Sony RX10 III Sony - Review 🏆

The Sony RX10 III is an advanced compact camera designed for enthusiasts and professionals looking for superb image quality and performance in a portable form factor. Released in 2016, the RX10 III builds upon the success of Sony's earlier RX10 models with significant upgrades.

Most notably, it features a 24-600mm equivalent f/2.8-4 zoom lens with impressive wide-angle coverage and telephoto reach. The lens combines high-quality optics with a versatile zoom range that eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses. For many photographers, the RX10 III can serve as an all-in-one solution for capturing everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife.

The RX10 III is built around a 20MP 1.0-inch type stacked CMOS sensor. This enables high resolution images with excellent dynamic range and low noise. Combined with the powerful BIONZ X image processor, it delivers outstanding image quality across the ISO range. The RX10 III also offers speedy performance, with continuous shooting up to 14 fps with autofocus and AE tracking.

Overall, the RX10 III aims to provide pro-level features and performance in a take-anywhere form factor. With its long zoom range and excellent sensor, it offers image quality that rivals interchangeable lens cameras in a compact, all-in-one design.

Build Quality

The Sony RX10 III boasts an impressive, durable build quality thanks to its weather-sealed magnesium alloy body. This provides protection against dust and moisture, making the RX10 III a great option for outdoor photography and videography. The metal alloy body not only feels solid and premium in-hand, but provides rigidity and resilience to protect the internal components from bumps and accidental drops. The weather sealing gives photographers confidence to use this camera in less than ideal conditions like light rain or dusty environments without worry. Overall, the robust build quality of the magnesium alloy body makes the Sony RX10 III built to last while still remaining relatively lightweight for its zoom range.

In addition to the RX10 III, the Sony Alpha 6100 + Portrait Creator kit offers a versatile option for photographers looking for a compact mirrorless camera. With its fast autofocus and 24.2 MP sensor, it excels in capturing stunning portraits. The Portrait Creator kit enhances the experience, providing essential accessories for professional-looking photos. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry, while the intuitive controls allow for quick adjustments, making it ideal for both beginners and pros alike.

Image Sensor

The Sony RX10 III features a 1.0-inch 20.1MP stacked CMOS sensor, which delivers excellent image quality with high resolution and impressive low-light performance up to ISO 12800. The large 1.0-inch sensor size enables greater control over depth of field for beautiful background blur, while also capturing more light than smaller sensors for reduced noise.

The stacked CMOS design places the pixel section with BSI architecture above the circuitry section of the sensor, allowing more light capture and faster readout speeds. This results in a sensor capable of high-speed continuous shooting up to 14 fps with AF/AE tracking, as well as 4K video recording, high-speed HFR modes up to 960 fps, and reduced rolling shutter effect.

The 20.1MP resolution strikes a versatile balance between high-res detail and good high ISO noise performance. Images have plenty of resolution for large prints or heavy cropping, while the reasonably high pixel density results in excellent image quality even at mid to high ISO settings. Overall the sensor delivers excellent dynamic range and color depth too.

In addition to the RX10 III, the Sony ZV-1F Vlog camera is designed specifically for content creators, featuring a compact design with a 20.1MP sensor that delivers stunning video quality. It is equipped with advanced autofocus and a flip-out screen, making it an excellent choice for vloggers and filmmakers on the go. The ZV-1F offers versatile shooting modes, ensuring high-quality output whether you're filming indoors or in challenging lighting conditions.

Lens

The Sony RX10 III features an impressive 24-600mm equivalent f/2.8-4 zoom lens, providing a huge focal range for versatility. Despite the long zoom range, the lens maintains a bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide end, enabling beautiful background defocus and low light performance.

The lens construction incorporates 18 elements in 13 groups, with 8 aspherical and 3 ED elements to suppress aberrations and deliver excellent sharpness and clarity across the frame. Sony's advanced coatings also effectively reduce flare and ghosting.

At the telephoto end, the 600mm reach allows you to capture faraway subjects in stunning detail, ideal for wildlife, sports, and distant landscapes. The f/4 maximum aperture at full telephoto is also respectable for this zoom range.

Overall, the 24-600mm lens is remarkably compact and high-quality given its incredible 15x zoom range. Photographers who need an extremely versatile all-in-one lens will appreciate the outstanding performance across wide-angle, telephoto, macro and everything in between.

Autofocus

The Sony RX10 III has a fast and accurate hybrid autofocus system that utilizes both phase and contrast detection. This allows for quick and precise focusing in a variety of shooting situations.

The phase detection points cover about 65% of the sensor area, which results in wider coverage for faster subject tracking and acquisition. The camera can lock focus in as little as 0.09 seconds. This fast autofocus allows you to capture fleeting moments with ease.

For video recording, the camera utilizes the same hybrid AF system for smooth and reliable focus transitions. The autofocus is very quiet as well, which is useful when recording video.

Overall, the autofocus system in the RX10 III performs admirably for both stills and video. It's able to keep up with fast action and deliver accurate focus in low light conditions. This makes it a great choice for sports, wildlife, and event photography.

Video Recording

The Sony RX10 III is an excellent choice for videographers, offering high-quality 4K movie recording. It can record 4K video internally, with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, resulting in exceptionally detailed footage. There are multiple 4K recording modes available:

• 4K 30p/25p 100Mbps XAVC S
• 4K 30p/25p 60Mbps XAVC S
• 4K 24p 100Mbps XAVC S
• 4K 24p 60Mbps XAVC S

For even higher bitrates up to 285Mbps, the RX10 III can output clean 4K to an external recorder via its HDMI port. This allows greater flexibility in post-processing. The camera utilizes the advanced XAVC S codec for high bitrates and excellent image quality.

Slow motion capabilities are also impressive, with the option to shoot 1080p video at up to 960fps. This enables extreme slow motion when played back. Full HD recording at standard frame rates up to 60p is of course also available. Overall the RX10 III provides a very versatile set of video options to satisfy both 4K and HD videography needs.

Viewfinder and LCD

The Sony RX10 III features a high resolution 0.39-inch electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million dots. This allows for clear and detailed viewing when composing shots. The EVF provides 100% frame coverage and features optics by Zeiss with a magnification of 0.7x.

For image playback and menu navigation, the RX10 III has a 3-inch LCD screen with 1.23 million dots. The screen can tilt up to 107 degrees up and 41 degrees down, providing flexibility when shooting from high or low angles. The LCD features WhiteMagic technology, which improves outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Overall the EVF and LCD provide an excellent viewing experience during both shooting and playback.

Connectivity

The Sony RX10 III comes with built-in wireless connectivity options including Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to wirelessly transfer photos and videos to your smartphone or tablet using the free Sony PlayMemories app. Setting up the Wi-Fi connection is quick and easy. Once connected via Wi-Fi, you can also use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control for the camera.

NFC

NFC (Near Field Communication) makes the Wi-Fi pairing process even simpler. Just tap your compatible Android device on the camera's NFC symbol, and you're connected.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is also built into the RX10 III. This allows easy pairing with smartphones and tablets for quick image transfers. It also enables a constant connection between the camera and your mobile device, even when the camera is turned off.

Overall, the wireless connectivity of the RX10 III provides flexible options for wirelessly transferring media and controlling the camera remotely. The NFC makes connecting to mobile devices seamless, while Bluetooth enables a constant paired connection.

Battery Life

The Sony RX10 III comes equipped with an NP-FW50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. This battery is rated to provide up to 420 shots on a single charge, which is very good for a camera of this class. 420 shots allows you to shoot all day without worrying about running out of juice.

The battery can be charged either via the micro USB port or by placing it in an optional charger. Charging time is approximately 175 minutes, so you'll want to charge it overnight or have a spare battery on hand for all-day shoots. The battery level is clearly displayed via an onscreen indicator, so you always know how many shots you have left before recharging.

Overall, the RX10 III's battery life is quite impressive for a camera with such a large sensor and lens. The 420 shots per charge rating puts it well above most mirrorless and DSLR cameras. This exceptional battery performance makes the RX10 III a great choice for travel, day trips, and any shooting scenarios away from chargers.

Pros and Cons

The Sony RX10 III has many strengths but also some weaknesses that are worth considering.

Pros

• Excellent zoom range - The 24-600mm equivalent zoom lens gives you tremendous versatility. You can capture wide landscapes and architecture as well as get very close to distant subjects with the powerful 600mm telephoto end. This all-in-one lens eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses.

• Great image quality - With its 1-inch 20MP sensor, the RX10 III delivers outstanding image quality for its class. Photos are packed with detail, have accurate colors, and perform well in low light up to ISO 1600. The Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens contributes to the excellent sharpness.

• Good handling - The weather-sealed body has a large comfortable grip and lots of physical controls. Two control dials allow easy adjustment of settings. The tilting LCD screen helps compose shots from creative angles. Overall the camera handles well for its long zoom range.

Cons

• Expensive - This is a premium camera with a premium price tag. The RX10 III costs significantly more than basic superzoom or DSLR and kit lens combinations with similar zoom ranges. The price may be out of reach for more casual photographers.

• Heavy - The rugged weather-sealed body and large lens make this a hefty camera. At about 2 pounds, it's heavy for a compact camera. You'll notice the weight when carrying it around your neck or in a bag.