• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 555g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Sony RX100

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    812 vs 390 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 II
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic GH3
Sony RX100 II
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic GH3
Sony RX100 III
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony RX100
Olympus E-M1
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Sony RX100
Panasonic GH4
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Canon G7X

Sony RX100
Canon G7X
  • $1095
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic GH3
Canon G7X
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Compare Other Cameras?