Official firmware update brings XAVC-S and 120fps to Sony RX10

[Andrew Reid]

When I reviewed it earlier this year I found the RX10 to be an excellent shot getter - but it was also a shot loser as well due to the weak AVCHD implementation. Many of my images suffered from too much mud and a break-up of detail in certain situations. So this is very welcome news from Sony. The V2.0 RX10 firmware adds 50Mbit/s XAVC-S codec and just as excitingly 120fps for slow-mo, making the RX10 a very interesting creative prospect because of the very effective stabilisation, long lens range, built in ND filter and a sensor with a full pixel readout.

Read the full article here

[xenogears]

I have this strange feeling of been happy with this upgrade, even when i don't have the RX10 but still like a great option, just waiting if Sony will gonna realease a similar upgrade on the a6000, otherwise i will get the RX10.

P.D:

I wish the a77 MKII also have this upgrade.

[Martin Matěj]

Is it 720p or 1080p 120fps?

[jgharding]

Awesome! It's a shame it didn't get Slog2 as well though!

[jgharding]

Oh it's 720p for high frame rates.

 

It probably resolves a bit less than actual 720 at a guess.

[Liszon]

I think it would make sense to update the a6000 as well if the lower end a5100 does XAVC-S.

The A7 and A7R already have a way for users to get XAVC and that is the A7S.

This sounds a bit silly.

[Andrew Reid]

120fps is 720p and quite a heavy sensor crop but detail is pretty good and moire isn't too bad either.

[sanveer]

Theoretically, if Magic Lantern can be added as an adjunct to the default software (whether its the H.264 or the other settings),then XAVC-S can be installed on non-sony cameras like the GH3 and the GH4. Right?

[rishio]

Buying an A7s is not a great solution for A7 or A7r owners! Let's hope that this update indicates that we might see an update for the A7, A7r and A6000! It makes sense that we should..

[Andrew Reid]

Why would you want XAVC-S on the GH3 or 4?

 

XAVC-S is a marketing word. The codec is actually H.264, at 50Mbit.

 

GH3 shoots H.264 at 50Mbit already and the GH4 shoots it at 200Mbit!

[Andrew Reid]

Buying an A7s is not a great solution for A7 or A7r owners!

 

Yes it is!

 

If you have an A7 or A7R for video you have the wrong model!

[sanveer]

Why would you want XAVC-S on the GH3 or 4?

 

XAVC-S is a marketing word. The codec is actually H.264, at 50Mbit.

 

GH3 shoots H.264 at 50Mbit already and the GH4 shoots it at 200Mbit!

 

But the profile on the Sony seems so much flatter. And there appear to be no noticeable benefits of the 200Mb in video. It only fills space noticeably faster.

[Andrew Reid]

What do you mean?? Flat in terms of the picture profile? That has nothing to do with the codec.

 

XAVC = H.264 at 50Mbit/s. That is all.

[agora1]

Andrew we are waiting for the part 2 of sony a7s .Tell me ,please when approximatively you will able to post this important topic.

Again ,congratulations for your excellent work.

[Tzedekh]

XAVC = H.264 at 50Mbit/s. That is all.

 

XAVC can have a data rate up to 960 Mbps. And if you mean XAVC S, it can, at present, go up to 100 Mbps, I believe.

[Andrew Reid]

H.264 can go up to 960 Mbps you mean.

[powderific]

Wow, this is great news. I didn't expect Sony to actually make improvements with new firmware. As someone else mentioned, I'm hoping they do something similar for the A6000.

[Tzedekh]

H.264 can go up to 960 Mbps you mean.

 
No, I mean XAVC can go up to 960 Mbps (see figure 3 in Sony's "XAVC^TM Specification Overview"). Sony's PXW-Z100 records up to 600 Mbps and doesn't even do 12-bit 4:4:4.

[Guest Ebrahim Saadawi]

XAVC-S is AVCHD with a higher bit rate, so yes better. They are both H.264 compression.

XAVC is different, still H.264 but supports 10bit, 12bit, 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 color depth.


A higher bit rate is a welcome addition to the RX10.

[mickachiste]

120fps is 720p and quite a heavy sensor crop but detail is pretty good and moire isn't too bad either.

When you talk about heavy crop sensor, what does it mean ? Is the 200 become a 300 ?