Sony RX10 III review

Third generation of Sony’s compact super zoom boasts DSLR styling and functionality in a capable ‘all in one’ package

Sony RX10 III review
(Image: © Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Rock solid in feel and chunkily constructed, the Sony RX10 III packs a lot in, though it’s chiefly the headline features of a one-inch sensor combined with generous 25x optical zoom that anyone will be considering purchasing this one for. These specifications however also mean the camera is weighty and that it feels ‘DSLR like’ (or DSLR-lite) in the hand. Ultimately though it’s images we’ll be buying this camera for and here the Mark III packs in plenty of detail and a richness of colour, with, if we’re being picky, just a slight fall-off in sharpness towards the very corners of the frame at maximum wideangle setting which is fairly standard for a jack-of-all-trades offering.

Pros

  • +

    Robust and feature packed

  • +

    Built-in power zoom

  • +

    Larger than average one-inch sensor size

Cons

  • -

    Updated Sony RX10 IV is often better value

  • -

    Weighty and bulky

  • -

    Sluggish zoom action

  • -

    One-inch sensor is still smaller than APS-C or full frame

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Since it first launched for enthusiast photographers back in 2013, Sony has been incrementally updating its popular premium feel RX10 super zoom or ‘bridge’ camera, with the third generation RX10 III model being the one we’re looking at here. 

At the time of writing there is currently also a fourth generation Sony RX10 IV available, which came out in 2017 (see our full review). On top of this, at the time of writing there has long been anticipation and rumor surrounding a thus-far-unreleased RX10 V camera, which could have been delayed by the pandemic and chip shortage, or the manufacturer may just have since shifted its focus; no pun intended. 

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Gavin Stoker

Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography

He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3, BBC Focus, Empire, NME, Radio Times, MacWorld, Computer Active, What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.

With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps.