Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony RX100 III

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Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony RX100 III

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APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon Coolpix A Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Coolpix A.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 III.
Compare Sony RX100 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 IV
Compare RX100 III vs RX100 IV
Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony RX100 IV

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Differences

Nikon Coolpix A advantages over Sony RX100 III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Coolpix A test data on DxO Mark RX100 III test data on DxO Mark

1,164 vs 495 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Coolpix A test data on DxO Mark RX100 III test data on DxO Mark

13.8 vs 12.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 48 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 III advantages over Nikon Coolpix A

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Larger lens aperture
f/1.8 vs f/2.8
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More telephoto lens reach
70 mm vs 28 mm
Capture objects farther away
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

320 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.58 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
26 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Nikon Coolpix A (Black)

Nikon Coolpix A (Black)
Nikon Coolpix A (Silver)

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Buy the Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 Mark III

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Review Excerpt

Solid alloy body with true twin-dial design; Smaller, lighter, and cheaper than most direct competitors; Excellent image quality, even when compared to interchangeable-lens cameras; Numerous accessories expand upon its capabilities.
Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Ergonomics could be better; Performance is spotty; Built-in flash is rather weak; Battery life is quite modest.
Read our Nikon Coolpix A Review

Pocket-friendly design; Popup electronic viewfinder; Bright lens across the zoom range; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; Wi-Fi wireless networking
Feels a little unbalanced without an accessory grip; Not as much telephoto reach as its siblings; Noise processing is heavier-handed than in earlier models; Quite pricey for a fixed-lens camera
Read our Sony RX100 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Nikon Coolpix A

Sony RX100

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1095
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$1095
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Nikon Coolpix A

Sony RX100 II

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Canon G7X

Nikon Coolpix A

Canon G7X

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Canon G7X

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic LX100

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Panasonic LX100

Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100

$748
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Leica X2

Nikon Coolpix A

Leica X2

$1097
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$1499
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Coolpix A vs Leica X2

Sony RX100 III

Leica X2

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 III vs Leica X2

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