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Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
76
Overall
66

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Launched March 2009
Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Released October 2015
  • Old Model is Sony A7S
  • Refreshed by Sony A7S III
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Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II Overview

Following is a thorough overview of the Canon SX1 IS versus Sony A7S II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the A7S II (12MP) is pretty close but the SX1 IS (1/2.3") and A7S II (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX1 IS was launched 7 years earlier than the A7S II which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7S II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the SX1 IS grades against the A7S II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Sony A7S II

 SX1 IS A7S II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Canon SX1 IS

 A7S II SX1 IS 
ReleasedOctober 2015March 2009More modern by 79 months
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Sony A7S II

 SX1 IS A7S II 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX1 IS has outside measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) whilst the Sony A7S II has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") with a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX1 IS versus Sony A7S II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SX1 IS versus the A7S II.

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and A7S II is 64 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The image underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX1 IS and A7S II.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SX1 IS because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A7S II will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX1 IS
Portrait photography with Sony A7S II
45
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
68
focusing manually
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography factors
Sony A7S II Street photography factors
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
very good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Sports photography camera
32
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
57
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (370 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography features
Sony A7S II Travel photography features
52
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
49
weather sealing
not so great battery life (370 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX1 IS
Landscape photography with Sony A7S II
44
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (370 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S II as a Vlogging camera
57
reasonably wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Canon SX1 IS vs Sony A7S II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Sony A7S II
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISSony Alpha A7S II
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Sony Alpha A7S II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-03-27 2015-10-12
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 1600 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 409600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 169
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.8" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps])
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615 grams (1.36 lb) 627 grams (1.38 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life - 370 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $600 $2,767