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Sony A7 vs Sony RX1

Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
57
Overall
64

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Newer Model is Sony A7 II
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Introduced February 2013
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Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Sony A7 and Sony RX1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A7 (24MP) and the RX1 (24MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The A7 was introduced 12 months after the RX1 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the A7 scores versus the RX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony RX1

 A7 RX1 
IntroducedJanuary 2014February 2013More modern by 12 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1230k1229kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Sony A7

 RX1 A7 

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony RX1

 A7 RX1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Sony A7 features external dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) and the Sony RX1 has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A7 and Sony RX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the A7 versus the RX1.

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A7 and RX1 is 78 and 79 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The picture below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7 and RX1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of images but you would want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The fresher A7 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Portrait photography camera
82
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
81
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Street photography camera
79
tilting screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
lighter than others (474g)
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
66
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
very good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A7
Sports photography with Sony RX1
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery pack (340 CIPA)
53
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (270 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 Travel photography factors
Sony RX1 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others (474g)
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
low battery pack (340 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
62
good resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (482g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 Landscape photography advice
Sony RX1 Landscape photography advice
75
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
megapixel count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no image stabilization
low battery pack (340 CIPA)
64
focusing manually
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (270 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7
Vlogging with Sony RX1
35
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than others (474g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
34
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (482 grams)
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Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony RX1
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2014-01-22 2013-02-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 117 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Amount of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Xtra Fine LCD Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/4000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 474g (1.04 lb) 482g (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 90 93
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 25.1
DXO Dynamic range score 14.2 14.3
DXO Low light score 2248 2534
Other
Battery life 340 images 270 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FW50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $798 $2,798