A7S IIIvs RX100 VI
Sony
A7S III (2020)
Starting from £2999 new
Best for Professional video & low-light filmmaking
View A7S III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Professional Video & Low-Light Filmmaking — A7S III (2020): If video is your primary discipline, the A7S III is the camera. 4K/120p at 10-bit in a weather-sealed body with a 9.44M dot EVF is an extraordinary package. The 12MP sensor isn't limiting for video — and it's usable at ISO 409,600 in a pinch.
Travel & Vlogging — RX100 VI (2018): The RX100 VI trades fast apertures for a remarkable 24-200mm zoom range — giving it more versatility than any previous model. 4K/30p, 24fps burst, a pop-up EVF, and an articulating screen round out an exceptional compact package. Variable aperture limits low-light performance at the long end, but for travel and events where reach matters, there is no practical alternative at this size.
Who should buy what
A7S III (2020)
- Filmmakers and videographers who need 4K/120p at 10-bit
- Event videographers who shoot in dark venues regularly
- Documentary filmmakers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Hybrid shooters where video is primary and stills are secondary
RX100 VI (2018)
- Travel photographers who need versatile reach in a pocketable body
- Vloggers and content creators who need 4K and an articulating screen
- Event photographers who want discreet, capable wide-to-tele coverage
- Wildlife and sports enthusiasts who want a compact travel option
Quick take: The rx100 vi has the highest resolution at 20mp; the rx100 vi is the most affordable; only the a7s iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S III (2020) | RX100 VI (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £700 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) | 20.1MP 1-inch BSI Stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p, 960fps HFR |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition | Fast Hybrid AF, 315 phase-detect points, Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop IBIS | Optical SteadyShot |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical | 24fps |
| Battery Life | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording | ~240 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 699g (body, battery, card) | 301g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm | 101.6 × 58.1 × 42.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made | Pop-up EVF, 2.35M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) | Single SD / Memory Stick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S III | RX100 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history