Sony RX1R III Review: Is This Little Camera Worth $5,100?

8.6/ 10
SCORE

Sony RX1R III

Benefits

• 60.2-megapixel full-frame sensor

• Fast and precise Zeiss lens

• Very compact

Disadvantages

• The price

• Yeah, the price

• See above

• Also, no image stabilization

The Sony RX1R III (aka DSC-RX1RM3) is a compact fixed-lens camera with a secret: a 60.2-megapixel full-frame sensor. Usually, large high-resolution image sensors are only available in large interchangeable lens bodies. The RX1R III is closer in size to compact cameras like the Ricoh GRIV And Panasonic Z99both of which have smaller image sensors and lower resolution.

Using the RX1R III is like using any other “point and shoot” camera. You can use it in fully automatic mode to achieve impressive results straight from the camera, or access the settings to achieve the exact aesthetic you want. The image quality is impressive, well beyond what is possible with any phone and most other compact cameras.

The biggest problem with the RX1R III, if you can call it that, is the price. At $5,100, it’s a lot more expensive than more versatile mirrorless cameras and a lot more than smaller, more compact cameras. It’s a really weird product, but for a very specific person it might be perfect.

The RX1R III is smaller but heavier than expected. Most photos make it look like a small mirrorless camera, but this one is definitely more compact. Its metal body (magnesium) seems quite solid. All the different dials have a satisfying click. Even the lens cap feels heavy and substantial. It looks like a high-end camera, which is good because it is. The size and weight don’t make it a particularly comfortable device to hold, but I never felt like I was going to drop it.

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The lens barrel has three rings. The outermost ring is for manual focusing, the middle one allows macro focusing mode (as close as 0.2m/7.9in), and the innermost ring is for aperture. This is overridden in modes that set it automatically. On the top of the body are dials for mode and exposure, as well as one of 3 user-programmable buttons. The “multi-interface shoe” on top has a digital audio interface.

Unfortunately, the touchscreen doesn’t swivel or tilt, a handy feature that many cheaper cameras have. There is an OLED viewfinder that automatically activates when you bring the camera closer to your face. It’s contrasty and detailed. In addition to the other programmable buttons, there is a scroll wheel, making it easier to navigate the many menus.

One notable feature that’s surprisingly missing is image stabilization. Many other cameras use optical or sensor stabilization to reduce image blur when shooting handheld with long shutter speeds. That it’s lacking here, especially for the price, is strange. The fast lens and excellent image sensor work quite well together, so I guess Sony didn’t think it was necessary. Still, it’s a strange thing that’s missing in 2025 and beyond.

The mediocre video capabilities are also a bit odd. Sony clearly intends this camera for photos, not video. While 4K30 is “good” in that it’s better than HD, there are plenty of more affordable cameras that can do much more. Even your phone can probably do 4K60. With a large “zoom in” crop factor and not-so-effective digital image stabilization (more than photos get, to be honest), you probably wouldn’t want to shoot a lot of video with it anyway.

Sony’s Creators app connected to my Pixel 9 Pro on the first try. This is one of the best camera apps I’ve used, allowing you to control the camera, rate and select images and videos to download or upload to the cloud, bulk delete unwanted images, save settings to phone or cloud. Remote camera control, with live view, allows you to adjust different camera settings.

User-friendliness and photo quality

Despite its price and impressive specs, the RX1R III performs like any other fixed-lens compact camera. There is an automatic mode that allows you to properly adjust the exposure and shutter speed of the scene. Autofocus works quickly and intelligently. If you want to set specific settings, there are several dials right at your fingertips to do so.

Having a 60.2 megapixel sensor is incredible. My big Canon R6 makes do with “only” 20.1, and my Fujifilm X100VI has what I thought was an impressive 40.2. Resolution is only one aspect of image quality, and if you’re posting to social media, even 20.1 megapixels is enough. However, extra resolution isn’t just about adding detail, but also about how well you can crop an image. You essentially don’t need a telephoto lens when shooting with the RX1R III. You can crop an image so far that it looks like you have a massive zoom lens, even if it’s a fixed 35mm.

The Zeiss 35mm lens is fantastic. At f2, it delivers impressive light-gathering performance and nice smooth bokeh. It’s also sharp and creates pleasing stars when stopped down and filmed in a bright light source like the sun. Close focus mode and high resolution allow you to capture incredibly close-up macro images.

This resolution has a disadvantage: large file sizes. The JPEG files are around 14MB, and the accompanying raw files are around 64MB. These files transfer to your phone quite quickly, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you shoot a lot. Large SD cards and an extra hard drive are a must, as is a decent computer to process them without getting bogged down. Then again, for the type of people I imagine would be interested in the RX1R, they probably already have all of this.

My only real complaint concerns the ergonomics. This is a heavy camera for its size, and there’s no thumb rest and only the smallest of the front grips for your fingers. This makes the RX1R a bit difficult to hold, especially for a long period of time. There are plenty of aftermarket accessories to fix this problem, so it’s not a problem in itself, just something to keep in mind. And to be clear, this is a small, lighter camera than many of its high-end contemporaries. The Leica Q3, for example, which uses the same image sensor, is almost 50% heavier.

But above all, the RX1R is a flexible and forgiving camera. It’s very easy to take great, super high-quality photos in a variety of lighting situations. The sensor’s high dynamic range lets you expose highlights and achieve incredibly quiet shadows that you can brighten in post-production. The colors are deep and realistic. The fact that you can take great photos with minimal fuss is very inspiring. Or, if you want to bother, get something special.

$84.72 per megapixel

The RX1R III is, as I said before, wild. Taking price out of the equation, it’s a great little camera: great lens, impressive sensor, small size, and easy to use. However, this is the real world, so price has to be part of the equation… I guess? I mean, does any Porsche driver care that their Boxster is more expensive than a Mazda MX-5 but just as fun? Are there people who want to save up for months to get the RX1R III? I have to assume that a large percentage of people looking to buy this camera already own other cameras, and $5,100 is not a big deal.

Does the RX1R III offer enough performance to justify its significant premium over other compact cameras? For most people, no. You can buy the Ricoh GR IV, which is smaller and easy to carry in your pocket. And the original Fujifilm X100VI and I still have enough money to fly to Japan and use them both for two weeks. There are small, full-frame mirrorless cameras that can do everything the RX1R III does and more for a lot less money. This seems beyond the purpose of this camera, however.

There are, however, people who want and/or need more than what Ricoh and Fuji and their APS-C sized sensors can provide. In my mind, the RX1R III could be perfect for a professional photographer, especially someone who shoots weddings and events, who wants something quick and easy that can match the quality of their big main cameras. A compact camera with a great lens and sensor that creates images that you can’t tell were taken by a compact camera. So for those people, or I guess for anyone who doesn’t cringe at the idea of ​​a $5,100 gadget, the RX1R III is impressive and fits into a little niche of its own.