Sony RX1R III vs. the World – How Does It Stack Up?

Sony has not too long ago launched the fourth iteration of their RX1 compact full-frame digital camera. The “III” is there because it’s the third RX1R digital camera, however this text is simply too brief to dive into the corporate’s naming scheme and mannequin historical past. The most recent iteration emerges into the market nearly a decade after its predecessor. Whereas there are quite a few updates over the RX1R II, the 2 cameras share so much. There may be one main distinction – the market to which they’ve been launched.The phase of high-end compact cameras has gained important traction over the past decade. It’s not a brand new phase by any means – high-end compacts date again to the movie period. Such cameras have additionally been round because the daybreak of digital cameras, however one thing occurred within the final decade or so. They went from a reasonably bizarre area of interest to an influential and commercially profitable phase, with some persistently backordered for many of their mannequin lifespan. Sony left a distinct segment phase and returned to a boiling, trending, overhyped phase. Is the RX1R III ready? Let’s take a deeper look.Sony RX1R III. Picture credit score: SonyEvolution? Revolution? What’s the RX1R III precisely?The brand new Sony RX1R III is a high-end compact stills digital camera. Like its predecessors and predominant opponents, the digital camera is constructed round a big, high-resolution sensor and a reasonably large prime lens. RX1R III is generally evolutionary, although it incorporates two stems of evolution right into a single digital camera: The primary is Sony’s technical evolution over the previous decade. Unimaginable autofocus, nice picture high quality, 4K 4:2:2 10-bit video seize with each S-Log and S-Cinetone profiles, and many others. The second is the RX1 collection bodily evolution: TL;DR – not a lot has modified through the years, and it’s not essentially dangerous. The RX1R III is awfully compact. Evidently Sony was poised to keep up the shape issue even at the price of different bodily options.The predecessor – Sony RXR1 II. Very comparable, although not as streamlined. Picture credit score: SonyThese choices, for my part, mar the digital camera’s general usability. The obvious shortcoming revolves round visible indicators – LCD and EVF. The RX1R III departs from the creative-but-problematic pop-up EVF for a set unit. Nonetheless, measurement (or value) constraints dictate a small, 2.36 million dot finder unit. This will likely even be accountable for the mounted LCD panel, a major drawback in comparison with the digital camera’s rivals.3.5 predominant competitorsSeveral cameras might present an honest RX1R III different. You may learn all about these right here. Nonetheless, there are 3.5 main opponents towards which the brand new Sony should stand: The obvious are the Leica Q3 and Q43 with the same sensor, the FUJIFILM GFX100RF with 70% extra sensor actual property, and the extraordinarily widespread FUJIFILM X100VI with a smaller, decrease decision sensor however numerous benefits. Let’s take a brief take a look at some key takeaways:All opponents characteristic considerably higher visible indicators. The GFX100RF and Leica Q3 provide a 5.76 million-dot OLED EVF, and the FUJIFILM X100VI provides a hybrid unit with a 3.69 million-dot EVF. All characteristic tilting LCD screens. The Leica Q3 cameras are pricier, with a $6735 price ticket for the Q3 and $7380 for the Q3 43. They’re additionally greater in each dimension.The FUJIFILM GFX100RF, with its medium format would possibly, is extra reasonably priced at $4900. The APS-C X100VI will set you again a mere $1600 if you will discover one in inventory.The Leicas and the FUJIFILM X100VI characteristic a picture stabilizer.The Sony RX1R III consists of Sony’s Multi-Interface Shoe, able to mounting numerous audio equipment, a comfortable level for its opponents.Each the Leica Q3 duo and the FUJIFILM X100VI can seize 4K 60P.8K seize is out there for the Leica Q3 and Q3 43, and the X100VI provides a cropped 6K choice.Whereas each digital camera options an aperture ring, the Sony RX1R III is the one digital camera with a PASM dial. All others work with a shutter velocity dial.The Sony RX1R III is the smallest when it comes to width and top, however the X100VI is thinner, with a much less protruding lens.FUJIFILM’s GFX100RF and X100VI incorporate an inside ND filter.The RX1R III has the bottom battery life (CIPA normal). Barely greater than the FUJIFILM X100VI, however the FUJIFILM comes with a flash, which adjustments the depend.How does it stack up?Summing up the main points, I imagine Sony took a reasonably conservative path with the RX1R III. The corporate tries to keep up the professionals of its predecessors with out risking an excessive amount of. The digital camera retains the miniature measurement, noticeably smaller than its direct rivals (excluding the X100VI). The sensor is on the high of its class, video efficiency is considerably crippled in comparison with the respective a7R, however nonetheless respectable for a stills-first digital camera. The EVF is, nicely, there, and the lens is strictly the identical.The last decade-old compact lens design struggles to supply for the resolution-hungry sensor and falls aside on the edges. That is really an enough metaphor for all the digital camera, in my eyes: A decade has handed, and what made the RX1R II so distinctive might not be sufficient anymore. Attempting to suit a formidable spec-list right into a tiny physique might reach creating the smallest large-sensor compact, however at some important prices:Excessive-end is greater than specsThe RX1R stands its floor relating to specs, and wins in compactness, however falls brief in consumer expertise, design, and visible indicators. I imagine a slight stray outdoors the inflexible sq. (pun meant) would permit Sony to include a significantly better EVF, a tilting display, even perhaps the nearly immortal NP-FZ–100 battery, with greater than twice the capability of the present NP-FW 50, and one that may be present in each Sony shooter’s bag. Sure, it will make the digital camera noticeably bulkier. It might additionally place the digital camera in a broader aggressive stance. Nonetheless, not all makes an attempt at a “user-first” digital camera succeed. Aiming on the workflow and expertise over specs, costs, and different “boring” stuff may additionally culminate in a bitter failure.So sure, a tried-and-true components is usually the extra rational manner, a minimum of should you’re after a functioning digital camera reasonably than an concept. When you merely need the smallest full-frame attainable, the Sony RX1R III will provide you with precisely this, in addition to some attention-grabbing video choices.Will you go for the Sony RX1R III? What area of interest will it fill for you? Tell us within the feedback.