Sony RX100 III 20.1 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera w/1-inch Sensor and 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 ZEISS Zoom Lens (DSCRX100M3/B), 6in l x 4.65in w x 2.93in h, Black

I went to a concert a few months back and had good seats, but only had an entry level smartphone to take pictures. As a result, the pictures were quite disappointing. I didn't want to be caught in a similar situation so after that experience, I decided to do some homework and look for a better camera. After reading many online camera reviews (articles and customer), I decided to go with the Sony RX100 III. The Sony RX 100 line is considered one of the highest quality cameras in a point and shoot form factor. As of today, there are six different RX 100 models, each with different capabilities and features. I chose the RX100 III over the other models for a few reasons. My main use of the camera is in a concert setting and the RX100 III, I believe, has the fastest lens of all the models and has the widest aperture which should be great for low light (though all models are considered great in low light also). Plus, though I don't plan on using often, having a flip-up screen for selfies can come in handy. The RX100 III has an EVF viewfinder whereas, the RX100 I and II models do not have a viewfinder. I'm really glad I decided to get a camera with the viewfinder as that comes in very handy using this instead of the LCD screen during a concert as to not disturb other audience members.I won't go into too much of the technical specs as but instead highlight features I like and dislike of the camera.Likes:- small size. I carry the camera in a case that I wear on my belt.- EVF viewfinder, great for concerts to turn off LCD display to not disturb others in audience- fast lens, 1 inch sensor, great for low-light situations- ability to shoot it JPG, RAW or RAW and JPG- three memory recall slots. This is great as I have saved all the settings I wish for concert picture taking in stored in one slot. All I need to do is recall the saved settings instead of having to fiddle with settings each time.Dislikes:- limited focal length of 24-70 mm optical zoom. Location, location, location. A good seat helps.- a lot of settings which can be a bit overwhelming- easy to accidentally bump the thumb wheel and change settings without knowing ( though the thumb wheel can be locked locked down)- buttons are not lit. So in the dark, I have to rely only by touch as to where the buttons areThere are a lot of various setting options with this camera. Some are not that intuitive. I highly recommend the book "Photographer's Guide to the Sony DSC-RX100 III" as that explains a lot of settings which aren't readily apparent, like having the LCD display to automatically go blank when using the EVF viewfinder.Along with the book, I bought a couple of accessories. I got the Sony LCD screen protector along with an external grip (Haoge RX100 Skidproof Camera Bracket Holder Hand Grip for Sony Cyber-Shot) as some say the camera is slippery. I also got an extra battery and external charger. However, I found that I use the USB cable to charge more often as with the external grip, just charging the battery with the USB cable is more convenient to me that removing the grip each time.I have the camera set to save pictures in both JPG and RAW format. This saves two pictures for each shot. RAW saves all the information. If a picture is over or under exposed, with proper software, photos captured in RAW format can be adjusted after the shot.The camera also records high quality video and is known as a good camera for vlogging, though I haven't tried that at all.Overall, I really like the camera. It does take some getting used to and trial and error. I'm still learning some of the features. I included some pictures of my camera (with a external grip and screen protector). Also, a couple of concert photos (untouched, JPG format to give an idea of image quality) along with an outdoor low-light photo.If you have an up close seat, this camera can take some really terrific concert pictures, especially for a point and shoot.However, the 24-70 mm focal length does come into play. For pictures where I've been a few rows back, to simulate a zoom, I shoot using the highest megapixel, then crop the RAW photo. This is better than nothing, but there then is some noticeable noise in the picture. Acceptable but not as good as non-cropped.The best compliment I received thus far is a friend said something like "What's gotten into you? Those are the best pictures I've ever seen from you!". Good to know, better than the fail with the low end smartphone.I give the RX100 III five stars.

Debated whether or not to go with the MKII, MKIII, or MKIV for a while. Finally decided on the MKIII because while the extra features like the improved slowmo capabilities at up to 1000fps, super fast shutter speed a 1/32000, an improved resolution EVF, 4k video recording, and generally improved image quality from the stacked CMOS sensor are fantastic, they weren’t justified for intended use at the cost of $200 more. This camera is intended as a high quality point and shoot travel camera and in that realm it succeeds without the added cost for the MKIV.The build quality is fantastic although from my research and what I can tell, this camera is not weather sealed which would have of course been preferred. Other than that, the metal construction feels solid, the flip out screen feels sturdy enough, and the customizable ring is very smooth and functional. For the most part the buttons are easy enough to press but like others have mentioned, the video record button can either be pressed inadvertently or sometimes hard to get to when you need it.The menu is typical for Sony cameras and although I’m used to it having used other Sony cameras, I can understand that it would feel a bit clunky to others who aren’t used to it. For those new to Sony cameras, it can definitely take a while to get comfortable and familiar with but it will be in your best interest to learn it and customizing your buttons well.The image quality and video quality are outstanding. I have not used other high end point and shoot style cameras besides this but I use the A6300 with some decent lenses and I can say that you can take pictures with quality much closer to the A6300 than any other $200-$400 point and shoot. I don’t want to get into image quality too much because there are a lot of places you can go for very in depth reviews on the image quality but let me just say that it is fantastic. If you’re coming from a typical point and shoot camera you will be amazed at what this little camera is capable of.Deciding between the MKIII and the MKII was a little difficult as well. At the time I bought the MKIII, the MKII was $250 less. Part of the reason I went with the MKIII was because of the EVF and the fact that I didn’t plan on using the hotshoe on the MKII. I’d say for the most part just snapping pictures, the LCD screen is fine and easier to use but sometimes there is just too much sun or you really want to look closely and review a shot to make sure you got good focus. While I steered away from the super slowmo on the MKIV I did want the ability to do some slowmo which the MKIII seemed to have over the MKII.One thing that made it tricky was the fact that the MKIII loses some zoom range going to 24-70(35mm equivalent) from the 28-100 on the MKII. I do think having better wide angle is more important for this type of camera but it is still somewhat unfortunate for it to lose so much zoon in my opinion. It does keep the aperture down to f2.8 at 70mm compared to the f4 at the same focal length of the MKII so it does stay pretty bright at the long end which is a major plus for me.There are a few things I’d like to see a little different on this camera. First off, the price is a little high and considering the price drops after the new versions are released, I thought this might be a little cheaper. It isn’t a big deal and you really can’t go into the RX100 line thinking that you’re just getting a point and shoot.Second, I would have loved to see a touch screen on this camera. In fact, if the MKIV included a touch screen, I would have happily paid the $200 more for a well implemented touch screen. The touchscreen just makes navigation on the camera so much easier as well as using it to change your focus point. At the price point I really would have liked to see it, but you can live without it.Finally, the ergonomics are secondary to style. They continue with their very minimalist design and while it looks great, the metal clad camera is very slippery and small which makes holding comfortably sometimes a challenge. I bought the adhesive grip sold by Sony for the RX100 and it is great. It adds a nice bit of rubbery grip to the right side of the camera and it looks great too. I wish the camera either came like this already or included the nearly $15 dollar grip in the box. It wasn’t a deal breaker but it would have been a great addition considering the cost.This is not a full in depth review of the camera. If you want tech specs and a full listing of all of the features, there are sites for that because it would take me a long time to go over all of the great features and specs. This camera is loaded with great features, fantastic specs, and it produces amazing pictures and video. What I am trying to do here is tell you why I went with the MKIII considering the MKII and MKIV are both available and are both excellent cameras. I wanted some slowmo video, the better low light capabilities and general image quality, and the EVF which the MKII didn’t have but I didn’t need the super slowmo, 1/32000 shutter speed, and 4k video that the MKIV has.Overall I am very satisfied with my purchase and am very impressed with the photos and video that the RX100 MKIII provides. I considered giving it 4/5 stars for the reasons I stated but felt that the positives outweighed the negatives by a lot. If you are not happy with the pictures your standard point and shoot is giving you and don’t really want to take the step to mirrorless or DSLR cameras, this is what you’re looking for and I can easily recommend the RX100 MKIII. Be aware that there are currently 4 versions of the RX100 ranging in features and value. I will update my review should I find anything else great or not so great about the camera.