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Sony RX10 III Review

  • Overview
  • Alternatives
    • Sony RX10 III

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    Main Features

    • 20MP - 1" BSI-CMOS Sensor
    • ISO 125 - 12800( expands to 64-25600)
    • 24-600 mm F2.4-4.0 Zoom Lens
    • Optical Image Stabilization
    • 3" Tilting Screen
    • 2359k dot Electronic viewfinder
    • 14.0 fps continuous shooting
    • 4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video
    • 960fps High-Speed Video
    • Built-in Wireless
    • 1051g. 133 x 94 x 127 mm
    • Weather Sealed Body
    • Replaced Sony RX10 II
    • Replaced by Sony RX10 IV
    CHECK PRICE
    CHECK PRICE

    Sony RX10 III Overview

    First introduced in March 2016 , Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III is a 20.0MP Large Sensor Superzoom camera with a 1" (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor, built-in Image Stabilization , Tilting screen and 24-600 mm F2.4-4.0 lens. Sony replaced the older Sony RX10 II with this model and later RX10 III was replaced with Sony RX10 IV. Follow the links to compare these cameras in detail:
    Compare Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III vs Sony RX10 II
    Compare Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III vs Sony RX10 IV

    Sony RX10 III Review - Click for Table of Contents

    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Sensor and Photography Features
    4. Physical Specs
    5. LCD and Viewfinder
    6. Connectivity, Storage and Battery
    7. Video
    8. Other Features
    9. Lens
    10. Photography Type Scores
    11. Alternatives
    12. Popular Comparisons
    13. Frequently Asked Questions
    14. Detailed Specifications

    Sony RX10 III is a member of Sony's RX10 series of cameras. Below you can see the latest models in this series and how their main specs have changed with each new version.

    Sony RX10 Series History
    Model Release Date Sensor Max FPS Dimensions Weight
    Sony RX10 IV
    Compare     		2017 20.0MP - 1" 24.0 fps 133 x 94 x 145mm 1095g
    Sony RX10 III
    		2016 20.0MP - 1" 14.0 fps 133 x 94 x 127mm 1051g
    Sony RX10 II
    Compare     		2015 20.0MP - 1" 14.0 fps 129 x 88 x 102mm 813g
    Sony RX10
    Compare     		2014 20.0MP - 1" 10.0 fps 129 x 88 x 102mm 813g

    Check the link below to compare specs of the latest cameras in this series:
    Sony RX10 IV vs RX10 III vs RX10 II vs RX10

    Sony RX10 III has an Overall Score of 71/100 and ranked #5 out of 113 in DSLR-Like cameras (Top 10 Bridge), and ranked #139 out of 1218 in all Cameras (Top 10 Overall).

    Main Scores
    Imaging
    Features
    Value for Money
    Portability
    Overall Score
    Check our Smart Finder Tool to filter, sort and compare all digital cameras

    Sony RX10 III Physical Specs
    Sony RX10 III weighs 1051 g (2.32 lb / 37.07 oz) and has external dimensions of 133 x 94 x 127 mm (5.24 x 3.7 x 5″). Considering that the average weight of DSLR-Like type cameras is 591g, Sony RX10 III is a significantly heavy camera for its class. With a thickness of 127mm, it is not small either, 22mm thicker than the average of its class.
    Weight Comparison

    DSLR-Like Cameras

    Sony RX10 III
    Min
    Average
    Max
    Thickness Comparison

    DSLR-Like Cameras

    Sony RX10 III
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Here is the front and top view image of Sony RX10 III with the dimensions:

    Sony RX10 III Body Size Dimensions
    Front and Top View External Dimensions and Size of Sony RX10 III Camera Body

    In order to give you a better idea about the real life size of Sony RX10 III, we have added an image of how it looks next to a credit card and an AA type battery.


    Sony RX10 III Body Size Compared to a Credit card and a Battery
    Physical size of the Sony RX10 III Body Compared to a Credit Card and an AA Battery

    Now lets compare the weight and thickness of Sony RX10 III with its main competitors:

    Sony RX10 III Size Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Weight vs RX10 III Thickness vs RX10 III
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony RX10 IV
    Compare     		1095g 44g heavier 145mm 18mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Panasonic FZ1000 II
    Compare     		808g 243g lighter 132mm 5mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Panasonic FZ2500
    Compare     		915g 136g lighter 135mm 8mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony RX10 II
    Compare     		813g 238g lighter 102mm 25mm thinner
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Panasonic FZ1000
    Compare     		831g 220g lighter 131mm 4mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony RX100 VI
    Compare     		301g 750g lighter 43mm 84mm thinner
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony A7 II
    Compare     		599g 452g lighter 60mm 67mm thinner
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Canon G3 X
    Compare     		733g 318g lighter 105mm 22mm thinner

    Weather Sealing

    Sony RX10 III has environmental sealings on its body which makes it a weather resistant camera, providing resistance against the water and dust getting in to the camera. If you like outdoors photography and want to be able to use your camera in extreme conditions, Sony RX10 III will serve you well.

    Sony RX10 III Sensor and Photography Features

    Sony RX10 III has a 20.0MP 1" (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 5472 x 3648 pixels with aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. RX10 III has a native ISO range of 125 - 12800 which can be boosted to 64-25600 and it can save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

    Sony RX10 III is not the highest resolution 1 inch Sensor camera. Nikon 1 J5 with its 21.0MP sensor is leading in this class. Check the comparison of Sony RX10 III vs Nikon 1 J5 or take a look at Highest resolution Bridge cameras list.

    Let's look at how the size of the Sony RX10 III's 1" sensor compares with other standard sensor sizes.

    Sony RX10 III Sensor Size Comparison
    Comparison image of Sony RX10 III Sensor Size with other standard sensors

    Sony RX10 III Lens

    Sony RX10 III features a 24-600 mm F2.4-4.0 25x zoom lens. This camera offers exceptional wide angle capacity thanks to 24mm focal length on the wide end and remarkable super telephoto reach at 600mm.

    Wide Coverage

    DSLR-Like Cameras

    RX10 III
    Widest - Samsung WB2200F
    Average
    Telezoom

    DSLR-Like Cameras

    RX10 III
    Longest - Nikon P1000
    Average

    With a max aperture of f2.40, this lens is fast on wide end. The long end is also quite fast at f4.00.

    Max Aperture at Wide

    DSLR-Like Cameras

    RX10 III
    Fastest - Sony RX10 III
    Average
    Max Aperture at Tele

    DSLR-Like Cameras

    RX10 III
    Fastest - Olympus 1
    Average

    RX10 III is also equipped with Optical image stabilization system which is very handy especially at lower shutter speeds. Sony RX10 III's lens also has a Manual Focus Mode.

    Sony RX10 III LCD and Viewfinder

    Sony RX10 III has a Tilting 3" LCD screen with a resolution of 1,229k dots. Both the screen size and the screen resolution is up to the standards of this class.



    Sony RX10 III back view and LCD

    RX10 III has a built-in Electronic viewfinder, making it easier to shoot in direct sunlight and in other situations where it might be difficult to view the LCD monitor. The viewfinder has a resolution of 2,359kdots and coverage of 100%. 100% coverage ensures that what you see in the viewfinder while shooting matches exactly what you will get later in your image, helping accurate framing your shots and minimizes the need for cropping images later. The magnification ratio of the viewfinder is 0.7x (35mm equivalent).

    Sony RX10 III Connectivity, Storage and Battery

    Sony RX10 III features built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity ( 802.11b/g/n with NFC) which lets you transfer your photos directly to compatible devices without any physical connection. With its NFC feature, RX10 III can communicate with devices such as smartphones which are also equipped with this technology by simply touching each other.One other feature that we like is the ability to use our smartphone as a remote to control our RX10 III. You can change camera settings, release shutter, view LCD screen and tranfer files using remote control app.

    You can connect RX10 III to compatible devices via its HDMI port or USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) port.

    Battery

    Sony RX10 III is powered by battery which provides a shooting life of 420 according to CIPA standards. Considering that the average battery life of DSLR-Like type cameras is 353 shots, its battery life is about average in its class but it would still be wise to invest in some spare batteries for long photo trips.

    Battery Life Comparison in Large Sensor Superzoom Cameras

    Sony RX10 III
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Sony RX10 III is the longest battery life Large Sensor Superzoom camera in our database. The closest competitor in this class is Sony RX10 with its 420 shots battery life. Check the comparison of Sony RX10 III vs Sony RX10 or take a look at Longest battery life Bridge cameras list.

    Sony RX10 III Features Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Max Video Battery Life Wi-fi Bluetooth NFC
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony RX10 IV
    Compare     		3840 x 2160 400shots Yes Yes Yes
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Panasonic FZ1000 II
    Compare     		3840 x 2160 350shots Yes Yes No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Panasonic FZ2500
    Compare     		4096 x 2160 350shots Yes No No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony RX10 II
    Compare     		3840 x 2160 400shots Yes No Yes
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Panasonic FZ1000
    Compare     		3840 x 2160 360shots Yes No Yes
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony RX100 VI
    Compare     		3840 x 2160 240shots Yes Yes Yes
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Sony A7 II
    Compare     		1920 x 1080 350shots Yes No Yes
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Camera Canon G3 X
    Compare     		1920 x 1080 300shots Yes No Yes

    Sony RX10 III Video Features

    With Sony RX10 III, you can record your videos at a highest resolution of 3840 x 2160 at 30p,25p,24p fps and save in MPEG-4, AVCHD and XAVC S formats. This means that Sony RX10 III provides 4K (Ultra-HD) video. Except some exotic 6K and 8K video recording cameras, 4K is the new standard in consumer video world.

    RX10 III also a high speed mode where it captures videos at 960fps for ultra slow motion videos. RX10 III has a built-in Stereo microphone and a Mono speaker. Sony RX10 III also has a port for an external microphone and a headphone port for connecting external headphones which make Sony RX10 III a very suitable camera high quality videography.

    Sony RX10 III Other Features

    Max Shutter speed

    Sony RX10 III can shoot continuously at max speed of 14.0 fps and has max shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. RX10 III also has an electronic shutter which can shoot silently at max speed of 1/32000s. One thing to keep in mind is that electronic shutter may cause rolling shutter / jello effects, and also banding issues under artificial light on your images.

    Flash

    RX10 III has a built-in flash, and it also has a flash shoe to mount your external flashes too.

    Focusing

    Sony RX10 III features a Contrast Detection autofocusing system. The AF system has 25 points to choose from.

    Sony RX10 III also features Face detection AF where it intelligently detects the faces in the frame and locks the focus automatically.

    Sony RX10 III PROs and CONs Review

    Now let's get in to more details of our Sony RX10 III review by analysing its specs and features and listing out its pros and cons compared to average competitor cameras in its class.

    PROs
    Built-in Wireless (Wi-fi)
    NFC Connectivity
    Image Stabilization
    Articulating Screen
    External Flash Shoe
    4K (UHD) Video
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    RAW Shooting
    Face Detection Focusing
    20.0MP - High Resolution Sensor
    12.800 Max ISO
    25 Focus Points
    1.229k dots LCD Resolution
    1/32000s Electronic Shutter Speed
    14.0fps Shooting w/ Mechanical Shutter
    Long Battery Life (420 shots)
    Manual Focusing
    Manual Exposure
    External Microphone Port
    External Headphone Port
    Environmental Sealing
    24mm Wide Angle Lens
    600mm Good Tele Lens
    25.0X Optical Zoom
    Fast 2.40 Lens at Wide
    2359kdot Viewfinder Resolution
    Good Low Light ISO - 472
    960fps High Speed Video
    Top LCD Display
    AE Bracketing
    Dual-axis Electronic Level
    Remote control with a smartphone
    Report a correction

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    CONs
    No Touch Screen
    Heavy Body: 1051
    Report a correction
    What type of Photography is Sony RX10 III Good for?
    In this section, we review and score Sony RX10 III in 5 different photography areas.

    Sony RX10 III for Portrait Photography

    Sony RX10 III has a score of 59 for Portrait Photography which makes it an AVERAGE candidate for this type of photography. If Portrait is important for you, we recommend you to check our Top Bridge Cameras for Portrait Photography list.
    Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
    Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
    Image Stabilization
    RAW shooting capability
    External Flash Shoe
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    Manual Focus Mode
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Average Ergonomics&Handling

    Read the details of how we scored Sony RX10 III for Portrait Photography

    Sony RX10 III for Street Photography

    Sony RX10 III has a score of 79 for Street Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. If you are looking for a camera that is better suited to Street Photography, we recommend you to check our Top 10 Bridge Cameras for Street Photography list.
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    Manual Focus Mode
    Live-view
    Face-Detection Focusing
    Tilting LCD Screen
    Image Stabilization
    Fast Lens at Wide: f2.40
    24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    RAW shooting capability
    Medium sized Body
    Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor

    Read the details of how we scored Sony RX10 III for Street Photography

    Sony RX10 III for Sports Photography

    Sony RX10 III has a score of 63 for Sports Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. If you are looking for a camera that is better suited to Sports Photography, we recommend you to check our Top 10 Bridge Cameras for Sports Photography list.
    Fast Continuous Shooting: 14.0fps
    Environmental Sealings
    25 Focus Points
    Wireless Connection
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Manual Focus Mode
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    External Flash Shoe
    Image Stabilization
    600 mm Tele Lens
    Fast Lens at Tele: f4.00
    RAW shooting capability
    Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
    Average Ergonomics&Handling

    Read the details of how we scored Sony RX10 III for Sports Photography

    Sony RX10 III for Daily Photography

    Sony RX10 III has a score of 67 for Daily Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. If you are looking for a camera that is better suited to Daily Photography, we recommend you to check our Top 10 Bridge Cameras for Daily Photography list.
    Environmental Sealings
    25.0X Optical Zoom
    RAW shooting capability
    Medium size Body
    Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
    1051g
    Body Thickness 127mm

    Read the details of how we scored Sony RX10 III for Daily Photography

    Sony RX10 III for Landscape Photography

    Sony RX10 III has a score of 43 for Landscape Photography which makes it an AVERAGE candidate for this type of photography. If Landscape is important for you, we recommend you to check our Top Bridge Cameras for Landscape Photography list.
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Manual Focus Mode
    24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    RAW shooting capability
    Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
    Environmental Sealings
    Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor

    Read the details of how we scored Sony RX10 III for Landscape Photography
    Sony RX10 III Alternatives
    In this section, we analyse how Sony RX10 III compares with other DSLR-Like cameras within a similar price range.
    Read a more detailed analysis of Sony RX10 III alternatives.

    Popular Comparisons of Sony RX10 III

    Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Sony RX10 III amongst Camera Decision readers.

    Sony RX10 IV
    Sony RX10 IV
    Compare
    Panasonic FZ1000 II
    Panasonic FZ1000 II
    Compare
    Panasonic FZ2500
    Panasonic FZ2500
    Compare
    Sony RX10 II
    Sony RX10 II
    Compare
    Panasonic FZ1000
    Panasonic FZ1000
    Compare
    Sony RX100 VI
    Sony RX100 VI
    Compare
    Sony A7 II
    Sony A7 II
    Compare
    Canon G3 X
    Canon G3 X
    Compare

    Sony RX10 III Alternatives in Cameras

    It would also be interesting to compare Sony RX10 III with Cameras. Below we have listed 4 highest ranked cameras in Sony RX10 III's price range.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Sony RX10 III
    Does the Sony RX10 III have Image Stabilization?
    Does the Sony RX10 III have RAW support?
    Does the Sony RX10 III have Weather Sealing?
    Does the Sony RX10 III have built-in GPS?
    What is the Max ISO of Sony RX10 III?
    What is the Sensor Size of Sony RX10 III?
    is the Sony RX10 III a Full Frame (FF) camera?
    Does the Sony RX10 III have Touch Screen?
    Does the Sony RX10 III have built-in Wireless?
    What is the Max Continuous Shooting Speed (fps) of Sony RX10 III?
    What is the Weight of Sony RX10 III?
    What are the Dimensions of Sony RX10 III?
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Detailed Specifications

    General
    Brand Sony
    Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III
    Announced 2016-03-29
    Body Type SLR-like (bridge)
    Lens
    Manual Focus
    Lens Mount fixed lens
    Number of Lenses
    Lens Focal Range 24-600 mm (25x)
    Max Aperture F2.4-4.0
    Macro Focus Range 3cm
    Screen
    Screen Type Tilting
    Screen Size 3"
    Screen Resolution 1,229k dots
    Live View
    Touch Screen
    Viewfinder
    Viewfinder Electronic
    Viewfinder Resolution 2,359k dots
    Viewfinder Coverage 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.7x
    Photography Features
    Min Shutter Speed 30s
    Max Mechanical Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Max Electronic Shutter Speed 1/32000s
    Continuous Shooting 14.0 fps
    Shutter Priority
    Aperture Priority
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Exposure Compensation Yes
    Custom White Balance
    Image Stabilization
    Built-in Flash
    Flash Range 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
    Flash Modes Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
    External Flash
    AE Bracketing
    WB Bracketing
    Exposure Modes
    Multi-Segment
    Average
    Spot
    Partial
    AF-Area
    Center Weighted
    DxO Sensor Scores
    DxO Overall Score 70
    DxO Color Depth 23.1
    DxO Dynamic Range 12.6
    DxO Low Light ISO 472
    Report a correction

    Sensor
    Sensor Type BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Size 1"
    Sensor Dimensions 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116.16mm2
    Sensor Resolution 20 megapixels
    Max Image Resolution 5472 x 3648
    Max Native ISO 12,800
    Max Boosted ISO 25600
    Min Native ISO 125
    Min Boosted ISO 64
    RAW Support
    Autofocus
    AF Touch
    AF Continuous
    AF Single
    AF Tracking
    AF Selective
    AF Center
    AF Multi Area
    AF Live View
    AF Face Detection
    AF Contrast Detection
    AF Phase Detection
    Number of Focus Points 25
    Number of Cross Focus Points Unknown
    Video Features
    Video Resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
    Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160
    Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
    Microphone Port
    Headphone Port
    Connectivity
    Wireless Connectivity Built-In
    HDMI
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    Physical
    Environmental Sealing
    Water Proof
    Dust Proof
    Shock Proof
    Crush Proof
    Freeze Proof
    Weight 1051g
    Physical Dimensions 133 x 94 x 127mm
    Battery Life 420 shots
    Battery Type Battery Pack
    Battery Model NP-FW50
    Other Features
    Self Timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
    Timelapse Recording
    GPS None
    Storage Type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
    Storage Slots 1
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