Wired reviews the RX100 III, the latest version of Sony's high-end pocket camera. Improvements are praised all-around, particularly the "stunning" 50Mbps video.
So in which cases should you buy the RX100 III, and in which cases should you opt for its cheaper siblings? The good news is that they all take great photos, with the RX100 III and RX100 II winning in the low-light department. If you’re serious about video, the RX100 III is the one to get. If you’ve been dying for an eye-level viewfinder, ditto: The best pocket camera out there now has one. Need a neutral density filter? Again, the RX100 III is for you. But if those three things don’t matter to you—and they are relatively niche benefits—the RX100 II should keep you happy for less.
One major flaw, for me, is left unmentioned: the loss of the mk II's digital hotshoe. This means, among other things, no more external mics.
This might seem an odd thing to miss, but sound is half the problem in video. The previous (RX100 II) model's hotshoe can hook up to various Sony mics, including a tiny wireless lav. Together, the pairing makes for an insanely compact and powerful portable video-blogging gadget, with no need to fiddle with external recorders or synchronize audio later.
Sony's competitors are catching up, too. Check out the LX100 and GM5 from Panasonic, in particular.
