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Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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 RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Superseded the Sony RX100
  • New Model is Sony RX100 III
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Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Sony A9 versus Sony RX100 II, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both are created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A9 (24MP) and the RX100 II (20MP) is relatively similar but the A9 (Full frame) and RX100 II (1") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The A9 was brought out 3 years later than the RX100 II and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the A9 scores against the RX100 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony RX100 II

 A9 RX100 II 
IntroducedApril 2017June 2013Fresher by 47 months
Screen resolution1440k1229kSharper screen (+211k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Sony A9

 RX100 II A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony RX100 II

 A9 RX100 II 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A9 comes with external dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 II has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A9 versus Sony RX100 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the A9 vs the RX100 II.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A9 and RX100 II is 65 and 89 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The photograph here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A9 and RX100 II.

All in all, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A9 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony A9 will offer more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer A9 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Portrait photography camera
83
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
70
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography features
Sony RX100 II Street photography features
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Sports photography camera
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 Travel photography info
Sony RX100 II Travel photography info
73
great battery (650 shots)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
decent MP (24MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
80
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (281g)
good MP (20MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Landscape photography camera
85
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great battery (650 shots)
two card slots
74
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging info
Sony RX100 II Vlogging info
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
37
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (281g)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Sony A9 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony RX100 II
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Category Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2017-04-19 2013-06-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 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
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 693 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,440k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash settings Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 673 grams (1.48 lb) 281 grams (0.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 92 67
DXO Color Depth rating 24.9 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 12.4
DXO Low light rating 3517 483
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 350 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual 1
Cost at release $4,498 $598