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Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2017
  • Succeeded the Sony A7R II
  • Successor is Sony A7R IV
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced July 2018
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Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Sony A7R III and Sony RX100 VA, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are sold by Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the A7R III (42MP) and RX100 VA (20MP) and the A7R III (Full frame) and RX100 VA (1") come with different sensor sizing.

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The A7R III was brought out 8 months prior to the RX100 VA so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the A7R III matches up vs the RX100 VA with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony RX100 VA

 A7R III RX100 VA 
Display resolution1440k1229kCrisper display (+211k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony A7R III

 RX100 VA A7R III 
AnnouncedJuly 2018October 2017More modern by 8 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony RX100 VA

 A7R III RX100 VA 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A7R III has got physical dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 VA has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A7R III and Sony RX100 VA in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the A7R III vs the RX100 VA.

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A7R III and RX100 VA is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The pic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A7R III and RX100 VA.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A7R III due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony A7R III will give you greater detail having its extra 22MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged A7R III is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R III Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography advice
86
has manual focus
megapixel count great (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
66
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Street photography camera
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
good high ISO (32,000)
86
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (299 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III Sports photography highlights
Sony RX100 VA Sports photography highlights
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
70
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (24.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (220 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7R III
Travel photography with Sony RX100 VA
74
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count great (42 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
76
lighter than others (299 grams)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (220 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Landscape photography camera
87
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
66
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R III Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 VA Vlogging factors
37
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
81
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others (299 grams)
does not have microphone support
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Sony A7R III vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony RX100 VA
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2017-10-25 2018-07-13
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7952 x 5304 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 32000 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 425 315
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,440 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 657 grams (1.45 pounds) 299 grams (0.66 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3523 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 220 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 One
Launch pricing $2,800 $998