Revival of Sony's famed full-frame compact camera, announced as Sony RX1R III
The tech world has been abuzz with the release of Sony's latest compact camera, the RX1R III. This premium device, set to hit the shelves later this month, promises to deliver state-of-the-art image quality and AI-enhanced autofocus in a highly portable body.
### Key Features
The RX1R III boasts a 61MP full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor, providing an extremely high resolution for detailed images and flexible cropping. The lens is a ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm f/2, renowned for its excellent optical performance optimized at the micron level for this compact form factor.
Equipped with the latest BIONZ XR image processor and a dedicated AI processing unit, the RX1R III offers advanced subject recognition and real-time tracking autofocus across 693 PDAF points. This AI-driven autofocus system boosts accuracy and responsiveness, making it competitive with top models.
The camera features a 0.39” 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 0.7x magnification, and a 3.0” 2.36 million-dot touchscreen LCD fixed in place, designed for easy navigation and framing. It supports 4K 30p 10-bit video recording and Full HD 120p for high-quality video capture.
### Comparisons and Pricing
The RX1R III offers a higher-resolution sensor than the Leica Q3 and advanced AI-powered autofocus but lacks some physical features such as weather sealing and IBIS, which Leica provides. The RX1R III’s strength lies in its extremely high image quality and AI autofocus capabilities packed into a truly compact form.
| Feature | Sony RX1R III | Leica Q3 | |--------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Sensor Resolution | 61 MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 60.3 MP full-frame BSI CMOS | | Lens | ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 fixed | Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 fixed | | Image Stabilization | None | Yes (IBIS) | | Weather Sealing | No | Yes (IP52 rating) | | Screen | Fixed touchscreen LCD | Tiltable touchscreen LCD | | Autofocus | 693 PDAF points, AI-based recogn.| Contrast-detect with advanced AF | | Body Size | Compact, palm-sized | Slightly larger, premium compact | | Price (as of July 2025) | Approx. $5,098 (B&H Photo) | Typically higher, approx $5,500+ |
### Pricing
The RX1R III is priced around **$5,098** at launch/preorder from major retailers like B&H Photo.
For those eager to delve deeper into the RX1R III's specifications, they can visit the manufacturer's official website. It's worth noting that Sony may receive a commission from the offers for the RX1R III.
The RX1R III is a premium compact fixed-lens camera that targets photographers seeking state-of-the-art image quality with AI-enhanced autofocus in a highly portable body. It stands out with its 61MP full-frame sensor and advanced subject recognition AI, but trades off some durability and flexibility features like weather sealing and screen tilt compared to competitors such as the Leica Q3. Its pricing positions it firmly in the premium segment for serious enthusiasts and professionals who want an "always-carried" high-performance camera.
[1] Sony RX1R III Official Website:
In light of the tech world's excitement surrounding Sony's latest compact camera, the RX1R III, many are curious about how smartphones might compare. However, this 61MP full-frame camera leaves smartphones' gadgetry far behind, offering a PDAF autofocus system with 693 points, advanced subject recognition, and a ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens known for its exceptional performance. While discussions about tech often revolve around smartphones and their technology, the RX1R III showcases the potency of dedicated camera technology.
