Sony's RX1R III fixed-lens flagship: old sensor, new price

Sony's RX1R III updates a decade-old flagship compact with a new processor, AI feature detection and a $5,099 price tag: "61-megapixel 35 mm full-frame Exmor R™ CMOS image sensor, the latest BIONZ XR™ image processing engine, and a ZEISS® Sonnar T* 35 mm F2 lens."

While the camera has a fixed lens, users can tap into the versatility of three prime lenses thanks to the Step Crop Shooting⁴ function, which allows users to switch between focal lengths equivalent to 35 mm, 50 mm, and 70 mm⁵ via assigned buttons or dials. When shooting in RAW format, users can reselect the focal length during post-production. The lens's macro ring enables instant switching to macro mode, allowing users to get as close as 20 cm (maximum magnification: 0.26x).

Though the sensor is unchanged since the second version of the camera, issued in 2015, the new hardware around it represents a substantial upgrade: more megapixels, higher dynamic range and various film emulation looks.

It's up for pre-order; at that price, if you need further convincing you should consider the last-gen model for barely half the price or pay a little more for something completely different.