Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1
75 Imaging
43 Features
20 Overall
33


61 Imaging
80 Features
93 Overall
85
Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 1600
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 620g - 142 x 89 x 40mm
- Revealed March 2004
- Refreshed by Epson R-D1x
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand 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
- Launched January 2021

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Overview
Let's examine more in depth at the Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Epson and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the R-D1 (6MP) and a1 (50MP) and the R-D1 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor measurements.

The R-D1 was brought out 18 years earlier than the a1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Epson R-D1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the R-D1 scores versus the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Epson R-D1 & Sony Alpha a1. The entire galleries are available at Epson R-D1 Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Epson R-D1 over the Sony a1
R-D1 | a1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Epson R-D1
a1 | R-D1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2021 | ![]() | March 2004 | Fresher by 205 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2" | Larger display (+1") |
Display resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 235k | Crisper display (+1205k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Epson R-D1 and Sony a1
R-D1 | a1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Epson R-D1 provides outside measurements of 142mm x 89mm x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Contrast the Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the R-D1 and the a1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the R-D1 and a1 is 75 and 61 respectively.

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The photograph below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the R-D1 and a1.
Plainly, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The R-D1 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony a1 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 44 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The older R-D1 will be behind in sensor technology.

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Specifications
Epson R-D1 | Sony Alpha a1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Epson | Sony |
Model type | Epson R-D1 | Sony Alpha a1 |
Type | Advanced Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2004-03-11 | 2021-01-26 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.6mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.7mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 50 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 8640 x 5760 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 32000 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 102400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Min boosted ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 759 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica M | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 59 | 133 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 235k dots | 1,440k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 9,437k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.9x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 1 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Maximum silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 30.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | - | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/400 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) |
Highest video resolution | None | 7680x4320 |
Video format | - | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | Yes |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 620 grams (1.37 lbs) | 737 grams (1.62 lbs) |
Dimensions | 142 x 89 x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 530 photos |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | No | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD card | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
Card slots | Single | Dual |
Launch pricing | $1,709 | $6,498 |