Unveiled last summer, the Sony RX1R III is making headlines once again. At CP+ 2026, Sony displayed a cross-section of its full-frame compact camera. A chance to discover how Tokyo’s engineers managed to pack so many components into such a tiny volume.
Sony, or the art of miniaturization
We can immediately see that not a single cubic millimeter is wasted. The cross-section lets us admire the optical design of the Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2. We can clearly make out the different lens groups, and the copper coil windings of the AF motors are equally intriguing.
We can also see just how close the sensor and the lens are – nearly touching. It is always impressive to observe how, with a compact camera, the lens extends deep inside the body.
Small form factor, reinforced skeleton
We can also observe the thinness of the magnesium alloy frame, which still needs to provide enough rigidity to protect the onboard electronics.
Looking at such compactness, we can understand why fitting a stabilization platform for the sensor would have been extremely challenging, however miniaturized it might be, unless Sony were willing to compromise on the camera’s overall form factor.
The Sony RX1R III is available starting at $5,098.
