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Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Canon SX150 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 306g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Old Model is Canon SX130 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX160 IS
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Canon SX150 IS and Sony a1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SX150 IS (14MP) and a1 (50MP) and the SX150 IS (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) provide different sensor sizes.

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The SX150 IS was launched 9 years before the a1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX150 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SX150 IS grades against the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX150 IS over the Sony a1

 SX150 IS a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon SX150 IS

 a1 SX150 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2021May 2012More modern by 105 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX150 IS and Sony a1

 SX150 IS a1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX150 IS has external measurements of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") with a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check the Canon SX150 IS and Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SX150 IS versus the a1.

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX150 IS and a1 is 86 and 61 respectively.

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by going over technical specs. The pic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX150 IS and a1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX150 IS due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony a1 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 36 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX150 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX150 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
42
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features face detection focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
88
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
megapixel count great (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Street photography details
Sony a1 Street photography details
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (306g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has touch focus
environment proof
very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX150 IS
Sports photography with Sony a1
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (130 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery (530 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Travel photography info
Sony a1 Travel photography info
64
lighter than average (306g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
long reach (336mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (130 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
73
great battery (530 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count great (50MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX150 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (130 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (50MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great battery (530 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Vlogging factors
Sony a1 Vlogging factors
30
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than average (306 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
36
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Canon SX150 IS vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX150 IS and Sony a1
 Canon PowerShot SX150 ISSony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Sony Alpha a1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2012-05-14 2021-01-26
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 1600 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 1 759
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.6 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 7680x4320
Video data format H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 306 gr (0.67 lb) 737 gr (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 130 photographs 530 photographs
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Dual
Pricing at launch $249 $6,498