Sony RX100 III vs. Sony S2100: A Tale of Two Compacts Through the Lens of Experience

When it comes to compact cameras, Sony has long been a powerhouse name - offering options that range from basic point-and-shoots to near-professional marvels nestled in tiny bodies. Today, we’re diving deep into a comparison of two very different cameras from the brand: the 2014 Sony RX100 III, a sophisticated large sensor compact, versus the humble 2010 Sony S2100, a modest small sensor compact aimed at casual shooters.

On paper - and in practice - these cameras inhabit very different worlds. Yet, for photographers contemplating the jump from a simple shooter to something more capable, or simply curious about what large sensor compacts bring to the table, this juicy camera face-off is just the ticket.

I’ve personally tested both cameras extensively in various scenarios and scopes - from weekend travel and landscapes to portraits and quick moments on the street. The following comparison slices through specs, real-world uses, and technical nuance to provide you with a thorough understanding of each camera’s capabilities and limitations. Let’s get started.

Size, Handling & Ergonomics: The Feel in Your Hand

First impressions often center on size, ergonomics, and handling - all vital in making a camera want to come along on your adventures. The RX100 III and S2100 are both compact in their own right, but the RX100 III feels like a very carefully crafted tool, while the S2100 leans into ultra-portability.

The RX100 III measures roughly 102 x 58 x 41 mm and weighs 290 grams, making it a solid, pocketable companion with a reassuring heft. Its magnesium alloy body is not only stylish but robustly built. The grip provides surprisingly comfortable handling despite the camera’s small footprint. Versatile button placement and a tilting 3-inch LCD help keep operation intuitive and flexible - especially when you’re shooting from awkward angles or in bright sunlight.

The S2100, by contrast, is smaller and lighter at 98 x 61 x 27 mm and only 167 grams, reflecting its role as a super-basic compact ideal for snapshots. It sacrifices some durability for portability - built from light plastic, it never quite inspires confidence when you grip it. The screen is fixed and has a low-resolution 230k-dot LCD, which frankly feels dated in today’s terms.

In real-world use, the RX100 III’s ergonomics translate into longer comfortable shooting sessions and a camera you want to hold onto. The S2100 begs for quick snaps and then to be tucked away.

Top-Down Design: Controls and Customizability in Action

Ergonomics extends beyond size - button layout and control logic are key for quick adjustments in the field.

Here, the RX100 III flexes its muscles with a fully customizable control ring around the lens, dedicated exposure and aperture dials, and a smart mode dial. The continuous shooting button, exposure compensation dial, and a cleverly engineered pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) that offers 1440k-dot resolution round out a camera that’s made for enthusiasts and pros alike.

The S2100 keeps it simple: no EVF, no manual exposure modes, and just a few buttons controlling basic features. The shutter button and zoom toggle are easy enough to reach but there are no manual dials or customizable buttons to speak of.

If you like working quickly on your own terms - for instance, dialing in aperture priority or tweaking ISO without diving into menus - the RX100 III excels. The S2100 feels more like a camera that does most of that thinking for you, which is fine if you want zero hassle but limiting if you want creative control.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Arguably the most pivotal difference between these two cameras is sensor size - and consequently, image quality.

The RX100 III sports a 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm (116.2 mm²) with a resolution of 20 megapixels. This sensor size - significantly larger than typical compact sensors - enables superior low-light performance, dynamic range, and depth of field control. The back-illuminated (BSI) design enhances light-gathering efficiency, resulting in clearer, cleaner images especially in dim conditions.

Conversely, the S2100 packs a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor of just 6.17 x 4.55 mm (around 28 mm²) at 12 megapixels. While fine for casual snaps in bright daylight, it struggles with noise and dynamic range, particularly at elevated ISOs.

From my testing, the RX100 III delivers noticeably sharper, more detailed images with more accurate color reproduction and excellent control over highlight/shadow details. Meanwhile, images from the S2100 tend to look softer and noisier, especially beyond ISO 400.

Add to this the RX100 III’s support for shooting RAW files, invaluable for professional workflow and post-processing, versus the S2100’s limited JPEG-only output, and the choice becomes clearer for photographers seeking high quality and flexibility.

LCD and Live View Experience: Seeing is Believing

The camera’s screen is the photographer’s window to their art - how well do these two models fare?

The RX100 III’s 3-inch 1229k-dot LCD tilts up to 180 degrees - a boon for selfies and low-angle shooting - and delivers vibrant colors, excellent viewing angles, and sharp, detailed previews.

The S2100’s 3-inch 230k-dot fixed screen feels like a relic by comparison. Colors lack punch, detail is scant, and the lack of tilt means no creative flexibility for composition from odd angles.

The RX100 III’s live view is buttery-smooth, refining autofocus swiftly, which in turn enhances framing precision when tracking moving subjects - a decisive advantage the S2100 cannot match.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Critical Moments

Autofocus performance can make or break a camera’s usability, especially for active genres like wildlife or sports.

The RX100 III is equipped with a contrast-detection AF system boasting 25 focus points across the frame, including face detection and continuous autofocus tracking. While not phasedetection (which was introduced in later RX100 models), the system is fast and reliable - cutting through tricky lighting and fast-moving subjects better than you’d expect from a compact.

The S2100 features a basic contrast-detection with 9 focus points, no face or eye detection, and no continuous AF tracking. It’s sluggish and prone to hunt under low contrast or low light.

In my wildlife and street shoots, this gap was glaring. The RX100 III managed focus acquisitions far more swiftly, rarely missing the mark, while the S2100 struggled to keep up with dynamic scenes.

Shooting Speed and Buffer: Catching the Action

If you’re shooting sports or burst sequences, camera speed matters.

The RX100 III offers up to 10 fps continuous shooting, excellent for freeze-frame sequences and capturing fleeting moments. The burst buffer holds several RAW frames without stutter.

The S2100 maxes out at a lone 1 fps continuous - practically a single-shot camera. This makes it unsuitable for action shooting beyond intentional single frames.

Video Capabilities: Moving Beyond Stills

Increasingly, photographers want their cameras to shoot quality video.

The RX100 III supports Full HD 1080p video (60p/60i/24p) encoded in AVCHD and XAVC S formats, providing flexibility in bit rate and quality. It offers slow-motion 120p at 720p resolution and benefits from the same sharp sensor and focusing system. Unfortunately, it lacks microphone and headphone ports, but its built-in stereo mic is decent for casual videography.

The S2100 shoots very basic 640 × 480 VGA video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, which looks dated and grainy by any standard. Not a serious tool for video creatives.

Videographers and vloggers will find the RX100 III a competent, versatile companion whereas the S2100 is best left to stills-only enthusiasts.

Battery Life and Storage: Will It Keep Up?

Long-lasting power is often overlooked but vital in real life.

The RX100 III uses a proprietary NP-BX1 battery rated for about 320 shots per charge - respectable given the compact size but not exceptional. Plan accordingly with spares for longer shoots.

The S2100 runs on standard AA batteries - a major plus for travel and quick replacement scenarios, although you lose out on the performance and capacity perks of lithium-ion batteries.

Both cameras have a single card slot. The RX100 III supports SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo, encouraging modern, speedier storage. The S2100 uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo and optionally SD cards but lacks the speed needed for large RAW or HD video files.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility Without Changing Glass

No interchangeable lenses here, but focal lengths and apertures tell a story.

The RX100 III’s fixed zoom covers a versatile 24-70mm equivalent range with a fast aperture of f/1.8-2.8, allowing excellent depth-of-field control and low-light performance. This range covers wide-angle landscapes and portraits with ease.

The S2100 offers a longer zoom range at 33-105mm equivalent but with a slower f/3.1-5.6 aperture that restricts low light capability and blurs background less artistically.

For macro work, both offer a minimum focusing distance of about 5 cm. The RX100 III shows its advantage with optical image stabilization to steady shaky hands - S2100 has none.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences

From wireless transfers to GPS tagging, connectivity enhances versatility.

The RX100 III comes with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, easing image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps. It supports USB 2.0 and HDMI for tethered workflows.

In contrast, the S2100 lacks any wireless connectivity features, relying solely on USB and HDMI cables.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, and both caution against exposure to harsh elements. The RX100 III’s solid magnesium frame does feel more durable.

Putting the Cameras to Work: Genre-Specific Performance

Who is each camera truly made for? I tested both across a broomstick-swinging range of photography types:

Sony RX100 III front Sony RX100 III screen back Sony S2100 front Sony S2100 screen back

Portraits

The RX100 III shines with smooth, natural skin tones and creamy bokeh thanks to its large sensor and fast lens. Eye-detection AF helps nail focus on eyes reliably. The S2100 struggles with flat colors and less artistic background separation.

Landscapes

Here, the RX100 III’s wide angle, high resolution, and dynamic range produce stunning vistas with rich detail and shadow recovery. The S2100’s small sensor and slow lens lead to noisy, washed-out scenes after 100% zoom.

Wildlife

The RX100 III’s fast autofocus and burst rate make it a surprisingly capable wildlife camera - albeit limited by lens reach. The S2100’s slow AF and 1 fps burst cripple chances of capturing sharp animal motion.

Sports

Similar story here; RX100 III handles tracking decently for a compact, S2100 falls short.

Street

The smaller, lighter S2100 benefits here with discreetness, but image quality is compromised. The RX100 III’s stealthier design and tilt LCD make for better street candid shots if you can handle a slightly larger camera.

Macro

Both have comparable focusing distances, but RX100 III’s stabilization yields sharper macro shots in hand-held situations.

Night / Astro

The RX100 III’s low noise at high ISO and longer exposures through manual modes make it viable for night scenes. The S2100 simply lacks the sensor and manual controls needed.

Video

Only the RX100 III is really viable here, offering HD video with decent focusing and controls.

Travel

RX100 III provides best-in-class image quality in a pocket-sized body and flexible features for varied vacay shoots. S2100’s ease of use and AA battery compatibility offer a no-fuss alternative for casual holiday snaps.

Professional Work

RX100 III’s RAW support, color fidelity, and lens quality make it a worthy backup, travel secondary, or lightweight pro camera for street/documentary photography. S2100 is too limited for serious use.

Performance Ratings at a Glance

The RX100 III rates high in image quality, autofocus, burst rate, video specs, and handling, making it a well-rounded performer.

The S2100 falls behind except in portability and simplicity.

Genre Breakdown Scores: Tailored Advice Per Shooter Type

This chart clearly shows the RX100 III leading in nearly all serious photography genres - especially portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and low-light work. The S2100 retains niche appeal for casual snapshots and street discreetness but delivers lower results overall.

The Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Sony RX100 III - The Best All-Rounder Compact Enthusiasts Crave
A remarkable blend of image quality, speed, and control wrapped in an elegant yet pocketable body. It’s best suited for photo enthusiasts and professionals wanting a high-quality compact to complement a larger system, or those needing a single travel camera that punches well above its size. Its higher price (~$750) is justified by its luxuries and performance.

Sony S2100 - The Budget-Friendly Snapshooter’s Simple Pocket Pal
For absolute beginners or casual users who want a no-fuss, portable point-and-shoot for everyday memories, the S2100 meets that need. It's cheap (often under $100 secondhand), easy to use, and requires negligible learning. However, image quality and versatility are modest, making it unsuitable for those wanting creative control or higher-grade results.

Final Thoughts: Experience Counts for More Than Specs

Having put thousands of cameras through their paces, I can tell you that while specs sometimes dazzle, real-world usability and image quality truly tell the story. The RX100 III is a rare pocket rocket that delivers professional-level results and versatility, while the S2100 is a faithful, simple companion for casual snorkeling around snapshots.

Choosing between them boils down to your photographic ambitions, budget, and willingness to engage with manual controls and post-processing. For those open to exploration and elevation of their craft, the RX100 III is a decisive step forward.

As always, test these cameras in your hands if possible - the feel and flow of the camera can weigh heavily on your satisfaction and creativity.

Hope this deep dive helps illuminate your next compact camera choice with honest, experience-driven insight. Safe shooting!