Award-winning travel photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery Bob Krist is known for his colorful, precisely composed still photographs, but in recent years he’s been shooting an increasing amount of video, too. Carrying a single camera that can shoot impeccable 20-megapixel still images plus professional-quality 4K video—with the creative adaptability of a 25x zoom lens built in—allows Krist to focus on his subject, not his gear.
“As impressive as the Sony RX10 IV is as a still camera, it might be even more impressive as a video camera,” Krist says. “The super-crisp 4K at 100 Mbps in Sony’s XAVC S codec is just the beginning. You can also shoot slow motion, with no crop or time limit, in HD at 60 fps and even 120 fps, all day long—and it records audio as well at these high frame rates.”
When shooting video, the importance of audio quality can’t be overstated—poor audio quality distracts viewers from the narrative. “Audio is hugely important in video production,” Krist agrees, “and the Sony RX10 IV is fully prepared with not only a microphone jack but a headphone jack as well,” allowing you to monitor what’s being recorded and make adjustments if needed. “There’s even an HDMI port so you can run a monitor,” he notes. “In fact, this camera is so versatile for video that at least one video accessory company has made a ‘camera cage’ for it, so it can be connected to shoulder rigs and rails.”
Another consideration when choosing a camera for video, especially for on-location travel documentary, is its ability to perform in a variety of lighting conditions from dawn to dusk and beyond. Krist has been impressed with the flexibility of the Sony RX10 IV in this regard, too. “The backlit sensor produces excellent, noise-free footage with good dynamic range, even at higher ISOs,” he reports. “I can shoot it up to ISO 1600 without a second thought and will go as high as 3200 or 6400 in a pinch.”
The RX10 IV’s integrated 25x zoom gives Krist the option to frame his subjects with a wide-angle perspective to capture the expanse of the scene or to zoom in for tighter compositions on the action. “Having a 24-600mm f/2.8-4 ZEISS T* zoom permanently attached to your camera is an amazing convenience. The lens is crisp and contrasty, with excellent color rendition. Using the zoom rocker control, you can get smooth zooms in and out,” he says.
There’s also another big benefit to a camera with an integrated lens for video work—dust control. “Because the lens is permanently attached and the camera is well sealed, you never, ever have to worry about dust spots on your sensor. Retouching a sensor dust spot out of a still image is a piece of cake, but in a video file recording 24, 30, 60 or even 120 frames per second? As we say in my native New Jersey, ‘fuhgetaboudit!’”
Sony’s Clear Image Zoom technology expands on the camera’s 25x zoom to allow even greater magnification when shooting from a distance. “Video is where Sony’s Clear Image Zoom really comes into its own,” says Krist. “Imagine being able to zoom in 100 percent—making your lens a 1200mm equivalent—on your 4K file without losing a bit of quality. The Sony RX10 IV’s 20-megapixel sensor has more than enough real estate to allow this to happen. A friend of mine who is a full-time news cameraman for one of the big three networks calls the RX10 IV his ‘secret weapon’ and has used the amazing reach of this lens on many a news job. If the quality is good enough for network television news,” he remarks, “it’s good enough for me.”
“I was never really a big fan of the all-in-one camera,” says Krist, “but the Sony RX10 IV has made a believer out of me.”
To learn more about the RX10 IV’s incredible technology and versatility, visit alphauniverse.com/RX10IV.
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