Sony RX100iii: Best VALUE pocket camera?

[@andreivalentinteodor3805]

I might just go for this camera. Thanks for the video!

[@frederikboving]

💪

[@hkalec]

Lighter than a DSLR, better and faster than a phone camera. I bought this RX100 M3 several years ago, sometimes I still use this wonderful camera.

[@frederikboving]

👌

[@zapadakofflv8560]

It's 2024, this camera is still sold in stores and has become a legend :) I've owned one for 9 years and it still works great, it's traveled the globe with me.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you 🙏🏻 for sharing 👍

[@ked4864]

This video was filmed in 2019 (year mentioned IN the video, not just the title!), unlike the other reviews made in 2014 when the camera was first introduced. Glad to see this "current" video, to know that this camera is still great -- love that I'm not relying on reviews five years old! And I like the end... a nod to the "little bit of magic" of our DSLR cameras.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you for your kind words, Kristi! Yes, my approach to buying camera gear is (1) do not buy the latest and greatest unless it has features that are absolutely vital and (2) buy used if at all possible. And if you can combine (1) and (2), then you most likely have a bargain - vintage lenses are my favorite example here. So I still think the Mk3 is relevant here in 2019, although superseded with an array of later models. If you want to go over the arguments for the Mk3, don't miss my blog: new2photogrphy.blogspot.com/2019/03/16-reasons-to-love-rx100m3-and-few.html on the same subject. Thanks!

[@walterlatorza3633]

Is it still worth buying in 2021? Thanks.

[@ked4864]

@@walterlatorza3633 I still use it on a tripod or when I am in challenging light. Though I can play around with exposure in "editing" when I take photos with my iPhone, I like taking the range here. I prefer this camera to the Canon Mk3, which I also have ;-).

[@HappyHubris]

The Mark 3 is a great option for more static shooting during travel or everyday walking around. Smartphones have done wonders to catch up in IQ, but I enjoy the tactile experience of a dedicated camera and don't need the latest and greatest autofocus in this form factor. The Mark 3 is the cheapest RX100 to give you an EVF and nice bright lens, and I've taken excellent photos with mine!

[@ferdinane.w4753]

i agree with you i have mine Mk3 despite i own p30 pro but i like to using Dedicated camera😅

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks for your review. Today - May 2022, and prior to watching your video - I have only just bought this camera new - yet to arrive! I'm comforted from your review, that I haven't made a mistake, as you have mentioned the aspects that are important to me.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you Anton - and best of luck with your new camera!

[@johnvienna3422]

I'm also thinking of buying this camera, even now in April 2023. But at 499 euros it does seem expensive for a 9(!) year old camera. Hope you're enjoying yours.

[@MarkMphonoman]

Great review, thank you. Did research and bought this model in July, 2019. It has all the features I want, especially the fast lens as compared to the newer models. To me it is the best value in the Sony RX line if you are primarily a photo shooter vs. video. Also, I rarely need a super long zoom lens and the one on this camera meets the sweet spot to me. I own 5 other cameras, all slightly bigger than this Sony. However, from now on this camera will be my travel companion along with my excellent photo shooter, the iPhone X.

[@buckleyrobinson7415]

I picked this up a year ago for less than $200. The image quality is impressive. It's also truly pocketable. Something I appreciate living in a state where I wear a jacket maybe once or twice a year. I don't have a large jacket pocket to carry it in. I just wish I could program focal lengths to snap to without trying to manipulate the little zoom lever just right.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you for sharing! I dropped my RX100 on the floor so many times that it eventually gave up. Have moved on to the Ricoh GR3X and that is also a great camera!

[@Cyagit]

Awesome video! I love your choice of words. Just got my M3 today and look forward to learning the steps to it:)

[@frederikboving]

All the best with your new buddy - it's a nice little camera 🤗

[@uk.gardners]

Thanks for this video. I've just opted for the mark 3 over the mark 5a. I don't do much video, so I think the mark 3 is the sweet spot as you called it! Currently £100 cashback from Sony aswell

[@PsychoGemini]

I feel like this is the best choice among the different generations of the RX100 in terms of features to price ratio. It's still a bit pricey at the moment so maybe I'll have to wait longer for the price to drop down the line or I might get lucky and find one used at a decent price. I have a WX500 as my backup/everyday camera and while the picture and video quality is actually quite good in decent lighting, it really suffers in low light. I guess I've been spoiled by the f/2.0 lens on my Nikon P7800 (I've never had to use the flash ever on that camera). Thank you for your excellent review.

[@Major_Grubert]

I got some magic streets out of my rx 100 iii with the high contrast and the rich-tone monochrome just because i had it with me ;)

[@michaelgravlund9194]

Regarding the popup flash.... you can point it upwards the ceiling.... it makes a difference

[@frederikboving]

You are so right. Thanks!

[@michaelgravlund9194]

frederikboving det var så lidt 😉👍 og tak for et godt review.

[@davidtorke92]

Thanks just ordered one from KEH, excellent + condition for $380. I'm a dedicated Fuji X shooter (X-Pro1 & 2 with all the related glass) - yet I need something more pocketable than the X100. I ordered the Wasabi batteries, 2 batteries and charger for $15 on Amazon. Looking forward to it's arrival later this week. Thanks for your video!

[@frederikboving]

Thank you David! Hope you get a good copy! Mine has been dropped a few times now, so the EVF doesn't pop as energetic as it used to and some of the dials are a bit tight to turn, but the camera still works and delivers great images!

[@davidtorke92]

@@frederikbovingMy new-to-me M3 (Sony, not Leica, sorry) arrived yesterday. Everything that I expected. The small form factor is ideal for my moto-adventures. Was out on back roads yesterday. It was chilly, yet the M3 went undetected under my jacket and was so much easier to deal with than having to get off my bike and compose/focus with one of my Fuji X cameras that I used to have in my panniers. New chapter!

[@frederikboving]

@@davidtorke92 Thank you for sharing David! If my video played just a small part in getting you to choose and buy a camera that really fits your needs, then I am very happy! Hope the M3 will serve you as well as mine has. It is a remarkable little camera!

[@shoottosave8117]

Exactly my thoughts! I use many systems from nikon full frame d810 to m4/3 Olympus and apsc Fujifilm x-h1 with all sort of pro glass from behemoth 80-200 f2.8 on nikon to 40-150 f2.8 on Olympus and 56mm f1.2 and 90mm f2 on Fujifilm... well Sony rx100 iii will not replace any of those but on the street it trounces on all if stealthy shooting I'm looking for...

[@anshulgupta1384]

Great review Mr. It is very nice review. I needed for product photography. I can find used 1 for above 300 euro . I think the lens quality is top notch in rx 100 series

[@mike-snapitnc-clegg6550]

Brilliant my friend and so we’ll explained.

[@frederikboving]

🙏🏻🙂

[@michaelbruchas6663]

I bought a used one in July 2021 for $275 from a NYC dealer. Been very happy except I wish it had a longer zoom range. Had an 8 month old original RX100 “new old stock” model which I dropped 7/5. I cried.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you for sharing Michael! My copy has been on the floor a few times now and not everything works as it used to, but the vital functions are still preserved 👌

[@ronyzmiri]

Great review! Just about to buy one!

[@frederikboving]

Thank you Rony! Best of luck with your new camera!

[@ronyzmiri]

@@frederikboving Mange tak)

[@Ginette688]

Thank you. This was very helpful

[@frederikboving]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pizzapartypat]

Great review! Was considering either the m3 or m5. This one speaks to my needs and the video helped with that.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you Patrick, glad the video was able to help you in your camera choice!

[@dimitrimoonlight]

Can you transfer video to smart phone as well?

[@frederikboving]

I'm not sure. It would be logical that you could import movies, as it is just another file. But with the IOS 13 upgrade, NONE of my cameras talk to my iPhone anymore, so I cannot check unfortunately. The manual does not give a hint - it talks about a piece of software for the PC: "The software PlayMemories Home allows you to import still images and movies to your computer and use them. PlayMemories Home is required for importing XAVC S movies and AVCHD movies to your computer.", but not about smart phone.

[@alfonsolizarazo9806]

great video. I am planning to get a second hand one of these, what number could be a healthy actuations count? or how far can the sensor go? 250k?

[@frederikboving]

Thank you Alfonso! I think that I would be looking more for wear and tear on the camera body than actuation's. The reason being that there are few moving parts in a mirrorless - I think it was more in the DSLR days this was important. That said, the sony non-pro cameras are only supposed to do 100t I read somewhere, but I am not sure this is solid information. My copy has been on the floor 3 times, and the LCD now flips in ways Sony never intended! So the lifetime of my cameras is more determined by number of floor hits than actuation's! I would look for scratches in the lens glass, how smooth the large ring on the camera front works, if the buttons feel "tired" and if the LCD still closes tight to the body when folded. Hope this helps!

[@kharis6770]

How do we set focus area when recording video?

[@frederikboving]

MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Focus Area] → desired setting. I have not tried to chance the settings but my guess would be that the flexible spot option would be good for video.

[@atefgilly6962]

Thank you for the review.

[@stanleymeyer9936]

Compare m2 with m3 please. Thanks

[@frederikboving]

Hi Stanley, you can find the compare here: cameradecision.com/compare/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-III-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-II. I notice that the M3 has a much faster lens, but also that the lens is not as long (70mm vs 100mm) in the far end. Further the M3 has better ISO performance, has a built in ND filter and a rotating LCD. Hope this help! All the best!

[@MichaelVogtOK]

Nice review!

[@frederikboving]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@MarkMphonoman]

Forgot to ask, do you shoot Raw or JPEG? Thanks, Mark.

[@frederikboving]

Mark Mathosian Hi Mark, if you promise not to shoot me, then I reluctantly admit that I shoot jpgs. That may change should I find a disk space sponsorship but for now and my budget, I stick with the jpgs. Sony is not as crisp as Fuji but on the other hand not bad as their reputation IMO...

[@MarkMphonoman]

New2Photography .....No problem at all. I only shoot JPEGs myself. Glad to hear you love the camera and only shoot JPEGs. Have a good weekend. Mark 👍

[@videodemochannel13]

There is an UX-Tube for attach filter or converter and even lens hood as DSLR. But it is different to the sticker adaptor. If you have interested to have try, please leave me a message. I will send you a UX-Tube and a Wide Converter.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you for your kind offer! Unfortunately my RX100 has been dropped on the floor a few times and has barely survived. I am therefore considering which small camera should be my next one.

[@videodemochannel13]

@@frederikboving I am sorry. And UX-Tube will have 3 Model. 1. RX100 III IV V, 2. ZV-1, 3. G7X MKIII. If you have finally buy any of those. You can give me notice anytime. You still have my word.

[@frederikboving]

@@videodemochannel13 It is very kind of you - thank you! Will do my best to remember this.

[@derra77]

@@frederikboving Did you get another small camera?..... Would a used RX100 III in excellent condition be good value at around €300 or any alternative around that price?

[@frederikboving]

@@derra77 Hi, no I did not. Thinking about a Ricoh. I can see B&H sell the RX100 III for 750 USD (www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1049537-REG/sony_dscrx100m3_b_cyber_shot_dsc_rx100_iii_digital.html) so around 300 EUR for a used in excellent condition seems like a good price.

[@ysamurzynka6843]

19 - XAVC FHD 50mbps 50p ;) this is legend codec bring to throne for sony. Canon M100 with APS-C cant compete at all face to face with this!

[@frederikboving]

😮

[@MatRedPilled]

not a single example picture... wow

[@frederikboving]

flickr.com/groups/2658789@N20

[@MikeKleinsteuber]

In actual fact the images you get from this camera are pretty crap. Compared to other pocketable cameras. I did a back to back test between my Fuji XF10, Samsung NX Mini and this thing. It came off the worst for image quality eventhough it has the same sensor size as the NX. I love my Fuji XF10 for image quality but the screen is shit in good light and there isn't a viewfinder. When the focus comes off it blows the other two away and the manual controls are great. I was looking for alternatives and so bought the NX Mini as it's so small. The image quality is brilliant for a 1" sensor, even in low light. Focusing is easy as it has a touch screen that's articulated so most times you can avoid the sun. Even when you can't the screen is incredibly bright. I wanted a pocketable camera that had a viewfinder cos that's the way I like it, so I bought an RX100 iii just to see as I'd seen many good reviews. However, eventhough the viewfinder is great and just what I need I simply can't keep the camera as the image quality is shit and noisey and focusing isn't always that accurate. Great shame

[@frederikboving]

I beg to differ. That's really all I have to say.

[@MikeKleinsteuber]

@@frederikboving By all means. But the image is still shit.

[@hunglehoangviet6771]

Really useful :D

[@frederikboving]

Glad to hear! :-D

[@frenchfries8745]

How this camera compared to high end phone now days like s10 for photos ? I mean the technology on smartphones now is very advanced to improve dynamic range‚ low light‚ etc Great video by the way 💙

[@frederikboving]

Hi French Fries, the more I think about your question, the better it is! I think the only place where the dedicated camera excels is with regards to the lens. Technically the smartphone can have as many pixels as a dedicated camera (check the huawei P30), and I also saw a review from Mattias Burling, where he had looked into a smartphone that (I think it was a Nokia) would shoot in RAW! So the classic camera definitely is challenged by the smartphone. The lens in a smartphone is for obvious reasons very short, and is hence good at shooting wide and only wide. Zoom on a smartphone is electronic zoom, and that will NEVER be as good as mechanical zoom. That said, you can get a "click on" lens for your smartphone (the two big vendors are Olloclip and Moments) and that will compensate for the lens issue to a large extend. But these are prime lenses (i.e. only one focal length), so you have to get used to that. And, as I know from bitter experience, if you upgrade your smartphone, there is no guarantee that your lenses will be able to follow - you may need to buy new ones or at least new adapters. In terms of integration with social media, the smartphone is ahead of the traditional camera. A camera will always try to integrate with social media via your smartphone, so it does give an extra step. And then it seems that the software developers with the smartphones continue to develop new functionality that the camera vendors have not thought about like panorama function, HDR merger on the fly, etc. So in many cases the software and the functions of your smartphone is ahead of your camera. Tony Northrup has a video where he argues very well for this point of view. Hope this gave you some input. My thinking is that if your priority is to travel light and small, a good modern smartphone (that you anyway most likely have with you) in combination with a couple of click on lenses in your key-chain, is a worthy competitor to any compact camera system.

[@frenchfries8745]

@@frederikboving Wow Iam a bit surprised for how detailed and informative your reply is. Thanks alot man for your time just to give me your thoughts so i can make the right decision. Much Love ❤️

[@joewander5398]

If you want to print or sell or show your photos on bigger screens the the phones has no chance. In darker surroundings it wins because the sensor is many times bigger than the highend smartphones. I work with photos and get many pictures from friends shot with the newest phones and I dont like them at all. I own 5 DSLRs 3 Canons and 2 Fujifilm + a Sony RX100M3. Since I print my pics a phone has never evdn been an option. Phones are for talking.

[@frederikboving]

@@joewander5398 Hi Joe, good points. I have actually never printed a photo - definitely something I need to look into!

[@07micha1966]

@@frederikboving I went for a walk with my S6 and turned around to take a picture of my tracks in the snow. Due to the cold, I only managed one picture. Then a pair of swans took off, made an arc and flew above my tracks. My phone did not function, so I missed what I think would have been a very good photo. That was so disappointing that I am now looking for a compact camera (another reason to pick a real camera I think), and due to that I have found your videos. I like your style and look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@bmw320i2]

If you hold down the on/off button while you close the EVF the camera will remain on.

[@frederikboving]

Thank you! I have been looking for how to do that for a LONG time!

[@bfs5113]

I think your channel needs a troll. Best Value compact / travel / pocket camera 2019 is the Leica Q. An item on my bucket list that I'll get one as soon I figure out how many liters of blood I have to sell. Yet, I keep checking for the latest price drop every few hours. The Q is a small camera, a FF compact becomes more affordable, it has digital zoom, includes a lens cap, f/1.7 fast lens, 24 MP, Lens IS, great EVF, ML, 10 fps, great menu and dials, etc. Of course, the Red Dot. A great item to exchange for emergency fund while traveling, beside the Rolex. :)

[@frederikboving]

He-he. Hi BFS! Well, value-for-money is my argument. The Leica is 4000 EUR as far as I can tell - 8 (eight!) times the Sony! I know that experts love to hate Sony (they are just computers) but the value-for-money argent I think holds. But it is an economy/engineer argument, I know. No magic. I am considering the Fujifilm ones as a more financially realistic alternative.

[@bfs5113]

@@frederikboving I know...but I'm bored and a troll today. Also, the Q is the one I'm really thinking about buying. The only thing that stopping me is that I already have too many cameras to shoot with and can't justify enough situations to use a Q. Before that, I had considered the G7X II or RX100V. But I ruled them out because I already have the Panasonic ZS40, GF-1 and GX1. I don't agree with the arguments from many FujiFilm reviewers about retro stuffs. Been here, done it and what is so great about them (for me)? Back then for my needs, I didn't even buy the Leica Rangefinder design and Fuji film color. Not to mention for how long will the people love FujiFilm when compare with their previous love, the Olympus. For me, the best and value camera is the one that I can afford to buy with 'cash' (without getting into debt). Not the Unicorn or the one that I have. Although it can be different from the camera that I loved the most. A camera or piece of gear isn't just about that physical item, but the whole package. The journey using it, the different path dictates by that choice of gear, the environment, the air, the era, etc.

[@frederikboving]

To cheer you up: I am also an enthusiast cyclist, and in that community there is a saying that you should have x-1 bicycle, where x is the number where your wife/girlfriend says: "Stop! You have to many bicycles". So if you have not reached x-1 yet, then Q it is. Btw: Shooting with the Sony is like driving a Skoda. It gets you from A to B, but not with a smile on your face. So if Q will bring a smile on your face, then look at it that way. But wait with the purchase decision (IMO) until the mood is better. No one makes good decisions in troll mode.

[@bfs5113]

@@frederikboving A friend of mine was an enthusiast cyclist too, and he upgraded his cycle on a regular basis. While he had reached the x-1 point, but ventured into another rabbit hole, to become an audiophile. Something about bad influence from friends. From my experience, the time that one just reaching the unicorn is most memorable. After that, it is lonely at the top with nothing else to look forward to. Thus, I'm enjoying or torturing myself with the decisions either affording the next meals or taking street photography masterpieces as a beggar. Similarly, I suspect if people starting out with their dream cameras, such as (new or used) Nikon D5, Canon 1D Mk II, Leica M10, Sony A9 or even the A7 III, there will not be that much discussions in 'Camera does not matter' or gear talks in general anymore. Years back, a photography forum member (enthusiast) was looking forward to upgrade his Nikon D70. He was considered the early Sony ML plus many affordable cameras that were suggested by other members. With luck, he picked up a used Nikon D3 (and a D3s, a few months later) and no more camera talks since then. He only wrote about his new shooting opportunities (some paid jobs too) and experience.

[@timchan334]

Really really!!! 😂😂😂 Thanks

[@frederikboving]

Welcome 😊

[@robertandersson331]

Thank you for the review

[@frederikboving]

🙏🏻