Instruction: Answer the given question by extracting information from the supporting document.

Input:
Question: Does this have a smaller optical zoom than the previous model?
Document: The thickness of this model is about 2mm more. And the weight is about 8 to 9 grams more. What this also means in terms of fitting a leather case to it is that my previous models Sony leather case will not fit this camera. You're going to need the Sony LCJRXF/B Premium Jacket Case (Black). This new case will fit all previous models as well as this model.
I gladly forked over my $800 for this bad boy. Don't forget to get the Sony protective case. Its saved my RX100M2 a many times and I'm sure it will protect my M3 as well (must buy the newer model as the previous cases are a bit too small to cover this one). Had to buy it from Crutchfield as it was backordered on here on the release date. Get these while they're hot b/c its the best pocketable camera ever made, by anyone.
I bought this camera because of its faster lens (f/1.8 to f2.8), which means, to me,  more light entering onto the cameras sensor which, in turn, means to me slightly better images than previous models. Which translate to a shallower depth of field available. And that's exactly what I like and want in this model, and precisely why I bought it, even though I also have the previous M2 model. One thing I want to note here before I go on.
Great camera. I have both the original and the new one. Viewfinder is very good quality but LCD is so good I only need it 10 to 15 percent of the time. Smaller zoom range has not been an issue for my applications. My only complaint is not as much easy focus control. You can get there but it is a bit of work.
It's marvelous . . . but not really "palm sized". And fitting a zoom on it, makes it even larger.So, my dream "palm sized" camera is one that provides a meaningful level of shallow depth of field, functions well in low light, has some optical zoom capability, and can fit in the palm of my hand.The Sony RX100M III does MOST of these things . . .
Is the sensor really as good as Leica's? No, of course not. But it is VERY good for the size and price.The zoom range is nice: 24-70mm. To be honest, I'd like it to reach 100mm like the earlier models but then I'm not ready to trade the smaller aperture for that ;-)A couple of other features I enjoy: you can shoot video in black and white . . .
It's even less than the last version. As good as this camera is and as spectacular as the image quality ends up being, the camera is just not practical for me without more optical zoom. It barely zooms which essentially means you have to be right up on your subject which, for me, means missing out on many shots.I get that Sony made tradeoffs to get such stellar picture quality in such a form factor and my hats off to them for their remarkable advances.
Had the original 100, and this is a step up in all ways except zoom length. As with my first one... Extraordinarily sharp, clear, detailed and saturated photos, faster shot to shot and better low light performance. Little heavier, little thicker, very well made. I would easily have given up the EVF for a touchscreen... I suspect Sony knows that by now, and i have no doubt it sill be on the next model.
Visually, the protruding multi-function hot-shoe also made the camera less aesthetically pleasing.I bought the RX100M3 because of the following reasons:1. The excellent Zeiss lens offering a wider wide angle (24mm) and much larger aperture (f/1.8 to 2.8) while trading off a smaller zoom range (24 to 70mm vs. 28 to 100mm), when compared to the original RX100.
This EVF is 'only' 1.44 megapixels, versus 2.44 in their higher end cameras, but both look absolutely 'real' (as if you were looking through an optical viewfinder for the most part with the larger pixel space simply 'looking' larger through the view finder. )Other advantages include a better menu structure and a dedicated flash on button - which is a big deal from my POV.
Answer: Yes, optical zoom is now 24-70 (was 28-100) but aperture only goes from 1.8-2.8 as opposed to 1.8-4.9 on the older lens. Many enthusiasts prefer the faster aperture and 24mm wide over bigger zoom range.