Panasonic ZS70 vs Sony RX100 III: The Ultimate Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to high-quality compact cameras, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options stacked on store shelves or online shops. I’ve spent over a decade testing everything from entry-level point-and-shoots to pro-level mirrorless systems, so I know how crucial it is to find gear that matches your style, workflow, and budget. Today, we’re pitting two stalwarts in the compact camera realm against each other: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 (aka Lumix TZ90 in some markets) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III. Both are beloved for their pocketable form and impressive specs, but they lean into quite different strengths.

Over the next 2,500 words, I’ll walk us through a thorough comparison - from sensor tech and autofocus to real-world shooting scenarios like portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video. I’ve personally tested these cameras extensively, and I’ll share how they excel (or stumble) in professional workflows and everyday use.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or even a pro looking for a versatile secondary or travel camera, you’re about to get a clear-eyed, hands-on perspective.

Pocketable Titans: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Compact cameras are all about balancing performance with portability. Neither the Panasonic ZS70 nor the Sony RX100 III will fit into your coin pocket, but both pack impressive features in a small chassis.

Panasonic ZS70 dimensions are 112 x 67 x 41 mm and weight sits at 322g, while the Sony RX100 III is slightly smaller and lighter at 102 x 58 x 41 mm and 290g. The size difference isn’t dramatic, but it’s noticeable in hand. The Sony feels a bit denser and more “put together” in terms of solid metal construction. Panasonic’s ZS70 uses more plastic but keeps everything well balanced, especially if you’re into long zooming sessions.

Top marks go to the RX100 III for its more streamlined design and better clutch-style zoom ring. The ZS70’s grip is slightly chunkier, which some will prefer, but the Sony wins points on discreetness for shooting street or travel photos unnoticed.

Regarding controls, Sony keeps things minimalist but well-laid-out - a club for your thumb here, a dial there - everything falls to hand intuitively, especially for users familiar with Alpha-series cameras. Panasonic’s ZS70 is packed with more custom buttons and touchscreen controls, which will appeal to those who want fast access but may confuse beginners at first.

Overall, if you want a stealthy camera slim enough to disappear in your jacket pocket, the Sony RX100 III edges out. The ZS70 is more comfortable for extended use with quick manual overrides but trades off some sleekness.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where things get interesting. Compact cameras often rely on small sensors that limit image quality compared to larger systems, but not all sensors are created equal.

The Sony RX100 III packs a much larger 1-inch (13.2x8.8mm) back-illuminated CMOS sensor, delivering an effective area of about 116 mm². Meanwhile, the Panasonic ZS70 uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17x4.55mm) typical of superzoom cameras with only 28 mm² sensor area.

What does sensor size mean practically? Larger sensors gather more light, provide superior dynamic range, better color depth, and less noise, especially in low light. Sony’s RX100 III scores markedly better with a DxOMark overall score of 67 compared to the untested ZS70, but test results and experience reveal that even mid-tier 1-inch sensors outperform 1/2.3” sensors significantly.

Both shoot at a similar 20MP resolution, but the RX100 III’s bigger pixels handle ISO noise much better (native ISO range 125–12,800) compared to the ZS70 (native ISO 80–3,200). So if you often shoot indoors or at events with tricky lighting, Sony’s sensor has a massive edge. That said, the Panasonic’s sensor is respectable in good light and excels in daylight zoom scenarios.

Sony retains an optical anti-aliasing filter, and Panasonic does too, preserving fine detail with their processing. Panasonic’s implementation of a 5.8x crop factor versus Sony’s 2.7x also highlights how sensor size connects with focal length.

For aficionados needing clean, sharp files with latitude for post-production, RX100 III’s sensor beats the ZS70 hands down.

Lenses and Zoom: Flexibility vs. Bright Optics

Here’s a big decision factor: what’s your primary shooting style, and how important is zoom reach versus speed and sharpness?

Panasonic ZS70 sports a 24-720mm equivalent zoom lens - 30x optical zoom, boasting a formidable travel and wildlife reach. The max aperture is f/3.3-6.4, which is a bit slow towards telephoto but typical for this zoom range on compact cams.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 III’s zoom is shorter at 24-70mm equivalent, offering a modest 2.9x zoom but with a significantly brighter aperture range of f/1.8–2.8. This faster lens allows superior background separation and low-light capability.

If your primary discipline is landscape, portrait, travel or street photography, Sony’s lens is preferable. The wider aperture helps isolate subjects with dreamy bokeh and perform well indoors or at dusk.

For wildlife and superzoom enthusiasts, Panasonic wins hands down. The 30x zoom covers everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant animals without carrying extra lenses.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus is an area where user experience can make or break a camera’s appeal.

Panasonic utilizes contrast-detection autofocus with 49 focus points, including face detection and touch focus, supported by features like Post Focus and focus stacking - nifty tools for macro or landscape detail-heavy shots. The ZS70 also offers continuous AF and tracking, which perform solidly but tend toward cautious and occasionally hunt in low contrast.

The Sony RX100 III employs a smaller pool of 25 contrast-detection focus points, also with face detection, eye detection and solid continuous AF capabilities. While it lacks phase detection autofocus, it benefits from Sony’s finely-tuned AF algorithms, resulting in fast, snappy locking especially in good light.

In testing, neither is a blazing predator-like autofocus system suited for critically tough subject tracking, but the ZS70’s AF is a touch more versatile in macro and close-range work due to focus stacking and Post Focus options.

For sports or fast wildlife, neither camera is ideal if speed is paramount, but Panasonic’s burst rate (10fps) and AF options make it slightly better.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composition Tools

Both cameras offer tilting rear LCDs and built-in electronic viewfinders (EVFs), but the nuances can impact user experience.

Panasonic’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen has 1040K-dot resolution, allowing intuitive touch-to-focus or menu navigation. The touchscreen boosts ease especially for zoomed compositions or video shooting.

Sony’s screen is also 3-inch but non-touch, slightly sharper at 1229K-dot resolution. Its EVF features a higher resolution at 1440 dots compared to Panasonic’s 1166 dots with a slightly higher magnification (0.59x vs. 0.46x), facilitating more precise framing.

While I prefer touchscreen operation for quick focus shifts and menu access (points to Panasonic), Sony’s EVF clarity makes manual exposure and focus adjustments more precise. For street photographers who rely on discreet shooting through the EVF instead of the rear screen, Sony's viewfinder offers a tangible advantage.

Real-World Shots: How Do Images Stack Up?

Seeing specs is one thing, but real-world image quality is king. Here are sample images from both cameras under varied conditions.

Panasonic ZS70 front Sony RX100 III front Sony RX100 III screen back

• Portraits: Sony RX100 III’s brighter lens and 1-inch sensor beautifully render skin tones with smooth bokeh. Panasonic’s ZS70 can isolate subjects but with a less creamy background due to smaller sensor and narrower aperture.
• Landscapes: Panasonic’s extended zoom lets you frame distant mountains or cityscapes with ease. Sony’s superior detail and dynamic range shine in wide-angle shots.
• Wildlife: ZS70’s reach is invaluable here; that lens lets you keep your distance. Noise and detail at long zoom settings are usable but softened compared to Sony’s cleaner, albeit shorter, reach.
• Low light: Up to ISO 3200, Panasonic's ZS70 images start showing grain and detail loss quicker than Sony's RX100 III, which handles ISO 6400 with surprisingly clean output.
• Macro: ZS70's 3cm minimum focus distance and focus stacking capabilities outclass RX100 III’s 5cm macro limit.
• Video: Panasonic shoots 4K UHD at 30p; Sony offers 1080p at 60 fps with excellent quality but no 4K.

Overall, image quality leans heavily in favor of Sony, especially in low light and portraiture. Panasonic’s versatility gives it an edge in zoom-dependent and macro scenarios.

Burst Rates and Buffering: Catching the Action

Both cameras offer a 10 fps continuous shooting mode.

In practical testing, neither EXCELS for high-speed sports compared to DSLRs or mirrorless systems, but they're decent for casual sports and quick moments. Panasonic’s larger buffer means longer burst durations before slowdown.

Sony’s RX100 III is a bit quicker at refocusing between frames, useful if you’re following moving subjects carefully.

Neither is perfect for professional sports photographers but fine for enthusiasts capturing kids, pets, or street life.

Video Performance and Creative Features

For vloggers or hybrid shooters, both models provide solid features.

Panasonic ZS70:

• 4K UHD video up to 30fps, including 4K photo mode (shooting 8MP stills from footage)
• Optical image stabilization
• Time-lapse recording built-in
• No mic/headphone jacks

Sony RX100 III:

• Full HD 1080p video up to 60fps with excellent clarity
• Optical stabilization via lens
• Supports XAVC S format for higher bitrate recordings
• No 4K video, no mic input
• Time lapse via external app

Panasonic clearly targets creative 4K users, while Sony’s video remains solid but not groundbreaking, limited by the older generation sensor.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery stamina is often overlooked but can be a dealmaker on trips.

• Panasonic ZS70 rates approximately 380 shots per charge
• Sony RX100 III around 320 shots

In real shooting, these numbers roughly translate, with Panasonic delivering slightly longer endurance. Both use proprietary battery packs with standard single SD card slots (Sony accepts Memory Stick too).

Connectivity wise:

• Panasonic supports built-in Wi-Fi (no Bluetooth)
• Sony offers Wi-Fi + NFC

Both allow remote shooting via phone apps, but Panasonic’s interface feels a tad clunkier.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Photography Budget

The Panasonic ZS70, priced around $450, comes in at nearly half the Sony RX100 III’s typical street price of $750 (or more, second-hand). This cost difference will be a primary factor for cheapskates and budget-conscious enthusiasts.

Given Sony’s superior sensor, lens brightness, and image quality, the extra bucks translate into tangible advantages, especially if fine detail, dynamic range, and portraiture matter. Yet, Panasonic’s extended zoom and 4K shooting deliver versatility rarely matched at this price point.

Specialized Use Cases and Genre-Specific Performance

How do these cameras fare across photography genres? Let’s break it down with some scoring:

Final Scores and Overall Performance

Let’s zoom out and see each camera’s overall value based on features, performance, and my practical experience:

Though Sony excels in image quality and user interface, Panasonic delivers superb versatility and bang for your buck.

Who Should Buy Which? Target Audience Recommendations

After testing both extensively, here’s how I’d match each camera to user needs:

Choose Panasonic ZS70 if you:

• Need an ultra-long zoom for travel, wildlife, or sports
• Want 4K video recording with 4K photo extraction
• Prefer touchscreen controls and advanced creative modes like focus stacking
• Are on a budget wanting the best zoom in a compact
• Shoot macros or landscapes requiring deep focusing tools
• Don’t mind the slightly larger body and lower low-light IQ

Choose Sony RX100 III if you:

• Prioritize image quality with better sensor, color depth, and low light
• Are a portrait or street photographer wanting superior bokeh and discreet form
• Want a compact that feels like a pro compact with quick dial controls
• Value sharp, detailed landscapes and smooth exposure transitions
• Shoot mostly stills at 24-70mm focal length and prioritize lens speed
• Can invest more for tangible image quality gains but don’t need 4K video

Wrapping Up: Practical Wisdom from a Camera Tester

I love both cameras in different ways. The Panasonic ZS70 is a marvel of engineering for enthusiasts who want versatility and a crazy range of focal lengths in a compact package, along with 4K video. It’s a true jack-of-all-trades for travel and everyday shooting.

The Sony RX100 III sports a sensor and lens combination that punches above its weight in IQ and low light. It’s a favorite among street shooters, portrait photographers, and anyone craving image excellence without adding bulk.

If you’re a casual enthusiast or cheapskate dreaming of wildlife shooting with a compact, Panasonic is your friend. If you’re a pro or serious hobbyist whose bread and butter is image quality or subtle control, Sony makes the better investment.

I hope this thorough, experience-driven breakdown helps you find your next camera companion for years of memorable images!

Happy shooting, and may your next camera bring you as much joy behind the lens as it does pride in your photographic craft.