Photographer's Guide to the Sony RX10 III

Book excerpt: This book is a complete guide to using the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III camera. With this book, author Alexander White provides users of the RX10 III with a manual covering all aspects of the camera’s operation. Using a tutorial-like approach, the book shows beginning and intermediate photographers how to accomplish things with the RX10 III, and explains when and why to use the camera’s many features. The book provides details about the camera’s shooting modes as well as its menu options for shooting, playback, setup, and special effects. The book covers all features of the RX10 III that are new for this model, including its high-quality zoom lens with a reach of 600mm; its Zoom Assist feature, which lets a photographer instantly pull back the zoom lens for a wide view before zooming back to a telephoto shot; and its additional controls, including a Focus Hold button on the side of the lens and a third Custom button, which is available for programming by the user. The book includes more than 450 color photographs that illustrate the camera’s controls, display screens, and menus. The images include examples of photographs taken using the RX10 III’s Scene mode, with settings optimized for subjects such as landscapes, sunsets, portraits, and action shots; and its Creative Style and Picture Effect menu options, with settings for altering the appearance of images. The book also provides introductions to topics such as street photography and infrared photography, and includes details on using the camera’s Wi-Fi features for transferring images to a smartphone or tablet, or controlling the camera from such a device. The book includes a full discussion of the video features of the RX10 III, which can shoot HD and 4K (ultra-HD) movies, with manual control of exposure and focus during movie recording. The book explains the camera’s numerous features for professional-level videography, including Picture Profiles that allow adjustment of settings such as gamma curve, black level, knee, and detail. The book describes the steps for recording 4K video to an external video recorder using the “clean” video output from the camera’s HDMI port. In three appendices, the book discusses accessories for the RX10 III, including cases, power sources, remote controls, microphones and external flash units, and includes a list of websites and other resources for further information. The book includes an appendix with “quick tips” on how to take advantage of the camera’s features in the most efficient ways possible. This guide to the RX10 III includes a detailed index, so the reader can quickly find needed information about any particular feature or aspect of the camera.