Sony stuns with return of pricey fixed-lens flagship

Sony has officially unveiled the RX1R III – a compact full-frame camera that revives the cult RX1R series after nearly a decade. While the surprise launch delighted fans, it also raised eyebrows thanks to its bold £4200/ $5099 price tag.

The RX1R III features a 61-megapixel full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor – the same resolution found in Sony’s top-end A7T V model – and is powered by the latest BIONZ XR processor with a dedicated AI unit. This enables advanced autofocus capabilities with 693 phase-detection points covering 78% of the frame, ensuring high performance for both stills and 4K 30p 10-bit video.

The fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens remains the hallmark of the series, but the new model adds Step Crop Shooting. This lets users toggle between 35mm, 50mm and 70mm framing digitally when shooting stills – using the resolution and flexibity of Raw to reselect the crop after the shot is taken. There’s also a built-in macro mode with 20cm minimum focus distance and 0.26x magnification.

Other updates include 12 customisable Creative Looks, a 2.36-million-dot OLED EVF, and a compact 498g body – making it a go-anywhere tool for discerning photographers and filmmakers.

The RX1R III enters a competitive premium compact field, rivalling Leica’s Q3 and Fujifilm’s GFX100RF in price and prestige. Optional accessories include a thumb grip, leather case and lens hood, all shipping from August.

Find more info at sony.com.