Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · Full HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10
55
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 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are bridge cameras with a fixed lens, so neither swaps lenses. The RX10 arrived in 2013 and the RX10 III followed three years later in 2016. The RX10 III is the larger, heavier body: 133 x 94 x 127 mm and 1051 g, against 129 x 88 x 102 mm and 813 g for the RX10, a 238 g difference. For travel days, the original is the lighter carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 16, 2013 | 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 | 63/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe RX10 III is the better camera for photographing moving subjects, shooting at 14 fps against 10 fps on the RX10. Its electronic viewfinder is also sharper, with 2,359,296 dots against 1,440,000, giving a clearer view of fine detail when tracking motion. For freezing fast motion, the RX10 has the advantage: its 1/3200 second shutter is shorter than the RX10 III's 1/2000 second, helpful in bright light at wide apertures. Both cameras keep their standard ISO range to 12800, but the RX10 III extends to 25600 in expanded mode when light gets very low. Its minimum ISO of 100 also sits below the RX10's 125 for cleaner long exposures in daylight. | ||
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. |
10 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. |
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. |
128003003280000 | 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 | 144000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlowing fast action in the edit is where the RX10 III pulls ahead, doubling the maximum video frame rate to 120 fps against 60 fps on the original RX10. Footage captured at the higher rate can be played back at half speed for smooth slow-motion sequences. Both cameras cap their video resolution at Full HD, so neither offers 4K output. The two models record in different file formats, which matters for editing workflow. The RX10 supports MPEG-4, MOV, AVCHD and XAVC S, while the RX10 III records MP4 and MTS. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 44/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe RX10 III is more comfortable for framing awkward shots, adding a tilting screen and touch control the original RX10 lacks. Tilting eases waist-level and overhead framing, and touch speeds up focus-point selection. Both share a 3-inch screen with 1,228,800 dots, though the RX10 uses a WhiteMagic LCD and the RX10 III a TFT panel. Connectivity and protection match: both offer Wi-Fi, weather sealing, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe, while neither has GPS for geotagging photos nor Bluetooth. | ||
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 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage and battery match here, so cards and spare batteries carry over. Both use the NP-FW50 battery with a 420-shot rating under their test conditions, and each takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Duo variants in one slot. Neither supports USB charging. | ||
| 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. |
420 shots1505000 | 420 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The RX10 III is the stronger choice for wildlife and sports shooting. Its 14 fps burst captures more of a fast approach, the sharper viewfinder helps you track moving subjects, and 120 fps video opens slow-motion work the RX10 cannot match. The tilting, touch-enabled screen also eases event and video framing.
The original RX10 remains sensible if you want a lighter, smaller travel camera. At 813 g against 1051 g it is easier to pack, and its 1/3200 second shutter gives a shorter exposure for wide apertures in bright daylight. If action matters, step up to the RX10 III.