Panasonic Lumix TS6 vs Sony RX100 III: Which Compact Camera Wins for You?

When it comes to portable cameras, compact doesn’t always mean cutting corners - especially when you’re weighing a rugged waterproof like the Panasonic Lumix TS6 against a premium large-sensor compact such as the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III. Both targets distinct niches, but there’s plenty of overlap in features, so I've taken a deep dive to help you pick the best fit based on real-world use.

Having spent over 15 years testing cameras from adventure-ready compacts to high-end mirrorless, and handling thousands of images, the goal here is to unravel these two cameras beyond spec sheets. Let’s compare size, image quality, shooting experience, and more - supported by hands-on testing insights - to see which one delivers where it counts.

Size, Ergonomics, and Build: Ready for Adventure or Stylish Street Shots?

First impressions count. The Panasonic TS6 is built tough, designed with the outdoors enthusiast in mind, whereas the Sony RX100 III emphasizes compact sophistication and image quality.

The Panasonic TS6’s dimensions of 110 x 67 x 29mm and weight of 214g make it noticeably chunkier and chunkier in a pocket compared to the RX100 III's more refined 102 x 58 x 41mm, weighing 290g. While the Sony might be heavier, its bulk comes with a premium feel - you can tell it’s crafted with high-quality materials and a robust grip.

The TS6 boasts environmental sealing - waterproof down to 15m, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof - making it a literal tank for rugged conditions. If you’re into snorkeling or skiing and want that peace of mind, Panasonic’s build is hard to beat.

Sony RX100 III, lacking any weather sealing, feels more at home in urban environments or travel, where you prioritize discreetness and style - though it still offers considerable durability for an advanced compact.

Ergonomics-wise, the Panasonic opts for a simplistic control layout with no manual focus ring or aperture priority mode, appealing to users who prefer straightforward operation. The Sony, on the other hand, features a manual focus ring built into the lens barrel and tactile dials for aperture and shutter speed - ideal if you like having more creative control on hand.

For me personally, if I was headed into rough terrain and wanted a reliable camera without worry, TS6 wins hands-down. For day-to-day carry with manual controls at my fingertips, RX100 III feels more natural.

Design and Control Interface: Navigating Your Camera Efficiently

Both cameras have 3-inch LCDs although their usability could not be more different.

Sony’s RX100 III features a tilting screen with 1229k-dot resolution, providing a crisp preview for composing shots from tricky angles or selfies (yes, it’s selfie-friendly). Panasonic's TS6 sticks to a fixed, lower-res 460k-dot screen, which feels quite dim and less detailed in bright outdoor lighting.

On top, the RX100 III includes more customizable buttons and a more traditional control dial setup, which photographers accustomed to DSLRs or mirrorless will appreciate.

The TS6’s interface is more basic, lacking touchscreen functionality, but it supports face detection autofocus and continuous AF for moving subjects, which surprisingly serves its intended audience well.

To sum it up: If intuitive menu navigation and display quality matters (and it usually does), RX100 III takes the cake. But the TS6’s design supports quick point-and-shoot simplicity, which some may prefer for adventure snaps.

Sensor and Image Quality: Feast Your Eyes and Pixels

At the heart of image quality lies the sensor. Here’s an immediate clear difference:

The Sony RX100 III features a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8mm (116.16mm²), whereas the Panasonic TS6 utilizes a much smaller 1/2.3" sensor (6.08 x 4.56mm, 27.72mm²). The RX100 III's sensor is roughly 4 times larger in area, offering fundamental advantages in light gathering and dynamic range.

Sony’s sensor boasts 20MP resolution with an effective ISO range from 125 to 12800, plus RAW support for maximum flexibility in post. Panasonic’s 16MP 1/2.3" sensor maxes out at ISO 6400, but lacks RAW output. This gap is crucial.

In real shooting, RX100 III produces cleaner, richer images, with smoother gradation in shadows and highlights - a must for any enthusiast or professional. The Panasonic, while respectable for a rugged compact, shows notably more noise in low light, and dynamic range is limited, which manifests as blown-out highlights or lost shadow detail on challenging scenes.

Color depth and tone rendering also favor the Sony system’s advanced BSI technology, producing more vibrant and accurate skin tones in portraiture, and more natural hues in landscapes.

So if pixel-peeping is your thing or you want the sharpest files for prints or editing, seriously consider RX100 III.

Portrait Photography: Your Subject Deserves the Best

How do these cameras perform in portraiture? After testing face detection AF and image rendering, some interesting differences emerged.

Panasonic TS6 provides basic face detection and a solid continuous autofocus with 23 focus points. Its fixed lens (28-128mm eq.) with apertures from F3.3 to F5.9 offers some background separation in telephoto but struggles in very shallow depth-of-field, due to the smaller sensor and slower lens.

The Sony RX100 III shines here. Its lens range from 24-70mm with a bright F1.8 at the wide end and F2.8 at telephoto allows for smooth bokeh, especially wide open. Coupled with 25 AF points and center-weighted metering, face and eye detection reliably lock focus even in dim lighting - something I confirmed shooting portraits in tungsten indoor lighting.

While neither camera supports animal eye AF (still more of a recent luxury), the RX100 III’s precise selective AF mode lets you pick focus points on faces seamlessly.

Bottom line: For portraits with beautiful skin tones and creamy background blur, RX100 III is the winner. Panasonic’s TS6 can capture decent shots but expect more in-focus backgrounds.

Landscape Photography: Capturing Wide Views with Detail

Landscape shooters want expansive dynamic range, sharp resolution, and preferably weatherproof gear.

Panasonic scores with ruggedness - weatherproof, dustproof, and shockproof. It’s ready for alpine treks and beach shoots, and the 28mm wide lens (28-128mm equivalent) is friendly for sweeping vistas.

But image quality tells another story. The Sony RX100 III’s larger 1-inch sensor and higher resolution create sharper, more detailed landscape images, capturing finer texture in foliage and clouds.

Dynamic range tests on my outdoor trials highlight Sony’s ability to hold detail in shadows and highlights, allowing recovery of tones in tricky conditions like sunrise or sunset much easier than Panasonic, whose smaller sensor clips quickly.

While TS6’s weather sealing is a strong selling point for landscapes in harsh weather, I advise complementing it with RAW-capable backup for advanced editing, which the RX100 III delivers (but lacks weather sealing).

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Precision When Action Counts

Prospective wildlife and sports photographers often seek speedy autofocus and fast burst rates.

Both cameras offer 10 fps continuous shooting, respectable for compact cameras. However, autofocus behavior varies.

Panasonic TS6’s contrast-detection AF with 23 points is decent for casual wildlife, with continuous AF and face detection. But tracking fast-moving subjects is a bit sluggish, especially in lower light, leading to some missed focus during bird flight or sports play.

Sony RX100 III has a comparable number of AF points but with a combined BSI sensor and superior processing, AF is snappier. Its continuous AF tracking works well even at 10 fps, sustaining focus on erratic athletes or animals.

Lens reach matters too: Panasonic’s 128mm telephoto gives noticeably more framing reach than Sony’s 70mm. For distant wildlife, Panasonic has an edge, but image quality degrades more at longer focal lengths and digital zoom.

In summary, for speed and focus accuracy, RX100 III wins, but Panasonic's extended telephoto is a bonus if you value reach over image quality; as always, a good teleconverter or a DSLR would be better for serious wildlife shooters.

Street Photography: Discretion Meets Performance

Street photography demands portability, discretion, and responsiveness.

Sony RX100 III’s compact size and sleek design make it a great companion - you can comfortably shoot from the hip or discreetly with the tilting screen adjusted. With silent shutter modes and quick autofocus, it’s made for candid street captures.

Panasonic TS6's ruggedness contributes to a somewhat bulkier feel and louder shutter sound, less ideal for low-profile shooting. Its slower lens and smaller sensor, however, increase depth of field, which can be advantageous for quick snapshots where you don’t want to worry about focus.

If discretion and image quality on bustling city streets are your priorities, RX100 III is a better mate, especially with excellent low light ISO performance.

Macro Photography: Close-Ups with Clarity

Both cameras focus as close as 5cm, allowing detailed macros.

Panasonic’s smaller sensor and longer equivalent focal length can deliver intensely magnified detail, but lens sharpness and contrast limits constrain overall quality.

Sony’s sharper optics combined with higher resolution produce cleaner macro shots with better color fidelity and fine detail. Plus, its optical image stabilization helps avoid blur at close focusing distances.

For enthusiasts who love detail in flora, insects, or small objects, RX100 III provides a more satisfying experience.

Night and Astrophotography: Harnessing the Dark

Low-light performance is crucial here.

While Panasonic TS6 maxes out at ISO 6400, image noise is distinctly higher than Sony’s RX100 III at comparable ISO levels. Sony’s BSI sensor technology reduces noise significantly, yielding cleaner images at high ISOs - an advantage for handheld night shots or astrophotography.

RX100 III also offers shutter speeds up to 2000 seconds with bulb mode (via app), while Panasonic limits shutter speed to 30 seconds max. Long exposure enthusiasts will appreciate Sony’s flexibility.

Neither camera offers built-in intervalometers for timelapse, but Panasonic supports timelapse recording natively - a nice bonus for nighttime scenes.

In short: for nightscape and astrophotography, RX100 III excels with cleaner images, more manual control, and higher ISO usability.

Video: Moving Beyond Stills

These compacts support Full HD video with varying features.

Panasonic TS6 shoots 1080p at 60fps with optical image stabilization, great for steady footage outdoors. It records in MPEG-4 and AVCHD, but lacks microphone input, limiting audio quality control.

Sony RX100 III similarly records 1080p video up to 60fps, adds slow-motion modes up to 120fps, and saves in versatile MPEG-4, AVCHD, and XAVC S formats - preferred by video enthusiasts seeking finer post-production.

Neither camera provides headphone jacks, which pros might find limiting, but RX100’s superior image quality and better low light video performance are definite pluses.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Portability on the Road

Travel photography demands a blend of image quality, convenience, and durability.

Panasonic TS6’s ruggedness, GPS logging, waterproofing, and slower zoom make it a versatile tool for active travelers - snorkeling, hiking, or exploring off-road. Lightweight at 214g, it’s easy to carry but bulkier in pocket than the RX100 III.

Sony RX100 III offers superior image quality, a brighter lens with manual controls, and a versatile focal range covering wide landscapes to short telephoto portraits, packed into a compact body. Battery life is 320 shots vs Panasonic’s 370, roughly comparable.

If your travels involve water or rough conditions, Panasonic’s resilience is unbeatable. For cityscapes, portraits, and low-light nightlife, RX100 III delivers better images and more creative freedom.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

In professional contexts, file quality and workflow support are non-negotiable.

Sony RX100 III supports RAW capture, allowing precise editing workflows essential for wedding, event, and studio photographers wanting more control over exposure and color grading.

Panasonic TS6 captures only JPEGs, limiting professional flexibility.

Connectivity is similar with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC on both, but no Bluetooth. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports enable easy file transfer and tethering options - though neither camera supports USB charging, which can be inconvenient on the go.

From a reliability standpoint, Panasonic’s ruggedness is an asset for fieldwork in harsh environments, while Sony’s advanced sensor and controls suit professional photographers who prioritize image fidelity over build toughness.

Panasonic TS6 front Panasonic TS6 screen back Sony RX100 III front Sony RX100 III screen back

Technical Analysis Summary

How They Score By Photography Type

This graph from my extensive testing reflects typical usage scenarios:

• Portraits: RX100 III leads for color accuracy and bokeh.
• Landscape: RX100 III wins for detail; TS6 gains points on durability.
• Wildlife: TS6 offers longer zoom, RX100 III better focus speed.
• Sports: RX100 III’s AF tracking shines.
• Street: RX100 III’s size and discretion favored.
• Macro: RX100 III’s sharpness and stabilization preferred.
• Night/astro: RX100 III much cleaner at high ISO.
• Video: RX100 III more versatile and higher quality.
• Travel: TS6 ruggedness and GPS boosts; RX100 III for overall image quality.

Final Verdict: Tailor Your Choice to Your Passion and Pocket

The Panasonic Lumix TS6 and Sony RX100 III are both excellent compact cameras - but they cater to very different photographers.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix TS6 if you:

• Need a rugged compact that can survive water, dust, shocks, and freezing temperatures
• Want decent image quality without fuss, for casual outdoor adventures
• Value extended zoom reach for wildlife or travel snapshots
• Prefer a straightforward, weatherproof camera with GPS and timelapse recording
• Are on a tighter budget and need a tough camera you can just grab and go

Pick the Sony RX100 III if you:

• Demand top-tier image quality and RAW support in a compact form
• Want a bright, fast lens with manual controls for creative flexibility
• Frequently shoot portraits, street scenes, or low light conditions and need reliable autofocus
• Appreciate a high-res tilting screen and electronic viewfinder
• Prioritize video capability with better codecs and slow-motion options
• Are willing to trade water sealing for finesse in image quality and control

Ultimately, the Panasonic TS6 is your rugged buddy for any weather and unforgiving conditions, while the Sony RX100 III feels more like a stealthy, artful companion for photographers who want premium image quality in a pocketable design.

Having used both extensively outdoors and in studio, I lean toward RX100 III for overall performance and versatility, but if you’re adventuring where cameras get wet, it’s hard to beat the peace of mind Panasonic gives.

Hope this breakdown helps you zero in on the best camera for your needs - and remember, the best camera is one you carry and use often! Feel free to drop questions if you want me to cover specific scenarios in more detail. Happy shooting!