Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
59
SCORE
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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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are both fixed-lens bridge cameras, so your choice turns on size, features and video. The RX10 III, released in 2016, is the larger camera at 133 x 94 x 127 mm and 1051 g. The 2015 RX10 II measures 129 x 88 x 102 mm and weighs 813 g, which is 238 g lighter. | ||
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. |
June 10, 2015 | March 29, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 129 x 88 x 102 mm | 133 x 94 x 127 mm |
| Camera weight | 813 g | 1051 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsCropping latitude and print sizes are the same from either camera, because both deliver 20 MP images from a 1-inch CMOS sensor. Both also shoot at 14 fps and offer in-body stabilisation, with a shared 2,359,296-dot electronic viewfinder. The RX10 II is the better pick for fast action in bright light. Its 1/3200 second top shutter speed gives a shorter exposure than the RX10 III's 1/2000 second, helping freeze motion or shoot wide open on a sunny day. Native ISO runs 100 to 12800 on both, with expansion to 64 and 25600 matching. | ||
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. |
14 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. |
Bionz X | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
6430200 | 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. |
320080032000 | 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. |
250300 | 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 | 235929609900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 77/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe RX10 II is the clear choice for video work, because it records 4K while the RX10 III tops out at Full HD. That extra resolution gives room to crop a frame in editing and suits delivery to modern screens. The RX10 II also offers XAVC S recording, while the RX10 III records MP4 and MTS. Slow motion is a shared strength, as both cameras support frame rates up to 120 fps for slowing fast action such as sport or wildlife. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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. |
 4K |  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. |
3840 x 2160 | 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. |
120 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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, AVCHD, XAVC S | MP4, MTS |
| Features | 57/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe RX10 III has the more flexible shooting controls, offering both a touch screen and a flip screen that the RX10 II lacks. Tilting the display helps when framing low-angle flowers or overhead portraits, and touch focus speeds up setting the focus point. It also adds weather sealing for outdoor shooting. The RX10 II answers with Bluetooth, which the RX10 III does not offer, alongside shared Wi-Fi for wireless transfer. Both share a 3-inch, 1,228,800-dot screen, live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, and neither includes GPS. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | WhiteMagic 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. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
12288001150001500000 | 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. |
No |  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 | 24/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life is close, with the RX10 III rated at 420 shots against 400 for the RX10 II. Both use the same NP-FW50 battery, so one set of spares can serve either camera. Both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media through a single slot. Neither supports USB charging, so both rely on an external charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC , Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 420 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the RX10 II if 4K video matters, whether for family films you want to crop in editing or clips destined for a modern television. It also gives a shorter 1/3200 second exposure for bright, fast scenes and adds Bluetooth for pairing to a phone.
Choose the RX10 III for outdoor and travel stills, where its weather sealing, flip screen for awkward angles and touch focus make framing easier. Resolution, burst speed and stabilisation all match, so the choice rests on 4K video against handling and protection.