Sony A7S II vs Sony TX1: A Deep Dive Into Two Very Different Cameras

When comparing the Sony Alpha A7S II and the Sony Cyber-shot TX1, you are essentially looking at two cameras from entirely different eras and usage philosophies. One is a 2015 professional-grade full-frame mirrorless camera designed for hybrid shooters who want serious video and stills, while the other is a 2009 ultracompact point-and-shoot focused on casual, on-the-go use.

Our goal here is to go beyond the specs, to provide you with practical guidance, real-world performance insights, and clear advice on which camera will best serve your photography needs. Throughout, I’ll draw from extensive hands-on testing methodologies developed over thousands of camera evaluations, and we’ll cover how these cameras perform across a wide range of photographic disciplines.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

The Sony A7S II is a professional mirrorless camera with a substantial grip-based SLR-style body. Its dimensions (127 x 96 x 60 mm) and weight (627 grams) provide a reassuring heft that helps stabilize longer lenses and maintain balance during handheld shooting, especially in challenging conditions.

In contrast, the Sony TX1 is ultra-compact and pocketable (94 x 58 x 17 mm, 142 grams). This slim profile is great for casual snapshots, street photography, or travel when you want to travel light, but it sacrifices advanced handling features.

Ergonomic Notes:

• A7S II: Excellent tactile feedback with easy access to dials and buttons. Despite being mirrorless, it has a robust lens mount and feels like a pro tool.
• TX1: Minimalist button layout and touchscreen interface. While intuitive for quick use, it lacks physical controls needed for manual creativity.

You’ll see in the above image that the A7S II packs dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, whereas the TX1 relies heavily on menus and touchscreen inputs.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

The sensor difference is the defining factor here:

Real-World Impact

Because the A7S II utilizes a full-frame sensor, you get:

• Superior low-light performance: The much larger pixels gather far more light, resulting in cleaner images at high ISO values. The A7S II excels at night scenes and indoor shooting.
• Greater dynamic range: More detail in shadows and highlights, invaluable for landscapes and high-contrast scenes.
• More creative depth of field control: The full frame offers shallower depth of field, enabling richer bokeh and subject separation.

Meanwhile, the TX1’s tiny sensor limits image quality, especially in low light and when enlarging prints. It's designed for convenience and snapshots rather than professional-grade output.

Autofocus Systems and Performance

The A7S II is outfitted with an advanced 169-point contrast-detection autofocus system with face detection and tracking capabilities. It supports continuous autofocus modes critical for video and moving subjects.

Meanwhile, the TX1 features a far simpler 9-point contrast detection autofocus system without face or eye detection, no continuous AF modes, and no tracking.

Testing Insight:

• On the A7S II, eye detection and continuous AF tracking provide a robust experience for portrait, wildlife, and sports photography.
• The TX1’s AF is best suited for stationary subjects in good light - typical for casual snapshots, but unreliable for action.

Image Stabilization: Holding It Steady

• Sony A7S II offers 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which compensates for camera shake during handheld shots across focal lengths. This helps keep both photos and video footage sharp at slower shutter speeds.
• The TX1 provides optical image stabilization built into the lens, effective for reducing blur on stills but less flexible than IBIS.

In practical terms, the A7S II allows you to shoot handheld longer exposures and smooth video footage without additional rigging, which is a key advantage for many photography and video disciplines.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders

• The A7S II features a bright, tilting 3.0-inch LCD with 1.2 million dots resolution and a 0.78x magnification electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots. This provides excellent real-time framing and review clarity, especially outdoors.
• The TX1 has a fixed 3-inch LCD with only 230k dots and no viewfinder. This limits its usability in bright sunlight and reduces compositional flexibility.

For any serious work, especially in challenging lighting, the A7S II’s viewfinder and screen vastly improve the shooting experience.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

This is another critical differentiator.

The A7S II’s adoption of the Sony E-mount ecosystem opens the door to an enormous range of lenses - from fast primes ideal for portraits, to super-tele photos for wildlife, and wide-angles for landscapes. This adaptability makes it a versatile, long-term camera.

Conversely, the TX1’s fixed zoom limits framing options and creative control. You are essentially at the mercy of the default range for focal length and aperture.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Professional use on the A7S II requires carrying spare batteries given the 370-shot rating per charge. The TX1, with less functionality but also fewer power demands, offers moderate endurance but lacks interchangeable batteries.

The A7S II also offers more robust, fast storage options like UHS-II SD cards for rapid burst shooting and video recording.

Connectivity and Additional Features

• The A7S II features built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, HDMI output, microphone and headphone jacks, and USB 2.0 connectivity.
• The TX1 lacks wireless connectivity but has HDMI and USB interfaces.

The A7S II’s audio ports and wireless controls are significant advantages for filmmakers, vloggers, and serious hybrid users.

Video Capabilities – Where the A7S II Shines

The A7S II is a powerful tool for video shooters - it supports high-bitrate 4K recording, offers excellent low light video thanks to its large sensor and high ISO capability, and the 5-axis IS drastically reduces shake.

The TX1 video features are modest and best suited to casual home movies.

Real-World Performance by Photography Genre

Let’s examine how these cameras stack up across common photography types.

Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back Sony TX1 front Sony TX1 screen back

In this gallery, you can observe how the A7S II renders colors, detail, and dynamic range far better - especially under low light conditions. The TX1 images are typical of compact cameras of its era: sharp in good light but struggling in shadows and high ISO settings.

Durability, Weather Sealing, and Build Quality

• Sony A7S II offers environmental sealing to resist dust and moisture, critical for field and professional outdoor use.
• Sony TX1 provides no weather sealing.

If you spend time outdoors or in unpredictable weather, the A7S II is clearly the more robust choice.

User Interface, Customization, and Control

The A7S II provides extensive customizable buttons, manual and semi-automatic exposure modes (aperture priority, shutter priority), manual focus aids, and live view options. It supports exposure compensation, custom white balance, and bracketing - key tools for expert control.

In contrast, the TX1 is designed for automatic shooting with minimal manual input, intended for ease of use, not control.

Price-to-Performance Ratio and Who Should Buy Which

*Prices vary widely by market and availability.

The A7S II scores highly across all major performance metrics due to its sensor size, video features, and build quality. The TX1 scores low on most technical aspects but gains credit for portability and simplicity.

This genre breakdown confirms the A7S II’s dominance for serious photographic and video purposes, while the TX1 is only really competitive for casual snapshot and travel applications.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Is Right for You?

Choose the Sony A7S II if you:

• Want professional video (4K, high ISO, stabilized)
• Shoot in low light, indoor events, or at night
• Need the flexibility of interchangeable lenses
• Desire advanced autofocus and control features
• Are willing to invest in a system with pro-level durability and performance
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports at a serious level

Choose the Sony TX1 if you:

• Need an ultra-compact camera that fits easily in a pocket or purse
• Want quick, automatic shooting without fuss or manual controls
• Prioritize portability and convenience over image quality
• Are mainly shooting casual day-to-day moments or travel snapshots
• Have a limited budget and do not require professional image quality

Getting Started and Expanding Your Gear

If you opt for the A7S II, consider pairing it with a versatile zoom like the Sony 24-70mm f/4 or a fast prime for portraits (such as the 55mm f/1.8). A sturdy tripod and external microphone will also elevate your video projects.

For the TX1, accessories are limited. The focus should be on mastering composition and understanding lighting since manual controls are scarce.

Summary Table: Quick Specs and Recommendations

Wrapping Up

Choosing between the Sony A7S II and the Sony TX1 really depends on what kind of photographer you are and what you need from your camera. The A7S II remains a worthy pro-level, creative powerhouse even several years after launch. The TX1 is better seen as a compact “grab-and-go” camera - simple and approachable but technically limited.

Whatever your choice, I encourage you to test these cameras hands-on if possible. Experience the ergonomics, menus, and shooting style. Get familiar with their unique strengths and limitations in practice - that’s the best way to find the right tool to capture your creative vision.

Happy shooting!

If you'd like to see detailed sample images and full speculative real-life scenarios for these cameras or suggestions on compatible lenses and accessories, feel free to ask!