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Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
58
Overall
65

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • New Model is Sony A9 II
Sony RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Replacement is Sony RX1R II
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Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R Overview

Here, we are matching up the Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A9 (24MP) and the RX1R (24MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The A9 was brought out 3 years later than the RX1R and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the A9 scores vs the RX1R when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony RX1R

 A9 RX1R 
AnnouncedApril 2017June 2013More recent by 47 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1229kClearer display (+211k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Sony A9

 RX1R A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony RX1R

 A9 RX1R 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A9 offers outside dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R has proportions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the A9 vs the RX1R.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the A9 and RX1R is 65 and 79 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A9 and RX1R.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you might want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The fresher A9 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 Portrait photography information
Sony RX1R Portrait photography information
83
focusing manually
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
82
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography advice
Sony RX1R Street photography advice
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has touch to focus
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
66
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 Sports photography advice
Sony RX1R Sports photography advice
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (650 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
53
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (270 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 Travel photography information
Sony RX1R Travel photography information
73
great battery (650 per charge)
weather proof
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
decent MP (24MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
62
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
very good max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery power (270 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (482 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 Landscape photography factors
Sony RX1R Landscape photography factors
85
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great battery (650 shots)
has dual storage slots
66
you can focus manually
very good max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (270 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A9
Vlogging with Sony RX1R
36
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
34
very good max aperture (f2.0)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (482g)
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Sony A9 vs Sony RX1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony RX1R
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2017-04-19 2013-06-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 693 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.0
Amount of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,440k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 20.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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, Rear Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/4000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 673 grams (1.48 lb) 482 grams (1.06 lb)
Physical 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 All around score 92 91
DXO Color Depth score 24.9 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 13.6
DXO Low light score 3517 2537
Other
Battery life 650 shots 270 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Cost at launch $4,498 $2,798