Sony A6000 versus Sony RX10 III

The Sony Alpha A6000 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2014 and March 2016. The A6000 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the RX10 III is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (A6000) and an one-inch (RX10 III) sensor. The A6000 has a resolution of 24 megapixel, whereas the RX10 III provides 20 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Sony A6000 vs Sony RX10 III

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Sony A6000 and the Sony RX10 III is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the A6000 – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

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 considerably larger (55 percent) than the Sony A6000. It is noteworthy in this context that the RX10 III is splash and dust-proof, while the A6000 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX10 III has a lens build in, whereas the A6000 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can find an overview of optics for the A6000 and their specifications in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Sony A6000»	4.7 in	2.6 in	1.8 in	12.1 oz	360	n	Feb 2014	599	-		Sony A6000
	Sony RX10 III«	5.2 in	3.7 in	5.0 in	37.1 oz	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499	-		Sony RX10 III
	Sony RX10 IV« »	5.2 in	3.7 in	5.7 in	38.6 oz	400	Y	Sep 2017	1,699			Sony RX10 IV
	Sony A6300« »	4.7 in	2.6 in	1.9 in	14.3 oz	400	Y	Feb 2016	999	-		Sony A6300
	Sony RX100 V« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	220	n	Oct 2016	999			Sony RX100 V
	Sony RX10 II« »	5.1 in	3.5 in	4.0 in	28.7 oz	400	Y	Jun 2015	1,299	-		Sony RX10 II
	Sony RX100 IV« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	280	n	Jun 2015	999	-		Sony RX100 IV
	Sony A5000« »	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.4 in	9.5 oz	420	n	Jan 2014	449	-		Sony A5000
	Sony A5100« »	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.4 in	10.0 oz	400	n	Aug 2014	549			Sony A5100
	Sony A3000« »	5.0 in	3.6 in	3.3 in	14.5 oz	470	n	Aug 2013	329	-		Sony A3000
	Sony NEX-3N« »	4.3 in	2.4 in	1.4 in	9.5 oz	480	n	Feb 2013	499	-		Sony NEX-3N
	Sony RX10« »	5.1 in	3.5 in	4.0 in	28.7 oz	420	Y	Oct 2013	1,299	-		Sony RX10
	Sony NEX-6« »	4.7 in	2.6 in	1.7 in	12.2 oz	360	n	Sep 2012	999	-		Sony NEX-6
	Sony NEX-F3« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.7 in	11.1 oz	470	n	May 2012	599	-		Sony NEX-F3
	Sony NEX-7« »	4.7 in	2.6 in	1.7 in	14.1 oz	430	n	Aug 2011	1,349	-		Sony NEX-7
	Sony NEX-3« »	4.6 in	2.4 in	1.3 in	10.5 oz	330	n	May 2010	599	-		Sony NEX-3
	Sony NEX-5« »	4.4 in	2.3 in	1.5 in	10.1 oz	330	n	May 2010	699	-		Sony NEX-5
Convert to Metric

Any camera purchase will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. 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: Sony A6000 vs Sony RX10 III

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Sony A6000 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.

With 24MP, the A6000 offers a higher resolution than the RX10 III (20MP), but the A6000 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 2.41μm for the RX10 III) due to its larger sensor. However, the RX10 III is a somewhat more recent model (by 2 years and 1 month) than the A6000, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the A6000 provides substantially higher image quality than the RX10 III, with an overall score that is 12 points higher. This advantage is based on 1 bits higher color depth, 0.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the RX10 III provides a better video resolution than the A6000. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the A6000 is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison: Sony A6000 vs Sony RX10 III

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the RX10 III offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the A6000 (2359k vs 1440k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Sony A6000, the Sony RX10 III, and comparable cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

One feature that is present on the RX10 III, but is missing on the A6000 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.

Both the A6000 and the RX10 III write their imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

Both the A6000 and the RX10 III have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The A6000 was replaced by the Sony A6300, while the RX10 III was followed by the Sony RX10 IV.

Review summary: Sony A6000 vs Sony RX10 III

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Sony A6000 and the Sony RX10 III? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha A6000:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 20MP) with a 10% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (12 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.5 stops ISO advantage).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (4000/sec vs 2000/sec) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• More compact: Is smaller (120x67mm vs 133x94mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2014).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III:

• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2359k vs 1440k dots).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 922k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 11 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the A6000 necessitates an extra lens.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (420 versus 360) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology build-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 1 month of technical progress since the A6000 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX10 III is the clear winner of the contest (12 : 7 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.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the A6000 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. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Sony A6000»	Rec	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2014	599	-		Sony A6000
	Sony RX10 III«	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499	-		Sony RX10 III
	Sony RX10 IV« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	-	5/5	Sep 2017	1,699			Sony RX10 IV
	Sony A6300« »	Rec	85/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2016	999	-		Sony A6300
	Sony RX100 V« »	HiRec	83/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	999			Sony RX100 V
	Sony RX10 II« »	HiRec	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	1,299	-		Sony RX10 II
	Sony RX100 IV« »	HiRec	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	999	-		Sony RX100 IV
	Sony A5000« »	Rec	-	4.5/5	rev	4.5/5	Jan 2014	449	-		Sony A5000
	Sony A5100« »	Rec	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2014	549			Sony A5100
	Sony A3000« »	Rec	-	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2013	329	-		Sony A3000
	Sony NEX-3N« »	-	-	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2013	499	-		Sony NEX-3N
	Sony RX10« »	Rec	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	1,299	-		Sony RX10
	Sony NEX-6« »	HiRec	78/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	999	-		Sony NEX-6
	Sony NEX-F3« »	-	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	May 2012	599	-		Sony NEX-F3
	Sony NEX-7« »	HiRec	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Aug 2011	1,349	-		Sony NEX-7
	Sony NEX-3« »	-	70/100	4.5/5	5/5	4/5	May 2010	599	-		Sony NEX-3
	Sony NEX-5« »	HiRec	71/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	May 2010	699	-		Sony NEX-5

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored. If the camera you are interested in is not available, please contact me, and I will try to add information on that model to the database.

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