Cyber-shot Digital Camera RX100 III

Overview CNET Review

Cyber-shot Digital Camera RX100 III

Absolutely stunning picture quality, compact enough to take anywhere. Now your photos maintain soft background defocus even when zoomed in with the improved f1.8-2.8 24-70mm Carl Zeiss lens. There's even a pop-up electronic viewfinder for eye-level framing and a 180ｰ tilt screen for 20.1MP selfies. Lastly, the ultra-fast BIONZ X processor adds speed and accuracy for stills as well as beautiful HD video.
Cyber-shot Digital Camera RX100 III

20.1 MP 1-inch Exmor R® Sensor

Featuring a large 1.0" Exmor R® CMOS image sensor. The back-illuminated technology doubles light sensitivity and combines with Sony's Column A/D Conversion to reduce noise levels - a great help when photographing in dimly lit environments. Markedly reduced noise is evident even when high-sensitivity settings are used for capturing night landscapes or indoor scenes.

Bright F1.8 Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens (24-70mm)

The DSC-RX100 III sports an all new bright F1.8-2.8 Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 24-70mm zoom. The lens is perfect for portraits and macro shots with beautiful defocused - bokeh backgrounds. A premium multi-layered T* coating also dramatically reduces ghost and flare caused by light reflection.

Built-in SVGA OLED viewfinder w/ZEISS T* coating

View every scene in rich detail with the bright and retractable SVGA OLED Tru-Finder. The viewfinder faithfully displays what will appear in your recording, including the effects of your camera settings, so you can accurately monitor the results. The ZEISS T* coating enhances clarity and reduces flare and reflection in the eyepiece optics.

Selfie-ready multi-angle 3" Xtra Fine LCD™ display

Selfies have never been easier with a beautiful 3" (1,229k dots) Xtra Fine™ LCD Display that rotates in multiple angles. This also makes it easy to photograph over crowds or low to capture pets eye to eye by swinging up approx. 180° and down approx 45°. Easily scroll through menus and preview life thanks to WhiteMagic™ technology that dramatically increases visibility in bright daylight. The large display delivers brilliant-quality still images and movies while enabling easy focusing operation.
Versatile shooting w/ XAVC S2, AVCHD and MP4 codes1

Versatile shooting w/ XAVC S2, AVCHD and MP4 codes1

The DSC-RX100 III records HD movies1 in the XAVC S2 format, which uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 for video compression and linear PCM for audio compression, while saving files in a MP4 wrapper. The highly compressed files allow extensive record times. With 50Mbps Full HD (1920x1080) 60p high quality video recording, XAVC S enables beautiful video recording with minimal noise even in scenes with a lot of movement. Linear PCM is adopted for audio compression. The camera also records in AVCHD, ideal for quality video for HDTV and Blu-ray Disc™ burning. Additionally, users can shoot the easily shareable MP4 HD video, ideal for web.

Built-in ND filter for wider-ranging photographic expression

Realize a wider range of photographic expression with built-in 1/8 (3 EV stops) ND filter that allows the use of wider aperture for defocused backgrounds even in bright daylight.
HDMI® clear output for uncompressed video recordings3

HDMI® clear output for uncompressed video recordings3

Clear, uncompressed digital movie signal output can be transferred to an external monitor/recorder (connected via the HDMI® terminal) simultaneously in real time from the RX100 III3. The shooting info display can be turned off for even cleaner views of such movies on an external monitor/recorder. Frame rates include 24p, 60p and 60i.

Comfortable control ring for manual operation

A unique control ring around the lens works in combination with an intuitive, displayed user interface for meticulous SLR-type control over settings that satisfies even the most fastidious users. The control ring can be assigned to adjust various features (at various values) from basics like zooming and aperture to creative functions like Picture Effect. Moreover, it turns smoothly and seamlessly, allowing quiet, click-free usage while shooting movies including a new step-zoom function that enables instant selection of commonly used focal lengths.

NFC smartphone linking - Simple connectivity to smartphones via Wi-Fi®

Connectivity with smartphones for One-touch sharing/One-touch remote has been simplified with Wi-Fi®/NFC control. In addition to Wi-Fi support for connecting to smartphones, the DSC-RX100 III also supports NFC technology (near field communication) providing "touch connection" convenience when transferring images to compatible Android™ smartphones and tablets. Users need only touch devices to connect; no complex set-up is required. Moreover, when using Smart Remote Control - a feature that allows shutter release to be controlled by a smartphone - connection between DSC-RX100 III and the smartphone can be established by simply touching devices.

Enhance your camera with PlayMemoriesCamera Apps™

Personalize your camera by adding new features of your choice with PlayMemories Camera Apps™. Find apps to fit your shooting style from portraits, detailed close-ups, sports, time lapse, motion shot and much more. Use apps that shoot, share and save photos using Wi-Fi® that make it easy to control and view your camera from smartphone, and post photos directly to Facebook or backup images to the cloud without connecting to a computer.

Sony customer reviews

Overall:

(3375 reviews)

February 01, 2020

Wonderful camera!

jimz100, Bay Area California: I bought this camera to photograph a trip to Ireland in 2015. Takes great photos. Dec. 2019 my camera was stolen from my home. I am replacing it with the newer RX100 VA.
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Camera
Flash Mode Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Rear Sync / Flash Off
Flash Range ISO Auto: Approx.0.4m to 10.2m (1.31 ft. to 33.46 ft.) (W) / Approx. 0.4m to 6.5m (1.31 ft. to 21.33 ft.) (T), ISO12800: up to Approx. 20.4m (66.93 ft.) (W) / Approx. 13.0m (42.65 ft.) (T)
Movie 44
Still Image Superior Auto: 44 / iAuto: 33
Aperture iAuto(F1.8/F11(W)) / Program Auto(F1.8/F11(W)) / Manual(F1.8/F11(W)) / Shutter Priority(F1.8/F11(W)) / Aperture Priority(F1.8/F11(W))
Continuous Shooting Speed (max) (Max number of recoded pixels) Speed Priority Continuous Shooting: approx. 10 fps, Continuous Shooting: approx. 2.9 fps (AF-S)  *
*Speed will be slowing after taking some shots.
Creative Style Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, Sepia, Style Box
Drive modes Single
Continuous shooting
Speed priority continuous shooting
Self-timer
Self-timer(cont.)
Single-bracketing
Cont.-bracketing
White balance bracketing
DRO bracketing
Dynamic Range Functions Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level 1-5), Auto High Dynamic Range: Off, Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1.0-6.0EV, 1.0EV step)
Exposure Compensation +/- 3.0EV, 1/3EV step
Exposure Control Yes
Focus Area Wide
Center
Flexible Spot (S/M/L)
Lock on AF(Wide/Center/Flexible Spot(S/M/L))
Focus Mode Single-shot AF
Continuous AF
DMF
Manual Focus
ISO Sensitivity (Movie) Auto: (ISO125 Level-ISO 12800 Level, selectable with upper / lower limit), 125/ 160/ 200/ 250/ 320 /400 /500 /640 /800 /1000 /1250 /1600 /2000 /2500 /3200 /4000 /5000 /6400 /8000/10000/12800
ISO Sensitivity (Still Image) Auto (ISO125-12800, selectable with upper / lower limit),125/ 160/200 /250/ 320/ 400/500 /640/ 800/ 1000/ 1250 /1600/ 2000/ 2500/ 3200 /4000/ 5000/ 6400/ 8000/ 10000/12800 (Extendableto ISO80/100),Multi-Frame NR: Auto(ISO125-12800), 200/ 400/ 800/ 1600 /3200 /6400/ 12800/ 25600
Image Control Contrast
Saturation
Sharpness
Creative Style
Color Space(sRGB / Adobe RGB)
Quality(RAW / RAW&JPEG / Extra fine / Fine / Standard)
Light Metering Mode Multi Pattern
Center Weighted
Spot
Minimum Illumination (Movie) Auto:1.2lux(Shutter Speed 1/30")
Panorama Sweep Panorama
Photo Creativity Yes
Picture Effect for Movie Toy camera
Pop Color
Posterization
Retro Photo
Soft High-key
Partial Color
High Contrast Mono.
Picture Effect for Still Toy camera
Pop Color
Posterization
Retro Photo
Soft High-key
Partial Color
High Contrast Mono.
Soft Focus
HDR Painting
Richtone Monochrome
Miniature
Watercolor
Illustration
Scene Selection Portrait
Sports Action
Macro
Landscape
Sunset
Night Scene
Handheld Twilight
Night Portrait
Anti Motion Blur
Pet Mode
Gourmet
Fireworks
High Sensitivity
Self-Timer Off / 10sec. / 2sec. / 3 or 5 consecutive shots with 10sec. delay selectable
Shooting Mode Superior Auto
Intelligent Auto
Program Auto
Aperture Priority
Shutter Speed Priority
Manual Exposure
MR(Memory Recall) 1,2,3
Movie Mode(Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual Exposure)
Panorama
Scene Selection
Shutter Speed iAuto(4" - 1/2000) / Program Auto(1" - 1/2000) / Manual(Bulb, 30" - 1/2000) / Aperture Priority(8" - 1/2000) / Shutter Priority(30" - 1/2000)
SteadyShot™ Optical
WB micro adjustment G7-M7,A7-B7
White Balance Mode Auto
Daylight
Shade
Cloudy
Incandescent
Fluor.: Warm White
Fluor.: Cool White
Fluor.: Day White
Fluor.: Daylight
Flash
Underwater Auto
C.Temp./Filter
Custom
Camera
Lens Compatibility Fixed lens
Camera2
AE locked when focus is locked Yes
Auto Orientation On only
Mode Mode: Off/On(Regist Faces)/On
Face Registration: New Registration / Order Exchanging / Delete / Delete All
Yes(Key, Selected-face Memory)
Maximum number of detectable faces: 8 faces
Bracketing Yes
Control P-TTL
Flash Compensation +/- 3.0 EV (1/3 EV steps)
Flash Sync. Speed synchronously-controlled with shutter speed
Flash Type Built-in, manual pop-up
Recycling Time Approx. 3.4 sec.
Auto Control Range Auto (ISO125-12800, selectable with upper / lower limit),125 /160/ 200/ 250/ 320/ 400/ 500/ 640 /800 /1000 /1250 /1600/ 2000/ 2500/ 3200 /4000/ 5000 /6400 /8000/ 10000/ 12800 (Extendableto ISO80/ 100),Multi-Frame NR:Auto (ISO125-12800), 200/ 400/ 800/ 1600/ 3200/ 6400 /12800 /25600 *
Imaging Sensor
Effective Picture Resolution 20.1M pixels (approx.)
Imaging Sensor Exmor® R 1.0” CMOS sensor (13.2 X 8.8mm) (3:2 aspect ratio)
Pixel Gross 20.9M pixels (approx.)
Processor BIONZ® X image processor
Interface
NFC NFC forum Type 3 Tag compatible, One-touch remote, One-touch sharing
Interface
Eye-Fi Yes
Input and Output Terminal Multi/Micro USB Terminal * , Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0), Micro HDMI **
*Supports Micro USB compatible device.
**Audio can be output only during playback mode.
Wi-Fi Yes(IEEE802.11b/g/n(2.4GHz band))
Interface2
One-touch remote Yes
One-touch sharing Yes
Ctrl with Smartphone Yes
Send to Smartphone Yes (Select on This Divice / Select on Smartphone)
Lens
Movie Approx. 5.8x
Still Image 20M Approx. 5.8x / 10M Approx. 8.2x / 5M Approx. 11x / VGA Approx. 44x
Movie Approx.11x
Still Image 20M Approx.11x / 10M Approx.16x / 5M Approx.23x / VGA Approx.44x
Still Image, Movie 2.9x
F-number (Maximum Aperture) F1.8(W)-2.8(T)
Focal Length (f = ) f=8.8-25.7mm
Focus Range (from the front of the lens) iAuto: AF (W: Approx. 5cm (0.17 ft.) to Infinity, T: Approx. 30cm (0.99 ft.) to Infinity) / Program Auto: AF (W: Approx. 5cm (0.17 ft.) to Infinity, T: Approx.30cm (0.99 ft.) to Infinity)
Lens Type ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* Lens, 10 elements in 9 groups (9 aspheric elements including AA lens)
Lens2
Color Filter R,G,B primary color mosaic filters
Linear Focus Yes
Scan System Progressive scan
Menu, Indicator
Beep Yes(On/Shtutter/Off)
Function Guide Yes
Histogram Indicator Yes (On/Off)
Microphone / Speaker
Built-in Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Volume Setting 16 steps
Wind noise reduction Off / On
Monitor, Viewfinder2
Display Selector (FINDER/LCD) Auto/EVF
Image Quality Selection Yes(High/Standard)
Operating Speed
Continuous Shooting (Maximum number of recoded pixels) Approx.0.1 sec  *
* Speed will be slowing after taking some shots.
Shutter Release Time Lag Approx. 0.008 sec.
Optional Accessory Capability
Tripod Receptacle Yes
Other Functions
Area Setting Yes
Clock Function, Setting Yes
Power Saving 2 min /30 min / 5min / 1 min
Others
4K image output Yes (still image only)
Digital Level Gauge Yes (Pitch and roll
Operating Speed Start-up Time (Approx. 1.6 sec.) / Shooting Time Lag (Approx. 0.16 sec.) / Shooting Interval (Approx. 0.6 sec.)
Other Playback Function RAVIA Sync(Control for HDMI)
9/25-frame index view
Auto Orientation
Slide Show
Forward/Rewind (Movie)
Delete
Protect
Motion Shot Video
Beatuty Effect
Other Shooting Functions Eye AF, Face Detection, Face Registration, Smile shutter, Quick Navi, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), WB Bracketing, DRO Bracketing, MF Assist, Peaking, Zebra, Micref Level, Step Zoom, Self-portrait timer
TRILUMINOS Color Yes
PC Link2
PlayMemories Home Yes
Playback
Maximum Playback Size Under 20M(5,472 x 3,648)
Playback2
Automatic Image Rotation Yes
Delete Single / Select / Folder / Date
Index 9 / 25 images
Protect Select / Folder / Date
Rotate Yes
Cue, Review (Movie) Yes
Slow Playback (Movie) Yes
Movie Yes
Video Out HD (HDMI)
Interval 1 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 30 sec.
Repeat On / Off
Zoom Magnification of Playback Mode Depends on Image Size
Power
When shooting continuous movies (CIPA) Monitor:Approx. 85min., ViewFinder:Approx. 90min. (In [MP4 12M] mode, max. continuous shooting time is approx. 15 min. and max. file size is 2GB)
When shooting still images (CIPA) Monitor:Approx. 320 / Approx. 160min., ViewFinder:Approx. 230 / Approx. 115min.
Battery System Rechargeable battery pack NP-BX1
Power Consumption (Camera mode) Approx. 1.7W with LCD monitor and approx. 2.3W with viewfinder(CIPA standard)
Power Source DC3.6V(supplied battery) / DC5.0V(supplied AC Adaptor)
USB Charge/USB Power Supply Yes (Power supply during shooting/playback requires separately sold AC-UD10.)
Power, Others
Output voltage DC 5V, 0.5A
Power Requirements AC 100V to 240V, 50/60 Hz, 70mA
Body Material Alminium Face
Operating Temperature 32 F. - 104 degrees F. (0 C. - +40 degrees C.)
Storage Temperature -4 F. - +140 degrees F. (-20 C. - +60 degrees C)
Capacity for Shooting 4.5Wh(1240mAh)
Maximum Voltage 4.2V
Nominal Voltage 3.6V
Print2
Print Order Mark (DPOF) Select / Folder / Date
Recording
Media Type Memory Stick Duo
Memory Stick PRO Duo
Memory Stick PRO Duo(High Speed)
Memory Stick PROHG Duo
Memory Stick Micro *
Memory Stick Micro (Mark2) *
Memory Stick XC-HG Duo
SD Memory Card
SDHC Memory Card(UHS-I)
SDXC Memory Card(UHS-I)
microSD Memory Card *
microSDHC Memory Card *
microSDXC Memory Card *
*with Adaptor (optional)
Recording
Color Space (Still) sRGB, Adobe RGB
DCF/DPOF DCF/DPOF/EXIF/MPF
Movie Recording Mode AVCHD: 28M PS(1,920x1,080/60p) / 24M FX(1,920x1,080/60i) / 17M FH(1,920x1,080/60i) / 24M FX(1,920x1,080/24p) / 17M FH(1,920x1,080/24p),XAVC S:60p 50M(1,920x1,080/60p)/30p 50M(1,920x1,080/30p)/24p 50M(1,920x1,080/24p)/120p 50M(1,280x720/120p)/ MP4: 12M(1,440x1,080/30fps) / 3M VGA(640x480/30fps)
Recording Format(Movie Audio) XAVC S:LPCM 2ch
AVCHD:Dolby Digital(AC-3) 2ch(Dolby Digital Stereo Creator)
MP4:MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
Recording Format(Movie) XAVC S
AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compatible
MP4
Recording Format(Still Image) JPEG (DCF Ver.2.0,Exif Ver.2.3,MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
Still Image Number of recorded pixels (Image Size) 3:2 mode:20M (5,472×3,648) / 10M(3,888×2,592) / 5M (2,736×1,824), 4:3mode:18M (4,864×3,648) / 10M(3,648×2,736) / 5M(2,592×1,944) / VGA, 16:9mode: 17M (5,472×3,080) / 7.5M(3,648×2,056) / 4.2M (2,720×1,528),1:1 mode: 13M (3,648×3,648) / 6.5M(2,544×2,544) / 3.7M(1,920×1,920) ,Sweep Panorama: Wide(12,416×1,856/5,536×2,160),Standard(8,192×1,856/3,872×2,160)
Recording2
Memory Stick Micro 16GB
microSD Memory Card 64GB
Screen
Adjestable angle Up by approx. 180degrees, down by approx. 45degrees
Brightness control Auto / Manual(5 steps) / Sunny Weather
Screen Type 7.5cm(3.0type)(4:3) / 1,228,800 dots / Xtra Fine / TFT LCD
USB
LUN Settings (Multi/Single) Multi / Single
Auto (MultiConfiguration) Yes
MTP Yes
Mass Storage Yes
Video Out
2D (Auto) Yes(60p)
Video Out Mode NTSC
Viewfinder
Field coverage 100%
Brightness control Auto, Manual(5steps)
Eye point Approx.20mm from the eyepiece, 19.2mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1(diopter) (CIPA standard)
Field coverage 100%
Magnification Approx. 0.59x with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1(diopter) (35mm equiv.)
Weights and Measurements
Dimensions (Approx.) 4 in. × 2 3/8 in. × 1 5/8 in.(101.6x58.1x41.0 mm)
AC Adaptor (supplied): 2 in. x 7/8 in. x 2 1/4 in. (50mm x 22mm x 54mm)
Weight (Approx.) CIPA compliant: 10.2oz (290 g)(Battery and Memory Stick Duo are included), 9.3 oz (263 g )(Body Only)
AC Adaptor (supplied): 1.7 oz (48 g)

  • Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BX1
  • AC AdapterAC-UB10C/UB10D
  • Micro USB cable
  • Wrist Strap
  • Strap Adapter
  • Instruction Manual