Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 III Digital Camera, Black {20.1MP} with AG-R2 Grip

Sony RX100 III: 20MP pocket camera with f/1.8 zoom and built-in EVF

The RX100 III packs a 20MP BSI-CMOS 1-inch sensor behind a 24–70mm f/1.8 lens into a body that weighs 290g and fits a coat pocket. That lens is the defining feature here. Sony bonded two aspherical elements together to achieve f/1.8 at the wide end and f/2.8 at 70mm without inflating the camera's footprint, which means you get meaningfully shallower depth of field and better low-light performance than any compact with a slower kit lens. The built-in neutral density filter lets you hold wide apertures even in bright sun or during video work without fighting the 1/2000 sec shutter ceiling.

Video capability runs deeper than the sensor size implies. The RX100 III records 1080/60p via the XAVC S codec at 50 Mbps, using full sensor readout than pixel-binning, which keeps detail and moire under control. The pop-up electronic viewfinder offers 1,440,000-dot resolution at 0.59x magnification and 100% coverage, giving you a stable shooting platform in direct sun where the 3-inch tilting LCD washes out. Burst shooting reaches 10 fps, and RAW output is there when you need the processing latitude.

At 320 CIPA-rated shots per charge, the NP-BX1 battery is honest but manageable for a day of shooting. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC round out a feature set that has held up well over the years precisely because Sony got the fundamentals right from the start.

Who It's For

Street photographers get a pocketable 24mm f/1.8 starting point with 10 fps burst and a pop-up EVF for eye-level framing without drawing attention. Travel shooters benefit from the 290g weight, built-in Wi-Fi for fast sharing, and a focal range that covers architecture and casual portraits without swapping lenses. Video journalists and run-and-gun documentarians gain 1080/60p XAVC S footage at 50 Mbps with clean HDMI output, full sensor readout, and a f/1.8 aperture that holds up in dim venues. Portrait and available-light photographers working in tight spaces will find the fast lens and 1-inch sensor combination produces a noticeable subject-to-background separation rare at this form factor.

Key Features

• 20MP BSI-CMOS 1-inch sensor with Bionz X processor
• 24-70mm f/1.8-f/2.8 lens with bonded aspherical elements
• Built-in neutral density filter for bright-light shooting
• 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder with 0.59x magnification and 100% coverage
• 1080/60p video via XAVC S codec at 50 Mbps with full sensor readout
• 10 fps continuous shooting with RAW support and 25-point autofocus
• Tilting 3-inch WhiteMagic LCD and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi with NFC
• 320 CIPA-rated shots per NP-BX1 battery charge

FAQ

What makes the RX100 III's lens different from other compact cameras?

Sony bonded two aspherical elements together to achieve f/1.8 at 24mm and f/2.8 at 70mm without ballooning the body size. At 70mm, it's over a stop faster than the RX100 II, which directly translates to shallower depth of field and better low-light performance in a pocket-sized package.

Can you shoot video in RAW or high bitrate formats?

The RX100 III records 1080/60p via XAVC S codec at 50 Mbps using full sensor readout, which avoids pixel-binning and keeps detail intact. Still images output to RAW (DNG) when you need processing latitude, but video is limited to compressed formats.

What's the pop-up EVF actually useful for?

The 1,440,000-dot EVF at 0.59x magnification with 100% coverage turns the camera into a stable shooting platform in direct sunlight, where the 3-inch LCD gets washed out. It also eliminates parallax when composing, which matters for precise framing.

Does the built-in neutral density filter actually work?

Yes. It lets you hold wide apertures and slow shutter speeds even in bright conditions without maxing out the 1/2000 sec shutter ceiling. Essential if you want to shoot at f/1.8 in daylight or use extended exposures for video without stopping down.

How long does the battery last on a full charge?

Sony rates the NP-BX1 at 320 shots per charge by CIPA standard, which is honest but tight for a full day of shooting. Plan to carry a second battery or USB charger if you're doing extended work.

Is autofocus tracking reliable on moving subjects?

The Bionz X processor brought a more sophisticated lock-on AF system compared to earlier RX100 models. With 25 AF points and full-frame contrast detection, it handles typical compact camera subjects well, though it's not a match for dedicated tracking systems on mirrorless or DSLR bodies.

Can you tilt the screen for video work or low angles?

Yes, the 3-inch LCD tilts up and down, which helps for shooting from hip height or overhead angles. The display uses WhiteMagic technology to brighten the screen in sunlight, though the pop-up EVF remains the better option for outdoor work.