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

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.

(Update Dec 6th 2014)I highly recommend this book for the RX100M3 by Gary Friedman. I bought it and love it ([...])I bought this camera because of its faster lens (f/1.8 to f2.8), which means, to me, more light entering onto the cameras sensor which, in turn, means to me slightly better images than previous models. Which translate to a shallower depth of field available. And that's exactly what I like and want in this model, and precisely why I bought it, even though I also have the previous M2 model. One thing I want to note here before I go on. The Aperture seems to move quite fast from 1.8 to 2.8 thru the smaller zoom range. In that, a case could be made that this lens is more of a steady 2.8 thru out the zoom range.So then what exactly did I get with this upgrade from my M2 to my new M3? Well, you've got the newer Bionz X processer. The new 180 degree LCD (for Selfies if you are so inclined). The pop-up EVF (which is an innovation in and of itself, and a help with image stabilization when pressed against my face). Zebra pattern and focus peaking which is available on my RX10 and now the M3.I feel the 24mm-70mm lens (though not the same reach as my previous M2 model - 28-100mm) is a good walk-around lens. And since I have been using this same zoom range for a long time on my DSLRs, I feel very comfortable with this zoom range in a very capable and now compact camera. When I use this for portraits at the long end of 70mm I expect to shoot mostly 1/2 to 3/4 body shots to full body shots. As opposed to the previous models zoom range of 28-100mm where I used it up to head and shoulder shots at the long end.This camera has the same Bionz X processor that Sony has in their A7 line of cameras (one of which, the A7R, that I have). That was another plus for me in buying this camera. As far as image stabilization, it is important to compact cameras today and thus, to me. And I find that holding the camera up to my face while using the EVF gives me the 'feel' of a more stabilized shot. And my pictures look better to me. This is important to me because now that I am in my 60's, try as I might, holding the M2 or my smartphone without an EVF - is not as steady as I'd like it to be or as I remember it was when I was younger. And I need image stabilization in lower light. And this EVF on my new compact M3 seems to provide that for me. The only 'unofficial' (perhaps non-technical) test I could do with this camera was to zoom it out to 70mm, and hold the shutter half-way to see how much 'lock' I had on the image. Then I tried it with my M2. My observation was that I did see an improved difference with the M3.There is a slight difference in camera size from the previous model (which I also have). The thickness of this model is about 2mm more. And the weight is about 8 to 9 grams more. What this also means in terms of fitting a leather case to it is that my previous models Sony leather case will not fit this camera. You're going to need the Sony LCJRXF/B Premium Jacket Case (Black). This new case will fit all previous models as well as this model. Just as the Sony LCJRXC/B Premium Jacket Case (Black) would only fit the M2 as well as the M1. Some people think that the case for the M2 will also fit the M3. It will not. I have tried it. I also recommend the custom camera grip by Richard Franiec (camera accessories by Richard Franiec). This goes for about 35$ and is worth its weight in gold - to me. It is far better than the Sony grip that I used on the M2 for 15$. Its made of metal (anodized aluminium) is sleek looking, feels good quality and solid, and gives you a good grip on the camera while still maintaining the cameras pocketability (because it doesn't protrude past the lens assembly). Of course with the camera grip added, the M3 will not fit in the Sony Leather camera case. So it is either one or the other. So to get around this I ordered another OP/TECH USA Soft Pouch Digital D-Micro (Black) for my M3 which I also have for the M2. And it fits great.If my review was any help with your decision to purchase, and I hope I was of some help, kindly choose 'Yes' in the comments section below. Thank You. Richard