Sony RX100 vs Nikon V3

Cameras
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Sony RX100 vs Nikon V3

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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

1 inch 116.2mm²
18.4 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon V3 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon V3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the V3.
Compare Nikon V3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon V3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 II
Compare RX100 vs RX100 II
Compare Sony RX100 II vs Nikon V3

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Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Nikon V3

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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.
RX100 test data on DxO Mark V3 test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 10.7 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon V3 advantages over Sony RX100

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~2.00 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
40 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
40 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Sony RX100

Sony RX100

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Buy the Nikon V3

Nikon V3

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Review Excerpt

Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.
Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.
Read our Sony RX100 Review

Very compact for an interchangeable-lens camera; Generous kit includes lens, high-res electronic viewfinder and accessory grip; Good image quality for the sensor size; Amazing burst performance; Lightning-fast autofocus; Intuitive touch-screen makes focusing a snap
Smaller sensor than most rivals limits possibilities for available-light shooting; Program mode opts for wide-open aperture most of the time; Limited dynamic range; Noisy shadows; Below-average battery life; Pricey when considering its image quality
Read our Nikon V3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 II

Nikon V3

Sony RX100 II

$1197
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon V3 vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100

Sony RX100 III

$1074
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Faster RAW shooting

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Nikon V3

Sony RX100 III

$1197
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Touchscreen

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon V3 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Nikon J3

Sony RX100

Nikon J3

$1074
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$617
1 inch

Bigger pixels
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony RX100 vs Nikon J3

Nikon V3

Nikon J3

$1197
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

$617
1 inch

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon V3 vs Nikon J3

Compared to Nikon AW1

Sony RX100

Nikon AW1

$1074
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$797
1 inch

Waterproof
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 vs Nikon AW1

Nikon V3

Nikon AW1

$1197
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

$797
1 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Nikon V3 vs Nikon AW1

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100

Canon G7X

$1074
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Longer stills battery life

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Canon G7X

Nikon V3

Canon G7X

$1197
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon V3 vs Canon G7X

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