sony rx1r iii — my verdict after months of real use

a few months ago i started a log about my experiences with the sony rx1r iii. now it's time for my honest verdict after months of real use.

spoiler: it's an excellent camera. maybe too good for how i actually use it.

 

sony rx1r3

the image quality? beyond doubt.

let's get this out of the way first: the image quality of this camera is beyond any doubt. the 61 megapixel sensor — the same one found in the leica q3 and sony a7r v — delivers files that are absolutely stunning. dynamic range, color science, detail — it's all there. in a body that fits into a jacket pocket.

sony rx1r3

and that's exactly what makes this camera so special. you pull it out of your pocket, and what you get is indistinguishable from a professional full-frame setup. whether it's harsh midday light in palma or a dimly lit restaurant — the sensor handles it all.

sony rx1r3

my one technical complaint

technically, i have almost nothing to criticize. almost. my one issue remains the maximum shutter speed with the mechanical shutter. at apertures wider than f/5.6 — which is exactly where you want to be with that beautiful zeiss 35mm f/2 — the maximum shutter speed drops to 1/2000s. even at smaller apertures, it only reaches 1/4000s mechanically.

yes, you can switch to the electronic shutter for 1/8000s. but as i mentioned in my earlier log, there's no automatic switching between mechanical and electronic shutter. and the rolling shutter on the electronic side is noticeable, especially under artificial light. so on a bright summer day in palma, shooting wide open at f/2, you're either stopping down or diving into the menu. it's manageable, but it breaks the flow.

sony rx1r3

the size paradox

and here's the thing that surprised me most about living with this camera for months: the size — which is supposed to be its biggest asset — is sometimes working against me.

sony rx1r3

when i go out specifically to photograph — when i'm dedicated to shooting street — the rx1r iii feels a bit too small in my hands. the buttons are tiny. the handling, while impressive for its size, can't compete with a proper camera body. i want a screen that flips in every direction. i want controls i can operate without thinking. i want the option to swap lenses depending on the scene.

it's a bit ironic: the camera's greatest strength becomes its weakness for my primary use case.

sony rx1r3

where it truly shines

but then there are those other moments. dinner with friends, and the light falls beautifully on the table. a family trip where you don't want to carry a camera bag. a spontaneous walk through the old town where you didn't plan to shoot but suddenly the light is just perfect.

sony rx1r3

that's where the rx1r iii is unbeatable. it actually fits in a jacket pocket. it powers on instantly. the autofocus — while not on the level of the a1 ii — is more than good enough for these moments. and the files you get? professional quality from a camera that weighs next to nothing.

sony rx1r3

sony rx1r3

too good for a backup camera?

here's my honest thought: this camera is almost too good for how i use it. a 61 megapixel full-frame sensor with a zeiss lens — used primarily as a "just in case" camera? it feels like driving a porsche to get groceries. but then again, why wouldn't you, if the porsche fits in your pocket?

sony rx1r3

the image quality never disappoints. every time i import the files into lightroom, i'm reminded that this tiny thing delivers files that can compete with cameras three times its size and weight. the zeiss sonnar 35mm f/2 is a beautiful lens — sharp, with lovely rendering and character.

sony rx1r3

leica q3 or sony rx1r iii?

since this is probably the question most of you have: if you ask me — leica q3 or sony rx1r iii — my answer is still clearly the sony.

sony rx1r3

the rx1r iii is the more consistent "always with me" camera. it's smaller, lighter, faster to operate, and the autofocus is still in a completely different league. the leica has its charm, no question — and the OLED viewfinder is fantastic. but when it comes to reliability and speed in everyday use, the sony wins hands down.

and the lenses? is the zeiss or the leica glass better? i'd say, subjectively, perhaps the leica has a very slight edge. but honestly — i love them both. the differences are more about character than quality. and both deliver images that would satisfy any professional photographer.

sony rx1r3

my verdict

the sony rx1r iii is an excellent camera. technically, it's nearly flawless — save for that shutter speed limitation at wide apertures. the image quality is world-class. the size is remarkable for what it delivers.

sony rx1r3

but for dedicated street photography, i'll keep reaching for my a1 ii. i need the control, the flexibility, the screen that flips, the bigger buttons, the interchangeable lenses. the rx1r iii stays in my jacket pocket for everything else — dinners, family trips, spontaneous moments. and for that role, there's nothing better.

if you're choosing between this and the leica q3 43: go sony. if you want one camera for everything and you love 35mm: this might genuinely be the one. if you're like me, a portrait photographer who needs more flexibility — the rx1r iii is the perfect companion, just not the main act.

sony rx1r3

and honestly? every time i look at the files, i think: what a camera.

 

if you haven't read the first part yet, check out my sony rx1r iii log — it covers autofocus, lens comparisons, apps, EVF, and much more in detail.