Undoubtedly, the currently best compact camera !!!

I have long been considering a compact camera with a large sensor to buy on the go. The RX100 I had on the screen, but struggle through really I could not, because I quite a bit has not been so well-liked. Now the RX100 III is because I am glad that I could borrow from a friend for a day, who in return my Fuji X-E1 received. For image quality comparison I have the same even with borrowed its RX100.

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+++++++++++++++++++++++ PROCESSING / DESIGN +++++++++++++++++++++++

Class processing, significantly higher quality than for example the A6000. Design I find also very straightforward and chic. More there is not to say here.

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+++++++++++++++++++++++ HANDLING / Ergonomics +++++++++++++++++++++++

Handling:
The camera has as RX100er before even no grip and the front is very smooth. Only the thumb rest on the back makes the grip. The optional handle Sony AG-R1 improves handling noticeably. Also, the dial on the back gets Sony always really good out wide enough tacky feel and can be turned pleasant.
The wheel that surrounds the lens is unfortunately again without detent, which is good for focusing, for setting parameters but less.

Ergonomics:
The RX100 III gets the new individually adjustable Fn menu donated, which I think is much better and more clearly as the old RX 100 (II).
There is also a new assignable C-key, rather than the useless? Button the RX100 (II).

Nearly all keys can be free, except the DISP button, the arrow down key and the control wheel on the back. So I can not control with the operating control on the back of the exposure and to the front the panel, but only in reverse. Also, I have then the exposure twice because that is predefined at the arrow-down keys. Total shame, but you can live with it.

Finally, the selection of the AF target has become well. If you have selected AF Vario you jump by pressing the middle button in the shift mode of the AF-field, which is nothing new. Finally, however, you can rotate the rear dial to change the size of the AF field directly (in 3 stages), whereby the 1-area AF is only really useful.

The compactness could reach any point of the screen with your thumb without any problems, which is why a touch screen would have been absolutely brilliant. But if there is not. Too bad, it would have improved the workflow again significantly.

Interim conclusion >>>
According to the size, the handling is not perfect, but with the additional handle can be noticeably improved.
By quite many keys, two command dials and the good Fn menu is to set all the parameters of super hand. Unfortunately, there is at the free verifiability of keys still a few limitations and a touch screen would have been great. Overall, this is but bleating at a high level.

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+++++++++++++++++++++++ EQUIPMENT +++++++++++++++++++++++

The biggest change is of course the electronic viewfinder, which has become really excellent sharp and almost without delay. He is also the compactness very large 0,59x magnification, to compare Canon 700D - 0.5x; OM-D E-M5 / 10 - 0,58x.
However, it can be the viewfinder completely overlook difficulties and if you look with your left eye through the viewfinder pushes you look pretty nose on display flat for eyeglass wearers. There is no eyecup why one in strong sunlight probably have to take the protective hand to help in order to have a clearer picture.

Otherwise, the camera and has everything your heart desires, I missed almost nothing. Anyone wanting to know more just looking at the manual. Only one hot shoe and a microphone input does not exist, but in the size you can not have everything.

Interim conclusion >>>
Impressive good viewfinder for the size of the camera and otherwise an almost complete equipment that leaves few wishes unfulfilled.

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+++++++++++++++++++++++ IMAGE QUALITY / LENS +++++++++++++++++++++++

Lens:
The second major novelty of the viewfinder is the lens. 24-70mm f / 1.8-2.8 28-100mm instead f / 1.8 to 4.9 in the old RX100ern. So a little more wide-angle, telephoto and less significantly brighter at the long end, which makes it better suited for portraits. Exactly what I would have liked, super.
But there are differences in the optical power? In the center I could find absolutely no differences over the entire focal length range. The only differences are there at the edge in wide angle and telephoto at maximum aperture at 24mm so / 28mm F1.8 and 70mm f2.8 / 100mm F4.9. There is the RX100 III each slightly sharper (especially with 70mm) and also shows less CAs. Overall, the optical performance is very similar.
Image Quality:
To explore how well the image quality really is I make the comparison to Sony A6000, which could thoroughly test a few weeks ago. For comparison I have just made and compared as the same test shots as well with the A6000.
Up to ISO 800, the two cameras are absolutely on par. I could almost make out no significant differences, except for the edge sharpness was even in the RX100 III a little bit better. However, the very weak 16-50mm was used on the A6000. Nevertheless, this is a more than respectable performance. From ISO 1600 but the A6000 is visible better, what was to be expected, of course.

Interim conclusion >>>
When the lens changes were exactly in the right places and made in the lower ISO range, the image quality is on par current APS-C cameras (with kit lens). A clearly visible improvement in picture quality for RX100 (II), there are not.

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+++++++++++++++++++++++ CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++

Sony has set to the correct points and lifted the RX100 to a new level. The individual features like viewfinder, image quality, lens are in the size of the camera so far unique, there are alternatives with corresponding tappings.
Whether a camera is now really worth so much money can each decide for themselves only. For my part I can only say that the camera is the best what you can get when it comes to compact camera currently.