Sony RX1R III’s Size Stuns Even Experienced Photographers

The Sony RX1R III compact camera has surprised even seasoned photographers with its diminutive dimensions. While previous models of the RX1 series were considered relatively small, recent exposure to other cameras has altered perceptions of what constitutes a “small” body, prompting comparisons to demonstrate its scale. A video demonstration highlights this surprising compactness by placing the RX1R III alongside six other cameras of varying sizes and formats.

The comparison avoids inclusion of larger full-frame or APS-C compact alternatives such as the Leica Q3 and Fujifilm X100VI, primarily due to the widespread lack of familiarity with their actual size among potential consumers. Instead, the focus is on illustrating how the RX1R III’s dimensions stack up against those of interchangeable lens systems.

One comparison features the substantial Hasselblad X2D medium format camera paired with its XCD 55V lens—a system boasting a 100-megapixel sensor and equivalent 43mm f/2.5 focal length. The RX1R III proved noticeably smaller, even when compared to the Sigma BF full-frame body equipped with a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens, a combination specifically engineered for compactness.

Moving further down the sensor size ladder with the Olympus PEN E-P7 and M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens (Micro Four Thirds format, equivalent to around 34mm), a camera combination emerged that was actually smaller than the RX1R III—though acknowledging the PEN’s inherent smallness within the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem. This comparison highlights a trade-off: achieving smaller size necessitates a reduction in resolution, with the Olympus producing images of 20.1 megapixels compared to the RX1R III’s higher resolution output.

Finally, the Nikon 1 S1 paired with its Nikkor 11-27.5mm zoom lens was shown as one of the few interchangeable lens camera combinations that manages to be smaller than the Sony RX1R III, underscoring the model’s remarkable compactness within its class.