Sony has announced the launch of the long-awaited third generation of its Sony RX1R compact digital camera. It’s been 10 years since the previous model was released back in 2015. The new Sony RX1R III features a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor and a fixed 35 mm lens.
Full frame sensor
The Sony RX1R III compact camera has a 61-megapixel full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS image sensor. This is the same sensor as in Sony’s A7CR full-frame mirrorless camera. The RX1R III is also powered by the latest BIONZ XR image processing engine. Sony says that this sensor and processor combination delivers high resolution and sensitivity, with low noise and a wide dynamic range. Plus, the sensor surface has an AR (Anti-Reflection) coating and omits the optical low-pass filter to achieve superior image quality.
35 mm lens
The Sony RX1R III features an integrated Zeiss Sonnar T* 35 mm lens. As this is a compact camera, the lens is fixed, so you can’t swap it for an alternative focal length. The lens also offers a wide maximum aperture of F2, so you should get good low-light performance. Sony also describes the lens as having “the characterful nostalgia and visual tone that you would associate with the 35mm lens.”
Also, you can focus down to 0.8 feet (24cm) in normal mode, or 0.46 feet (14cm) in Macro mode.
Video shooting
The Sony RX1R III compact camera can record video in 10-bit UHD 4K (3,840 x 2,160) up to 30 fps. Alternatively, you can record up to 120 fps if you drop the resolution down to 8-bit 1080 HD. The camera also supports Slow and Quick for off-speed recording.
You can record your movies in the S-Cinetone color profile for cinematic-looking footage straight out of the camera. Other video features include Active Stabilization for smooth footage when shooting handheld and the option to use your own LUTs.
AI features
The RX1R III compact camera is equipped with the latest AI processing unit as found on Sony’s Alpha cameras. This AI processing unit can accurately recognise the shape and movement of subjects, as well as the position of eyes, human bodies, and heads. It can even track subjects even when their faces are not visible. In addition, the AI processing unit supports human, animal, bird, insect, car, train, and airplane recognition for both stills and movies.
Other features
The Sony RX1R III compact camera features a Step Crop Shooting function. With this, you can switch between focal lengths equivalent to 35 mm, 50 mm and 70 mm. However, the resolution is dropped from 61 MP to 29 MP and 15 MP, respectively. The RX1R III also offers twelve built-in Creative Looks. You can apply these adjustments to hue, saturation, brightness, contrast, and sharpness for both still images and movies.
Build
The Sony RX1R III compact camera features an electronic viewfinder with a 2.36 million-dot XGA OLED display. There is also a fixed three-inch touchscreen on the back of the camera. The RX1R has a range of inputs and outputs, including USB-C, a micro-HDMI port, and a microphone jack. Also, the camera delivers improved battery life with the NP-FW50 battery.
What we think
The Sony RX1R III compact camera is a high-specification camera that will deliver great still images and video. 35mm is also a versatile focal length that suits both close-up work for portraits as well as wider shots for landscapes and architecture. As such, the RX1R is an ideal camera to carry with you all the time. However, for many users, the price will be a sticking point. For $5,000, you could pick up one of Sony’s mirrorless cameras as well as a lens or two, giving you a much more versatile setup.
Pricing and availability
The Sony RX1R III compact camera will be available this month and is priced at $5,099.
