Canon PowerShot G3 X vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · Full HD video
Canon PowerShot G3 X
62
SCORE
|
Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · Full HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III
63
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon PowerShot G3 X and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are bridge cameras with fixed lenses, each offering a single-body kit for travel and wildlife. Canon announced the G3 X in July 2015, and Sony followed with the RX10 III in March 2016. The Canon is the smaller and lighter body, weighing 733 g against the Sony's 1051 g and measuring 123 x 77 x 105 mm against 133 x 94 x 127 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 18, 2015 | March 29, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 123 x 77 x 105 mm | 133 x 94 x 127 mm |
| Camera weight | 733 g | 1051 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe RX10 III is the stronger choice for action and wildlife bursts. It shoots at up to 14 frames per second, against 5.9 fps for the G3 X, so a wingbeat or pass reception is more likely to survive as a sharp frame. The G3 X counters with 31 autofocus points against 25, offering more selectable focus positions. The two match on stills specifications: 20-megapixel resolution, a 1-inch sensor format, in-body stabilisation, fixed lenses and a 1/2000-second top shutter speed. Both use electronic viewfinders, and the RX10 III's viewfinder offers 2,359,296 dots against 1,620,000 for the Canon, a finer-grained view at the eye. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.9 fps045 | 14 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 6 | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
12530200 | 6430200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
310300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 162000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow motion, the RX10 III is the clear pick. It records video at up to 120 frames per second, double the G3 X's 60 fps, so a diving bird or thrown ball stretches into smooth slow motion. Both top out at Full HD resolution, so neither suits 4K clips. The G3 X offers a built-in timelapse mode the Sony lacks, for shooting interval sequences without an external intervalometer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MP4, MTS |
| Features | 87/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G3 X has the better rear screen for reviewing detail. Its 3.2-inch TFT LCD carries 1,620,000 dots against 1,228,800 on the RX10 III's 3-inch panel, a 391,200-dot advantage for focus checks. It also supports Bluetooth, which the Sony does not. Both screens are touch-enabled and flip out for waist-level or overhead framing. Both have weather sealing, Wi-Fi, a built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external flash, and both lack GPS, so neither geotags its images. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe RX10 III is the better choice for a long day away from a charger, rated 420 shots against 300 for the G3 X. Neither body charges over USB and neither has a second card slot, so spare batteries and cards are the practical backup for both. The Sony accepts SD cards alongside Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, while the Canon takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-I compatibility. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC , Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-10L | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 420 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III for fast-moving subjects. Its 14 fps burst suits birds in flight and sports, its 120 fps recording turns fast action into smooth slow motion, and its 420-shot battery rating is the stronger one for a full day out.
Choose the Canon PowerShot G3 X for a lighter kit on long walks. It adds a built-in timelapse mode, Bluetooth pairing and a larger, sharper rear screen for reviewing shots on the go. Both share 20-megapixel resolution on a 1-inch sensor format, so the choice comes down to speed versus portability.