A New Luxury Compact Camera: the Sony RX1R III Announcement

Sony RX1R III on a black background. Courtesy of Sony Electronics.
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This week, Sony did what seems impossible these days; it announced a camera that no one had any clue was in the works: the Sony RX1R III. High-end compact cameras have really become all the rage among deep-pocketed photographers, both pros and hobbyists alike, and it makes sense that Sony would bring back a camera model that has been sitting in a corner, ignored like a stepchild. But is this truly a revival of Sony’s full-frame compact or a scramble to regain market relevance?

Sony RX1R III Key Features via Sony

  • Exceptional 61MP resolution full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
  • Micron-adjusted integrated lens/sensor optimizes performance
  • ZEISS® Sonnar T* 35mm F2 lens maximizes image quality
  • Advanced AI for precise subject recognition and AF tracking
  • High ISO sensitivity, low noise, & wide dynamic range
  • BIONZ XR processor delivers detail with natural gradations, realistic color
  • Close-up macro near as 20 cm w/ 0.26x max. magnification
  • 3 in 1 lens Step Crop Shooting function: 35mm, 50mm, 70mm
  • 12-Creative Look presets, incl. 3-film-style looks (FL, FL2, FL3)

What Does a $5k Compact Camera Buy?

The Sony RX1R III is a luxury, fixed-lens, full-frame compact camera sporting a 61-megapixel sensor and a Zeiss 35mm F2 lens. That sensor is the same one found in the a7R VI and a7R V, the latter of which has been problematic for some. Sony even packed it with all the subject detection capabilities found in both a7R cameras.

Unfortunately, what you won’t find that came over from the a7R cameras is weather sealing of any kind. That’s a huge deal for a camera with an MSRP of about $5100. While the lack of weather sealing is a problem, the bigger issue I have with this camera is the fixed lens—it’s the same Sonnar T-series lens from the original RX1R. It’s been a full decade since that camera was released, and it makes this camera feel like a parts bin project rather than an engineering marvel that should command luxury pricing.

Final Thoughts on the Sony RX1R III Announcement

Now, this is all speculation at this point—the camera was announced on Tuesday, and as far as I know, no one has had a chance to review it. However, this feels like a rushed effort to jump on the luxury compact trend that has worked well for the likes of Leica, Fujifilm, and Ricoh. Unfortunately for the Sony RX1R III, it misses the mark on some key features that would truly make this a standout camera.

Am I upset about the pricing? Not really. Suppose I had the disposable income to be in the market for a camera like this, I’d be looking at the Leica Q3 (approximately $6700) or the Fujifilm GFX100 RF (approximately $4900), both of which are about the same price. Each of these offers something a little different, but they are, in essence, the camera equivalent of a luxury watch – they’re functional, yes, but they’re more about being a statement piece you carry with you. All that being said, I want to be wrong, I want this camera to succeed because I’d love to see more innovation in this particular market segment, and a solid offering by one of the most popular camera manufacturers can light a fire under the competition.