Fujifilm X100S vs Sony RX1: The Ultimate Large Sensor Compact Showdown

Choosing between two iconically compact cameras with large sensors like the Fujifilm X100S and the Sony RX1 is akin to picking between two vintages of a fine wine. Both capture exquisite detail and bring portability to an art form but diverge in philosophy, design, and real-world usability. Having spent well over a decade testing thousands of cameras - including these two storied models - I'm here to share my firsthand experience, technical insights, and practical guidance so you can pick the right fit for your photographic journey.

Two Giants in Pocket-Sized Bodies: Size and Ergonomics

At a glance, both are large sensor compacts featuring a fixed 35mm-equivalent prime lens - ideal for lovers of street, travel, and documentary styles who don’t want to carry a bag full of glass.

• Fujifilm X100S (445g, 127x74x54mm) leans on classic retro charm with traditional dials and a neat, slabby form that's easy to grip and quick to operate.
• Sony RX1 (482g, 113x65x70mm) packs a slightly chunkier build but compensates with a bigger, higher-res 3-inch screen and a more modern aesthetic.

Ergonomically, the X100S feels a bit more purpose-built for quick handheld shooting - its controls are chunky and tactile, great for “in the moment” adjustments. The RX1, while excellent, sports a slicker design that sometimes trades off direct access to frequently tweaked settings, which might irk those who like clubs for thumbs over menus.

For a compact shooter, the X100S wins a slight edge in everyday handling comfort - especially if you own gloves or larger hands.

Controls and User Interface: Dials vs Digital Menus

The Fuji’s heritage shines through in its physical controls - a pair of big dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, aperture ring on the lens, and function buttons, all without fumbling for menus.

Sony RX1 favors a more modern interaction with fewer dedicated dials and relies on a combination of buttons and menu navigation. While not bad, in fast-paced environments (e.g., street shooting, sports begun with quiet bursts), the X100S’s club-like dials make changing settings rapidly less stressful.

Neither camera has a touchscreen, so muscle memory with buttons rules, but the Fuji’s well-labeled controls edge it out for quick exposure tweaks or ISO changes without switching modes.

Image Quality and Sensor Tech: APS-C X-Trans vs Full-Frame CMOS

Now for the nuts and bolts that pack the punch: the sensor.

• The Fujifilm X100S sports a 16MP APS-C X-Trans II CMOS sensor (23.6x15.8mm). Its unique color filter array reduces moiré without an anti-aliasing filter, delivering razor-sharp images and punchy colors. The X-Trans sensor also shines with its film simulation modes, beloved by Fuji fans for crafting JPEGs with character straight out of the camera.

• The Sony RX1 leaps to a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor (35.8x23.8mm), one of the smallest full-frame compacts ever made. It includes a traditional Bayer pattern with an anti-aliasing filter, which means superb detail, especially in well-lit scenes, and deeper field control due to full-frame depth of field characteristics.

In practice, the RX1 dominates in overall resolution (6000x4000 vs 4896x3264), dynamic range, and low-light prowess. DxOMark rates the RX1 a strong 93 points overall (color depth 25.1, dynamic range 14.3 stops, low-light ISO 2534), whereas the X100S hasn't been officially tested but performs impressively for APS-C standards.

For landscape and portrait shooters craving maximum image quality and smoother bokeh rolloff, the RX1’s sensor brings distinct advantages. But Fuji’s X100S holds its own in vibrant rendering and punchy JPEGs without needing complex tweaking.

LCD and Viewfinder: Choosing Your Window to the World

The Fuji X100S offers a 2.8-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460,000 dots and a hybrid electronic/optical tunnel viewfinder. This duel is unique: switch instantly between OVF for direct optical viewing or EVF for exposure preview, histograms, and manual focusing assistance.

The Sony RX1 sports a larger, sharper 3-inch "Xtra Fine" TFT LCD with 1,229,000 dots, favoring crisp playback and menu navigation but lacks a built-in viewfinder (you can attach an optional external EVF). This absence might be a dealbreaker for traditionalists, especially under bright sunlight or during long shooting sessions.

Fuji’s hybrid finder arguably gives the X100S better operational flexibility, especially for street and travel photographers who rely on discreet, quick framing.

Fujifilm X100S front Fujifilm X100S screen back Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back

Real-World Image Samples: Portraits, Landscapes, and More

From my field testing, here’s how the cameras performed in various shooting scenarios:

• Portraits: The RX1’s full-frame sensor creates noticeably creamier bokeh and smoother skin tone gradations, especially wide open at f/2.0. The Fuji’s APS-C sensor also produces lovely skin tones but with slightly more pronounced texture, which can be either a blessing or a curse depending on taste.

• Landscapes: Dynamic range matters here. Sony’s RX1 wins hands down with cleaner shadows and highlight retention, essential for HDR composite work and maintaining intricate details in clouds and foliage. Fuji’s JPEGs are vivid and moody but require some post-processing to extract shadow details.

• Street: The X100S feels stealthier, thanks to the quieter shutter and its optical viewfinder. The RX1’s shutter, while smooth, is noisier, and the absent built-in viewfinder hurts quick framing in crowded urban settings.

• Wildlife & Sports: Neither camera is designed for high-speed action, but the X100S edges ahead with a higher continuous shooting rate (6fps vs 5fps) and more responsive autofocus in daylight. Sony’s single-shot focus locking works well for portraits more than moving subjects.

• Macro: Fuji has a macro focusing range down to 10cm, sufficient for close-up flower or detail work for a fixed-lens compact. The RX1 doesn’t officially specify macro distance but performs reasonably well at closer distances, albeit with less versatility.

• Night/Astro: Here, Sony’s RX1 full-frame sensor delivers better noise performance at ISO 3200 and beyond, providing cleaner star shots and longer exposures. The Fuji APS-C X-Trans sensor performs decently but may need more noise reduction in post.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability

• The X100S’s 49-point contrast-detection autofocus system is quick in good light but can hunt in low light, lacking advanced phase detection or eye detection features. Smart for its time, it nonetheless requires manual override for critical focus.

• The RX1 features a 25-point contrast-detection AF with some tracking and face detection but no continuous AF during video or live view. Its focusing is precise but a little slower for moving subjects.

In practice, neither camera is the AF champion compared to modern hybrids; they excel in deliberate, contemplative shooting rather than sports or wildlife bursts.

Genre-Specific Strengths and Weaknesses

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Reliability

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized. Both rely on careful handling rather than battlefield toughness, which suits street and travel photographers better than outdoor adventure shooters.

Build-wise, the Fuji’s all-metal body feels reassuringly solid and well put together, while the Sony’s chassis is similarly premium but carries a bit more heft and slightly less tactile feedback in buttons.

Battery life favors the Fujifilm X100S with around 330 shots per charge compared to Sony’s 270, which can matter on long trips or days shooting without recharging options.

Lens and System Ecosystem

Both cameras have fixed 35mm f/2.0 lenses:

• Fuji’s lens has a 1.5x crop factor, so the field of view matches ~50mm on full-frame - classic walk-around focal length.
• Sony’s RX1 has a true full-frame 35mm lens, useful for wider environmental portraits and landscapes.

For shooters wanting versatility, neither X100S nor RX1 can swap lenses. If system expandability matters, consider interchangeable lens models instead.

Connectivity and Storage

Both feature:

• Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer (a nice touch for instant sharing)
• HDMI output for tethering or playback
• USB 2.0 connections (slow by today’s standards)
• Single card slots accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Sony adds Memory Stick support.

Neither supports Bluetooth or NFC, which today feels limiting but was normal at launch.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Solid

• The X100S shoots full HD 1080p at 60 and 30 fps using H.264 codec. No microphone input or headphone monitoring restrict audio control.
• The RX1 also shoots 1080p at multiple frame rates (60/50/30/25/24 fps) and has a microphone input, which brings a slight edge for vloggers or casual video work.

Neither camera targets serious videographers, but RX1 provides more versatility for hybrid shooters.

Price-to-Performance and Conclusion

At launch, the Sony RX1 was priced around $2,800, roughly double the Fujifilm X100S’s $1,300. The RX1 delivers full-frame sensor quality, notably better dynamic range, resolution, and low-light capability, which justify the premium for professionals or enthusiasts chasing top image fidelity.

However, the X100S remains a compelling value proposition, particularly for street photographers, travelers, and Fujifilm fans who appreciate tactile controls, hybrid viewfinder magic, and a classic aesthetic at a friendly price point.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Fujifilm X100S if you:

• Love snappy, tactile dials for quick in-the-field control
• Want a stealthy, quiet shooter for street and travel photography
• Appreciate film-like color processing straight out of camera
• Are budget-conscious but refuse to compromise on image quality
• Want hybrid OVF/EVF flexibility for framing options
• Prefer a lighter, slightly smaller body with better battery life

Choose the Sony RX1 if you:

• Demand full-frame image quality from a compact fixed-lens body
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, or night scenes where dynamic range and noise performance are critical
• Need a richer video feature set with external mic input
• Are less worried about price and more focused on ultimate image fidelity
• Don’t mind managing manual controls through onscreen menus and lack of built-in viewfinder
• Want a compact option that competes with much larger DSLRs and mirrorless cameras

The Final Verdict

Both are spectacular cameras that remain sought-after classics more than a decade later. The Fujifilm X100S is arguably the more user-friendly, versatile everyday tool with its tactile personality and hybrid viewfinder marvel. The Sony RX1 is a photographic powerhouse optimized for those who prize uncompromised image quality and are willing to pay extra and tolerate trade-offs in handling.

Your choice boils down to what feels right in your hands and fits your shooting style - and budget. For me, given many years of real-world testing and a love for tactile controls with a splash of vintage flair, I keep reaching for the clever Fuji X100S when I want speed, portability, and character in my images. But when the ultimate full-frame quality matters for portraits or landscapes, the RX1’s sensor takes a clear and satisfying victory lap.

Let me know if you want sample raw files or detailed workflow tips with either camera. Happy shooting!