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Sony RX10 vs RX10 III

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in October 2013 and March 2016. Both the RX10 and the RX10 III are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with an one-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony RX10
versus
Sony RX10 III
Sony RX10   Sony RX10 III
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-200mm f/2.8 24-600mm f/2.4-4.0
20 MP – 1" sensor 20 MP – 1" sensor
1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 125-12,800 (80 - 25,600) ISO 100-12,800 (64 - 25,600)
Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1229k dots 3.0" LCD – 1229k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
10 shutter flaps per second 14 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
420 shots per battery charge420 shots per battery charge
129 x 88 x 102 mm, 813 g 133 x 94 x 127 mm, 1051 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 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.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Sony RX10 and the Sony RX10 III. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Sony RX10 vs Sony RX10 III
Compare RX10 versus RX10 III top
Comparison RX10 or RX10 III rear

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 (10 percent) than the Sony RX10. Moreover, the RX10 III is markedly heavier (29 percent) than the RX10. 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 battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony RX10 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 420 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX10 III 133 mm 94 mm 127 mm 1051 g 420 Y Mar 2016 1,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G3 X 123 mm 77 mm 105 mm 733 g 300 Y Jun 2015 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
5.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114 137 mm 99 mm 131 mm 830 g 360 n Sep 2014 1,349ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic FZ2500 138 mm 102 mm 135 mm 915 g 350 n Sep 2016 1,199 amazon.com
8.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 137 mm 99 mm 131 mm 831 g 360 n Jun 2014 899ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX10 IV 133 mm 94 mm 145 mm 1095 g 400 Y Sep 2017 1,699 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX10 II 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 400 Y Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Sony RX100 III 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 290 g 320 n May 2014 799ebay.com
13.
 
Sony RX100 II 102 mm 58 mm 38 mm 281 g 350 n Jun 2013 749ebay.com
14.
 
Sony RX100 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 240 g 330 n Jun 2012 649ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The RX10 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 13 percent) than the RX10 III, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to 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.

Both cameras under consideration feature an one-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sony RX10 and Sony RX10 III sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 20 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the RX10 and the RX10 III have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the RX10 III is much more recent (by 2 years and 5 months) than the RX10, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-25600. 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.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

RX10 versus RX10 III MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony RX10 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.912.647469
2.
 
Sony RX10 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.112.647270
3.
 
Canon G3 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.352163
4.
 
Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.692668
5.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p21.611.712760
6.
 
Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.7125683
7.
 
Panasonic FZ2500 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653870
8.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.111.751764
9.
 
Sony RX10 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.240863
10.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
11.
 
Sony RX10 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653170
12.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
13.
 
Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367
14.
 
Sony RX100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.612.439066
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. 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 RX10. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the RX10 is limited to 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

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 RX10 (2359k vs 1440k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Sony RX10, the Sony RX10 III, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony RX101440 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Sony RX10 III2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 14.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G3 Xoptional n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
5.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 1142359 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Panasonic FZ25002360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Panasonic FZ10002359 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony RX10 IV2359 Y3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony RX10 II2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 14.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Sony RX100 IIoptional n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony RX100none n3.0 / 1229 fixed n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

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, the RX10 III is one of those camera that have an additional 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).

Both the RX10 and the RX10 III have zoom lenses built in. The RX10 has a 24-200mm f/2.8-2.8 optic and the RX10 III offers a 24-600mm f/2.4-4.0 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the RX10 and RX10 III provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the RX10 III has more tele-photo reach at the long end. The RX10 III offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the RX10 and the RX10 III write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony RX10Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
2.
 
Sony RX10 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon G3 XYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
5.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
7.
 
Panasonic FZ2500Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
8.
 
Panasonic FZ1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Sony RX10 IVYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony RX10 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
12.
 
Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
13.
 
Sony RX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony RX100-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
padding

Both the RX10 and the RX10 III have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The RX10 was replaced by the Sony RX10 II, while the RX10 III was followed by the Sony RX10 IV. Further information on the features and operation of the RX10 and RX10 III can be found, respectively, in the Sony RX10 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony RX10 III Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Sony RX10 and the Sony RX10 III? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


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

  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/3200s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 238g or 23 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (13 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in October 2013).


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

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2359k vs 1440k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.4 vs f/2.8).
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 5 months of technical progress since the RX10 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the RX10 III emerges as the winner of the match-up (7 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

RX10 04:07 RX10 III

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

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the RX10 and the RX10 III in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony RX105/5+..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX10 III5/5+..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2016 1,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G3 X3.5/5+....4.5/54/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
5.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114..........5/5 Sep 2014 1,349ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic FZ2500..+..82/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2016 1,199 amazon.com
8.
 
Panasonic FZ10004/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2014 899ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX10 IV5/5+3.5/584/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2017 1,699 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX10 II5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Sony RX100 III5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 799ebay.com
13.
 
Sony RX100 II5/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 749ebay.com
14.
 
Sony RX1005/5+ +..78/1004/55/5 Jun 2012 649ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, 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 comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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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 use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Sony RX10 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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Sony RX10 Sony RX10 III
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-200mm f/2.8 24-600mm f/2.4-4.0
    Launch Date October 2013 March 2016
    Launch Price USD 1,299 USD 1,499
    Sensor Specs Sony RX10 Sony RX10 III
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116.16 mm2 116.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5472 x 3648 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.41 μm 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 17.18 MP/cm2 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 25,600 ISO 64 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 69 70
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.9 23.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.6 12.6
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 474 472
    Screen Specs Sony RX10 Sony RX10 III
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1440k dots 2359k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1229k dots 1229k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Sony RX10 Sony RX10 III
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/3200s 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 14 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/32000s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Sony RX10 Sony RX10 III
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in NFC built-in
    Body Specs Sony RX10 Sony RX10 III
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)420 shots per charge420 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 129 x 88 x 102 mm
    (5.1 x 3.5 x 4.0 in)
    133 x 94 x 127 mm
    (5.2 x 3.7 x 5.0 in)
    Camera Weight 813 g (28.7 oz) 1051 g (37.1 oz)
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