Sony shocked followers this week when it unveiled an replace to a digicam that hasn’t been up to date in almost 10 years: The Sony RX1R III.
Ten years is a very long time to attend for a digicam’s successor, which might be why studying the RX1R III’s record of options reads virtually like a listing of Sony’s newest digicam tech, with a couple of exceptions. The 61MP full-frame sensor. A devoted AI processor. 15 stops of dynamic vary. And but, that each one suits right into a digicam that weighs simply 17.6 ounces – together with the battery and reminiscence card.
The launch of the Sony RX1R III was a well-kept secret away from the digicam rumors. I sat in on a name with Sony USA reps to glean particulars concerning the shock launch.
The Sony RX1R III is significantly smaller and lighter than the A7R V mirrorless digicam. It is made to be an on a regular basis digicam for professionals and fans that need to depart the cumbersome gear at residence with out sacrificing picture high quality. So, how did Sony cram a lot right into a compact digicam? And what options have been left off within the title of dimension?
Sony defined that the R1XR III doesn’t appear to be a typical compact digicam on the within. Fairly like an iceberg, the jut of the lens seen from the digicam’s exterior is just a part of the lens; among the lens itself is tucked contained in the digicam physique. Meaning the sensor is pushed to the very again of the digicam’s magnesium alloy chassis. Sony says that the lens and sensor are literally one unit, and also you wouldn’t even have the ability to match a sheet of paper between the 2.
Regardless of that squished actual property, the digicam contains the identical processor because the A7R V, and features a separate processor devoted simply to AI duties. That runs the digicam’s topic recognition, which works alongside the 693-point autofocus system able to focusing in low gentle right down to -4 EV.
The digicam has so much in widespread with the high-resolution rangefinder Sony A7CR and the A7R V. The RX1R III doesn’t attain the worldwide shutter tech of the A9 II, however a leaf shutter design permits the digicam to shoot at flash sync speeds as much as 1/2000th of a second broad open and 1/4000th of a second at f/5.6.
That leaf shutter isn’t one thing obtainable on Sony’s mirrorless lenses, however is a part of the Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens constructed into the digicam. The lens is optically the identical lens as on the RX1R II, the one change is that the lens is calibrated to work particularly with that 61 megapixel sensor.
All that matches right into a digicam that weighs simply 17.6 ounces and tucks simply right into a small purse or compact digicam bag. However whereas the sensor and processor will really feel acquainted to Sony followers, there are a couple of options which have been left off the Sony RX1R III.
The Sony RX1R III doesn’t have stabilization
Neither the lens nor the sensor is stabilized on the RX1R III. Digital stabilization is used for video. Stabilization is much less of a necessity on a 35mm lens, however even with wide-angle lenses, stabilization will help some photographers depart the tripod at residence and shoot semi-slow shutter speeds handheld.
Sony isn’t promoting weather-sealing on the RX1R III
Sony isn’t promoting weather-sealing on this digicam (though one rep did say he took the digicam out in gentle rain with the recent shoe cowl in place). That is disappointing as a result of the digicam is supposed to be one thing severe photographers carry daily after they do not need to haul round cumbersome gear, and that’s going to incorporate some occasional rain.
The RX1R III doesn’t have a tilting LCD display screen
The RX1R II had an LCD display screen that might tilt 90 levels, however the third technology within the sequence makes use of a set lens. That’s for space-saving causes, Sony says. With the sensor pushed to the again of the chassis, there wasn’t room left for a tilting display screen with out making the physique bigger. Whereas the display screen lacks tilt, it’s touch-enabled.
The Sony RX1R III has a viewfinder, but it surely’s a decrease decision than the A7R V’s
Whereas earlier RX1R cameras had a pop-up viewfinder, the viewfinder on the third technology is constructed into the physique with a rangefinder-inspired design much like the A7CR. The viewfinder’s specs on the RX1R III are almost an identical to the A7CR’s with a 2.4 million dot viewfinder somewhat than the 9.4 million dot viewfinder on the A7R V. Sony says the rationale for that is merely that the upper decision unit takes up way more house and would have made the physique bigger.
The Sony RX1R III’s burst velocity is 5 fps
Sony’s mirrorless cameras are a bit quicker than the brand new full-frame compact digicam, which specs record at a 5 fps burst charge. The Sony A7R V, as compared, shoots at 10 fps.
The Sony RX1R III does not have 8K video
As a result of the digicam is so small, Sony mentioned the RX1R III didn’t have the warmth dissipation for 8K video, regardless of having that high-resolution sensor. As a substitute, video is 4K30p, with 1080p HD at as much as 120 fps for slow-motion. The digicam doesn’t have an official recording time restrict, however it’s going to cease recording if warmth turns into a problem, a quantity that’s going to depend upon the capturing situations.
The Sony RX1R III’s battery is rated for 300 pictures
Sony says the third-generation digicam really will get extra pictures per cost than the mannequin launched 10 years in the past. However, CIPA requirements have modified, which leaves the digicam with a battery ranking of 300 pictures, though in real-world use, the quantity ought to be greater.
The Sony RX1R III does not have twin card slots…or a file button
The Sony RX1R III has only a single SD card slot, which is not too stunning contemplating the digicam’s dimension and that the earlier mannequin had a single slot as properly. However there are some design adjustments from the RX1R II, together with a flat high, shifting the viewfinder to the facet, and eliminating the devoted file button. Sony says the button was axed as a result of the digicam was so small that it was too simple to by chance press it. However customers can nonetheless customise the button setup to incorporate a video file shortcut if they do not need to swap over into video mode (the place the shutter begins the recording).
The RX1R III ditches the CyberShot title
Earlier RX1 sequence cameras nonetheless included the CyberShot title that Sony makes use of for branding its compact cameras. The Sony RX1R III drops that nomenclature. Sony famous that it’s not formally ending the CyberShot title, but it surely isn’t included within the RX1R III.
The Sony RX1R III has a luxurious worth
The Sony RX1R III is about to retail for $5,089 within the US and £4,199 within the UK (Australia pricing has not but been introduced, however the US worth interprets roughly to AU$7,800). I don’t discover that quantity too stunning, contemplating Sony’s compact cameras have all the time put a premium worth on the compact dimension, but appear to have offered pretty properly. However, that’s nonetheless pricier than the Sony A7R V – though the compact digicam fares higher in case you issue within the worth of a vibrant 35mm lens just like the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM. Trying on the competitors, that worth is lower than the full-frame Leica Q3, however greater than the medium-format Fujifilm GFX100RF.
Whereas the Sony RX1R III makes some sacrifices to get such a small dimension, I do know that capturing with a compact digicam after utilizing bulkier techniques feels liberating. With the next that the older mannequin nonetheless has, I think the Sony RX1R III could have some followers that love the digicam’s mixture of dimension and options.
Pre-orders are dwell on Sony’s web site, with the primary cameras anticipated to ship starting on July 31.
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