This is the Sony RX1R III — a camera photographers like me have been waiting over 10 years for. And honestly, we weren’t even sure it would ever be released.
It’s a fixed-lens full-frame camera, just like the RX1R II before it. Same lens, but now it’s paired with a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor from the Sony A7R V and Sony A7CR. It’s designed to be a premium compact — something that fits in your jacket pocket, but still delivers pro-level image quality. Think of it as a fun, weekender camera for working photographers or serious enthusiasts who don’t want to lug around a full kit.
While I think I own one of the best camera combos with the video-first Sony a7S III and the hybrid Sony a7 IV, they’re not the most convenient to take on the go, especially when I just want to focus on exploring and not be weighed down by my gear. The smaller and lighter the camera, the more likely I’ll bring it with me as an everyday carry (at least that’s what I keep telling myself). The thing is, I rarely take photos on my most portable camera, my iPhone 16 Pro, unless I really have to. Small point-and-shoots like the Sony RX1 I previously owned were a step up, but to me, they ultimately lacked that oomph I was after.
I’ve been chasing that elusive sweet spot: a small, fun camera that still gives me full creative control and doesn’t make me compromise on image quality. That’s what the Sony RX1R III aims to achieve. I had the opportunity to test this new $5100 camera and after a day of testing it around NYC, here’s what I loved — and what still feels stuck in the past.
If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.
The Sony RX1R III uses a 10 year old lens, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s the same 35mm f/2 Zeiss Sonnar T* lens as the previous model — it’s sharp, delivers excellent depth of field, and is of course compact. Why change?
The camera is now paired with an upgraded 61-megapixel full-frame sensor (up from 42.4MP of the RX1R II). This gives enough resolution for digital crops. To an effective 50mm focal length with 29MP spare, and 70mm at 15MP — so you get lots of flexibility without ever swapping lenses.
The Sony RX1R III uses a 10 year old lens, but that’s not a bad thing.
The 3 effective focal lengths can quickly be toggled between using a programmable Custom Button. I enjoyed nailing my framing in camera, saving me from needing further edits. From capturing a delivery guy chilling on his Vespa in front of a pizzeria with perfectly complementary teal and orange colors, to retro signage I found across during my walk, to authentic moments of New Yorkers just being New Yorkers, the RX1R III offers good focal range to work with for street photography.
That said, there were definitely times where I wished the lens could go wider — something like a 24mm or 20mm — especially when I couldn’t physically move backwards to capture more in frame. One missed shot that sticks with me: a yellow cab flying past with a killer backdrop behind it. Wider glass would have told a better story.
Inconspicuous… and I love that
The RX1R III reminded me how great it is to have a very compact high quality stills camera that I can take basically anywhere. It weighs just 1.1 pounds and measures under 3 inches thick. Not exactly pocketable — but it still fits easily in a jacket or sling bag without weighing you down.
On the street, it’s stealthy. People don’t tense up when you raise it. They don’t assume you’ve got the reach to grab a candid moment across the street — even though you do. And for me, there’s another big bonus: most venues will let it through security without hassle.
By contrast, even my smallest Sony Alpha body with a pancake lens sets off the “pro gear” alarms. I’ve lost count of the awkward moments explaining to security, “Actually, according to your policy this lens is small enough and allowed to be brought in.” The RX1R III skips that whole song and dance — it’s just a small camera to everyone else, which is exactly what I want it to be.
The reigning champ of AF
Sony still reigns champ when it comes to autofocus, especially compared to the likes of Leica Q3 43 and Fujifilm GFX100RF, which may have the edge with image quality, but can’t keep up with the RX1R III’s speed and AI. The Sony offers 693 Phase detection autofocus points covering around 78% of the image capture’s area and can focus up to 20cm close for macro shots. One thing holding it back, though, is that it uses stepper motors, so its tracking may not be as reliable as Sony’s newer Alpha cameras.
In my tests, I tracked a group of skaters riding toward me, keeping focus on the guy on the left as he busted a sick kickflip, and the camera just locked on the whole time.
I ended up printing that shot straight out of camera — no edits needed. And that’s the beauty of a camera like this. It almost gives me that instant camera vibe, where I can quickly capture a moment and print it right away without worrying about spending hours in Lightroom.
The trade-offs
For hybrid shooters like me, the RX1R III also shoots 4K at up to 30fps, which is great for capturing quick video moments on the fly. I’d still use this primarily as a photo-first camera, as the compact size does come with trade-offs. Specifically for video: there’s no mic or headphone jack, no stabilization, and there’s no record button. Considering the target audience, the video features may rarely get used — but there are a few other quirks photographers won’t love either.
Even the 10-year-old RX1R II had a tilt screen
First, the rear screen is fixed — no flip-out, no tilt — which makes framing low or high-angle shots a bit tricky. Sometimes when I’m doing street photography, I like to rely on a flip-out screen to be more inconspicuous about what shot I’m framing. So that was a bummer and definitely made me rethink how I shot. This is even more surprising when you remember that even the 10-year-old RX1R II had a tilt screen!
Something else I quickly missed from my other Sony cameras was a joystick to shift the autofocus point without relying on the touchscreen. Just like its predecessor, your only other option is to use the control wheel to navigate and select focus points. Again — for a camera this expensive — it feels like it misses out on a lot of the conveniences I’ve grown used to with my nearly 5-year-old Sony bodies.
The underwhelming
On paper, battery life is a little underwhelming. It’s rated for about 300 shots, which is on the lower end of what cameras in this category offer. The Leica Q3 43 is rated for 350, though you can easily get double that in real-world use.
After an hour-long photo walk — roughly 250 photos and some short videos — I wrapped with about 25% battery left. I’m also someone who rarely turns their camera off between switching scenes so I don’t risk missing the shot, so keep that in mind.
Finally, this camera lacks weather resistance. While I don’t make a habit of shooting in the rain, many of my favorite shots over the years have been in less-than-ideal weather. Weather resistance isn’t necessarily about letting your camera get wet — it’s about added peace of mind for your very expensive investment.
What you’re paying for
The RX1R III will set you back $5,100 before you even think about accessories — and yes, they’re pricey too. The matching thumb grip is $300, and the leather body case will run you another $250. That plants it firmly in flagship territory, but it’s not out of step with other premium compacts like the Leica Q3 or the Fujifilm GFX100RF.
You’re not paying for versatility here — you’re paying for a very specific type of camera: discreet, pocketable (ish), and capable of producing full-frame images that can hang with your main workhorse. Whether that’s worth the cost depends entirely on how much you value traveling light without sacrificing quality.
Should you buy the Sony RX1R III?
If you’re a professional photographer who already shoots Sony and wants something compact that still feels familiar in the hand, or a serious hobbyist who values high-resolution stills and fast, reliable autofocus in a discreet package, the RX1R III makes a compelling case.
It’s not perfect — the fixed screen, lack of weather sealing, and average battery life will frustrate some. But if you can live with those quirks, this is one of the few cameras that can deliver A7R V-level image quality in a body small enough to disappear into a sling bag.
It’s the kind of camera you buy because you know exactly what it’s for — and if that’s you, it’ll earn a permanent spot in your kit.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
More from Tom's Guide
- The best mirrorless cameras in 2025
- Over 900,000 hit in massive healthcare data breach — names, addresses and Social Security numbers exposed online
- I've reviewed 18 pairs of headphones this year — and these are the only 3 I wholeheartedly recommend
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
