RX100M3 or LX100?

[sushisky]

Hey, so I'm really keen on getting a large sensor compact camera, and I'm agonizing over which of the two to choose. I live in Singapore, and the M3 and LX100 new are at about the same price point. However, I have managed to find a used LX100 at a really nice price point. My issue is the portability of the LX100. Is the LX100 as unwieldy as it looks? The RX100 seems much smaller and shoots comparable photos as well. Are there any characteristics in terms of IQ that could sway me towards one of the cameras?

[ZetZet]

I would go with the Sony either way. There really is a reason they make RX100 for so damn long, it's crazy good.

[senethw]

Me too, I would go with the RX100M3.

It is honestly a really bang for your buck camera.

Better Megapixel count, amazing Sony sensor.

You cant go wrong with the RX100M3

[Dw136]

Hey, so I'm really keen on getting a large sensor compact camera, and I'm agonizing over which of the two to choose. I live in Singapore, and the M3 and LX100 new are at about the same price point. However, I have managed to find a used LX100 at a really nice price point. My issue is the portability of the LX100. Is the LX100 as unwieldy as it looks? The RX100 seems much smaller and shoots comparable photos as well. Are there any characteristics in terms of IQ that could sway me towards one of the cameras?

I've borrowed my friends LX100 for a weekend trip and found it to be an amazing camera. I personally love being able to change aspect ratios without cropping. The images are really good straight out of camera. 

 

The LX100 should have the edge in low-light but the RX100 M3 has the edge in pure resolution. 

I would try them out in person first. Personally, I think the small viewfinder on the RX100 would drive me batty. The LX100's is not the best EVF but it's pretty good and offers good eye relief.  

 

[Dw136]

If i'm not mistaken, the LX100 uses a 16MP Sensor, from which it only uses 12.5MP, meaning technically, the camera itself crops the image depending on the aspect ratio i guess.

Anyway, i think i'd go with the LX100 as well although you can't go wrong with either of them for a compact camera. I think the Sony will be much better as an every-day-carry camera because of the smaller form factor.

I think it depends where you've come from. I personally need larger cameras because I'm used to full sized DSLR; the small size and lack of controls would drive me insane. 

[Ruostunut kokis]

Both are nifty little cameras. Both are good options, though if you want / need a realistically pocket-sized camera, RX100M3 would be a better choice.

 

Though, the extra resolution on the RX100M3 is not really necessary, unless you crop a lot in-post. For something like low-light, LX100 is just simply better; while the difference might not look big in theory, it does make a rather large difference in practice (like when shooting in dark rooms or at night).

 

I own an RX100 (Mark 1), and I am pretty satisfied with it. Though I wish it had weather-resistance (can't bring it in rain) and better low-light capability, but thanks to the pocket-friendly size it's no fuss bringing it everywhere. Other than that, it was probably the best 300€ I have spent on a camera so far.

[ShadowCaptain]

I would also consider the Nikon J5! its body is smaller than the RX100

[ALwin]

I would also consider the Nikon J5! its body is smaller than the RX100

 

Honestly it's always hard to advise people on choosing a camera between various models with similar specifications or features, especially if the person asking is a beginner or has very little to no experience.  People like us have experience because we started out with one brand or model and over the years tried out, tested, moved onto other models/brands, it's easy to look at a camera and see if it's suitable for our needs.

[ShadowCaptain]

Honestly it's always hard to advise people on choosing a camera between various models with similar specifications or features, especially if the person asking is a beginner or has very little to no experience.  People like us have experience because we started out with one brand or model and over the years tried out, tested, moved onto other models/brands, it's easy to look at a camera and see if it's suitable for our needs.

 

I just like to add in more options since there are millions out there, its worth researching into them all, its also very beginner focused

 

It was designed for people who want to take photos, who arent very familiar with cameras, but also has very advanced capabilities 

[Captain_Slow]

Nikon Coolpix A? 

 

its a prime lens but it's also an APS-C Sensor.

 

or Nikon AW1 for waterproofing 

 

but other than that the sony RX100 m3 would be my choice. 

[ALwin]

I just like to add in more options since there are millions out there, its worth researching into them all, its also very beginner focused

 

It was designed for people who want to take photos, who arent very familiar with cameras, but also has very advanced capabilities 

 

I don't mind suggesting other models, I would also suggest something like the Canon G1X mkII which seems to have a larger sensor than the RX100mkIII.  But what exactly is the "best" or "right" camera for anyone who asks? Certainly there are pros and cons for every camera ever made, no camera is "perfect", but beginners don't realize that the human factor also plays a big role in determining the performance of a camera.

 

I sorta liked it back in the film days, the camera body was just a shell with a few mechanisms.  If you wanted to change ISO you had to physically change the film.  Wanna shoot higher resolution?  Move from shooting 35mm to medium or large format.

 

Now with digital camera sensors, everyone's talking about megapixels, ISO, noise, etc. Which I don't mind, but after a while it all becomes "noise".  These days I don't care if my D4 has 16MP or 24MP or 40MP (it has 16MP) as long as it helps me capture the moment.  I've stopped reading reviews or discussions about stuff like how Sony A7s II can go over 400K ISO... my D4 can shoot over 100K ISO yet I've never used ISO above 3200 (outside of curiosity) in any digital camera I have owned.

[TechStyle]

RX100 if you are looking for a truly portable camera that takes great photos.

 

The LX100 may not seem that large but in real world use it's much larger and much more cumbersome to take around.