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How many Megapixels does the Sony RX100 III have?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III is equipped with a an one-inch sensor that offers an image resolution of 20 megapixels (MP), or 20 million pixels. With its native aspect ratio of 3:2, the sensor has 5 472 horizontal pixels and 3 648 vertical pixels.

A 35mm film slide or negative contains 5-15 MP of useful detail, so that the Sony RX100 III can be considered to be a high-resolution camera that outresolves any 35mm film camera.

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A high megapixel count makes it possible to crop any captured image substantially or to make very large prints from the image file. On the downside, large megapixel files are slower to transfer and take up more storage space on the computer harddisk. Also, high-resolution imaging requires sharper, more expensive lenses than low-res picture taking.

How large can I print with 20 MP?

The maximum print size of the Sony RX100 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. Few people actually print their images that large on a regular basis, but it is nice to have the option to make very large prints of exceptional shots. Also, as mentioned earlier, a key advantage of high-MP cameras is that it is possible to crop an image ex-post and thereby, for example, change the composition of the capture or zoom in on some detail.

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Sensor specs and performance

The table below compares the sensor specs of the Sony RX100 III to those of several similar cameras. In addition to sensor class and megapixel count, DXO values are reported as indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better). Three aspects are covered: color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.

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Sensor Characteristics
    Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
2.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
3.
 
Canon G7 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.012.755671
4.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.111.751764
5.
 
Ricoh GR APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.597278
6.
 
Ricoh GR II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.7107880
7.
 
Sony A5000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.813.0108979
8.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
9.
 
Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
11.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
Further information on the sensor in the Sony RX100 III and the camera's operation can be found in the camera manual.

In the United States, the RX100 III was initially launched in May 2014 at a price of $799.

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Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just use the search menu 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 Summary
    Camera Model Sony RX100 III
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8
    Launch Date May 2014
    Launch Price USD 799
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 472 x 3 648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 67
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 495
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.59x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1440k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1229k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type Sony NP-BX1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)320 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 102 x 58 x 41 mm
    (4.0 x 2.3 x 1.6 in)
    Camera Weight 290 g (10.2 oz)

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