Pros
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Full-frame sensor with a resolution of 60.2 megapixels.
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Fast and sharp Zeiss lens.
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Very compact
Cons
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Price
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Yep, price
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See above
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There is also no image stabilization.
The Sony RX1R III (also known as the DSC-RX1RM3) is a compact camera with a fixed lens and a secret: a full-frame 60.2 megapixel sensor. Typically, large, high-resolution image sensors only come with large interchangeable lenses. The RX1R III is closer in size to compact cameras such as Rico GR IV And Panasonic Z99both of which have smaller image sensors and lower resolution.
Using the RX1R III is like using any other point-and-shoot camera. You can use it in fully automatic mode to get stunning results straight from the camera, or change the settings to get exactly the look you want. The image quality is impressive, far superior to any phone and most other compact cameras.
The RX1R III's biggest problem, if you can call it that, is the price. At $5,100, it's much more expensive than more versatile mirrorless cameras, and much more expensive than smaller, more compact cameras. This is a really strange product, but for a very specific person it may be perfect.
Sony RX1R III
| Photo resolution | 60.2 MP (9504×6336) |
|---|---|
| Video resolution | 4K30 |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.7×23.8 mm) |
| Lens | 35mm f/2 |
| Image stabilization | Electronic |
| Screen type | 2.95″ LCD touch screen, fixed |
| Storage | SD |
| Weight | 498 g (1.1 lb) |
| Application | iOS/Android |
The RX1R III is smaller but heavier than you might expect. Most photos give the impression that this is a small mirrorless camera, but it's definitely more suitable for compact shooting. Its metal body (magnesium) looks quite durable. All the different dials have a satisfying click to them. Even the lens cap feels heavy and solid. It feels like a premium camera, which is good because it is. The size and weight don't make the camera particularly comfortable to hold, but I never felt like I was going to drop it.
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The lens barrel has three rings. The outermost ring is for manual focusing, the middle one enables macro focusing mode (up to 0.2m/7.9in), and the innermost ring is for aperture. This is overridden in modes that set it automatically. The top of the body houses the mode and exposure dials, as well as one of three user-programmable buttons. The “multi-interface shoe” on top has a digital audio interface.
The touchscreen, unfortunately, doesn't swivel or tilt, which is a convenient feature on many cheaper cameras. There is an OLED viewfinder that automatically activates when you bring the camera close to your face. It is contrasting and detailed. In addition to other programmable buttons, there is a scroll wheel that makes navigating the numerous menus much easier.
One notable feature that is surprisingly lacking is image stabilization. Many other cameras use optical or touch stabilization to reduce blur when shooting handheld at long shutter speeds. It's strange that it's not here, especially because of the price. A fast lens and a great sensor work together quite well, so I guess Sony didn't find it necessary. However, it is strange that this is missing in 2025 and beyond.
The mediocre video capabilities are also a little strange. Sony clearly intends this camera for photos, not video. While 4K30 is “okay” because it's better than HD, there are plenty of more affordable cameras that can do much more. Even your phone will likely be able to support 4K60. With a significant “boosted” crop factor and only marginally effective digital image stabilization (more than stills, to be fair), you probably won't want to shoot much video with it anyway.
The Sony Creators app connected to my Pixel 9 Pro on the first try. This is one of the best camera apps I've ever used. It allows you to control the camera, rate and select images and videos to download or upload to the cloud, bulk delete unwanted images, save settings on your phone or in the cloud. Remote camera control with live view allows you to adjust various camera settings.
Convenience and photo quality
All photos in this section are unedited except for some cropping.
Despite its price and impressive specs, the RX1R III performs just like any other compact fixed lens camera. There is an automatic mode that does a good job of adjusting exposure and shutter speed for the scene. Autofocus is fast and responsive. If you want to dial in any specific settings, there are several dials right next to your fingers to do so.
On the left is the photo as it was taken. On the right is a crop in Full HD (1920×1080).
Having a 60.2 megapixel sensor is wild. My big Canon R6 costs “only” 20.1, and my Fujifilm X100VI has what I thought was an impressive 40.2. Resolution is just one aspect of image quality, and if you're sharing it on social media, even 20.1 megapixels will be enough. However, the extra resolution isn't just about adding detail, it's also about how much you can crop the image. There's virtually no need for a telephoto lens when shooting with the RX1R III. You can crop the image so far that it looks like you have a massive zoom lens, even though it has a fixed focal length of 35mm.
The Zeiss 35mm lens is simply amazing. At f2 it produces impressive aperture and beautifully smooth bokeh. It's also sharp and produces nice starbursts when stopped and shot in front of a bright light source like the sun. The close focus mode and high resolution allow you to create impressively close macro images.
Right – Crop of the left image in Full HD (1920×1080).
This resolution has a downside: huge file sizes. The JPEG file size is about 14 megabytes, and the accompanying raw files are about 64 MB in size. These files transfer to your phone fairly quickly, but it's worth keeping in mind if you shoot a lot. Large SD cards and an additional hard drive are a must, as well as a decent computer to handle them without getting tired. Again, the people I think are interested in the RX1R probably already have all of this.
My only real complaint is the ergonomics. It's a heavy camera for its size, has no thumb rest, and only the smallest front grips for fingers. This makes the RX1R a bit awkward to hold, especially for long periods of time. There are many aftermarket accessories available to solve this problem, so it's not a problem in itself, just something to be aware of. And to be clear, this is a small camera that's lighter than many of its high-end contemporaries. For example, the Leica Q3, which uses the same image sensor, is almost 50% heavier.
For the most part, though, the RX1R is a flexible and forgiving camera. It's easy to take high-quality, beautiful photos in a variety of lighting conditions. The sensor's wide dynamic range allows highlights to be exposed and shadows to be produced with impressive low noise levels, which can be brightened in post-processing. The colors are deep and realistic. All this gives you confidence that you can take great photos with minimal effort. Or, if you want to fuss, get something special.
US$84.72 per megapixel
The RX1R III is, as I said, wild. If you take price out of the equation, this is a brilliant little camera: great lens, impressive sensor, small size and easy to use. However, this is the real world, so price has to be part of the equation… I guess? I mean, does a Porsche driver care that his Boxster is more expensive than a Mazda MX-5 but just as fun? Are there people willing to spend months saving up for an RX1R III? I have to assume that a large percentage of people looking to buy this camera already have other cameras, and $5,100 isn't that big of a deal.
Does the RX1R III have enough performance to justify its significant superiority over other compact cameras? For most people no. You can buy the smaller and pocket-friendly Ricoh GR IV. And a fancy Fujifilm X100VI, and he still has enough money to fly to Japan and use both of them for two weeks. There are small full-frame mirrorless cameras that can do everything the RX1R III does and more for a lot less money. However, this appears to be beyond the scope of this camera.
Ricoh GR IV and Sony RX1R III.
However, there are people who want and/or need more than what Ricoh and Fuji and their APS-C sized sensors can provide. In my opinion, the RX1R III could be an ideal option for a professional photographer, especially those shooting weddings and other events who need something quick and simple that can match the quality of their larger main cameras. A point-and-shoot camera with an excellent lens and sensor that allows you to create images that are indistinguishable from a point-and-shoot camera. So, for those people, or I guess anyone who doesn't flinch at the thought of a $5,100 gadget, the RX1R III is impressive and fits into its tiny niche.
