Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 III Digital Camera, Black {20.1MP}

Sony RX100 III: pocket-sized 1-inch sensor with a Zeiss f/1.8 lens

The RX100 III puts a 20.1MP BSI-CMOS sensor behind a 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens in a body that weighs 290 grams. That f/1.8 maximum aperture at the wide end gives you real depth-of-field control that most compacts simply can't touch, and the 1-inch sensor backs it up with low-light capability that holds up at ISO 3200 and beyond. Optical image stabilization and 10 fps burst shooting round out what the hardware offers for still photographers.

Video shooters get 1080/60p with XAVC S recording at 50Mbps, a bitrate that puts it well ahead of what most enthusiast compacts offered at launch and still holds up for travel and documentary work. A pop-up OLED electronic viewfinder with 1.44 million dots deploys when you need it and disappears when you don't, paired with a tilting 3-inch WhiteMagic LCD that reads well in outdoor light. RAW capture, full manual exposure controls, aperture and shutter priority, and built-in Wi-Fi with NFC give you a shooting toolkit that punches well above the pocketable form factor. For a camera you'll actually carry every day, that combination is hard to argue with.

Who It's For

Travel photographers who refuse to carry a bag will appreciate the 24-70mm equivalent range covering wide cityscapes through environmental portraits, all from a shirt-pocket body. Street shooters benefit from the f/1.8 aperture in mixed and low light without drawing attention. Run-and-gun video producers working solo get 50Mbps XAVC S footage and a pop-up EVF for stable framing in bright sun. Photographers who shoot RAW and want full manual control in a camera they can take anywhere find the RX100 III hits that specific target without compromise.

Key Features

• 20.1MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with Bionz X processor
• 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with optical stabilization
• Pop-up OLED EVF with 1.44 million dots and tilting 3-inch WhiteMagic LCD
• 1080/60p video with XAVC S codec at 50Mbps plus built-in ND filter
• RAW capture with full manual exposure controls and 25-point autofocus
• 10 fps continuous shooting with 320-shot battery life
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

FAQ

Does the RX100 III's f/1.8 lens at 24mm actually matter for a compact?

Yes. That f/1.8 aperture at wide angle gives you roughly 2.5 stops of advantage over typical f/4 zoom compacts, which translates directly to shallower depth-of-field for subject isolation and faster shutter speeds in dim light. At 70mm the lens steps to f/2.8, still competitive for travel and street work.

How's the video quality at 1080/60p?

The 50Mbps XAVC S bitrate handles motion cleanly and preserves detail well enough for broadcast-quality travel docs and short-form content. Clean HDMI output lets you record externally if you need higher bitrates, and a built-in 3-stop ND filter handles bright-light wide-aperture shooting.

Is the pop-up OLED viewfinder worth using, or is it a gimmick?

The 1.44MP OLED EVF is genuinely useful-fast refresh, accurate color, good for manual focus work. It deploys only when you need it, so bulk stays minimal. For a pocketable camera, having an EVF option at all is a practical advantage over the LCD-only alternatives that were common at launch.

What's the battery life like on a day shoot?

CIPA rating is 320 shots per charge with the NP-BX1 battery. Real-world performance varies; heavy EVF use and video drain faster, but the compact size makes carrying a spare battery practical. USB charging is built in, so you can top up from a power bank.

Can you shoot RAW, and is autofocus reliable?

Yes to RAW capture. The 25-point AF system with lock-on tracking handles most situations capably, though the clickless zoom ring means no tactile feedback when adjusting manual focus-a usability trade-off Sony didn't address in this generation. Macro focusing down to 5cm works well for detail shots.

Why 24-70mm instead of the longer zoom everyone else offered?

24-70mm is the zoom range on full-frame workhorse lenses for good reason-it's genuinely practical for travel and everyday carry. The 70mm endpoint has less reach for tight portraits than rivals offering 85-135mm equivalents, but the tradeoff is a faster lens and better low-light performance from the larger 1-inch sensor. If you need reach, this isn't the compact for you.

How does ISO 3200 and 6400 look in practice?

The 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor and Bionz X processor keep luminance noise controlled through ISO 3200, though fine detail softens slightly. By ISO 6400 you're making visible quality trade-offs, but the images remain usable for web and small prints. Boosted range to ISO 25,600 exists but demands careful exposure and isn't a comfortable working speed.