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Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1

Portability
75
Imaging
43
Features
20
Overall
33
Epson R-D1 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
80
Features
93
Overall
85

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Epson R-D1
(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
Sony a1
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
LaunchedJanuary 2021March 2004Fresher by 205 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution1440k235kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Epson R-D1
Portrait photography with Sony a1
49
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
MP count low (6MP)
88
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/400 seconds)
megapixel count great (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Epson R-D1
Street photography with Sony a1
55
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (620g)
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Epson R-D1 Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
29
good sensor size (APS-C)
no liveview feature
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (530 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a1 as a Travel photography camera
38
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (620 grams)
MP count low (6MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
73
great battery (530 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
megapixel count great (50 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Epson R-D1 Landscape photography information
Sony a1 Landscape photography information
46
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
88
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great battery (530 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
comes with external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Epson R-D1 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Epson R-D1 and Sony a1
 Epson R-D1Sony 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