This past week, I had the chance to get hands-on with the brand-new Sony RX1R III during a two-day Sony pop-up event in SoHo, NYC. It was a great opportunity to connect with the Sony team, meet fellow creatives, and learn from some of the most respected names in street photography.
Over the course of the event, I spent about four hours total with the RX1R III. Creatives rotated between camera loans to join photo walks led by Sony Ambassadors who had already spent time with the RX1R III. Sony even printed select images from these walks on-site, giving attendees a tangible look at the camera’s output.
The RX1R III stands apart from Sony’s larger bodies like the A7RV or A7CR. Comparisons don’t really make sense. This is a compact, fixed-lens camera built for discreet shooting. Its Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 lens delivers sharp, clean results, and its small form factor makes it ideal for street photography or environments where speed and subtlety matter.
For those with larger hands, the size may take some getting used to, but Sony and third-party companies have grips available to improve handling. Its portability also means it can easily be brought into sporting events and concerts without the restrictions that often come with larger setups.
While the RX1R III doesn’t offer zoom, pressing the C1 button enables a crop mode for a closer view which is perfect for quick framing adjustments. And because the RAW files retain the full image data, you can recompose freely in post.
The real highlight for me was joining three photo walks led by @irablockphoto, @dave.krugman, and @monaris_, each bringing their own creative approach:
- Dave focused on intentional composition and subject sensitivity, capturing fleeting moments and freezing motion.
- Ira encouraged a relaxed approach, documenting people in their natural rhythm—construction workers, restaurant staff prepping meals, and spontaneous street scenes.
- Monaris brought an energetic, cinematic eye, emphasizing street art, reflections, and wide establishing shots that felt like opening frames of a film.
Each walk offered a different perspective on how to see the city, and I left with fresh thoughts on composition and storytelling.
I had hoped to conduct my own photowalk to review the RX1R III directly with my A1 II, A7RV, and FX3, but time didn’t allow for it. Hopefully next time. One fun touch from the event: Sony partnered with NYC Party Booth to print each attendee’s favorite shot from the walks. We signed copies for Sony and took a print home. Two of my own selected images are included below. Can you guess which ones made the cut?
Overall, the pop-up was a huge success, both as a product demo and a creative gathering. I left inspired, with new connections from across New York and New Jersey. Here’s hoping Sony brings more of these events to creative hubs across the country, because this was the perfect blend of community, creativity, and hands-on learning.
