jkspepper photography - Sony RX1R III Review

Sony RX1R III

An early review of the highly un-anticipated Sony RX1R III, based on influencer reactions, user expectations, the legacy of its predecessors, and of course personal real world use.

Why should one read and listen to this random no one on the interwebs? Actually a completely fair question, I wouldn't listen to me either.

But I would take it as another reference point, albeit from one who has owned the original RX1 for 13 years now (with constant use) and has also spent significant time with the RX1R II.

Sony RX1 (c2012)

It's one of favourite cameras of all time.

Here's a link to my original review of the Sony RX1, written over 10 years ago. I called it then an epiphany, and a camera that changed my whole outlook to photography. Actually much of what I wrote for the original camera is still highly relevant in 2025 for the RX1R III.

I will never sell it. In fact I sold the RX1R II instead.

Sony RX1R II (c2015)

I gave up waiting for a successor to the RX1 lines. 13 years after the RX1 and 10 years after the RX1R II many were hopefully but pretty much resigned to the reality of no more innovative small cameras from Sony. By 2024, my RX1 was showing it's age and although I dearly loved that camera (as much as one could love an inanimate object), I knew it was time to retire the RX1 and look for a modern counterpart.

I tried and tested many, Ricoh GRIII, Fujifilm X100VI (my first one, I skipped over the first 5 generations), Sony A7CR, Leica Q343 and of course the Sony RX1R II.

The Q343 was lovely but not sufficiently different from the M11 and X-Pro2 form factor, the Sony A7CR is not fun, especially with the current lens selection and whilst I have the GRIII, the X100VI will go with the arrival of the RX1R III, but what of the RX1R II? It's also gone.

A Future Classic or Just Too Much?

(Updated January 2025)

Let’s start with the obvious question: have they finally done it? After more than a decade of living with my original RX1—a camera I once called an epiphany—has Sony managed to create a true successor that honors its spirit? The RX1R III, with its staggering 61-megapixel sensor and an AI brain, exists in a different photographic universe than the 2012 original. But the idea, that seductive call to have a full-frame sensor and a perfect lens in a pocketable metal brick, remains intoxicatingly the same.

To evaluate this new marvel, I’ll use the same framework I used back then: first, the pain points. If I can live with these, I can love the camera.

The New Frustrations: The Price of Genius

· The Price Tag (HKD 37,990): Let’s not mince words. This price is, frankly, stratospheric. The original RX1 was a serious investment that made you wince; this is a statement that makes you question reality. You are paying not just for a camera, but for the engineering marvel of miniaturizing a modern flagship into a compact body. It is a barrier that puts it in a realm separate from most mortals and even many professionals.

· Battery Life (CIPA 300 shots): The CIPA rating of 300 shots on the included NP-FW50 battery feels like a cruel joke for a camera of this ambition. While USB-C charging is a godsend, the ghost of the original RX1—where I learned to always carry three spares—whispers that for a full day of heavy shooting, you’ll be doing the same. It’s the most tangible compromise for that precious small size.

· It Still Demands Your Engagement: Despite the insane technology, the fixed 35mm f/2 Sonnar T* lens is a constant, gentle boss. There’s no zoom. You must compose with your feet and your vision. To some, this is the ultimate limitation. To those who loved the original RX1, this is the point. The new “Step Crop Shooting” (to 50mm or 70mm equivalents) is a clever digital nod to flexibility, but it’s a workaround, not an optical revolution.

The Evolutionary Joy: Where the Magic Lives

If you can accept the above, what you get in return is nothing short of a modern photographic miracle.

· The Core Idea, Perfected: The RX1’s magic was the perfect marriage of a sublime Zeiss lens and a full-frame sensor in a compact body. The RX1R III takes this to a micron-level extreme. Sony states the fixed-lens design allows for “micron-level adjustment” between the lens and sensor. This isn't just marketing; it’s the secret sauce that delivers breathtaking sharpness across the entire 61MP frame. The 35mm f/2 lens is optically familiar, but its performance on this new sensor is flawless.

· The Sensor is From the Future: My original RX1’s 24MP Exmor sensor felt like a revelation. The new 61.0MP back-illuminated Exmor R sensor is from another dimension. The dynamic range (a claimed 15 stops) and detail rendition are simply staggering. You can crop aggressively into a 70mm field of view and still have a pristine 15MP file. The high-ISO performance defies physics for its pixel count.

· Autofocus: From “The Hunt” to “The Lock”: This is the single greatest quality-of-life change. The original RX1’s AF “enjoyed the hunt,” as I wrote. The RX1R III, with its AI processing unit and 693 phase-detection points, ends that era. It has Human Pose Estimation, tracks eyes, animals, birds, and even cars or airplanes with a tenacity that feels like cheating. It focuses down to EV -4.0. The camera is finally as fast as your eye.

· A Body That Feels Like a Tool: The “Iron Black” magnesium alloy body has a new matte coating that feels dense and expensive. The redesigned flat top plate and improved grip texture make it feel more solid and ready than ever. It’s still that perfect, discreet, “non-invasive” tool for the streets, but it now feels utterly confident in your hand.

The Competition: Where Does It Stand?

Let’s be clear: no camera exists in a vacuum. Here’s how the RX1R III squares up.

VS. The Original Sony RX1 (2012)

This is a story of philosophy vs. performance. The RX1 was a pure, almost radical statement: a sensor and a lens, forcing a slower, more considered process. The RX1R III inherits that soul but wraps it in the bleeding edge of technology. If the RX1 was a classic sports car with a manual transmission, the RX1R III is its Formula 1 descendant—exponentially faster and more capable, but demanding a much higher entry fee. The joy of the original was in its limitations; the joy of the new one is in its removal of nearly all limitations besides the focal length.

VS. The Leica Q3

This is the duel of the titans. Both are full-frame, fixed-lens compacts for the discerning (and wealthy) photographer.

· Leica Q3 (Approx. HKD 51,800): Offers a brilliant 28mm f/1.7 lens with a macro mode and a sublime, minimalist user experience centered on the joy of handling. Its 60MP files have a distinct, sought-after Leica rendering.

· Sony RX1R III (HKD 37,990): Counters with a more versatile (for many) 35mm focal length, superior and more intelligent autofocus, and a more compact form. It feels more like a precision tool built for the modern pace of photography.

Verdict: Choose the Q3 for the intangible experience and a wider lens. Choose the RX1R III for the focal length preference, cutting-edge performance, and a (slightly) more palatable price within this rarefied segment.

VS. The Fujifilm X100VI

This is the most practical comparison for most people.

· Fujifilm X100VI (Approx. HKD 11,280): Offers the beloved film simulations, a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, a fantastic 40MP APS-C sensor, and a wonderful community. It’s 90% of the experience for a fraction of the cost and size.

· Sony RX1R III: Is in a different league of absolute image quality, low-light performance, and autofocus prowess due to its full-frame sensor. It’s also in a different league of price and specialization.

Verdict: The X100VI is the enthusiast's dream and the sensible choice. The RX1R III is the uncompromising specialist's tool where budget is not the primary concern.

Final Thoughts: Who Is This For?

After all these words, the answer is simple, just as it was in 2012.

The Sony RX1R III is not for everyone. It is for the photographer who has always lusted after the idea of the RX1 but was frustrated by its old-school speed. It is for the professional who needs a “forever camera” as a discreet second body that doesn’t compromise on image quality. It is for the enthusiast for whom the 35mm perspective is a native language, and who values engineering density above all else.

It has addressed the original's key flaws—slow AF, lack of a viewfinder (the RX1R III’s EVF is excellent), and poor battery management (USB-C helps)—while doubling down on its core strength: unmatched image quality for its size.

So, have they finally done it? Yes. They have created the ultimate, no-excuses, full-frame compact. It is a camera that demands your financial and creative commitment. But if you can give it, it will repay you with files that are, quite simply, some of the best you can take with any camera, from any era. Just don’t forget to buy a few extra batteries.