Upgrade Guide
Sony RX1→Sony Sony RX1R III
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the RX1. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Sony RX1R III
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Resolution61MP vs 24MP (+37MP)
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Battery life300 shots (CIPA, LCD) vs ~220 shots (CIPA)
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Generation13 years newer (2025 vs 2012)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | RX1 | Sony RX1R III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.9 | ||
| Street | +1.0 | ||
| Travel | +0.8 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +2.2 | ||
| Documentary | +1.6 | ||
| Landscape | +1.4 | ||
| Casual | +1.2 | ||
| Food | +2.1 | ||
| Macro | +1.7 | ||
| Architecture | +1.9 | ||
| Astrophotography | +1.5 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | RX1 | Sony RX1R III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £336 used | £3,899 | |
| Released | 2012 | 2025 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.3MP full-frame CMOS | 61MP full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 61MP | ↑ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 4K/30p, 10-bit | |
| Autofocus | 25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection | Hybrid phase-detect AF (693 points) with eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 5fps (2.5fps with AF-S per frame) | 5fps | |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | 300 shots (CIPA, LCD) | ↑ |
| Weight | 482g (with battery and card) | 496g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optional EVF (FDA-EV1MK) or optical finder | EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | Tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 | Fixed 35mm f/2 Zeiss Sonnar lens | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / Memory Stick slot | Single SD (UHS-II) |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See RX1 and Sony RX1R III next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Sony RX1R III against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the RX1
Camera family history