60MP stils, 8k videos, a sharp and stable 28 mm f/1.7 lens macro focusing, minimal design.
Sony’s latest 61MP sensor characteristic, the theme trekking autofocus and 35 mm F/2 lens of the old -time, packed in a small body.
Sonyy surprised us all this week by reviving its series of full-frame premium compact with RX1R III, which comes 10 years after the predecessor of its second-ji. It looks like every day’s camera, packing the same sensor and processor as A7R V and A7C R, only with a fixed 35 mm F/2 lens in a compact body.
Naturally, the technology inside the latest model is better than back with highlight features including 61MP sensors and luxurious autofocus skills. Other methods, however, have changed very little – similar cows are small or home design is ethos that I like.
And the competition also looks the same, even if it is more. The direct rival of RX1R III is Leica Q3, such as Leica Q RX1R II. The Fujifilm X100 series is still in the photo, X100VI is the latest model and is one of the most popular cameras of all time.
I currently rate Leica Q3 as the best premium compact camera, even with the Fujifilm GFX100RF medium-rebellion compact on the scene. However, Sony in Q3 is now a proper rival in RX1R III.
I am still taking my hands to RX1R III, but will make sure to do so for proper tests. Meanwhile, I put on its glasses to see if it can beat Lika Q3, a lot of time to shoot with my experience and Q3 of the previous model. Let’s take a look at the headline specs and where two premium compacts vary.
1. Value
- Sony RX1R III costs $ 5,098 / £ 4,199 / AU $ 7,999
- Leica Q3 costs $ 6750 / £ 5,550 / AU $ 9,790
At $ 5,098 / £ 4,199 / AU $ 7,999, RX1R III has a marked price increase on RX1R II, priced at $ 3,299 / £ 2,600 / AU $ 5,499 when it was launched in 2015. Leica Q3 is also true, however – to the same extent.
Leica has always been the biggest pick, but when it comes to this particular line of premium compact, the price difference between Sony and Leica Prasad is less noticeable. Certainly, the cost of the Leica model is high (and it has increased price in the US after tariff).
He said, RX1R III has to face the same challenge that RX1R II did: I don’t think there is a price interval to take the Sony model over Leica, and I think many people interested in this type of camera will be lured to spend that small additional additional for aspirational red dot. If you are already getting out, why not for Leica?
2. Design
- Sony RX1R III: 4.5 x 2.7 x 3.4 ” / 113.3 x 67.9 x 87.5 mm, 1.1 LB / 498 g (with battery), fixed touchscreen, 2.36m-dot evf
- Leica Q3: 5.1 x 3.2 x 3.6 ” / 130 x 80.3 x 92.6 mm (with protrusions), 1.6 lb / 743 g (with battery), 1.84m-dot tilt touchscreen, 5.76m-dot evf
Sony RX1R III maintains compact dimensions of RX1R II, and does this despite an additional AI processing chip, and packing a large capacity battery. It is particularly smaller than the Leica Q3, and the smallest full-frame can buy one of the compact money, especially with such bright F/2 lenses.
Sony RX 1 R has gone into all with keeping III as small as possible, and given that it is a premium compact designed for photography every day, it has merit. When I was shopping for a premium compact at a cheap end of the market three years ago, I opted for Ricoh Greex instead of Fujifilm X100V (the latest model of Fujifilm at that time) due to my size, despite compromising on features and performances. This easily made a difference in my pocket, how many times I had a proper camera.
This is the same story here-RX1R III is smaller than Leica Q3 (even though it is less popular than GriiIIIIX), but later going more for it design-wise. First, Q3’s 3-inch 1.84m-Dot rear screen is an inclination type, while the 3-inch 2.36m-dot unit of RX1R III is fixed. I can already top RX1R III’s fixed screen design in my list of list.
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There will be no doubt about the EVF of RX 1 R III, which is a minor 2.36 M-Dot type. On the other hand, Q3 is an detail-rich 5.76m-dot Evf.
Not only the RX1R III is very small, but at about 500g, it is about 50% lighter than the Q3. Q3 is the weather-cinema, although (IP52 is being rated, meaning dust-and splash-proof), as well as I am a fan of Q3’s minimum design and strip-back menu.
Q3 also has optical image stabilization (OIS), while RX1R III does not. Image stabilization is a useful feature for high-resolution cameras such as RX1R III and Q3, as it reduces the adverse effect of camera shake on photo quality and determines how handheld videos are. OIS deficiency seems like another strike against RX1R III.
Battery life is the same in both models, with the edge in Q3. RX1R III’s 300-shot life, although modest, is a decent improvement on RX1R II, as well as on-the-go USB-C charging. I would expect to get a day -long contingent shooting with the camera before the requirement of recharging.
3. Lens
- Sony RX1R III: 35 mm f/2 lens, two small, 0.26x magnification
- Leica Q3: Stable 28 mm f/1.7 lens (Q3 43 version is a 43 mm f/2 lens), 0.17m close focusing
The RX1R III has a 35 mm F/2 lens – it is similar to one in RX1R II. Meanwhile, Leica Q3 has a comprehensive 28 mm f/1.7 lens. The depth of the area on the maximum aperture of each lens is very similar, and therefore large differential focal length.
For street photography, I think the lens is a better pick, as well as a twing bryter for the aperture low light. However, for the on-collection portrait and closeup, I will choose Sony. In fact, however, both lenses work in those scenarios and for reports – focal length is a matter of taste.
Both lenses are equipped with a macro focusing setting – RX1R III is focused up to 0.2m for magnification, while Q3 is focused up to 0.17m. There is a slight compression with Sony lenses, which helps to improve the subjects slightly.
To play with so many pixels, each camera includes digital crop mode that mimic tight focal length; The RX1R III has a 50 mm option for 29MP still, as well as 70 mm with 15MP. Meanwhile, Leica offers 35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm and 90 mm options, again with an increased drop in resolution because you use more extreme crops.
Note – There is also Leica Q3 43 available, which is similar to Q3 which saves for its tight 43 mm lens. Q3 is a little pricier compared to 43 Q3.
Sony’s lens is physically small, and the overall package is more portable than Q3. He said, Leka lens is stable.
Both cameras use a lens-based leaf shutter, which reduces the camera shake and shutter noise during capture, and which highlights the versatile flash sink speed. The bottom And Maximum aperture of lenses because flash sink speed is so soon – up to 1/2000Sec.
The specific flash sink speed in regular cameras is about 1/250sec at the top, which slows down the shutter speed when shooting with flash and a sharp aperture. Lower Line – Both cameras are decent options for flash portraits.
4. facilities
- Sony RX1R III: 61MP Stills, 4K 10-bit 4: 2: 0 Video, Fantastic Theme Tracking AF
- Leica Q3: 60.3mp Stills, 8K and 4K 10-bit 4: 2: 2 Video
Photo quality-wise, is very low to choose between two cameras as they essentially use the same full-frame sensor. Each brand has its own color profile, and Sony has added some beautiful options since RX1R II.
As one of the market leaders for the video, you must have thought that Sony would have upper hand for video recording in this premium compact camera fight, but it is not so. Not only is Leica Q3 record 8K and 4K videos, but its best quality is 4K video codec 10-bit 4: 2, while the best offering from RX1R III is 4K 10-bit 4: 2: 0.
Where the RX1R III will have an upper hand based on my experience using Q3 and A7R V and A7C R, autofocus performance. It is equipped with an AI processor that supports the theme tracking autofocus for a wide range of subjects.
Despite decent video skills, which contains excellent autofocus for video, if ever had a photography-first Sony camera, it is RX1R III. Q3 is also a heavy hitter for photography, but both are more capable if you shoot a lot of videos.
Initial decision
Sony RX1R III and Leica Q3 share many similarities, mainly high-resolution full-love sensors.
Overall, Q3 both have a more versatile option, with its inclination touchscreen, more detailed EVF, high-resolution video recording and slightly better weather-sealing. I dig up its minimum design, as well, while there is a broader perspective of stable lenses that probably better suited for street photography and night shots.
Sony’s latest premium compact is very small – and if the shape means everything, it is clearly better pick. He said, if the size of the camera matters because you like to be prudent, then the option is less clear: the waist level shoot is a super micro -shooting technique, and which is easily done using the tilt touchscreen of Q3. With RX1R III, you are shooting blind with this technique because the screen is fixed.
Personally, I am really disappointed that the screen of the RX1R III is fixed, especially when the RX1R II has a tilting screen, as well as its EVF is dated.
The cost of RX1R III is less than Q3, but the price difference here is lower than other Leica / Sony rivals. And with a 30% lower cost than the RX1R III with A7C R, can you be better than going to sibling e-mount with cheap 35 mm lenses every day’s camera?
I am following my intestine, here RX1R III is not used, but I think the compact size of the Sony model can seal the deal on Q3, despite the betterly better glasses in many areas. Once out for my coverage, once I have kept RX1R III in hand.
For a full run of glasses, see it Useful comparison on B&H photo.
