Earlier this week, Sony announced the Cyber-shot RX100 III. As the name suggests, the Sony RX100 III is the third entry in the series which was first introduced in 2012 to much critical appraise. While esthetically, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III looks similar to its predecessor, the company has done a lot to update the powerful compact camera to give you even more superior photos and video. So what’s changed? Lets talk details, after the jump.

As you can see from the image above, the RX100 IIII looks quite similar to the RX100 II but don’t let its looks fool you. Like the previous model, you can once again find a 180-degree tilting LCD on the back but this time around, Sony is also including a retractable OLED electronic viewfinder with an impressive 1.4 million dot resolution – perfect for extremely bright shooting environments. While Sony opted to use the same 20.1-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor that’s found on the RX100 II (and lets be honest, more megapixels is not the solution to better photos), the RX100 III use a new Zeiss glass in the Vario-Sonnar T and a 24-70mm focal length lens with a wide F1.8 – F2.8 aperture for crisper, more accurate photos. There’s also a built-in 3-stop (1/8) neutral density filter that adds to shooting flexibility in a wide range of outdoor conditions. Patrick Huang, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics:

 With the new RX100 III model, we’ve added a brighter, wider aperture lens and an impressive retractable OLED EVF, while also utilizing the latest Sony imaging technologies to boost the camera’s processing speed and efficiency.  And we’ve done this without sacrificing any of the true ‘pocketability’ of our RX100 line, creating an especially unique compact camera unlike anything else in market today. 

Video fans also have plenty to smile about with the cameras ability to record in 1080p 60/fps or 720p 120/fps. While you’d be right to point out that the RX100 II also offered these same specs, Sony would like to point out that the RX100 III also gives users the ability to record XAVC S format, which allows for full HD recording at a data rate of 50 mbps with lower compression for improved video quality. According to Sony, this will make your movies more colorful and crisp. The camera also has dual video recording capability (XAVC S / AVCHD files4 along with MP4 files), which allows users to shoot a high bit-rate video for storage or editing purposes while also recording a lower bit rate video that’s optimized for sharing via Wi-Fi.

Speaking of sharing, besides Wi-Fi, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III also incorporates NFC for easy pairing and sharing. On Android smartphones and tablets, NFC allows for a single touch that activates Smart Remote Control for a live image preview and shutter control. Those without NFC compatible device like iOS owners need not fret as they can get the same features via Sony’s free PlayMemories Mobile app. Sony has also made displaying your photos and videos on a HD TV an easy affair with HDMI out for easy connectivity. Have a 4K television? Even better as the RX100 III can output still images in 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) with full wide-gamut TRILUMINOUS Color support when connected to compatible 4K televisions.

The Sony RX100 IIII launches June 16th for $799.99 with pre-orders now open. Fun fact, Sony has this to say about their 180-degree tilting LCD screen on their product page and I kid you not:

 Selfie-ready multi-angle 3″ Xtra Fine LCD™ display 

Discuss:

Are you impressed by the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III?

[Via Sony]