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Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs

Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced May 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony RX100 II
  • Refreshed by Sony RX100 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
  • Launched July 2018
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Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Sony RX100 III versus Sony RX100 VA, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the RX100 III (20MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1").

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The RX100 III was introduced 5 years earlier than the RX100 VA which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the RX100 III grades vs the RX100 VA for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Sony RX100 VA

 RX100 III RX100 VA 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony RX100 III

 RX100 VA RX100 III 
LaunchedJuly 2018May 2014Newer by 50 months

Common features in the Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 VA

 RX100 III RX100 VA 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution1229k1229kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Sony RX100 III features outside measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") and a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Sony RX100 VA has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony RX100 III versus Sony RX100 VA in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the RX100 III versus the RX100 VA.

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the RX100 III and RX100 VA is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The picture underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the RX100 III and RX100 VA.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of files but you should take the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged RX100 III is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX100 III Portrait photography info
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography info
64
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
66
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Sony RX100 III Street photography information
Sony RX100 VA Street photography information
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (290g)
86
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX100 III Sports photography features
Sony RX100 VA Sports photography features
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
has no phase detect AF
70
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (24.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
not so great battery power (220 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony RX100 III
Travel photography with Sony RX100 VA
85
lighter than competition (290g)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
76
lighter than others in class (299 grams)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony RX100 III
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 VA
73
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
66
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX100 III as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Vlogging camera
80
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (290 grams)
doesn't have mic jack
81
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others in class (299g)
missing external mic support
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Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 III and Sony RX100 VA
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-05-15 2018-07-13
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 315
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-70mm (2.9x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 2.7 2.7
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,229 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 290 gr (0.64 lb) 299 gr (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 495 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos 220 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BX1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $748 $998