Nearly a decade after the launch of its second iteration, Sony has announced the new RX1R III, a compact, fixed-lens camera featuring a 61-megapixel 35 mm full-frame Exmor R CMOS image sensor, a ZEISS Sonnar T* 35 mm F2 lens, and AI-powered autofocus capabilities.

Compared to the 42.4-megapixel sensor of the previous generation, the RX1R III is equipped with a 61-megapixel full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a BIONZ XR image processing engine. This combination delivers high resolution and sensitivity, with low noise and a wide dynamic range.

The RX1R III also features Sony’s latest AI processing unit, capable of accurately recognising subject shapes and movements, including the position of eyes, human bodies, and heads. It can even track subjects when their faces aren’t visible, and this functionality works in both stills and video modes. The camera’s electronic viewfinder uses an approximately 2.36 million-dot XGA OLED with high resolution and contrast, offering around 0.70x magnification.

Although the camera uses a fixed 35 mm lens, it includes a Step Crop Shooting mode that allows users to switch between focal lengths equivalent to 35 mm, 50 mm, and 70 mm via assigned buttons or dials. When shooting in RAW format, users can even reselect the focal length during post-production. A macro ring on the lens enables instant switching to macro mode, letting users get as close as 20 cm with a maximum magnification of 0.26x.

Perhaps taking inspiration from Fujifilm, the RX1R III offers twelve built-in Creative Looks. Users can adjust hue, saturation, brightness, contrast, and sharpness not only for still images but also for videos.

The RX1R III uses the NP-FW50 battery, the same type found in older Sony cameras like the a6400 and ZV-E10, supporting up to 300 still images on a single charge. It also supports rapid charging via a USB Type-C port with USB Power Delivery. Several optional accessories will be available for the RX1R III, including the TG-2 thumb grip that attaches to the camera’s hot shoe, the LCS-RXL body case, and the LHP-1 lens hood.

While local pricing has yet to be announced, the RX1R III is available for pre-order in the US for a cool 5,098USD (around RM22,000). Sony says the RX1R III will be available in Malaysia sometime in September 2025.