Sony A7 vs Sony RX1
78 Imaging
70 Features
80 Overall
74


79 Imaging
69 Features
57 Overall
64
Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha A7 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The whole galleries are available at Sony A7 Gallery and Sony RX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony RX1
A7 | RX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2013 | More modern by 12 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 1229k | Crisper 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 sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony RX1 Specifications
Sony Alpha A7 | Sony 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 |