Sony RX1R iii : Is this the £4200 pocket sized wonder... or blunder?

Should You Ditch Your DSLR for Sony’s Latest Compact?

Last week Sony launched a new camera – the RX1R iii. It’s yet another compact camera that I wouldn’t buy.

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Usually in summertime, we don’t get that many camera launches. Most people are on their holidays so it’s usually a quiet period. However, Sony decided to break the mould and came out with a new compact camera – the RX1 R iii. It replaces the version two of the model which was launched in 2015 and that was discontinued in 2024.

Let’s have a look at the specs, and then we’ll get into the bit of the video that will cause controversy,just like my opinions of the Nikon P1100 did a few months ago. That was also a compact camera, but there is a massive difference between the Nikon and this Sony – but my conclusion will be exactly the same!

The RX1R iii – (can I just say RX1 in future or else this video will take hours). The RX1 is a full-frame compact camera with a 61 mega-pixel back illuminated sensor. It has a separate image processing engine, the BIONZ XR, which is also in the flagship Sony A1. This processor is all about doing the grunt work to allow for a fast autofocus and image recognition. The processor also helps to deliver improved detail, low noise and a wider dynamic range. The Autofocus system can detect humans, animals, insects, birds, cars, trains and airplanes. But once you are locked on you can only shoot five frames per second. 

When it comes to video, the RX1 is competent without being ground-breaking. You can shoot 4K at 30 frames per second or 120 frames per second in Full HD. That’s good enough for what most photographers will want from video capabilities, but for videographers, it’s not really going to be enough especially if they want to shoot in 8k to allow cropping.

So far, so good. This is a well-spec’d camera and if it was any normal mirrorless camera it would definitely have all the features you would be looking for. But that’s the problem. It isn’t a standard mirrorless camera – it’s a compact camera. That means whatever lens is attached to the camera is the lens you are stuck with for the rest of your life. 

Again, if you could stick the Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens onto any other mirrorless camera it would be a great lens for street photography or close-up portraits, and that shows you who is going to use this camera. If all you will ever do is street photography and you are comfortable with composing with your feet – moving closer or further from the subject to get a great composition, then this is the camera for you. If you might want to do other types of photography such as wildlife or sports photography, then you’ll find this camera is limiting and you’ll need to buy something else. Sure, there is a feature that allows you to zoom in to two other presets on the sensor, but that is just a digital zoom. When you move to the 50mm setting, the sensor size reduces to 29 mega pixels. The 70mm setting takes the sensor to a 15 mega pixel size, That’s perfectly usable for publishing to the web, but you could do exactly the same thing in post-processing.

And here’s the kicker. To buy this single focal length camera you are going to have to shell out £4200. Now, contrary to the comments on the Nikon P1100 video, I don’t make hundreds of thousands of pounds and can’t buy any lens that’s available. That’s a lot of cash for a fairly limited device. The Sony A7R V, which does allow you to attach other lenses on it is available for £2100. It has the same 61 mega pixel sensor, it can shoot 8k video, it also has a faster frame rate. Add in the Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM lens which is also available for £2029 and you have far more flexibility for £70 less.

Now I know the difference is weight, the RX1 is 498g with a battery and memory card loaded. It fits in the pocket with a profile of 113.3mm by 67.9mm by 87.5mm. The A7RV and lens combo is three times heavier at 1.65kg, so that flexibility comes at the cost of extra pounds and a bigger profile. But you do have to ask yourself, if that reduction in weight is worth what you lose in terms of shooting capability?

The Sony RX1 is putting itself up against the Leica Q3 which is about £1300 more expensive but has better video capability and a choice of two lenses, a 28mm f/1.7 or 42 mm f/2 lens. I have ran a private workshop with this camera, and I have to say that there was a big chunk of regret from the client, as they tried to get the shots they wanted, and realised the focal length limitation prevented them.

I think Leica has a premium name, and it encourages a certain type of clientele. If you read some of the professional snapper social media groups, it’s usually dentists and doctors who want people to see they have a Leica. In my view, Sony doesn’t have that same kudos – despite being equally good in terms of specification and quality. Based on that, I am really not sure who is going to spend this amount of cash – would you?

I’ll not make the same mistake as I did when I reviewed the Nikon camera, by telling you not to buy this camera. Instead, I’ll tell you to think very, very, carefully before you buy this camera. If you have a very limited need for photography, and if you want something that’s pocket sized, and you have a huge wallet – this is the camera for you. If you have all three of those things and you want to show off with your mates down the golf-club – spend the extra £1300 and buy a Leica. I’m not in either of those groups, and I suspect most people watching today, aren’t in those groups either. In that case spend your money more wisely for something that gives you flexibility at the expense of some weight.

Do you agree with my conclusion? Have you got the previous model, and you have been shooting every day with it for the last 10 years and can’t wait to upgrade? Tell me what you think in the comments section below.

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