Sony has just lately 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 virtually a decade after its predecessor. Whereas there are quite a few updates over the RX1R II, the 2 cameras share rather a lot. There may be one main distinction – the market to which they’ve been launched.
The phase of high-end compact cameras has gained vital 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: Sony
Evolution? 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 major rivals, the digital camera is constructed round a big, high-resolution sensor and a reasonably extensive prime lens. RX1R III is usually 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 over time, and it’s not essentially unhealthy. The RX1R III is very compact. It appears that evidently Sony was poised to take care of the shape issue even at the price of different bodily options.
The predecessor – Sony RXR1 II. Very related, although not as streamlined. Picture credit score: Sony
These 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 price) constraints dictate a small, 2.36 million dot finder unit. This may increasingly even be liable for the fastened LCD panel, a big drawback in comparison with the digital camera’s rivals.
3.5 major rivals
A number of cameras might present a good RX1R III various. You’ll be able to learn all about these right here. Nonetheless, there are 3.5 main rivals in opposition to 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 fashionable FUJIFILM X100VI with a smaller, decrease decision sensor however varied benefits. Let’s take a brief have a look at some key takeaways:
- All rivals function considerably higher visible indicators. The GFX100RF and Leica Q3 provide a 5.76 million-dot OLED EVF, and the FUJIFILM X100VI presents a hybrid unit with a 3.69 million-dot EVF. All function 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 inexpensive 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 function a picture stabilizer.
- The Sony RX1R III consists of Sony’s Multi-Interface Shoe, able to mounting varied audio equipment, a tender level for its rivals.
- Each the Leica Q3 duo and the FUJIFILM X100VI can seize 4K 60P.
- 8K seize is offered for the Leica Q3 and Q3 43, and the X100VI presents a cropped 6K possibility.
- 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 peak, however the X100VI is thinner, with a much less protruding lens.
- FUJIFILM’s GFX100RF and X100VI incorporate an inner ND filter.
- The RX1R III has the bottom battery life (CIPA customary). Barely increased than the FUJIFILM X100VI, however the FUJIFILM comes with a flash, which modifications the rely.
How does it stack up?
Summing up the small print, I consider Sony took a reasonably conservative path with the RX1R III. The corporate tries to take care of 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, effectively, there, and the lens is precisely the identical.
The last decade-old compact lens design struggles to offer for the resolution-hungry sensor and falls aside on the edges. That is truly an enough metaphor for all the digital camera, in my eyes: A decade has handed, and what made the RX1R II so distinctive is probably not sufficient anymore. Making an attempt to suit a formidable spec-list right into a tiny physique might reach creating the smallest large-sensor compact, however at some vital prices:
Excessive-end is greater than specs
The RX1R stands its floor concerning specs, and wins in compactness, however falls brief in consumer expertise, design, and visible indicators. I consider a slight stray exterior the inflexible sq. (pun meant) would permit Sony to include a a lot better EVF, a tilting display screen, even perhaps the just about 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 will 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 might also culminate in a bitter failure.
So sure, a tried-and-true system is usually the extra rational method, not less than when you’re after a functioning digital camera reasonably than an concept. In the event you merely need the smallest full-frame attainable, the Sony RX1R III provides 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.
