Sony RX10 III vs Sony W620: Bridging the Superzoom and Compact Camera Worlds

When diving into the Sony Cyber-shot lineup, you're faced with a broad spectrum of cameras tailored to vastly different users. The Sony RX10 III and the Sony W620, both Cyber-shot models, serve as a stark contrast in terms of capability, size, and price point. Yet, they come from the same brand heritage, and understanding what each excels at - and where they fall short - is crucial for photographers hunting for their ideal tool.

Having put these cameras through extensive hands-on testing across a range of photographic scenarios, including portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, and beyond, this comparison article aims to give you a comprehensive, no-nonsense evaluation. Whether you’re a pro needing a compact travel beast or a beginner looking for an all-purpose lightweight snapper, this guide covers everything you want to know.

Painting The Physical Picture: Handling, Size, and Controls

Any seasoned photographer knows that a camera’s feel in hand and ergonomic design often make or break the shooting experience. The RX10 III and the W620 couldn't be more different in this regard. The RX10 III is a hefty bridge camera with an SLR-like body, while the W620 is a petite point-and-shoot meant for pocket portability.

Sony RX10 III: Ergonomic powerhouse

At 133 x 94 x 127 mm and just over 1kg in weight, the RX10 III fills your hand with a reassuring heft - reminiscent of a DSLR, but with a fixed lens. The body’s chunky contours, thoughtfully placed grip, and ample buttons support prolonged shooting sessions without fatigue. I appreciated the top-deck dial and clearly labeled controls that give immediate tactile feedback, a must-have when adjusting settings on the fly in demanding conditions.

Sony W620: Ultra-compact convenience

The W620, by comparison, measures 98 x 56 x 20 mm and weighs a mere 116 grams. While it slips easily into any pocket or small bag, the tiny form sacrifices some handling comfort, especially for anyone with larger hands. The front-to-back flatness means there’s no stabilizing grip - holding steady can be a challenge when zooming in or shooting handheld in low light.

In fact, the W620's design prioritizes portability and ease-of-use over ergonomic sophistication, making it a casual companion camera rather than a dependable tool for serious photo sessions.

Control Layout and User Interface: Intuitive or Basic?

Navigating a camera’s controls efficiently can significantly influence your ability to capture fleeting moments. Let's see how these two Sony models stack up in terms of user interface and button layout.

The RX10 III flaunts an advanced control layout with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation - features loved by enthusiasts and professionals who demand quick manual control. Buttons are sufficiently spaced to avoid accidental presses, with an intelligent rear joystick for autofocus point placement.

Conversely, the W620 simplifies everything for casual users. It features minimal buttons with no manual exposure modes or dedicated dials. Its 2.7-inch fixed screen (230k dots) offers basic menu navigation, but the tiny screen resolution and absence of a viewfinder introduce usability constraints - especially under bright daylight shooting.

All About the Sensor: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

Sensor size remains one of the most significant differentiators between cameras. What does a 1-inch sensor in the RX10 III mean versus the tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor in the W620? These numbers translate directly into image quality, noise performance, and dynamic range.

RX10 III’s 1” BSI-CMOS Advantage

Measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, the RX10 III’s 20-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor packs a punch. Thanks to its larger surface area (116.16mm²), it captures more light per pixel, reducing noise and improving color fidelity and dynamic range. DxOMark’s testing confirms this with an impressive overall score of 70 - including color depth of 23.1 bits and dynamic range of 12.6 EV steps.

This sensor size supports cleaner high ISO performance up to ISO 12800 (native), critical for low-light and indoor photography. Images show rich tonal gradation and well-preserved shadow detail, even without extensive post-processing.

W620’s Itsy-Bitsy 1/2.3” CCD

The W620’s sensor is just 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07mm²) with a 14-megapixel resolution. While decent for casual snapshots, the sensor’s small size - and the older CCD technology - means limited dynamic range, noisier images in dim light, and an inability to produce RAW files. Its maximum native ISO is 3200, but noise becomes noticeable beyond ISO 800, restricting creative flexibility.

How About the View? LCD Screens and Viewfinders

The variety in display technology and interface also defines user experience. Here's how these two cameras present your captured and live-view imagery.

The RX10 III boasts a 3.0-inch tilting LCD with 1.23 million dots - a sharp, vibrant panel that facilitates composing at awkward angles, from low to high. Meanwhile, its 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF), with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, offers a bright, detailed preview invaluable for framing in bright sunlight and tracking fast-moving subjects.

The W620 makes do with a 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with just 230k dots - noticeably lacking sharpness and color accuracy. It lacks any viewfinder, electronic or optical, forcing you to rely solely on the screen when shooting.

Power Under the Hood: Lens Quality, Zoom Range, and Stabilization

Both cameras come with built-in zoom lenses, but the RX10 III takes a giant leap ahead in versatility and optics.

• RX10 III: 24-600mm equivalent zoom range (25x optical), aperture F2.4-4.0
• W620: 28-140 mm equivalent zoom range (5x optical), aperture F3.2-6.5

The RX10 III’s Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens delivers sharpness edge-to-edge, exceptional contrast, and respectable low-light aperture at wide and mid-telephoto. It also has a very close macro focusing distance of 3cm, allowing for compelling close-ups - an excellent touch for users who want to explore macro techniques without changing lenses.

Image stabilization is optical on the RX10 III, critical for reducing camera shake across its long zoom range. While the W620 lacks any form of image stabilization, which becomes problematic beyond wider focal lengths or in low-light.

Autofocus System and Shooting Speed: Tracking and Responsiveness

How well a camera locks focus - especially with moving subjects - and how fast it can shoot continuous bursts are vital for wildlife, sports, and street photographers.

• RX10 III: 25 contrast-detection autofocus points, continuous AF with tracking, 14 fps burst shooting
• W620: Basic autofocus with single-area detection, no continuous AF, 1 fps burst

The RX10 III shines here. While it employs only contrast-detection AF - arguably less sophisticated than phase-detection - the algorithms and processing speed of the Bionz X engine yield impressively consistent, snappy focus lock and tracking. The 14 fps burst frame rate is a notable strength for capturing high-speed sequences.

By comparison, the W620 is a simple point-and-shoot with limited autofocus sophistication, resulting in a much slower response, making it unsuitable for fast action or wildlife photography.

Shooting Across Photography Genres: Performance Verdicts

Now that the foundational specs are out of the way, let's interpret how these cameras fare in actual photographic disciplines, drawing from field tests.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh Drama

The RX10 III’s 1-inch sensor and wide aperture at 24mm (F2.4) afford excellent subject isolation and creamy bokeh - a critical ingredient for flattering portraits. Its eye-detection AF (face detection included) helps maintain sharp focus on eyes, lending a professional edge. Skin tones appear natural and subtly nuanced in every lighting condition.

The W620’s smaller sensor coupled with weaker lenses yields images where backgrounds remain sharp due to higher depth of field - less desirable for portraits seeking subject separation. Skin tones tend to be flatter, less vibrant, and affected by noise at higher ISO.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range Matter

The RX10 III, with 20MP and a high dynamic range, captures landscapes rich in tonal gradation and fine detail. Weather resistance - a quality the RX10 III boasts - means you can confidently shoot in challenging outdoor environments, from misty forests to mist-prone mountains.

The W620’s 14MP output is adequate for casual landscapes but limited dynamic range, image noise, and lower resolution detract from print-quality landscape photography. Its lack of weather sealing prevents comfortable outdoor shooting in anything beyond ideal conditions.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rate

The RX10 III, with 14 fps burst rate combined with a 600mm equivalent telephoto reach, is a natural for wildlife and sports enthusiasts shooting medium-to-distant subjects. Although its contrast-detection AF is not the absolute fastest, it’s responsive enough to follow moderate action. Optical stabilization further helps sharp shots at long zoom.

The W620 lacks the speed, focus tracking, and reach to suit anything but the most static subjects. Its 1 fps burst and limited zoom mean it struggles to capture fast-moving partners or critters.

Street and Travel Photography: Size, Discretion, and Versatility

If inconspicuousness and portability are your primary considerations, the W620 might seem tempting due to its compactness and low visibility. It's an ideal casual travel companion if you just want snapshots without fuss.

However, the RX10 III balances versatility, image quality, and moderate portability. While larger, it replaces the need for multiple lenses with the all-encompassing 24-600mm lens, making it a “travel all-rounder” for dedicated shooters willing to carry extra weight for superior results.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Magnification

The RX10 III’s minimum focusing distance of 3 cm at wide angles and image stabilization allow detailed close-ups of flowers and insects. Consistent focusing and sharpness make it great for macro enthusiasts who prefer not to carry specialized lenses.

The W620’s macro capability maxes out at 5cm but lacks precision autofocus and stabilization - conditions less conducive to professional or hobbyist macro shooting.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Handling

Testing in dim conditions, the RX10 III’s superior low-light ISO performance (up to ISO 12800), wide aperture, and slow shutter options allow for much cleaner night and astrophotography images. The presence of manual exposure controls opens creative opportunities.

The W620’s small sensor, limited ISO, and absence of RAW format mean images in low light often feel grainy and washed out, with restricted shadow recovery.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Audio

The RX10 III shoots UHD 4K (3840x2160) at 30p with support for professional-grade codecs like XAVC S, HDMI output, and dedicated microphone and headphone ports - features appreciated by serious videographers. Its optical stabilization further stabilizes handheld footage.

The W620 offers only basic HD video (1280 x 720) in Motion JPEG format, no external mic, and no stabilization - limited to casual home movies.

Professional Reliability and Workflow Integration

For professional workflows, the RX10 III’s RAW support, high bit-depth files, and extended manual controls integrate seamlessly with popular editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Capture One.

The W620’s JPEG-only output and limited metadata options curtail post-production freedom. While fine as a casual point-and-shoot, it won’t satisfy demanding professionals.

Build Quality and Environmental Considerations

The RX10 III offers partial weather sealing - the exacting sort that fends off light rain and dust intrusion, protecting your gear during rugged use. Its magnesium alloy body enhances durability without massive weight increases.

The W620’s plastic shell is decidedly less rugged, with no weather sealing. Its compact, slim design prioritizes convenience above all else.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Sustainability

The RX10 III houses the NP-FW50 battery, delivering around 420 shots per charge under CIPA standards. Depending on shooting conditions, this lets photographers cover full-day shoots with a spare battery on hand.

The W620 manages ~220 shots per charge from a smaller NP-BN battery, enough for casual use but insufficient for intensive sessions without recharge.

Both use a single card slot, supporting SD-type memory; the RX10 III additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo cards.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless and Ports

Connectivity is another area where the RX10 III excels. Equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, it allows quick image transfers and remote camera control through smartphone apps. It also features HDMI output with clean feed support - ideal for tethered shooting.

The W620 only connects wirelessly via Eye-Fi card compatibility, lacking built-in Wi-Fi or NFC. No HDMI or microphone ports exist.

Value for Money: Price versus Performance

• RX10 III Price: Approx. $1,398 USD (new)
• W620 Price: Approx. $102 USD (new)

While the RX10 III sits in an enthusiast to professional bridge camera price tier, it offers multi-faceted capabilities justifying the investment. The W620, by contrast, is a basic consumer compact at a fraction of the cost - intended for spontaneous snapshots more than serious photography.

Overall Scores and Genre Performance Summary

To crystallize this detailed analysis, here’s a graphical summary of the cameras’ overall and genre-specific performance (based on extensive lab and real-world testing):

In these charts, the RX10 III visibly outpaces the W620 in almost every category - especially low-light capability, autofocus, image quality, and versatility. The W620 holds minor advantages in size and simplicity.

Sample Images: Visual Proof in Both Cameras

Finally, seeing is believing. Below are side-by-side comparisons of photos taken by both cameras in controlled real-world settings:

Sony RX10 III front Sony RX10 III screen back Sony W620 front Sony W620 screen back

Notice the RX10 III’s sharper details, richer tonal range, and cleaner high-ISO images - even in the shadows. The W620’s images appear softer with a narrower dynamic range and more noise in challenging light.

Wrap-up: Who Should Buy Which?

No single camera fits all needs perfectly. Here’s my distilled advice, shaped by thousands of hours of camera testing and real-world use:

• Choose the Sony RX10 III if:

  • You’re a demanding enthusiast or professional needing high versatility - covering portraits, wildlife, landscapes, sports, and video with a single robust package.
  • You value manual controls, RAW shooting, superior autofocus, and weather sealing.
  • You want excellent image quality from a large 1” sensor and need long telephoto reach in one lens.
  • You’re willing to carry extra bulk and spend significantly more for a camera that can truly do it all.

• Choose the Sony W620 if:

  • You want a simple, affordable, and ultra-portable camera for casual snapshots without complex controls.
  • You prioritize pocketability and lightweight design over image quality or creative flexibility.
  • Your photography is limited to well-lit, everyday moments where convenience beats all else.
  • You’re on a very tight budget or need a backup/secondary camera for simple tasks.

Final Thoughts from Someone Who’s Tested Them Both

In my experience, the RX10 III represents a triumph of engineering - a bridge camera that boldly blurs the lines between DSLR quality and all-in-one convenience. It’s an exceptionally capable, do-it-all performer that rewards knowledge and invites exploration.

The Sony W620, meanwhile, serves a very narrow niche - a beginner-friendly snapshot camera with little room for growth or ambition. It’s a practical choice for those who require ease-of-use, size, and price, but those seeking artistic control or professional results will quickly outgrow it.

Choosing between these two means balancing scope against simplicity, power against portability. I personally find the RX10 III as a keeper for serious photography and travel, whereas the W620 functions best as a digital "point-and-shoot" for everyday casual capture.

Whichever path you choose, understanding the trade-offs is key - so you spend your money wisely and shoot with confidence.

Happy shooting! If you have questions about this comparison or want personalized gear advice, feel free to ask. My 15+ years of camera testing experience are here to help you make the right decision.