Sony RX1rIII preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Cam Mackey had the chance to play with the Sony RX1r III and I tend ot agree with his critics and conclusion. So let’s sum it up:

Strengths of Sony RX1R III:
• Smallest full-frame camera, unique in its niche.
• Excellent 61MP sensor and sharp Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens with character.
• Autofocus is industry-leading, especially for tracking and subject detection (better than Leica and Nikon).
• Some charm in its older Zeiss lens and improved JPEG film-look presets.
• Unique option for Sony shooters who want a compact, high-quality camera.

Weaknesses & Critiques:
• Feels overpriced ($5,100), better suited at ~$3,500.
• Build quality and feel not premium enough for its price — feels plasticky and uninspiring compared to Leica.
• Viewfinder and LCD are small, dated, and less satisfying than competitors.
• Fixed screen, no IBIS, and ergonomics make it less pleasant to use for long sessions.
• Accessories (grip, hood) are pricey, mimicking Leica’s niche but without Leica’s craftsmanship or ecosystem.
• JPEG film looks are improved but still feel sterile compared to Fujifilm.

Compared with the Leica Q3 the Leica feels:
• premium, inspiring, and beautifully crafted.
• Incredible lens character with sharpness and bokeh that still feels natural.
• Viewfinder and controls feel luxurious, and the shooting experience is unmatched.
• Justifies its even higher price (~$7–8K) by delivering emotional connection and artistry.

Overall Verdict:
• RX1R III is technically impressive but lacks emotional appeal, premium feel, and inspiration for the price.
• Best suited for Sony loyalists or those wanting a compact, high-res, AF powerhouse — but most would find better value and experience in a used Leica Q3 or cheaper alternatives.
• The reviewer emphasizes that cameras at this level are luxuries meant to inspire and create joy, not just deliver specs.

Closing Thought:
Future camera buyers will prioritize inspiration, feel, and unique rendering over clinical perfection. Cameras should motivate and feel authentic — a quality the Leica delivers far better than Sony in this segment.

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I fully agree that people now want cameras that are not only technically capable but also give you the feeling you own something special. I think the RX1rIII is technically a marvel but Sony needs ot understand we need more than this. We need a beautiful design, easy usability and proper Kodak film simulations built into our Sony cameras.

Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 FE at BHphoto, Adorama, Fotokoch, WexUK. Introduction on Explora.

Chris Nichols reviews the new Tamron 16–30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, the successor to the 17–28mm f/2.8, completing Tamron’s lightweight f/2.8 zoom “trinity” (16–30, 28–75, 70–180). Despite the confusing name (no prior 16–30 mirrorless version existed), it’s positioned as a more versatile replacement for the older 17–28mm. The lens is compact, lightweight, weather-sealed, with a 67mm filter thread matching the other Tamron zooms.

Build quality: plastic hood, smooth zoom and focus rings, customizable button, and USB-C port for firmware and app customization.
Optics: sharp at 16mm wide open, good corners, but at 30mm wide open suffers some softness and glow; improves stopped down. Bokeh is decent but not exceptional — some harshness and cat’s eye shapes at f/2.8, but backgrounds remain soft for an ultra-wide.
Autofocus is much improved with a linear motor, making it fast and quiet for stills and video.
Video performance: excellent for gimbal work, minimal focus breathing, fast AF tracking, though no optical stabilization (relies on IBIS).
Compared to rivals: sharper and more modern than the old 17–28mm, more affordable and compact than OEM options, but with competition from Sony 16–25mm and Sigma 16–28mm.
Conclusion: a solid choice if you want an affordable, reliable, and compact ultra-wide f/2.8 zoom, especially if you already own Tamron’s 28–75 and 70–180 G2 lenses.

Finally we have the very first review of the new Sony RX1r III. Let’s see if this can convince some of the skeptics out there that this is quite a stunning (althaugh expensive) camera!

Sony RX1rIII preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Sony RX1rIII preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Thanks to CameraSize we can now compare the new Sony RX1rIII size with the competition. Some claim that the Sony A7cR is a better alternative to the new RX1rIII. However, if you want the most compact full-frame camera, you can’t ignore the fact that the RX with its 35 mm lens and 2.0 aperture is much smaller than the A7cr with its lens attached:

Sony RX1rIIII vs A7cR with Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 lens (1 stop slower!) and the Sony 35mm f/1.8 (1/3 of stop faster)

The only similar E-mount lens is the Sigma 35mm f/2.0 which is quite a big longer.

The RX1rIII is just as thick with lens as the A7cR with the grip.

Now let’s compare the camera with the FujiFilm X100VI:

The Fujifilm is taller and wider but the lens si much smaller. But don’t get fooled, the Fujifilm uses a much smaller APS-C sensor and the lens is a f/3,1 equivalent in Full Frame terms. This means it has much less light gathering capability.

Here is a comparison with the Leica Q3:

The Leica is much bigger with the only advantage of using a faster f/1.7 lens.

And here is a comparison with the Fujifilm GFX100RF:

Where the GFX100RF stands out is with the use of a compact lens (although the body itself is thicker). But also in that case they use a f/3.1 Full Frame equivalent lens only).

Wrap up:
All things considered there is no getting around that in terms of size and weight(!) the Sony RX1rIII is the smallest Full Frame camera+lens combo you can get. It is a an expensive niche camera with some “missing” features like IBIS. But there is value in a camera like this that you can easily carry with you all the time!

Sony RX1rIII preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Their thoughts in short:

• The upgrades—better autofocus, battery, creative profiles, and high-res sensor—are welcome but incremental.
• Downsides include the high price (over $5,000 before accessories), no lens redesign to match the higher resolution, no articulating screen, no image stabilization, and a dated EVF.
• The camera remains extremely compact and pocketable, which sets it apart from rivals like the Leica Q3 or Fujifilm GFX100R.
• Sony seems to have revived the line to tap into the growing market for premium, soulful compacts like the Q3 and X100VI.
• Reviewers question whether the dated lens can resolve well enough for the 61MP sensor and whether it competes on value vs. an a7CR with a 35mm lens.

Sony RX1rIII preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Asobinet has published this precise size comparison. What immediately stands out is that the new Sony RX1rIII is 1.5 cm deeper. That’s quite a big jump. The body itself is thicker, probably to make room for all the new processor chips and for better heat management. The lens itself also appears to be a little bit longer.

Would have loved if Sony engineers would have found a “trick” to add at least in lens stabilization without to compromise the size too much. That is my major complaint a part of the obviously high price tag.

Sony RX1rIII preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Viltrox launched the new 85mm f/1.4 FE lens for $598 at BHphoto, Amazon US&EU, Viltroxstore, Pergear.

Photographer Manny Ortiz reviews the new Viltrox 85mm f/1.4, a $600 lens that challenges the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ($1,300) and Sony G Master (approx. $1,800+) in sharpness, features, and value.

Pros
– Nearly identical sharpness to Sigma
– Beautiful bokeh; slightly smoother on Sigma
– Autofocus more accurate than Sigma in tests (24/30 vs 15/22)
– Excellent for video: minimal focus breathing, short manual focus throw
– Better minimum focus distance than Sigma
– Solid build (800g), with USB firmware port, custom button, aperture ring

Cons
– Focus can pulse/vibrate aggressively when it struggles to lock
– Larger than Sigma (but better hand comfort)
– Internal rattle when powered off is more noticeable than usual

Conclusion
Ortiz calls the Viltrox “the new king of value” for Sony shooters. Unless you shoot fast action (where the Sony GM excels), this is a top portrait lens choice.

“I wouldn’t hesitate one bit to make this my main portrait lens.”

Affiliate Links
– Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 (B&H Photo), Amazon, Adorama
– Sigma 85mm f/1.4 (B&H Photo), Amazon, Adorama
– Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM (B&H Photo), Amazon,Adorama