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Sony RX1R III Revives Full-Frame Compact

NEWS: Sony revives the compact RX1R series in July 2025

The Sony RX1R III compact camera marks the unexpected but very welcome revival of Sony’s full-frame compact camera series, which many believed had quietly come to an end. With the RX1R II launching back in 2015, a full decade has passed since Sony has updated this compact full-frame range.

But now, the third-generation model arrives with stealth, bringing major upgrades and refinements, updated ergonomics, and a range of modern features taken straight from Sony’s flagship Alpha mirrorless cameras.

The RX1R III delivers professional image quality in a form that fits in your pocket, and it looks set to become one of the most capable fixed-lens cameras ever made.

Full-Frame Resolution Paired with ZEISS Optics (once again)

At the heart of the RX1R III is Sony’s 61.0MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, a flagship sensor shared with the Alpha 7R V and other models in the full-frame Alpha range. This is paired with the high-speed BIONZ XR processor to deliver fast operation, extended dynamic range and outstanding low-light performance.

For photographers and hybrid creators, it offers a level of detail that easily rivals and surpasses most interchangeable-lens systems.

The camera continues to use a fixed 35mm f/2 ZEISS Sonnar T* lens, which is a classic focal length with broad appeal for capturing a variety of everyday subjects. Thanks to the integrated design, Sony has been able to align the sensor and lens to micron precision, helping to achieve excellent sharpness and minimise distortion across the frame.

AI Autofocus, Cropped Framing and More New Features

This camera brings a major leap in autofocus with the same AI processing unit found in Sony’s top-end mirrorless bodies, which is capable of recognising and tracking human, animal, bird, insect, and vehicle subjects. It supports real-time tracking and pose estimation, which takes a lot of effort out of keeping the subject in focus by the user, with the camera able to quickly and accurately focus on a subject’s eyes, head or body, even when obscured or facing away.

This generation of AF system adds an AUTO mode, which Sony claims does a great job of recognising most subjects. It also features the ability to track faces when looking away, wearing sunglasses and more.

With this generation Sony has also introduced a brand new Step Crop Shooting feature that enables users to crop into the frame with a single touch, switching from the native 35mm field of view to 50mm or 70mm equivalents.

Despite these crops, resolution is high with up to 29MP at 50mm and 15MP at 70mm, which provides resolution, ‘zoom’ and creative flexibility without the need to change lenses or position.

Compact, Travel-Ready and User-Friendly

Of course it’s the size of this camera which is most impressive, considering what it harbours inside.

While the internals have had a complete overhaul, the physical design of the RX1R III has also been refined. A magnesium alloy body is sturdy, lightweight and robust, measuring just 113.3 x 67.9 x 87.5mm and weighing 498g with the battery and memory card.

Sony has designed a flatter top plate with the dials and flash shoe completely flat. The grip is also refined, and there’s an upgraded surface finish known as ‘iron black’, which gives the body a uniform matte texture with a premium feel. These improve usability and aesthetic appeal, while retaining the camera’s discreet, portable size, which is perfect for street and travel photography.

The OLED viewfinder and 3.0-inch LCD touchscreen both offer high resolution for framing and playback, with new display modes including a high-brightness setting for sunny conditions and automatic orientation adjustment when switching between vertical and horizontal.

Features for Stills and Video Creators

Although the RX1R III’s primary focus is on photography, it is also capable of recording 4K video at up to 30fps. Users can take advantage of the same subject recognition and autofocus tools during filming to create sharp, well-tracked footage.

Sony has also added their Creative Look profiles for in-camera image styles with adjustable parameters, such as contrast, saturation, sharpness and more. These are particularly useful for creators who want ready-to-share content straight out of the camera, and pre-defined looks for consistency.

Who is the RX1R III for?

The RX1R III will appeal to a wide range of users who are drawn to its combination of image quality and portability. For professionals and advanced content creators it makes an excellent second camera for B-roll and personal projects. This is especially true for those who already shoot with Sony Alpha bodies and will be instantly comfortable with the menus and overall handling.

Equally it’s a compelling option for everyday photography, for street photographers or more serious enthusiasts who want Sony’s high-end image quality and advanced autofocus in the smallest possible size. With no need to pack extra lenses it reduces your kit substantially, while offering huge potential for capturing beautiful results of even the most commonplace subject.

After a ten-year hiatus Sony’s RX1 range is back, and it’s better than ever. The RX1R III proves that fixed-lens cameras have once again got a place, only now it’s in a market dominated by interchangeable mirrorless cameras, rather than DSLRs.

By combining flagship-level tools like a dedicated AI autofocus chip, cropped framing and intuitive handling in a stylish, pocketable body, it delivers something that only a very few cameras are able, which is pro-level performance that fits in your pocket.

Reserve your Sony RX1R III camera today and experience full-frame image quality in an ultra compact form.

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By Nick Dautlich on 16/07/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.