Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA
78 Imaging
70 Features
80 Overall
74

/Sony-RX100-VA-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
54 Features
77 Overall
63
Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 50 - 25600
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Introduced January 2014
- New Model is Sony A7 II
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
- 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
- Introduced July 2018

Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA Overview
Below, we are analyzing the Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A7 (24MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is very comparable but the A7 (Full frame) and RX100 VA (1") feature totally different sensor sizes.

The A7 was unveiled 5 years earlier than the RX100 VA and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the A7 grades against the RX100 VA in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha A7 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A). The full galleries are viewable at Sony A7 Gallery and Sony RX100 VA Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony RX100 VA
A7 | RX100 VA | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 1229k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony A7
RX100 VA | A7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2018 | ![]() | January 2014 | More recent by 54 months |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony RX100 VA
A7 | RX100 VA | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A7 comes with outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VA has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).
Look at the Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the A7 versus the RX100 VA.
-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A7 and RX100 VA is 78 and 89 respectively.
-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The visual below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 and RX100 VA.
As you can tell, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A7 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony A7 will provide greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older A7 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder
-screen-back-comparison.jpg)

Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications
Sony Alpha A7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha A7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2014-01-22 | 2018-07-13 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Bionz X | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 35.8 x 23.9mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 855.6mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 50 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 117 | 315 |
Cross type focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sony E | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 24-70mm (2.9x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/1.8-2.8 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 5cm |
Total lenses | 121 | - |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,230k dot | 1,229k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | Xtra Fine LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,359k dot | 2,359k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.59x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Maximum silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames per second | 24.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.20 m (at Auto ISO) |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 474 gr (1.04 lbs) | 299 gr (0.66 lbs) |
Dimensions | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") | 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 90 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 2248 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 340 shots | 220 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FW50 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $798 | $998 |