am sure it is better and faster than the Canon cameras, and certainly Sony do seem to be on the ball with the focusing systems on their cameras, the problem for me is that the MK6 version costs a hell of a lot more money so is well out of my price range. Sony have managed to cram an awful lot of technology into such a compact design it's truly incredible.
Have been looking at compact cameras for the past few days and have narrowed it down to either the Canon G9X which is slightly smaller than the RX100 cameras, or the Panasonic Lumix range, though still can't figure out which one is best, like I said before, if John Lewis was open I would have been in and purchased a replacement by now but they're not. Very annoying!
I do look after my cameras with kid gloves, I don't throw them around or neglect them, and I keep them in a bag when not in use, so am none to chuffed with the continuing problems I've encountered with them, it's like they are just a bit too complicated for their own good. Don't get me wrong, technologically the Sony RX100 range are outstandingly good, the lens quality is extremely good as is the focusing systems used, and they do feel very well made indeed, actually feel like they have been machined from a solid billet of aluminium, so it's somewhat disappointing that I keep hitting reliability issues.
rich888 said:
Cheers folks for your replies, gives me food for thought.
edwheels, I hadn't considered buying the Fuji X-T1 with the f/2.8 pancake lens, I used to have a 700D with a 28mm pancake lens and as you say, it's tiny but I think I need some form of zoom lens in this instance. I thought the EVF was a gimmick but it does work remarkably well in bright sunlight. From what I've read on here many users like the Fuji brand of cameras so if they made one with a zoom capability I would probably take another look. Once again the camera needs to be compact in size.
Derek Smith, thanks for your input, the Panasonic TX sounds like it is more durable than the Sony, I take your point over the limited zoom but 24 - 70 or thereabouts is fine with me. I have a larger Sony RX10 MK2 for those instances when I need a monster zoom but that camera is nearly the size of my 5D3 so isn't exactly pocketable and there are quite a few things I don't like about it, such as the SD lid which doesn't flip back far enough when opening so makes ejecting the card difficult, these sorts of things should have been spotted and adjusted at the design stage. Is just one example, oh and the Sony menu system is somewhat interesting to say the very least but I have adapted!
I've had a RX100 MK1 which went back in for repair a few times before I traded it in under warranty for the RX100 MK3, which has also been back and forth over the past couple of years for repair under warranty so I'm kind of losing faith with the brand, as you say the TX has a Leica lens which is definitely one of the better camera and lens manufacturers.
Ironically I did actually swap the original RX100 for a G9X but when I opened the box it was the silver model rather than the black model and unfortunately JL didn't have any of the black models in stock so I went back to Sony again. BTW, the silver casing is no good for me because my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, so black lettering on silver is difficult to see, whereas the black body with white lettering is much easier on the eyes.
anomiepete, is interesting what you have said about using both the Canon G7x and the G7x II before you moved onto the RX100 MK6, am sure it is better and faster than the Canon cameras, and certainly Sony do seem to be on the ball with the focusing systems on their cameras, the problem for me is that the MK6 version costs a hell of a lot more money so is well out of my price range. Sony have managed to cram an awful lot of technology into such a compact design it's truly incredible.
Have been looking at compact cameras for the past few days and have narrowed it down to either the Canon G9X which is slightly smaller than the RX100 cameras, or the Panasonic Lumix range, though still can't figure out which one is best, like I said before, if John Lewis was open I would have been in and purchased a replacement by now but they're not. Very annoying!
I do look after my cameras with kid gloves, I don't throw them around or neglect them, and I keep them in a bag when not in use, so am none to chuffed with the continuing problems I've encountered with them, it's like they are just a bit too complicated for their own good. Don't get me wrong, technologically the Sony RX100 range are outstandingly good, the lens quality is extremely good as is the focusing systems used, and they do feel very well made indeed, actually feel like they have been machined from a solid billet of aluminium, so it's somewhat disappointing that I keep hitting reliability issues.
I too look after my cameras, with additional closed cell foam in my camera bags. I have a jacket with multiple pockets that I use when going to the likes of Goodwood FoS, and I have special foam 'bags' for specific items. My wife laughs, but my cameras last for ages. I wonder if it is all for nothing. I videoed my club's rugby matches with two video cameras side by side, one wide enough for the whole pitch, and the other used to zoom into the action for scrums, mauls, rucks and general 'incidents'. Over a period of six and a half seasons, I used them through torrential rain, snow, sleet and lots and lots of hailstone storms. One winter the zoom control stopped working when I was filming, but when back at the club house, it worked perfectly. When it happened a third time I went to Jessops to ask why and the guy explained it. It turned out to be frost from me breathing out through my nose. edwheels, I hadn't considered buying the Fuji X-T1 with the f/2.8 pancake lens, I used to have a 700D with a 28mm pancake lens and as you say, it's tiny but I think I need some form of zoom lens in this instance. I thought the EVF was a gimmick but it does work remarkably well in bright sunlight. From what I've read on here many users like the Fuji brand of cameras so if they made one with a zoom capability I would probably take another look. Once again the camera needs to be compact in size.
Derek Smith, thanks for your input, the Panasonic TX sounds like it is more durable than the Sony, I take your point over the limited zoom but 24 - 70 or thereabouts is fine with me. I have a larger Sony RX10 MK2 for those instances when I need a monster zoom but that camera is nearly the size of my 5D3 so isn't exactly pocketable and there are quite a few things I don't like about it, such as the SD lid which doesn't flip back far enough when opening so makes ejecting the card difficult, these sorts of things should have been spotted and adjusted at the design stage. Is just one example, oh and the Sony menu system is somewhat interesting to say the very least but I have adapted!
I've had a RX100 MK1 which went back in for repair a few times before I traded it in under warranty for the RX100 MK3, which has also been back and forth over the past couple of years for repair under warranty so I'm kind of losing faith with the brand, as you say the TX has a Leica lens which is definitely one of the better camera and lens manufacturers.
Ironically I did actually swap the original RX100 for a G9X but when I opened the box it was the silver model rather than the black model and unfortunately JL didn't have any of the black models in stock so I went back to Sony again. BTW, the silver casing is no good for me because my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, so black lettering on silver is difficult to see, whereas the black body with white lettering is much easier on the eyes.
anomiepete, is interesting what you have said about using both the Canon G7x and the G7x II before you moved onto the RX100 MK6, am sure it is better and faster than the Canon cameras, and certainly Sony do seem to be on the ball with the focusing systems on their cameras, the problem for me is that the MK6 version costs a hell of a lot more money so is well out of my price range. Sony have managed to cram an awful lot of technology into such a compact design it's truly incredible.
Have been looking at compact cameras for the past few days and have narrowed it down to either the Canon G9X which is slightly smaller than the RX100 cameras, or the Panasonic Lumix range, though still can't figure out which one is best, like I said before, if John Lewis was open I would have been in and purchased a replacement by now but they're not. Very annoying!
I do look after my cameras with kid gloves, I don't throw them around or neglect them, and I keep them in a bag when not in use, so am none to chuffed with the continuing problems I've encountered with them, it's like they are just a bit too complicated for their own good. Don't get me wrong, technologically the Sony RX100 range are outstandingly good, the lens quality is extremely good as is the focusing systems used, and they do feel very well made indeed, actually feel like they have been machined from a solid billet of aluminium, so it's somewhat disappointing that I keep hitting reliability issues.
Then the occasional lovely warm days, with the sun streaming down onto the black casings. The wide angle video would run for the full half, which might be as long at 50 mins, and on occasion it would get a bit warm. I've fallen over a few times getting out of the way of a kick into touch. I've had the cameras, on a monopod, knocked from my grasp a few times by excited crowds. I've even dropped them into mud when the embankment I was standing on started to slip in the torrential rain. I've filmed in a force 8 gales, with a wind that came straight from the Urals and aimed directly at me.
I dried them after each damp adventure with towels for the journey home and then, on occasion, put them in rice to dry them out. The only concession I made was extra padding in the camera bag as it was, on occasion placed (thrown I bet) into the luggage compartment when I traveled with the team. The cameras didn't miss a beat. That's 20-odd matches a season, and use when the guys were training. It's not as if they weren't the cheapest I could find, with plastic cases. I told the coach we should go for cheap as they were bound to break under the abuse they'd suffer. They fared better than I did.
I don't look after my compact cameras particularly well - they live in my jacket pocket, but I use them several times a day every day. A tough little bugger which I really like is the Canon G5X Mk 2 (well worth reading the reviews).
https://nextdaydeal.co.uk/products/canon-powershot...
I've had 3 RX100s over the past 8 years (1,3 & 6) and they do feel more likely to suffer.
https://nextdaydeal.co.uk/products/canon-powershot...
I've had 3 RX100s over the past 8 years (1,3 & 6) and they do feel more likely to suffer.
Cheers Derek for the info, sounds to me like the Lumix is quite a hardy beast if it's still working after that onslaught, certainly made me grin when you figured out why the zoom had stopped working, must have been damn cold on that day! Can't honestly imagining the RX100 working for very long after being dropped into mud.
GetCarter, thank you for your comments. From what you have said in the past the RX100 cameras have stayed by your side for many years, a true workhorse in all respects, so I guess the cameras have done you proud and earned their keep. Must say I've never considered the Canon G5X Mk2, though having taken a look at the reviews which look impressive and the fact you are using it says an awful lot considering just how good your photographs are. Unfortunately at approx £800 it's out of my price range.
Am now leaning toward either the Panasonic Lumix TZ100, or the slightly more expensive Canon G9X Mk2. Only other option is another RX100....nooooo. Think I need to set a 'price alert' on Camera Price Buster
GetCarter, thank you for your comments. From what you have said in the past the RX100 cameras have stayed by your side for many years, a true workhorse in all respects, so I guess the cameras have done you proud and earned their keep. Must say I've never considered the Canon G5X Mk2, though having taken a look at the reviews which look impressive and the fact you are using it says an awful lot considering just how good your photographs are. Unfortunately at approx £800 it's out of my price range.
Am now leaning toward either the Panasonic Lumix TZ100, or the slightly more expensive Canon G9X Mk2. Only other option is another RX100....nooooo. Think I need to set a 'price alert' on Camera Price Buster
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