The Sony A7R IV vs Sony RX1: An Expert Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When Sony revolutionized the camera market with its Alpha series and fixed large-sensor compacts, it set new bars for image quality and versatility. Among these, the Sony A7R IV and Sony RX1 stand out as enduring icons - both full-frame cameras, yet serving radically different approaches to photography. Nearly six years separate their announcements, presenting a fascinating opportunity to scrutinize technological evolution, design philosophy, and user experience. I’ve tested thousands of cameras over the years, so let’s dive deep into these two Sony powerhouses, drawing on extensive hands-on evaluation to empower your buying decisions.

Form, Feel & Handling: Size and Ergonomics Matter

The first noticeable distinction is obvious the moment you pick up these two: the A7R IV is a pro-level SLR-style mirrorless camera with a robust grip, while the RX1 is a large sensor compact designed for stealth and simplicity.

Sony’s A7R IV measures 129 × 96 × 78 mm and weighs 665 g, making it a solid presence that balances well in hand with any grip-friendly lens attached. In contrast, the RX1’s pocketable 113 × 65 × 70 mm frame tips the scales at just 482 g. The RX1 embodies a rare marriage of full-frame image quality with highly portable design, making it an ideal companion for street shooters and travelers who prioritize discreteness.

The A7R IV’s beefier dimensions accommodate more button controls and a larger battery, which translates directly into better ergonomics during extended shoots. It features a deep grip, customizable buttons, and an intuitive control layout - a crucial asset when shooting in manual modes or hectic environments. The RX1, by necessity, keeps things minimalistic with fewer physical controls and lacks touchscreen capabilities, trading complexity for simplicity.

Top-Down Control Layout: Usability in the Field

Peeking from above, the contrast continues. The A7R IV embraces comprehensive manual control, enabling photographers to adjust settings rapidly without diving into menus.

Its top dial arrangement is generous and well-spaced, including accessible exposure compensation, ISO control, shutter speed dial, and drive mode selector. This setup suits professional workflows, especially in fast-paced environments where tactile feedback is king.

The RX1, rooted in compact design ethos, offers fewer buttons and dials, usually exposing key functions through a single command dial paired with the traditional mode dial. While reasonable for casual to enthusiast use, this layout is less ideal for photographers who demand swift control changes mid-shot.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels vs. Practicality

Both cameras boast full-frame sensors measuring 35.8 × 23.8 mm, but their resolutions and underlying technology differ significantly.

Sony A7R IV sports a staggering 61-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor without an antialiasing filter, aimed at unparalleled detail resolution (9504 × 6336 pixels). This sensor architecture delivers exceptional color depth (26-bit) and dynamic range (~14.8 stops), pushing the boundaries especially in landscape, architectural, and studio photography where print quality and cropping latitude are paramount.

By contrast, the Sony RX1 offers a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor, converging classic full-frame quality with a more manageable file size and faster processing. The inclusion of an anti-aliasing filter here slightly curtails super-fine detail but improves resilience against moiré artifacts. Its dynamic range (~14.3 stops) and color depth (25-bit) still provide excellent imaging, particularly for JPEG shooters who appreciate more forgiving color gradations.

In low light, the A7R IV’s base ISO starts at 100 with a useful extension down to ISO 50 and reaches an impressive boosted sensitivity of 102,800. This grants photographers flexibility for astrophotography and dim interiors, though noise controls are necessary at the higher end. The RX1 caps at ISO 25,600, representing older sensor tech but still quite respectable, especially after Sony’s renowned noise-reduction algorithms.

LCD and Viewfinder: Critical Interfaces for Composing Shots

User interface quality can make or break photo sessions, especially for professionals reliant on accurate previews.

The A7R IV equips a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1,440k-dot resolution, permitting versatile shooting angles and fairly intuitive menu navigation. The touchscreen enables focus point selection, making live view shooting more fluid - which is crucial during macro or video work.

The RX1’s fixed 3-inch LCD is also high quality (1,229k dots) but lacks touchscreen capability. For viewfinding, the RX1 offers an optional optical and electronic viewfinder attachment, whereas the A7R IV comes standard with a superb 5.76 million-dot electronic viewfinder covering 100% frame and 0.78x magnification - ideal for critical focusing and framing.

In my field testing, the A7R IV’s EVF is clearly a winner for extended shoots and in bright conditions, thanks to its refresh rate and resolution, reducing eye fatigue and enhancing accuracy.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Autofocus can be a dealbreaker for many photographers. How do these two stack up in the real world?

The A7R IV advances with 567 hybrid phase/contrast detection points across a wide area, including sophisticated real-time Eye AF for humans and animals. This system performs admirably in fast-paced situations - sports, wildlife, even street - delivering confident tracking at 10 fps shooting speeds with minimal focus hunting. The camera’s autofocus is a genuine leap forward, exhibiting reliable eye, face, and animal detection not just in broad light but also challenging backlit or low-light scenarios.

The RX1, conversely, has an older contrast-detection AF system limited to 25 focus points, with no phase detection or continuous AF. Its AF speed and accuracy are adequate for static subjects and slower shooting, but quickly fall short in dynamic or low-light scenarios. Eye AF is present but less refined, requiring more patience and manual intervention.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer Depth: Burst Rates for Action DSLR-Like Performance

For dynamic photography genres like sports or wildlife, sustained burst shooting is vital.

The A7R IV handles 10 fps with continuous autofocus and exposure, a respectable rate for such a high-resolution sensor. Its substantial buffer allows up to 68 compressed RAW shots per burst - enough to capture decisive action moments without interruption. Sony’s UHS-II dual card slots facilitate swift data offload.

The RX1 offers a more modest 5 fps burst rate and a smaller buffer, reflecting its primary role as a versatile compact with slower-paced shooting in mind. Only a single SD card slot is offered, limiting flexible storage options.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: One Size Fits Many vs Fixed Prime

Sony’s E-mount system opens a universe of lenses for the A7R IV - including Sony’s top-tier G Master primes, Zeiss optics, and a plethora of third-party lenses spanning focal lengths from ultra-wide to super-telephoto.

With 121 compatible lenses reported, it embodies expansive creative potential, empowering photographers across all genres from macro to sports, landscapes to portraits.

In contrast, the RX1 features a fixed 35mm f/2 prime lens - a choice likely to polarize. While this high-quality Zeiss Sonnar f/2 lens delivers sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and excellent low-light performance, lack of zoom or alternative focal lengths limits compositional flexibility. It’s a fixed-lens camera crafted for simplicity, prioritizing discretion and portability over versatility.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability: Ready for Tough Conditions?

The A7R IV has a robust magnesium alloy body with weather sealing against moisture and dust, making it trustworthy for outdoor professionals shooting in unpredictable conditions - from mountain landscapes to dusty stadiums. It is not advertised as shockproof or freezeproof but overall construction inspires confidence.

The RX1, designed primarily as a premium compact, lacks formal weather sealing and is less suited for harsh environments. Its smaller frame sacrifices rugged features, favoring portability.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power in Long Shoots

For extended photography sessions, battery life can be a major factor.

The A7R IV uses the NP-FZ100 battery rated at approximately 670 shots per charge (based on CIPA standards), substantially better than the RX1’s NP-BX1 battery clocking around 270 shots. Real-world experience echoes this gap - the A7R IV comfortably survives full-day shoots while the RX1 often demands a spare battery or two.

The dual card slots on the A7R IV, both UHS-II compatible, offer convenience for overflow or backup recording. The RX1 accepts a single SD card but uniquely supports Sony’s Memory Stick Duo formats, an interesting relic in card compatibility.

Connectivity and Wired Interfaces: Integration in Modern Workflows

The A7R IV outclasses the RX1 with extensive modern connectivity: built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, USB 3.1 Gen 1 for fast data transfer, full HDMI port, and headphone/microphone jacks enabling professional video monitoring and audio.

The RX1 offers more limited options: no Bluetooth or NFC, USB 2.0 interface, HDMI output, and a microphone port but no headphone jack, reflecting its earlier generation design.

Video Capabilities: Where the A7R IV Shines Brightly

While photo quality is paramount, many users value video functionality. The A7R IV supports 4K UHD recording at 30p with high bit rates (up to 100 Mbps) in multiple codecs (XAVC S, MP4, H.264). It also supports 5-axis in-body image stabilization, delivering smoother handheld footage. Dual card slots further facilitate robust video workflows.

The RX1 provides up to Full HD 1080p at 60fps, with older MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. No 4K or in-body stabilization is offered, curbing its utility for hybrid shooters.

Real World: Genre-Specific Performance & Sample Imagery

Before wrapping, let’s look at the cameras’ strengths across various photography types.

Sony A7R IV front Sony A7R IV screen back Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back

• Portraits: The A7R IV’s Eye AF and 61MP sensor capture skin textures and bokeh with magnificent clarity, offering more cropping freedom for tight headshots. The RX1’s Zeiss lens produces pleasing color rendition and smooth backgrounds but lacks AF sophistication for spontaneous portraits.

• Landscape: The A7R IV dominates with extraordinary resolution and dynamic range, weather sealing for adverse conditions, and extensive lens choices. The RX1 handles daylight landscapes well but limits framing options.

• Wildlife: A7R IV’s high-speed AF, 10 fps burst rate, and telephoto lenses make it the natural winner. RX1’s slower AF and single 35mm prime lens are less practical here.

• Sports: Fast AF tracking and buffer depth favor the A7R IV for capturing peak action.

• Street: RX1’s compactness and discreet lens make it appealing for street photography, although A7R IV’s silent shutter mode narrows the gap.

• Macro: The broad lens ecosystem of the A7R IV eclipses the RX1’s fixed focal length in macro work.

• Night/Astro: A7R IV’s high ISO performance and exposure modes excel here.

• Video: A7R IV’s 4K video and stabilization trump RX1’s 1080p.

• Travel: RX1’s portability versus A7R IV’s versatility depends on user preference.

• Professional Work: A7R IV’s reliability, dual cards, and robust connectivity suit professional workflows.

A final visual summary below shows spec-based scores across these categories:

Objective Performance Ratings

For a balanced perspective, I rely on DxOMark’s scores (updated regularly through hands-on sensor tests):

• Sony A7R IV: Overall Score 99; Color Depth 26; Dynamic Range 14.8 stops; Low Light ISO 3344.
• Sony RX1: Overall Score 93; Color Depth 25.1; Dynamic Range 14.3; Low Light ISO 2534.

This numeric advantage aligns with the observed superiority of the A7R IV for demanding photographic situations.

Value and Pricing: Long-Term Investment Considerations

The A7R IV’s current retail price stands near $3,498, a reasonable ask given features and performance, especially for professionals. The RX1, despite its age, still lists around $2,798 reflecting its unique niche as a large sensor compact.

Cost per pixel and versatility heavily favor the A7R IV, but the RX1’s lower price (sometimes available used at a discount) plus ultra-compact size may appeal to buyers prioritizing simplicity and pocketability.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

After exhaustive testing and day-to-day use, here’s my distilled advice:

• Choose the Sony A7R IV if you want:

  • Cutting-edge image quality with ultra-high resolution
  • Fast, reliable autofocus for action and wildlife
  • Extensive lens options for every genre
  • Robust build quality for professional and outdoor use
  • Advanced video capabilities alongside stills
  • Longer battery life and dual card slots for security
  • A camera that scales for future-proof workflows and print demands

• Choose the Sony RX1 if you seek:

  • A compact, ultra-portable full frame camera
  • High-quality fixed prime lens with excellent color and sharpness
  • Simplicity and discretion for street, travel, or candid photography
  • Decent full-frame image quality in a pocket-ready form factor
  • Willingness to accept slower autofocus and fewer features for size gains

The Sony A7R IV remains a flagship in the pro mirrorless segment, delivering technology and performance that justify its price and size in many disciplines. The Sony RX1 is a beautifully crafted camera that captured imaginations by proofing that full-frame quality can fit in (almost) your pocket, though it comes with tradeoffs stemming from older tech and a fixed lens.

Whichever path you choose, both cameras embody Sony’s commitment to pushing image quality boundaries and crafting tools for photographers who demand excellence - each catering to a distinct style and workflow.

Feel free to reach out with specific scenarios or questions - nothing beats comparative hands-on insights when making your next camera investment!