• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony RX100 III advantages over Panasonic S5 II

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    287g vs 714g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic S5 II advantages over Sony RX100 III

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Slower slow-motion
    180 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    5.9K vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    2 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    613k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 48 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to 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
Panasonic S5 II
Sony RX100
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to 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
Panasonic S5 II
Sony RX100 II
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III
Canon G7X
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic S5 II
Canon G7X
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Sony RX100 III
Panasonic LX100
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic S5 II
Panasonic LX100
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III
Sony RX100 IV
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic S5 II
Sony RX100 IV
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
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