Introduction
RX1R III Sony has the latest full-frame, prime lens compact. It is a 61MP update of a series that has returned from the original RX1 in 2012 and has not been seen as a fresh since the 2015 RX1R II.
But a lot has changed in that time. The original RX1 came a year ago when Sony introduced her first full-frame photo-centered mirrorless camera, A7. Since then we have seen four generations of A7, five of the high resolution A7R series and, recently more compact A7C model. This is this, and especially high-resolution A7CR, which attracts the glasses of RX1R III into sharp relief.
The A7CR was particularly launched for $ 3200/€ 3700/£ 3200, while the list of RX1R III is $ 5100/€ 4200/£ 4200.
Does the cheap, more flexible camera reduce the requirement of an updated RX1, or more for the story? We dig a bit deep.
Equality
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It is perfectly appropriate that people will look at the RX1R III and wonder if Sony’s budget high-rage A7CR model cannot do more, (very) less, mainly due to the high degree of equality between the species of two cameras.
Both cameras have the same 61MP full-frame BSI sensor in their heart, and mix it with Sony’s latest BionZ XR processor and “AI Processing Unit”, which means two cameras should provide comparable image quality, speed and AF capabilities. The co-processor machine is dedicated to running complex algorithms developed by learning, which is to identify and track many subjects.
They also share the same visualization: a 2.36 meter dot unit with 0.7X magnification with optics. This resolution is relatively low by modern standards, but is one of the highest available in 0.39 types (∼8 x 6 mm display) panel format. Most high resolution displays are 0.5 types (10.1 x 7.6 mm), which take more space with a large panel, surrounding cases and optics. In both these models, EVF panels have been selected to reduce the amount of camera raised by viewership.
size
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The significant difference between the two cameras is probably size. A7CR is very small for a full-frame ILC, but it is a fairly important qualifier. The body of RX1R III is much smaller in practice than A7CR.
Add to a lens and the difference becomes even more. The lens of the RX1R III almost pushes at the point of touching the sensor, while the A7CR has to leave the room for a mechanical shutter and lens mount between the sensor and the rear element.
For some users, the difference is not going to be meaningful: Once a camera is not plotable, the degree for which it is not plotable is not as important. But as a camera or a camera you want to be relatively disinterested, the difference may be important for something.
In terms of weight, at 498g, RX1R III is 3% lighter than A7CR before adding a lens. Attach the sigma 35 mm F2.0 that we used in the graphic above and the ILC 70% comes out as heavy.
Stabilization
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In addition to the ability to switch to the lens, perhaps the most obvious difference between A7CR and RX1R III is that CR has image stabilization.
There is definitely an argument that a bright 35 mm lens does not require stabilization (hence some prime with convenience), and that the stabilization of the A7CR is more valuable when you mount the lens on it for a long time.
But, even though, in theory, there is a risk of risking more moving elements, but brings a good system in extra stability, it means more shots that provide full capacity of 61MP sensors.
RX1R III uses the same Zeiss-branded lens as a version of 2012 and, in the name of size, brightens the sensor and is very low beyond: It will require a large image circle to project to allow the sensor-shift (to make both the lens and body big), or a complete re-design will be required to include stabilization in the optical.
Shutter
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As was done in the previous slide, the A7CR has a physical shutter in front of its sensor. In this case it only has a series of shutter blades to eliminate exposure: an electronic first curtain shutter approach. In most cases it works as well as misshap bokeh with the only risk with a complete mechanical exposure aircraft shutter when used with wider aperture and very low exposure. A7CR’s flash sink is limited to 1/160 seconds.
In contrast, RX1R III has an in-lens, ‘leaf’ shutter, which is closed from many directions, rapidly forms a small aperture as it does. This affects the light level of the entire sensor as it closes and opens, meaning that it has a complete-sensor, ‘global’ shutter action. This allows RX1R III to sync with flash up to its maximum shutter speed.
However, it is worth noting that the maximum shutter speed of the camera varies with aperture, as the aperture is more distance to cover the shutter when the aperture diameter is large. Like the previous model, RX1R III can shoot up to 1/2000 seconds, when wide open, 1/3200 seconds F4 and narrow, and can be closed at 1/4000 seconds when f5.6 or further.
Batteries
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The A7CR’s large body has enough space for Sony’s largest NP-FZ100 battery, a respected-rated 16.4Wh unit that uses 470 via CIPA battery rating and viewfinder of 530 shots per charge using a rear screen to A7CR.
The RX1R III does with a small NP-FW50 battery, which has a capacity of 7.3Wh. It helps in giving a small camera rating of 300 and 270 shots per charge respectively. Which are not impressive, but also not terrible. This is a major improvement on the 4.5Wh BX1 battery used in the previous RX1 model, despite the rating of 220/200 shots per charge, providing enough limiting that RX1R II invited jokes about giving such an experience like such a film that felt that you were limited to 36 shots at a time.
Pistol
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Knock -on effect of step for large batteries – NP -FW50 is twice as deep as a body used in previous models: taking 18.5 mm of a body that is only around 31 mm, back to back – Soni has decided that a moving rear monitor will add too much deeper. It has a 2.36 meter dot (1024 x 768px) panel, but a one that cannot go away from the camera for a waist-level shooting.
Comparatively, the A7CR has a 1.04M dot (720 x 480px) display, but a perfectly applied to the negative hinge, which is more useful for back-level work, video, selfie and tripi-based photos. On which note, the A7CR has a multi-shot high race mode (most suitable for landscape work), which has a decrease in RX1R III.
This, perhaps, should be noted that the first four generations of the X100 sold very happily with a certain rear screen, as by the first two generations of Leka Q and all Rico GRS to date. However, it is certainly a part of the audience for a fixed-lens compact that makes it find useful as both Fujifilm and Lika have adopted a tilting screen in their recent model.
Summary
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Perhaps the irony is that many decisions have been criticized the most: small, so low-resolution, fixed rear screen of EVF and RX1R II, was designed to keep the body as small as possible, and maximized the size difference between RX1R III and A7CR. And yet it has the same agreement that makes A7CR more attractive for many photographers.
We believe that a certain-lens camera is a matter of itself: it is not only an interchangeable lens camera with restrictions. And, the more we love them, we recognize that more flexibility of an ILC will often win at the size and focus of a certain-lens camera for most people.
We suspect the related pricing of RX1R III and will still reduce the appeal of the A7CR compact camera. But as long as we have shot with it, we do not believe that more flexible camera is naturally better.
