Unveiled last summer, the Sony RX1R III is still making waves. At CP+ 2026, Sony exhibited a cross-section of its expert full-frame compact camera. This provided an opportunity to discover how engineers in Tokyo managed to fit so many components into such a small space.
Sony or the art of miniaturization
It is immediately apparent that not a single cubic millimeter has been wasted. The cross-section allows us to admire the optical structure of the Zeiss Sonnar T* 35 mm f/2. The different lens groups are clearly visible, and the copper windings of the AF motors are also intriguing.
You can also see how close the sensor and lens are—almost touching. It’s always impressive to see how far the lens “goes” into the body of a compact camera.
Small size, but reinforced skeleton
You can also see the slimness of the magnesium alloy structure, which still needs to provide the necessary rigidity to protect the onboard electronics.
Given such compactness, it is understandable why it would have been difficult to install a gimbal to stabilize the sensor, however miniaturized it may be, without compromising the overall size of the housing.
The Sony RX1R III is available starting at €3,978.
