The RX1R series has always been a standout in the camera world, packing full-frame performance into a body small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. After nearly ten years since the RX1R II, Sony has released the RX1R III for photographers who want high quality without the bulk. Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions at Sony Electronics, sums it up: “The RX1R III combines Sony’s design savvy with the latest innovations in imaging technology to produce a new flagship in our RX1R camera series that offers uncompromising full-frame quality in a premium compact camera body.”
At its heart is a 61-megapixel full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor, the same one used in Sony’s A7R V and A7CR. With the BIONZ XR processor, it captures images with incredible detail, clarity and 15 stops of dynamic range so colors and contrasts pop.
- Full-frame Exmor R CMOS 33MP*1 sensor and BIONZ XR image processor engine
- 15+ stops dynamic range in Log mode with Dual base ISO (800/4000)
- Flexible Log shooting modes — Flexible ISO, Cine EI, and Cine EI Quick
The Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens is the same as the RX1R II but still a gem. Designed to work with the sensor it produces crisp images with a smooth, dreamy background blur that highlights your subject. Sony has tweaked the lens alignment down to the micron so every shot is sharp, even at the edges. A macro mode lets you focus as close as 20cm, with 0.26x magnification, great for capturing texture of a flower or the weave of fabric. For flexibility, digital crop modes mimic 50mm and 70mm lenses, delivering 29-megapixel and 15-megapixel images respectively and can be switched with the C1 button for tighter framing without extra lenses.
The autofocus is a big step up, using the same AI-driven system as Sony’s top mirrorless cameras. It tracks people, animals and objects with pinpoint accuracy, perfect for street shots or wildlife moments. Yang Cheng’s claim of “uncompromising full-frame quality” is true, the autofocus is as good as the bigger pro models like the A7R V. Whether you’re shooting a busy city scene or a fleeting moment, the RX1R III stays locked on so you don’t miss the shot.For video the RX1R III records 4K at 30 fps with 10-bit 4:2:2 color, rich detailed footage. Slow-motion fans get 1080p at 120 fps for smooth cinematic clips. No log mode but Sony’s S-Cinetone profile gives you film-like look right out of the camera. Single SDXC UHS-II slot, mic input and USB-C charging for easy connectivity. Weighs just 1.1 pounds, the aluminum body feels solid yet light, perfect to carry all day.
Sony has streamlined the RX1R III design, flattened the top and replaced the pop-up viewfinder with a fixed 2.36 million-dot XGA OLED viewfinder with 0.70x magnification. It’s sleeker but some might miss the older design’s flexibility. The NP-FW50 battery good for about 300 shots charges quickly via USB-C so you’re always ready to go.
Priced at $5,099.99 in the U.S. and $6,299.99 in Canada, the RX1R III isn’t cheap, but it’s a bargain compared to high-end compacts like the Leica Q3. Available starting July 2025, it’s a tool for photographers who want pro-level results without hauling a full camera setup.
