8.6/ 10 SCORE Sony RX1R III Pros
Full-frame, 60.2-megapixel sensor
Fast, sharp Zeiss lens
Very compact
Cons
The worth
Yikes, the worth
See above
Also, no picture stabilization
The Sony RX1R III (aka the DSC-RX1RM3) is a compact, fixed-lens digital camera with a secret: a full-frame, 60.2 megapixel sensor. Usually massive, high-res picture sensors solely are available massive, interchangeable lens our bodies. The RX1R III is nearer in dimension to compact cameras just like the Ricoh GR IV and Panasonic Z99, each of which have smaller picture sensors and decrease decision. Using the RX1R III looks like utilizing another point-and-shoot digital camera. You can apply it to full auto to get spectacular outcomes direct from the digital camera, or dial down into the settings to get the precise aesthetic you need. Picture high quality is spectacular, far past what’s doable with any cellphone and most different compact cameras. The RX1R III’s greatest downside, for those who can name it that, is the worth. At $5,100 it is way more costly than extra versatile mirrorless cameras and far more than smaller, extra compact cameras. It’s an actual oddball of a product however for a really particular individual it is likely to be excellent. Sony RX1R III Photo decision 60.2 MP (9,504×6,336)Video decision 4K30Sensor dimension Full body (35.7×23.8mm)Lens 35mm f/2Image stabilization ElectronicScreen sort 2.95-inch LCD touchscreen, fixedStorage SDWeight 498g (1.1lbs)App iOS/Android The RX1R III is smaller but heavier than you’d anticipate. Most footage make it seem to be it is a small mirrorless digital camera, however that is undoubtedly extra point-and-shoot sized. Its steel physique (magnesium) feels fairly strong. All the varied dials have a satisfying click on to them. Even the lens cap feels weighty and substantial. This looks like a premium digital camera, which is nice as a result of it’s. The dimension and weight do not make for a very snug digital camera to carry, however I by no means felt like I used to be going to drop it. Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based opinions. Add CNET as a most well-liked Google supply on Chrome. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETThe lens barrel has three rings. The outermost is for guide focus, the center allows a macro-focusing mode (as shut as 0.2m/7.9in), and the innermost ring is for aperture. This is overridden in modes that mechanically set it. On prime of the physique there are dials for mode and publicity, plus one in all 3 user-programmable buttons. The “multi interface shoe” on prime has a digital audio interface. The touchscreen, sadly, would not pivot or tilt out, a useful characteristic many cheaper cameras have. There is an OLED viewfinder that mechanically prompts whenever you carry the digital camera near your face. It’s contrasty and detailed. In addition to the opposite programmable buttons, there is a scroll wheel, which makes navigating the various menus fairly simple. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETOne notable characteristic that is surprisingly lacking is picture stabilization. Many different cameras use optical or sensor stabilization to assist scale back picture blur when capturing hand-held with lengthy shutter speeds. That it is lacking right here, particularly for the worth, is odd. The quick lens and nice picture sensor carry out fairly properly collectively, so I suppose Sony did not assume it was obligatory. Still, it is a unusual factor to lack in 2025 and past. Also a bit unusual are the mediocre video capabilities. Sony clearly intends this digital camera for images, not video. While 4K30 is “fine” in that it is higher than HD, there are a lot of extra inexpensive cameras that may do much more. Even your cellphone can probably do 4K60. With a major “zoomed in” crop issue and solely marginally-effective digital picture stabilization (greater than what images get, to be honest) you most likely would not need to shoot a lot video with it anyway. Sony’s Creators’ App linked to my Pixel 9 Pro on the primary attempt. This is among the higher digital camera apps I’ve used, letting you management the digital camera, fee and choose photos and movies to obtain or add to the cloud, delete undesirable photos in bulk, save settings to the cellphone or cloud. The distant digital camera management, with a dwell view, enables you to regulate the digital camera’s varied settings. Usability and picture high quality All images on this part are unedited aside from some cropping. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETDespite the worth and spectacular specs, the RX1R III works similar to another compact fixed-lens digital camera. There’s an Auto mode that does job setting publicity and shutter pace to the scene. The autofocus works rapidly and well. If you need to dial in any particular settings, there are a number of dials proper close to your fingers to take action. On the left is the picture as taken. On the proper is a full HD (1,920×1,080) crop. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETHaving a 60.2-megapixel sensor is wild. My massive Canon R6 makes do with “just” 20.1, and my Fujifilm X100VI has what I assumed was a formidable 40.2. Resolution is only one side of picture high quality, and for those who’re posting on social media, even 20.1 megapixels is loads. However, the additional decision is not nearly added element however how a lot you’ll be able to crop a picture. You basically do not want a telephoto lens when capturing with the RX1R III. You can crop up to now into a picture that it seems to be such as you’ve obtained a large zoom lens, regardless that it is a fastened 35mm. Geoffrey MorrisonThe 35mm Zeiss lens is unbelievable. At f2, it provides some spectacular light-gathering efficiency and a few beautiful clean bokeh. It’s additionally sharp and creates pleasing starbursts when stopped down and capturing right into a shiny gentle supply just like the solar. The close-focusing mode, plus the excessive decision, enables you to seize impressively shut macro photos. On the proper is a full HD (1,920×1,080) crop of the left picture. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETThat decision does include a draw back: enormous file sizes. JPEGs are about 14 megabytes and their accompanying uncooked information are round 64MB. These information switch pretty rapidly to your cellphone however it’s value preserving in thoughts for those who shoot lots. Large SD playing cards and an additional arduous drive are a should, as is an honest pc to course of them with out bogging down. Then once more, for the kind of individuals I think about have an interest within the RX1R, they probably have already got all of that. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETMy solely actual criticism is the ergonomics. This is a heavy digital camera for its dimension, and there isn’t any thumb relaxation and solely the smallest of entrance grips on your fingers. It makes the RX1R slightly awkward to carry, particularly for any size of time. There are loads of aftermarket equipment to handle this problem, so this is not an issue per se, simply one thing to remember. And to be clear, this can be a small digital camera that is lighter than lots of its high-end contemporaries. The Leica Q3, for instance, which makes use of the identical picture sensor, is sort of 50% heavier. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETMostly, although, the RX1R is a versatile and forgiving digital camera. It feels very simple to take very high-quality, great-looking images in quite a lot of lighting conditions. The sensor’s excessive dynamic vary enables you to expose for highlights and get impressively low-noise shadows you’ll be able to brighten in publish. Colors are deep and lifelike. It’s all very confidence-inspiring that you can get some nice pictures with minimal fuss. Or, if you wish to fuss, get one thing particular. $84.72 per megapixel Geoffrey Morrison/CNETThe RX1R III is, as I’ve stated already, wild. If you’re taking worth out of the equation, it is a sensible little digital camera: nice lens, spectacular sensor, small dimension and straightforward to make use of. This is the true world, nonetheless, so worth must be part of the equation… I suppose? I imply, does a Porsche driver care that their Boxster is dearer than a Mazda MX-5 however equally enjoyable? Are there individuals wanting to save lots of up for months to get the RX1R III? I’ve to imagine an enormous share of individuals seeking to purchase this digital camera already produce other cameras, and $5,100 is not an enormous deal. Does the RX1R III supply sufficient efficiency to justify its important premium over different compact cameras? For most individuals, no. You may purchase the smaller, easily-pocketable Ricoh GR IV and the quirky Fujifilm X100VI and nonetheless manage to pay for to fly to Japan and use them each for 2 weeks. There are small, full-frame mirrorless cameras that may do every thing the RX1R III and extra for lots much less cash. That appears past the purpose of this digital camera, although. The Ricoh GR IV and the Sony RX1R III. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETThere are, nonetheless, individuals who need and/or want greater than what the Ricoh and Fuji and their APS-C-sized sensors can present. In my thoughts, the RX1R III is likely to be excellent for an expert photographer, particularly somebody who shoots weddings and occasions, who needs one thing quick and straightforward that may match the standard of their massive, most important cameras. Some extent-and-shoot digital camera with an ideal lens and sensor that creates photos you’ll be able to’t inform had been taken by a point-and-shoot digital camera. So for these individuals, or I suppose anybody who would not flinch on the concept of a $5,100 gadget, the RX1R III is spectacular and matches right into a tiny area of interest all its personal. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET