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Sony A9 vs Sony RX1

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
57
Overall
64

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 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
  • Released February 2013
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Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Sony A9 vs Sony RX1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the A9 (24MP) and the RX1 (24MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The A9 was introduced 4 years later than the RX1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A9 scores versus the RX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony RX1

 A9 RX1 
ReleasedApril 2017February 2013Fresher by 51 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1229kCrisper display (+211k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Sony A9

 RX1 A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony RX1

 A9 RX1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony A9 enjoys outside measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Look at the Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the A9 vs the RX1.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A9 and RX1 is 65 and 79 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The visual here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A9 and RX1.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files but you need to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer A9 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Portrait photography camera
83
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
81
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/4,000 seconds)
MP count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A9
Street photography with Sony RX1
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
66
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
very good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 Sports photography info
Sony RX1 Sports photography info
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery life (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
53
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (270 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Travel photography camera
73
great battery life (650 shots)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
62
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (270 per charge)
heavier than competition (482g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 Landscape photography information
Sony RX1 Landscape photography information
85
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery life (650 per charge)
two card slots
64
focusing manually
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (270 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
34
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (482g)
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Sony A9 vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony RX1
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2017-04-19 2013-02-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 693 25
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Available lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,440 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash options Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/4000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 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 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 673 grams (1.48 lb) 482 grams (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 92 93
DXO Color Depth rating 24.9 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 14.3
DXO Low light rating 3517 2534
Other
Battery life 650 images 270 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch price $4,498 $2,798