Upgrade Guide
Sony SLT-A99→Sony RX100 III
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The RX100 III improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most SLT-A99 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the RX100 III
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Burst rate10fps (2.9fps with AF-S per frame) vs 6fps with continuous AF (10fps in crop mode)
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Generation2 years newer (2014 vs 2012)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution20MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | SLT-A99 | RX100 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -2.4 | ||
| Street | +1.8 | ||
| Travel | +1.7 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -3.5 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Documentary | -1.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Landscape | -1.0 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Casual | +0.7 | ||
| Food | -1.2 | ||
| Macro | -1.0 | ||
| Architecture | -1.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | -2.6 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | SLT-A99 | RX100 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £454 used | £275 used | |
| Released | 2012 | 2014 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.3MP full-frame sensor | 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | Full HD 1080p/60 (XAVC S) | |
| Autofocus | 19-point phase-detect (11 cross) via the translucent mirror + 102-point on-sensor phase assist, face detection | 25-point contrast-detect AF, Eye AF, Lock-on AF | |
| Stabilisation | 4.5-stop sensor-shift SteadyShot INSIDE | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 6fps with continuous AF (10fps in crop mode) | 10fps (2.9fps with AF-S per frame) | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ~320 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 812g (with battery and card) | 290g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 2.36M dots, 100%, 0.71x | Pop-up OLED EVF, 1.44M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" three-way tilting / swivel LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" LCD, 1.23M dots, tilts 180° up | |
| Mount | Sony A-mount | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 | |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: SD / Memory Stick + SD | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
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