Fixed-Lens Fun, Premium Performance. The Sony RX1R II was a crowd favorite for street photography and this new iteration keeps all the best features of its predecessor while taking advantage of the latest tech. You still get a high-megapixel, portrait-worthy sensor and Zeiss 35mm lens but you also now have access to AI processing for an improved autofocus experience, including a new Human Pose Estimator that predicts movements with stunning accuracy.

Character and Operability. Sony made a few refinements to the overall build of the RX1R III. The top panel’s dials and hot shoe are perfectly flush for easier pocketing and a newly-developed, no-slip texture has been strategically added to the grip. The whole thing has a cool black matte coating and the EVF no longer pops up but is fixed, which is a bit more traditional. The LCD is also fixed to improve overall pocketability but now has touch operation. Both EVF and LCD adapt automatically to vertical shooting. The EVF is the same one found on the a7CR.

Imaging Improvements. This camera is equipped with the exact same lens as the prior model. This was a well-loved lens originally and Sony must have figured it was best to not mess with perfection. Top among its benefits is its leaf shutter design. Built into the lens itself, the shutter for this camera is not only super quiet but also super fast – fast enough to accommodate flash sync up to 1/4,000th of a second (1/2,000th when shooting at f/2). For comparison, most cameras max out sync at 1/250th of a second. This is especially beneficial for strobe shooters looking for studio-level results even in bright ambient conditions. Feel constricted by a prime lens? You have the option of using digital zoom to simulate 50mm or 70mm fields of view.

Creativity to Carry Everywhere. With smartphones, we’ve grown accustomed to adding filters as we go and the RX1R III is set up for a similar workflow. This compact is packed with fast presets for both photo and video, including three cinematic-style looks that soften results for a nostalgic vibe. While not particularly robust in the video specs, you can still expect UHD 4K recording for, seemingly, an unlimited amount of time (though it is recommended to stay under 50 minutes to prevent any overheating). The Multi-Function shoe is handy for shotgun mics and there is a decent set of ports for a camera of this form factor: 3.5mm mic jack, USB-C (with PD support), and micro-HDMI. With vintage flair, the shutter button on this camera is equipped with a threaded socket for shutter release cables. Overall, the RX1R III is a really great option for not only everyday shooting but also for beautiful portraits and photojournalism-style captures.