bruce_rubenstein

<blockquote> <p>...it doesn't seem like a very good use of $2800 worth of camera.</p> </blockquote> <p>Because we all know the camera is more important than the picture.</p>

<p>A 9 year old P&S camera is probably not a very useful frame of reference for the performance of digital cameras. If the reviews of the RX100 don't answer your questions, then I would suggest going to flicker and doing a search on Sony RX100 and the ISO of interest. You can review 100's, if not 1000's, of actual images taken with the camera.</p>

<p>Motor sports is primarily deterministic motion and not that difficult for AF. (Provided I picked the right angles, I didn't have any trouble shooting at Limerock with a E-M5 & 75/1.8.) Non-deterministic motion like birds in flight, or any flavor of football, is much more difficult. It also shows up refresh rate issues with EVF's. Every tool has its strengths and weaknesses.</p>

<blockquote> <p>You'll occasionally find situations where the optical viewfinder is a better tool.</p> </blockquote> <p>This is a belief, not a truth. P.net is a <em>Big Iron</em> and film site (classic film cameras and medium format forums have more activity than mirrorless cameras). For every person here that actually uses the high end mirrorless there's 20 people who will jump in and tell you to keep the blunderbuss handy, just in case. </p>

<p>There's a good review here: <a href="http://www.lenstip.com/403.1-Lens_review-Tamron_SP_150-600_mm_f_5-6.3_Di_VC_USD_Introduction.html">Lens Tip</a></p>

<p>The type of lens (prime/zoom) effects how likely a lens may need service and its out of box, new performance. Performance variability and reliability are significantly better for prime lenses. (Roger Cicala's lensrentals.com site is probably the only place on the net to get non-anecdotal, statistically significant data on lenses, since they have 100's of the same lenses and test them when they return from rentals.)</p> <p><em>Out of Box</em> performance is critical regardless of what type of lens you buy. It's easy enough to try the lens out and see if it performs well in the store before buying it, or to bring it back in a couple of days, if needed, before leaving the country. Make sure you can bring the lens back for an exchange or refund.</p>

<p>Ah, the good old days: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Shell">Bob Shell</a></p>