Sony announces full-frame compact camera RX1R III priced at $5100

Sony has officially announced the RX1R III, the long-awaited successor to its compact full-frame RX1R II camera, nearly a decade after the last model debuted. With a significant sensor upgrade and modern processing power, the RX1R III aims to blend portability with high-end performance – at a premium price of $5,099.99.

The third-generation RX1R keeps the hallmark 35mm Zeiss Sonnar T* F2 fixed lens and compact form factor, but now houses a 61MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, up from 42.4MP in its predecessor. The camera also inherits Sony’s Bionz XR and dedicated AI processing engine, which powers a highly intelligent autofocus system that can track subjects’ heads and eyes even when partially obscured or turned away.

While still designed for portability, the RX1R III sheds the tilting rear display in favor of a fixed screen to reduce weight. This change, however, might challenge users looking to shoot from unconventional angles. For traditional framing, there’s a 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder.

To address the limitations of a fixed lens, Sony has introduced a Step Crop Shooting mode. This digital zoom feature simulates 50mm and 70mm focal lengths alongside the native 35mm by cropping into the high-resolution sensor. Additionally, a manual macro mode on the lens allows close-up shooting at distances as short as 20cm.

The RX1R III shoots stills at up to 5 fps and records 4K video at 30 fps, or Full HD (1080p) at 120 fps. Unlike its predecessor, it includes Sony’s S-Cinetone picture profile for more cinematic footage. Users also get 12 customizable “Creative Looks” to apply artistic styles directly to both photos and videos.

Autofocus has received a substantial boost, now featuring 693 phase-detection points – matching Sony’s flagship A7R V. This makes the RX1R III one of the most advanced autofocus systems in a compact body.

Despite its innovations, the RX1R III enters a competitive field that includes the similarly priced Fujifilm GFX100RF and Leica Q3. Though it excels in portability and high-resolution performance, potential buyers may find more versatile or cost-effective alternatives if willing to trade off some compactness.

The RX1R III will be available later this July.