Product Reviews

I have a big collection of Sony cameras like A1ii, A9iii, A7V, but I really don't want to lug these to a family lunch or holiday. The Sony RX1Riii is just nice size, big enough not to be toy like, but small enough to be easy to bring around. I don't tilt the screen so the lack of it is not a big issue. The lack of IBIS did bother me initially, but setting the shutter speed to 1/125 negates the lack of IBIS. Usually even with IBIS, I shoot at most 1/60 or faster to minimize subject movement blur, so 1 stop more is not a big issue. As for sharpness, I find it really stunning with pop and micro contrast. Definitely way better than Sony Zeiss 35mm f1.8, maybe a bit better than Sony 35mm F1.8 (but much smaller). JPG images have ok noise control up to ISO 3,200. But the files using raw, clean up perfectly using DXO Pure Raw 5. Since its has fixed lens, the high resolution enables in camera cropping which you can see in the view finder which is nice. I did compare to the Leica Q3, but it really much heavier and you really need a grip for that which makes it even heavier. So Leica Q3 is much heavier and much more expensive. The only thing I would gain from a Leica Q3 is the IBIS and tilt screen. While reports say the Leica lens is slightly better, I believe at that level is really hard to tell. So that don't bother me. I also considered a Fuji X100VI, which has tilt screen, IBIS and optical view finder. I have that as well, but its sharp but definitely not as sharp as the Sony. The Fuji colors are slightly nicer, but its personal preference. And Fuji X100VI need to be mindful and careful when using AF as its not exactly reliable or consistent. Sony AF for slow moving / static objects is great, similar to my other Sony cameras. Though due to the aging lens, the focus can be bit noisy and slower for fast changing subjects. I used it a family lunch recently with a Sony F28 flash, and my nephew who seldom handles cameras, had no issue with holding it and no miss focused shots. Overall, a very nice camera.

As a previous RX1R ii user I was itching to buy this camera and I’m so glad I wasn’t put off by some of the negative reviews. I also own an A7CR, which some recommend buying over this. That to me is crazy as I bought this because it offers similar quality in a significantly smaller and lighter package. What I was particularly pleased to discover is that it is compatible with Sony’s superb wireless commander so I can use off camera flash. Lens is gorgeous, autofocus pretty swift, and build quality pretty decent. For me it’s a daily carry and street photography camera.

I value this camera for the unique combination of the 61mp sensor and the Zeiss optics with a great macro. The combination is truly wonderful. Size and weight are unbeatable. I love clever touches like the rotating display information, full touch screen functionality and extended hot shoe contacts.

The RX1RMK3 is a small, fast, fully featured every day full frame carry anywhere or EDC camera. The Zeiss 35mm F2 is crisp, renders images that defy the typical clinical digital look and feel of equivalent lenses. This is not a camera you can try in the store or at a friend's house you need to take it out and shoot with it to experience how capable it is in most urban settings. Would I shoot fast moving sports with it? Likely not, but in its intended space it is unbeatable. Battery life is excellent and a significant improvement over my RX1RMK2 BX1 batteries. I much prefer the built-in EVF as opposed to the previous pop-up version. The shooting experience with this camera makes you want to take it out and use it. The 61MP sensor is a known quality and is the same one used in a number of bigger full frame cameras and it is well respected and capable. The newer Sony menu interface is totally configurable to the user preferences. The ability to set-up user colour profiles (LUTS) as well as the built-in profiles makes this camera very adaptable to any situation. I don't recommend it as a video camera but it does shoot XAVC S 4K 8 bit 4:2:2.

Perfect compact camera! Incredibly small extremely powerful the zeiss it’s plenty of character, the images looks like were taken through the cleanest mirror the digital edge it’s not here, love it