Tilting Monitors - to have one, or not to have one. Is that the dealbreaker?
Added 2025-08-17 23:55:04 +0000 UTCMany have listed the lack of a tilting monitor as a deal breaker when considering the RX1R III to replace their RX1R II camera. I would prefer the RX1R III to have a tilting monitor, but I have decided to order an RX1R III camera anyway (primarily because of the AF improvements over my second-hand RX1R II).
A few days ago I was covering a cremation ceremony in Bali with an A7CR ...that has a fold-out and tilt monitor. I noticed that I often don't fold the monitor out and then tilt it when working an event with an A7C camera (I am slightly nervous about using a monitor that fold-outs before tilting when I am moving through a crowd). I am happy to just raise the camera above my head and angle down in order to grab a shot from a higher angle, and hold the camera at waist level and grab a shot when I need a lower angle of view (if I am pointing towards my subject then my camera is framing the subject). Viewing the monitor from an acute angle doesn't stop me grabbing the shot and sometimes I shoot without looking and then fine-tune the framing in post. It might be worth considering how many times you are happy to use a smartphone from a high or low vantage point without a tilt function on the screen and have never questioned the usability of a device that does not have a tilting monitor.
Speaking of smartphones it is worth remembering that we can use our smartphones as a tilting monitor when using our Alpha cameras and don't even need to be looking at the camera.
I suppose this workflow, the one where I don't tilt the monitor, is because I shot for 26 years with analog cameras that had no monitors, and then it was another 10 years before the manufacturers added tilting monitors to the cameras we now use.
I understand the lack of a tilting monitor may still be a deal-breaker for many who would otherwise have ordered an RX1R III, but I Just thought I would add my thoughts to this Alpha support channel ...and yes, I do understand why some would still not consider a camera that did not have a tilting monitor.
Comments
Hi Ricardo - as your question is not about tilting monitors can you please ask your question in the monthly Q&A forum - thanks. Admin Team for Mark Galer
Mark Galer
2025-08-21 14:06:31 +0000 UTCHello Mark! Sony released a system software (firmware) update Ver. 3.01 for the A7R V yesterday. The release notes are very vague and only mention that it improves the camera's operational stability. Do you know anything more about this update? I'm traveling next Sunday and I'm not sure whether to update. Any advice?
Ricardo Marcos
2025-08-21 10:30:37 +0000 UTCDue to its size, I carry my A7CR in my handlebar bag everywhere. It's a superb camera, except for the lack of a standard tilt screen, which is available on my seldom-used A7RV. The A7RV's articulated screen is state-of-the-art, but as a photographer and not a videographer, I would trade the winged screen of my A7CR for a tilt screen only. Folding out the screen when touring, or as you say, in a bustle of people, makes the camera vulnerable, and me visible. I predominantly use the VF, but I would like to have the inconspicuousness associated with a simple tilt screen.
Martin Cooper
2025-08-18 04:37:32 +0000 UTC
