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Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III

Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
57
Overall
64
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III Key Specs

Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Revealed February 2013
Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed May 2014
  • Old Model is Sony RX100 II
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 IV
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Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Sony RX1 versus Sony RX100 III, both Large Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are sold by Sony. The resolution of the RX1 (24MP) and the RX100 III (20MP) is relatively close but the RX1 (Full frame) and RX100 III (1") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The RX1 was brought out 15 months prior to the RX100 III which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the RX1 matches up vs the RX100 III when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Sony RX100 III

 RX1 RX100 III 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Sony RX1

 RX100 III RX1 
RevealedMay 2014February 2013More modern by 15 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony RX1 and Sony RX100 III

 RX1 RX100 III 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution1229k1229kIdentical screen resolution
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Sony RX1 has got physical dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs) while the Sony RX100 III has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).

Compare the Sony RX1 versus Sony RX100 III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the RX1 and the RX100 III.

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the RX1 and RX100 III is 79 and 89 respectively.

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III top view buttons comparison

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the RX1 and RX100 III.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The RX1 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Sony RX1 will provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged RX1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III sensor size comparison

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony RX1
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 III
81
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/4,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
64
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Sony RX1 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Street photography camera
66
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
great high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (482g)
85
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (290 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX1 Sports photography factors
Sony RX100 III Sports photography factors
53
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low battery power (270 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
65
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Travel photography camera
62
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
great max aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse mode
low battery power (270 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (482 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
85
lighter than competitors in class (290g)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX1 Landscape photography details
Sony RX100 III Landscape photography details
64
has manual focus
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
no image stabilization
low battery power (270 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX1 Vlogging info
Sony RX100 III Vlogging info
34
great max aperture (f2.0)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (482 grams)
80
really wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (290 grams)
missing microphone jack
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Sony RX1 vs Sony RX100 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX1 and Sony RX100 III
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-02-19 2014-05-15
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-22.0 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,229 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech Xtra FineTFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic and Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 482 grams (1.06 lb) 290 grams (0.64 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 93 67
DXO Color Depth score 25.1 22.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.3 12.3
DXO Low light score 2534 495
Other
Battery life 270 photos 320 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BX1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $2,798 $748