So… The Sony RX1R III… I Am Genuinely Baffled.

Subtitle: Yeah… Still Just Baffled.

Yes. 61Mp is impressive.

But this has been done and for much less by Sony themselves… ~~twice~~ thrice (Can’t forget the OG A7RIV.).

Yes. The compact size is impressive.

But if given a choice, I would prefer a larger body that retains an articulating screen and IBIS.

Yes. I am glad they put the viewfinder in the corner rather than having a fiddly pop up dealie.

Ok. I am just glad about that one.

If it were priced right, I might forgive some of this. I mean, I seriously considered the FUJIFILM GFX100RF and that does not have IBIS either. So… the price.

$5,099.

$5,099 for a camera with no articulating screen, no IBIS, and a ten year old lens?

I immediately had questions for Sony.

You know you make an A7CR, right?

Same sensor.
Has IBIS.
Has an articulating screen.
Could be had with a heck of a lens or lenses with the <checks notes> over $2,500 price (Sale price at the time of this post.) difference.
- Even my favorite mirrorless camera of all time, the Sony A7RV, is $1,301 less…
  - Just realized that I could buy a new A7RV and a used first gen OG A7C together for a little less. Sure, I would not have a lens, but I would rather do that.
Not that much larger.

You know you make an A7C II, right?

Enough MP at 33.
Has IBIS.
Has an articulating screen.
Could be had with a heck of a lens or lenses with the <checks notes> over $3,000 price difference.
Same goes for the size difference above.

You know there is a FUJIFILM X100VI, right?

MP count that splits the difference between the A7C twins above.
Has IBIS.
Has an articulating screen.
Has an ND filter.
Looks better. What? That matters.
Could be had $3,500 less… if you can find one new.

You know there is a FUJIFILM GFX100RF, right?

MP count that kicks all comers in the teeth.
Has an articulating screen.
Looks better. What? That matters.
Could be had for $200 less… LESS!… if you can find one new.

You know that is almost as much as a Leica Q3, right?

Same MP. Same sensor, from what I understand.
Has lens based image stabilization.
Has an articulating screen.
Has a faster aperture lens.
Sure, it costs $1,636 more but…
It is a flipping Leica. Of course, it is more.

None of this makes any sense.

So… what price would set it right?

I do not know.

Even if it were closer in price to the more capable A7CR I would still prefer the A7CR. Same goes for the A7C II.

It does do something amazing though.

It makes the FUJIFILM X100VI and GFX100RF seem like bargains…

…and almost makes the Leica Q3’s price seem reasonable.

They should thank Sony.

I keep saying this, but I do not get it.

That is why I waited so long after the release to write this. Thought there may be something I missed. But, nope.

Since this bad boy took 10 years to see the light of day, I doubt that an RX1R… IV with IBIS and an articulating screen will appear anytime soon, if at all. So, I will just pretend this did not happen.

Make no mistake… I wish Sony no ill will. Historically, they are the digital camera brand I have bought the most over the years…

…and I still have three on that list. I wish them much success. But I do not get this one. And that is alright. This might be someone’s dream camera. And good for them. It is just not for me.

Anyhoo. That is all I have got.

Happy capturing.

-ELW