Sony Unveils RX1R III: A Powerful 61-Megapixel Compact Camera with AI Capabilities

Sony revives RX1R series with 61-megapixel compact camera, and it only took 10 years

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. In a nutshell: Sony has introduced a new compact fixed-lens digital camera that's filled to the brim with cutting-ege imaging technology. The RX1R III is Sony's latest flagship full-frame standalone digital camera, and represents the third generation of the RX1R series (the last one came nearly 10 years ago). It's powered by an impressive 61-megapixel 35mm Exmor R CMOS image sensor that uses the company's latest BIONZ XR processing engine, and is paired with a Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.0 lens. Sony says the combination of sensor and image processing engine delivers high resolution and sensitivity, with low noise and a wide dynamic range. An anti-reflection coating on the sensor is used in place of an optical low-pass filter to further boost image quality, we're told. The RX1R III also includes the latest in AI processing technology, which Sony describes as a "valued" feature. With it, users can expect the camera to accurately recognize the shape and movement of subjects as well as human bodies, heads, and the position of eyes, allowing the 693-point phase-detection auto-focus system to do its job more effectively. Sony's latest is constructed of magnesium alloy, measures approximately 4.5 inches x 2.75 inches x 3.5 inches (113.3 mm x 67.9 mm x 87.5 mm), and weighs just over one pound with a battery and memory card. Speaking of the battery, it uses Sony's NP-FW50 battery pack, which is good for up to 300 still photos per charge. Serious shooters will likely want to pick up a couple of extra packs to have on hand to facilitate longer outings. The Sony RX1R III is available to pre-order now priced at an eye-watering $5,098 and is scheduled to ship on July 31. Sony is also launching a few optional accessories to go along with the camera including a dedicated thumb grip, a compact body case, and a lens hood. If you're in the market for a premium compact shooter to rival competitors like Leica's Q3 or Fujifilm's GFX100RF, Sony's new fixed-lens camera is certainly worth a look.

Sony updates tiny fixed-lens camera with 61-MP full-frame sensor and AI

With its $5,100 luxury offering, Sony now has a modern shooter to compete with the Leica Q3 and Fujifilm GFX100RF It's been nearly a decade since the second iteration of Sony's enthusiast-grade RX1R camera, a compact full-frame shooter with a fixed lens that's designed to slip into your tailored jacket. It's got a bunch of new internals and features to bring it up to date - and command an eye-wateringly high asking price. Perhaps the most significant update for the RX1R III that's made for fuss-free creative shooting is the 61-megapixel output from its 35-mm Exmor R sensor (which previously did 42.4 megapixels in the RX1R II). The idea is that even though you'll be using a fixed prime lens, you'll still have plenty of flexibility to crop into a tight, thoughtful composition, and end up with a sharp and detailed result. The lens in question is a Zeiss Sonnar T35mm F2 lens. A Step Crop Shooting feature lets you switch between 35 mm, 50 mm, and 70 mm focal lengths through sensor cropping. You'll also find a macro mode to get as close as 7.8 in (20 cm) to subjects. There's an AI chip on board for image processing, subject detection, and real-time subject tracking alongside 693 phase-detection autofocus points. And as you'll have seen on many modern cameras, the RX1R III features a selection of 12 stylized 'Creative Looks' that can be applied to both photos and video. This model's shooting speed tops out at five frames per second; video capture options include 4K at 30 fps, or 1080p at up to 120 fps. Sony went with magnesium alloy for the RX1R III's body, and ditched the predecessor's articulating back panel for a fixed one to keep the weight down to 1.1 lb (498 g). There's now a fixed LCD touchscreen on the back which may make for a better display but more cumbersome composition, plus a "high resolution and high contrast" OLED viewfinder for framing up. The compact camera comes with a much larger fast-charging battery than before, which is good for up to 300 stills when it's fully topped up. Now, this is clearly a luxury shooter for discerning photographers, but it's pricey any way you slice it at US$5,099. That's before you tack on accessories like the body case, lens hood, and thumb grip, each of which will add a couple of hundred dollars each to your bill. At that price point, you're in Fujifilm GFX100RF territory: that's a slightly different affair with its medium format 102-megapixel sensor. Heck, if you've got that kind of scratch, you likely won't hesitate to consider Leica's more closely comparable Q3, which is currently listed at $6,735. The folks at PetaPixel noted Sony's compact a7CR is a lot cheaper, while featuring the same sensor and focusing chops, along with the advantage of interchangeable lenses. For about $3,800, you could get this system with a nice Sony 24-mm F2.8 or 40-mm F2.5 lens, and always have the option to build it out further. If you're trying to choose between these, you'll want to have a good think about what your shoot days look like, and the kind of flexibility you need while you're on location.

Sony Announces RX1R III 61MP Full‑Frame Compact Camera

Sony's RX1R III is a premium compact camera built around a 61-megapixel full‑frame back‑illuminated CMOS sensor and a fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35 mm F2 lens. Inside, an AI processing module classifies subjects -- people, animals, birds, insects, vehicles -- and dynamically assigns focus across 693 phase‑detection points covering roughly 78 percent of the frame. Shutter speeds range from 1/4 000 s to 30 s mechanically, or up to 1/8 000 s electronically, while the ISO spans 100-32 000 natively and can be expanded to 50-102 400, with Sony citing a 15‑stop dynamic range. The RX1R III offers a step‑crop shooting mode that lets you switch between 35 mm, 50 mm, and 70 mm equivalents. Depending on the crop, the camera maintains between 15 and 60 megapixels. A macro ring on the lens flips into close‑up mode for focusing as close as 20 cm. For composition and playback, you get a 3‑inch touchscreen and a 0.70× electronic viewfinder, both at 2.36 million dots. Sony also baked in twelve digital filters -- two new "FL2" and "FL3" effects -- that work with both photos and video to create muted or more vivid looks. For video, the camera records 4K at up to 30 fps in XAVC S (100 Mbps) or XAVC SI (up to 300 Mbps) formats, and Full HD at 120 fps. Autofocus remains reliable in lighting as low as -4 EV, and an HDMI micro port lets you route audio through an external recorder. Wireless image transfer uses Wi‑Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2 to send files to smartphones or cloud services. The body is precision‑milled magnesium alloy, measuring 113.3 × 67.9 × 87.5 mm and weighing 498 g with the NP‑FW50 battery (rated for about 300 CIPA shots). USB‑C charging is onboard, and Sony plans accessories such as a thumb grip, leather case, and lens hood. Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.