Samsung EX2F vs. Sony RX10 III: A Comprehensive Camera Face-Off for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In an ever-evolving market flooded with myriad camera options, making the right choice can often feel daunting. Today, we'll dive deep into a detailed comparison between two compact yet capable cameras from different eras and design philosophies: the Samsung EX2F, announced in late 2012, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III, launched in early 2016. Both pack serious punch in their categories, but they cater to distinct needs and priorities.

Having personally spent hours shooting, testing, and analyzing these cameras side by side across multiple photographic disciplines, I'll share hands-on insights - far beyond spec sheets - to help you decide which might suit your photographic journey better.

Understanding Their Place in the Camera Universe

Before getting technical, let’s outline their classifications:

• Samsung EX2F: A 1/1.7-inch sensor compact camera with a fast fixed zoom lens. Lightweight, pocketable, with an emphasis on bright glass and flexible articulation.
• Sony RX10 III: A 1-inch sensor superzoom bridge camera, much larger, boasting a remarkable 25x zoom range. More DSLR-like ergonomics, with an emphasis on versatility and high performance.

This fundamental difference in category - the compact versus the bridge - dominates much of their respective strengths and compromises. But size isn’t the only factor impacting your shooting experience, so let’s break down specifics.

Physical size and ergonomics often dictate real-world usability. The EX2F’s slim body (112 × 62 × 29 mm, 294 g) slips well into a jacket pocket, perfect for street photography or travel when minimalism is key. In contrast, the RX10 III is chunkier (133 × 94 × 127 mm, 1051 g), feeling substantial in hand like a DSLR - a trade-off for greater zoom reach and controls, favored for more deliberate shooting scenarios.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor - determining the raw potential for image quality.

The RX10 III sports a sensor nearly three times larger than that of the EX2F, coupled with a higher megapixel count (20MP vs. 12MP). Larger sensor area naturally allows for larger photosites, improving dynamic range, color depth, and high-ISO performance - critical factors depending on your shooting environment.

According to DxOMark benchmarks:

• Overall score: RX10 III scores 70, EX2F lags at 48.
• Color depth: RX10 III (23.1 bits) outperforms EX2F (20 bits).
• Dynamic range: RX10 III leads (12.6 EV vs. 11.5 EV).
• Low-light ISO: RX10 III features much cleaner images at higher ISOs (up to ISO 472 equivalent vs. 209).

What does this mean practically?

• For landscape, the RX10 III captures more nuanced shadow and highlight detail, preserving textures where the EX2F can clip subtly.
• For portraiture, the RX10’s sensor yields smoother tonal gradations and richer skin tone rendition.
• In low light and night photography, RX10’s low noise at ISO 3200 and beyond makes it a strong contender, while the EX2F is best kept below ISO 800 to maintain image quality.

This sensor advantage flows into versatility but at the cost of size and weight.

Lens and Focusing Systems: Speed vs. Range

Lens design critically shapes a camera’s creative capability.

• Samsung EX2F: A fast 24-80 mm equivalent lens (F1.4-2.7 aperture), excellent for low-light shots and achieving shallow depth-of-field effects.
• Sony RX10 III: A massive 24-600 mm equivalent zoom, ranging from bright F2.4 wide angle down to F4 telephoto, significantly extending reach for distant subjects.

From the photo, the RX10 III’s abundant controls - including a programmable front dial, aperture ring on the lens, and dedicated shooting mode buttons - offer immediate tactile access suited to complex scenarios. The EX2F’s top controls are minimal yet functional, preserving compact form.

In autofocus performance:

• The RX10 III features 25 AF points with contrast detection, face detection, tracking, and continuous AF for action photography.
• The EX2F only offers contrast detection without advanced face or eye detection, limiting its ability to track moving subjects.

In wildlife or sports photography, the RX10 III’s superior AF tracking combined with its long zoom makes it the clear choice. By contrast, the EX2F, while tactically versatile in everyday shooting, struggles with fast-moving subjects.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Controls

Autofocus (AF) is the camera's heartbeat for keeping subjects sharp.

The RX10 III boasts a continuous shooting speed up to 14 fps, which is impressive for a bridge camera, combined with sophisticated AF tracking modes. This burst rate, combined with accurate AF, gives pros and enthusiasts a weapon for sports and wildlife action sequences.

The EX2F lacks continuous AF and burst modes that rival this speed, with no continuous or tracking AF modes. It relies on manual focus or single-shot contrast detection AF, making it more suited for static or moderately paced subjects.

The EX2F’s fully articulating AMOLED 3-inch screen is superb for creative angles and self-portraits - a rarity in 2012. The RX10 III has a tilting 3-inch screen with higher resolution (1229k dots) and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), delivering a sharp live view for precision composition.

For composition precision, especially in bright sunlight or action shooting, the RX10 III’s electronic viewfinder vastly outperforms the EX2F’s optional, absence of a built-in EVF being a downside.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The RX10 III is built to withstand challenging conditions, featuring dust and moisture sealing, designed for outdoor use in unpredictable weather. This is invaluable for landscape and wildlife photographers working in elements.

The EX2F lacks weather sealing and ruggedization, limiting its use to fair weather or controlled environments. Its compact size and build are more about portability than durability.

In real-world use, this means:

• RX10 III survives well on rain-soaked hikes and dusty trails.
• EX2F demands more care and is best shielded from inclement weather.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down how each camera suits specific photography disciplines based on hands-on testing:

Portrait Photography

• EX2F: The F1.4 aperture at the wide end produces beautiful subject isolation and creamy bokeh - rare in compacts.
• RX10 III: Although slower (max F2.4 at wide, F4 tele), its bigger sensor contributes to excellent subject isolation. Face and eye detection help maintain tack-sharp portraits even if your subject moves.

Both perform well, but if shallow depth-of-field is priority with ease of background blur in tight spaces, EX2F’s lens pulls ahead. For precision focus on eyes and robust autofocus, RX10 III is stronger.

Landscape Photography

• RX10 III: Larger sensor + dynamic range wins here. I was impressed by how much shadow detail I could pull from RAW files on overcast days.
• EX2F: Capable but with limited dynamic range and resolution, so it’s better suited for casual landscapes rather than fine art prints.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

• RX10 III: The 600 mm zoom and 14 fps shooting with AF tracking are game-changers.
• EX2F: Falls short on reach, AF speed, and burst, limiting action capabilities.

Street Photography

• EX2F: Pocketable size, silent shutter options (albeit limited), and fast F1.4 low-light performance give it an edge for candid street shots.
• RX10 III: Bulky and conspicuous, though its versatility may appeal to those wanting one camera for everything.

Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back Sony RX10 III front Sony RX10 III screen back

Here, sample images vividly show the EX2F’s bokeh advantages vs. RX10 III’s zoom versatility.

Macro Photography

• RX10 III: Focuses as close as 3 cm with its macro mode, enabling excellent close-ups.
• EX2F: Native macro range not specified; less suited for extreme close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

• RX10 III: Handles high ISO remarkably well, with manageable noise up to ISO 3200 and beyond.
• EX2F: Noisy beyond ISO 800, requiring longer exposures or a tripod for night scenes.

Video Capabilities

The RX10 III supports 4K UHD recording at 30/25/24 fps, with built-in optical steady shot and microphone/headphone ports - features rare in bridge cameras at its launch, appealing to hybrid shooters.

The EX2F offers 1080p Full HD video, but lacks mic/headphone jacks and 4K options. Video is serviceable but more hobbyist-level.

Travel Photography

EX2F’s compact size and bright lens make it ideal for travel downsizing, capturing street scenes and snapshots casually.

RX10 III serves as a one-camera solution for travel that demands everything - from sweeping landscapes to wildlife - but requires commitment to its weight and bulk.

Ergonomics, User Interface, and Connectivity

Both cameras feature traditional manual controls (shutter/aperture priority modes, exposure compensation) appealing to enthusiasts.

However:

• The RX10 III’s layout, with its rear dial, lens ring, and custom buttons, closely mimics DSLR ergonomics, offering fast tactile adjustments without menu diving.
• The EX2F is simpler, compact, and intuitive but limited in customization and lacks an EVF built-in.

Wireless connectivity on both includes built-in Wi-Fi, but the RX10 III adds NFC for easier pairing - convenient enough to be a surprise in 2016.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards, with the RX10 III also supporting Memory Stick formats - a holdover from Sony’s legacy but broadens media choices.

Battery Life and Storage

• RX10 III offers approximately 420 shots per charge using an NP-FW50 pack, suiting heavy shooting days.
• EX2F’s smaller SLB-10A battery specs are less generous, often requiring spare batteries for extended outings.

Realistically, if you shoot all day with the RX10 III - including bursts and video - you’re unlikely to need change mid-shoot. The EX2F is more limited but still fine for short outings.

Scoring the Cameras - Numbers and Nuance

We synthesized performance scores based on multiple axes - technical measurements and practical testing:

The RX10 III clearly leads with a 70 overall versus the EX2F’s 48 - reflecting its superior sensor, AF, burst, video, and build. But remember, these numbers illuminate performance, not preference or portability.

Genre-specific performance numbers illustrate strengths clearly:

While the RX10 III tops wildlife, sports, landscape, and video, the EX2F still shines in street and portrait genres where size and lens speed matter more.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who should buy the Samsung EX2F?

• Photographers valuing pocketable form factor with a bright lens for low-light portraits and street photography.
• Those on a tighter budget (~$480 new or less), needing a walk-around camera for casual shooting.
• Enthusiasts wanting full manual controls and articulation in a compact body.

Where the EX2F struggles:

• Fast action and wildlife where its autofocus and burst are inadequate.
• High ISO shooting or landscapes demanding extensive dynamic range.
• Video production needing advanced codecs and stabilization.

Who should look at the Sony RX10 III?

• Photographers needing a versatile all-in-one camera with excellent zoom reach from wide to super-telephoto.
• Wildlife, sports, and landscape shooters craving robust AF, weather sealing, and excellent image quality.
• Videographers requiring 4K video, microphone/headphone jacks, and reliable stabilization.
• Those willing to carry a bigger, heavier, and pricier system (~$1400+ new) for pro features.

Summary

In my experience, the two cameras serve quite different missions despite both being pointed shooters from their brands:

• The EX2F embodies the compact, fast-lens enthusiast camera of the early 2010s - a camera that’s fun and portable but showing its age in sensor and AF tech.
• The RX10 III is a full-featured superzoom workhorse, marrying advanced imaging credentials to tremendous versatility, justifying its larger footprint and price.

Your choice boils down to intended use: If you want pocket convenience and stunning wide apertures at 24-80mm, EX2F excels. For a one-camera solution covering everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife with pro-grade quality, RX10 III is the intelligent investment.

Buying a camera is always a balance of trade-offs; by looking beyond specs to tactile handling and tested shooting scenarios, I hope this thorough dive helps you confidently narrow that choice.

Happy shooting, wherever your passion takes you.

Appendix: Technical Specifications Snapshot

If you want to see some direct comparison images and real-world test shots, refer back to the gallery and enjoy a more visceral feel for what each camera produces.

Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back Sony RX10 III front Sony RX10 III screen back

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison. Feel free to ask questions or share your experiences - I’m always glad to discuss real-world photography gear nuances!