Fujifilm X-T1 vs Sony RX10 III

The Fujifilm X-T1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2014 and March 2016. The X-T1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the RX10 III is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (X-T1) and an one-inch (RX10 III) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 16 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X-T1		Sony RX10 III
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses		24-600mm f/2.4-4.0
16 MP, APS-C Sensor		20 MP, 1" Sensor
1080/60p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 51,200)		ISO 100-12,800 (64 - 25,600)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 1229k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
8 shutter flaps per second		14 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
350 shots per battery charge		420 shots per battery charge
129 x 90 x 47 mm, 440 g		133 x 94 x 127 mm, 1051 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-T1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-T1 and the Sony RX10 III are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The X-T1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the RX10 III is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX10 III is notably larger (8 percent) than the Fujifilm X-T1. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX10 III has a lens built in, whereas the X-T1 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the X-T1 and their specifications in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the X-T1 gets 350 shots out of its NP-W126 battery, while the RX10 III can take 420 images on a single charge of its NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the RX10 III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X-T1	129 mm	90 mm	47 mm	440 g	350	Y	Jan 2014	1,299
2.		Sony RX10 III	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499
3.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	495 g	350	Y	Jan 2016	1,699
4.		Fujifilm X-T2	133 mm	92 mm	49 mm	507 g	340	Y	Jul 2016	1,599
5.		Fujifilm X-A2	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	350 g	410	n	Jan 2015	399
6.		Fujifilm X-T10	118 mm	83 mm	41 mm	381 g	350	n	May 2015	799
7.		Fujifilm X100T	127 mm	74 mm	52 mm	440 g	330	n	Sep 2014	1,299
8.		Fujifilm X100S	127 mm	74 mm	54 mm	445 g	330	n	Jan 2013	1,299
9.		Fujifilm X-A1	117 mm	67 mm	39 mm	330 g	350	n	Sep 2013	399
10.		Fujifilm X-E2	129 mm	75 mm	37 mm	350 g	350	n	Oct 2013	999
11.		Fujifilm X-M1	117 mm	67 mm	39 mm	330 g	350	n	Jun 2013	699
12.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	140 mm	82 mm	43 mm	450 g	300	n	Jan 2012	1,699
13.		Sony RX10 IV	133 mm	94 mm	145 mm	1095 g	400	Y	Sep 2017	1,699
14.		Sony RX0	59 mm	41 mm	30 mm	110 g	240	Y	Aug 2017	699
15.		Sony RX100 V	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	299 g	220	n	Oct 2016	999
16.		Sony RX10 II	129 mm	88 mm	102 mm	813 g	400	Y	Jun 2015	1,299
17.		Sony RX10	129 mm	88 mm	102 mm	813 g	420	Y	Oct 2013	1,299
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X-T1 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony RX10 III an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the RX10 III is 68 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the RX10 III offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 16 MP of the X-T1. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 4.80μm for the X-T1). However, it should be noted that the RX10 III is much more recent (by 2 years and 2 months) than the X-T1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X-T1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony RX10 III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX10 III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Fujifilm X-T1 are 24.5 x 16.3 inches or 62.2 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.6 x 13.1 inches or 49.7 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.3 x 10.9 inches or 41.5 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The X-T1 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Fujifilm X-T1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm X-T1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
2.		Sony RX10 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.1	12.6	472	70
3.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
4.		Fujifilm X-T2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
5.		Fujifilm X-A2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Fujifilm X-T10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
7.		Fujifilm X100T	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
8.		Fujifilm X100S	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
9.		Fujifilm X-A1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
10.		Fujifilm X-E2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
11.		Fujifilm X-M1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
12.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/24p	..	..	..	..
13.		Sony RX10 IV	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
14.		Sony RX0	1-inch	15.4	4800	3200	1080/60p	22.4	12.4	548	68
15.		Sony RX100 V	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.8	12.4	586	70
16.		Sony RX10 II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.0	12.6	531	70
17.		Sony RX10	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.9	12.6	474	69

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the RX10 III provides a better video resolution than the X-T1. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the X-T1 offers a slightly higher resolution than the one in the RX10 III (2360k vs 2359k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X-T1 and Sony RX10 III in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm X-T1	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	n	1/4000s	8.0	n	n
2.		Sony RX10 III	2359	Y	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	14.0	Y	Y
3.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	2360	n	3.0 / 1620	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
4.		Fujifilm X-T2	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	n	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
5.		Fujifilm X-A2	none	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
6.		Fujifilm X-T10	2360	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
7.		Fujifilm X100T	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
8.		Fujifilm X100S	2360	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
9.		Fujifilm X-A1	none	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X-E2	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	n
11.		Fujifilm X-M1	none	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
12.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	1440	n	3.0 / 1230	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	n	n
13.		Sony RX10 IV	2359	Y	3.0 / 1440	tilting	Y	1/2000s	24.0	Y	Y
14.		Sony RX0	none	n	1.5 / 230	fixed	n	..	5.5	n	n
15.		Sony RX100 V	2359	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	24.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony RX10 II	2359	Y	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/3200s	14.0	Y	Y
17.		Sony RX10	1440	Y	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0	Y	Y

One feature that is present on the RX10 III, but is missing on the X-T1 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm X-T1 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The X-T1 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the RX10 III uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The X-T1 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the RX10 III can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X-T1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm X-T1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Sony RX10 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
4.		Fujifilm X-T2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
5.		Fujifilm X-A2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Fujifilm X-T10	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm X100T	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Fujifilm X100S	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Fujifilm X-A1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X-E2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Fujifilm X-M1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Sony RX10 IV	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Sony RX0	-	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Sony RX100 V	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony RX10 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony RX10	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Fujifilm X-T1 (unlike the RX10 III) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The RX10 III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the X-T1 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X-T1 was succeeded by the Fujifilm X-T2. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Fujifilm X-T1 or the Sony RX10 III – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Fujifilm X-T1:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.77x vs 0.70x).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2014).

Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 16MP), which boosts linear resolution by 12%.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 1040k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the X-T1 necessitates an extra lens.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (420 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 2 months of technical progress since the X-T1 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX10 III comes out slightly ahead of the X-T1 (14 : 13 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-T1 and the Sony RX10 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X-T1 or the RX10 III. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X-T1	5/5	+ +	..	84/100	5/5	5/5	Jan 2014	1,299
2.		Sony RX10 III	5/5	+	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499
3.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	..	+	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	1,699
4.		Fujifilm X-T2	5/5	+ +	..	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2016	1,599
5.		Fujifilm X-A2	4/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399
6.		Fujifilm X-T10	4.5/5	+ +	..	80/100	5/5	5/5	May 2015	799
7.		Fujifilm X100T	5/5	+	..	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	1,299
8.		Fujifilm X100S	5/5	+ +	..	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2013	1,299
9.		Fujifilm X-A1	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	399
10.		Fujifilm X-E2	4/5	..	..	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	999
11.		Fujifilm X-M1	3/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2013	699
12.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	5/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	1,699
13.		Sony RX10 IV	5/5	+	..	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2017	1,699
14.		Sony RX0	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Aug 2017	699
15.		Sony RX100 V	4.5/5	+ +	..	83/100	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	999
16.		Sony RX10 II	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	1,299
17.		Sony RX10	5/5	+	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	1,299
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Specifications: Fujifilm X-T1 vs Sony RX10 III

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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