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GEAR / 53
TESTED: SONY RX1R III
Pocket powerhouse
£4199
sony.com
Sony’s RX1R III squeezes a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor into a body small enough to slip into a coat pocket
Specifications Sensor 35.7x23.8mm full-frame Exmor R CMOS, 61 megapixels Stills formats JPEG, HEIF, Raw in 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 14-bit Video formats XAVC S and S-I, 4:2:2 8/10 bit, DCI 4K at 30fps, FHD to 120fps ISO range 100-32,000 in manual, 100- 12,800 auto Shutter speeds 30sec to 1/8000sec electronic plus Bulb Lens Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2, 8 elements in 7 groups Filter size 49mm
There was a time that every serious photographer had a
35mm compact camera and an SLR for more considered work. But the move to digital then smaller mirrorless cameras has largely consigned the premium, full-frame compact to history. So it was a huge surprise when, a decade after it last updated its cult RX1R II fixed-lens compact, Sony unveiled a new Mark III version with a 61-megapixel sensor, improved AF and fast image processing. But it’s a high price to match at £4199. For that money, you can buy a Sony A7R V – which has the same 61-megapixel full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor – and still have around £600 left to buy a lens for it. Packing the same sensor is the more compact A7C R, around £2700. And just £300 more than the RX1R III buys you a medium format Fujifilm GFX100RF with its 35mm lens. But you’re still £1200 short of a Leica Q3 compact, although it has a marginally faster 28mm f/1.7 optic… What the Sony does offer is the same revered sensor and latest Bionz XR processor as the A7R V, with a dedicated AI unit in a remarkably compact body. This small size makes it perfect for blending into crowds or pulling out discreetly, especially during impromptu shoots or street shots. All with image quality that’s stunning. The new tech enables advanced AF with 693 phase detection points over 78% of the frame, ensuring high- performance AF for stills and 4K/30p 10-bit video. Other video spec is lower than the A7R V; the RX1R III offers no 8K, but there is 120fps HD in 8-bit plus S-Cinetone, user LUTs and digital image stabilisation. There is a mic jack
Aperture range f/2-22 Minimum focus 30cm, 20cm in Macro
Verdict
Autofocus 693 phase detection points covering 78% of the sensor Metering Multi zone, average, spot, centre-weighted, highlight weights Max frame rate 5fps LCD 2.95in touchscreen, 2.36m dots Viewfinder Electronic OLED, 0.7x magnification, 2.36m dots Storage Single SD/SDHC/SDXC HS-II card slot Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI micro Type A, USB-C, 3.5mm audio in
The Sony RX1R III is a brilliantly compact image quality powerhouse built for photographers who value portability, discretion and excellence in stills. It shines as an everyday carry, with razor-sharp files and fast autofocus in a pocketable form. But no IBIS, a fixed screen and a high price go against it. Features 21/25 It has so much tech from the Alpha series but omits a lot of high-quality options. Fixed screen and no IBIS is an issue Handling 23/25 It brings the finely honed controls of Sony’s mirrorless cameras to a pocket-sized compact. It’s a shame about the screen and low-resolution EVF Performance 23/25 Produces highly detailed images with loads of resolution so you can crop in post. Decent colours but lens is not the sharpest at the edges Value for money 18/25 It’s a lot of cash for a compact, even though it has Sony’s prized 61-megapixel sensor. Other types of camera offer better value Overall 85/100 For street shooters, travel photographers, wedding guests and someone that always has a camera, it captures everyday life in amazing detail Pros Amazing image quality, super- compact and stealthy Cons Fixed screen, no IBIS, no weatherproofing, pricey
Dimensions (wxhxd) 113.3x67.9x87.5mm Weight 454g
20cm minimum focus distance and 0.26x magnification using a dedicated ring on the lens. It’s a little fiddly, but works well enough. One great feature is the AF. Now supporting subject and eye tracking, it’s fast, effective and noticeably improved – the best on any compact at any price. The RX1R III includes an integral EVF, replacing the RX1R II’s pop-up style, while maintaining the body’s diminutive footprint. That tiny size does mean ergonomics that can feel cramped for those with larger hands. But for photographers who carry a camera all day and shoot on the move, the tiny size and uncompromised full- frame IQ are amazing. You can stick it in your pocket and get shots that are a different league in quality compared to what you might snap on your phone. Sony’s dedication to the tiniest form factor makes this new model the most desirable full-frame, one-lens camera there is. But omissions like no articulated screen or sensor-shift stabilisation feel a bit out-of-step for the premium price.
FETCHINGLY SHARP The eyes of our faithful hound are tack sharp thanks to the camera’s impressive AF and high resolution
too, but the fixed screen is a pain – it really isn’t optimised for video. The lens is also fixed, but is a Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 – the same as the older model. It was fantastic on the previous version, but the incredible quality of the sensor does mean its limitations are easier to spot. It’s a tad soft at the edges, especially wide open. Eight elements in seven groups isn’t the most advanced optical arrangement, but it’s still very good for a compact. Pixel-peepers who have splashed out £4200 might be disappointed. The limitations of a fixed lens have been partly addressed by Sony as the camera now has Step Crop Shooting, which toggles between 35, 50 and 70mm digital framing when in stills mode. All this does is crop the image, thereby reducing resolution. But thanks to the 61 megapixels and flexibility of Raw, the crop can be reselected in post. There’s also a built-in macro mode with
BOKEH BOUND Despite the wide- angle lens, use it up close and wide open so the background can be made blurry
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