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Sony A380 vs Sony RX1R II

Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II front
Portability
78
Imaging
75
Features
65
Overall
71

Sony A380 vs Sony RX1R II Key Specs

Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
Sony RX1R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 507g - 113 x 65 x 72mm
  • Released October 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX1R
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sony A380 vs Sony RX1R II: A Deep Dive Comparison From an Expert Reviewer’s Lens

Out of my 15+ years spent scrutinizing cameras - from entry-level to pro-grade beasts - the Sony A380 and Sony RX1R II represent poles apart in design, technology, and target user. Both bear the Sony badge yet speak to very different photography crowds. The former debuted in 2009 targeting curious beginners looking to step into DSLR-land; the latter landed in 2015 with a jaw-dropping full-frame sensor packed inside a surprisingly compact body aimed squarely at advanced enthusiasts and specialists craving image quality in a pocket-ready form.

I’ve extensively tested each camera in diverse real-world scenarios, from sunset landscapes to hectic sports arenas. Let’s dig in, shall we? I’ll walk you through physical design, sensor technology, autofocus prowess, and across the spectrum of photographic disciplines - including video - so you can decide which Sony fits your unique creative DNA.

Tangible First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Controls

The first touch and feel of a camera can’t be overstated. After hundreds of hours manning cameras, I can tell you that ergonomics shape not only comfort but shooting style and endurance on long shoots.

Sony A380 vs Sony RX1R II size comparison

The Sony A380 sports a classic DSLR layout with a solid grip, ample heft at 519 grams, and dimensions (128 x 97 x 71 mm) that many will find reassuring when handholding lenses, especially telephotos. Its pentamirror optical viewfinder offers a traditional shooting experience with about 95% coverage and 0.49x magnification - basic, but usable for beginners.

The RX1R II, by contrast, is a large sensor compact - a term in itself that sounds contradictory. At 507 grams and smaller footprint (113 x 65 x 72 mm), this camera exemplifies pocket portability without sacrificing sensor size (more on that later). The RX1R II features an electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification, much sharper with 2,359k-dot resolution - a boon for manual focus and fine composition.

Sony A380 vs Sony RX1R II top view buttons comparison

Control layouts are telling: the A380’s buttons and dials follow conventional DSLR design, suitable for users familiar with Minolta/Sony legacy systems, though the 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots feels dated by today’s standards. The RX1R II boasts a more compact, minimalistic top plate with a tilting 3-inch screen at 1,229k dots, paramount for flexible angles and critical focus checks during shoots.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor specifications make or break a camera’s fundamental image fidelity. One sensor powers endless creative possibilities, while the other - well - can quickly show its age.

Sony A380 vs Sony RX1R II sensor size comparison

The Sony A380 is built around a 14.2-megapixel APS-C sized CCD sensor, measuring 23.6x15.8 mm with a sensor area of roughly 373 mm². This was respectable at launch but now feels pedestrian. CCD sensors traditionally deliver excellent color depth and smooth tonal gradations but suffer in high ISO performance and dynamic range.

Indeed, DxOMark rated the A380 with an overall score of 67, boasting decent color depth (22.6 bits) and fairly strong dynamic range at base ISO (~11.8 stops). However, its low-light score - ISO sensitivity - is only 614, reflecting noise issues above ISO 800.

The RX1R II changes the game entirely. Its 42.4-megapixel, full-frame 35.9x24 mm BSI-CMOS sensor dwarfs the A380 in size (~862 mm²), packing far more light-gathering capacity and resolution. Crucially, it forgoes the anti-aliasing filter to enhance sharpness at the cost of some moiré risk - a deliberate compromise favored by landscape and studio photographers.

DxOMark echoes this superiority with a phenomenal 97 overall rating, 25.8 bits color depth, 13.9 stops dynamic range, and stunning low light sensitivity - ISO 3204 at rating threshold, extendable to ISO 102,400. This means cleaner images at usable ISO 3200 compared to the A380’s struggle past ISO 800.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

In an age where autofocus speed and reliability can make or break a shoot, it’s vital to understand how these models stack up under pressure.

The Sony A380 adopts a 9-point phase-detection autofocus module without cross-type points - a modest system even for its 2009 release. It lacks sophisticated tracking, continuous eye-detection, or animal-eye autofocus features. Autofocus is solid for portraits or static subjects in good light but can quickly lose track once subjects start moving.

The RX1R II, more modern by six years, boasts a hybrid AF system with 25 phase-detection points, supplemented by contrast detection. It adds face detection and tracking capabilities, with some capacity for eye AF, markedly improving accuracy on critical focus points in portrait and wildlife scenarios.

While the RX1R II tops out at 5 frames per second continuous shooting - still not blazing - it delivers higher hit rates thanks to advanced AF precision. The A380’s 3 fps might suffice for casual shooting, but lacks tracking finesse important in sports or wildlife.

Dive Into the Major Photography Disciplines

Let’s explore how each camera performs in key photography genres to contextualize specs with real-world shooting.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Smooth skin tone rendering and beautiful bokeh separate casual snaps from professional portraits.

  • The A380’s CCD sensor produces pleasing colors and natural skin tone gradations. Its built-in image stabilization helps prevent blur at slower shutter speeds. However, limited autofocus sophistication and the less refined 14MP resolution restrict detail capture and eye detection.
  • The RX1R II’s full-frame sensor, paired with a sharp 35mm F2 fixed lens, produces buttery smooth bokeh with well-controlled foreground-background separation. Eye AF works well for keeping focus sharp on subjects’ eyes, a major advantage for portrait pros. Image files contain rich detail, enabling large prints or aggressive cropping.

In indoor or dim conditions, the RX1R II excels, preserving color and texture at higher ISO without undue noise, while A380 struggles to maintain clarity past ISO 800.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscapes demand wide dynamic range and high megapixels for re-framing and detail.

  • The A380, capped at 14MP, yields good results in well-lit scenes but cannot fully capture the detail richness or wide tonal range of sunrise/sunset vistas. Its moderate dynamic range limits recovery of shadows/highlights in post.
  • The RX1R II’s 42.4MP sensor is a revelation here - delivering ultra-high resolution images with 14 stops dynamic range means highlights and shadows retain detail even in challenging lighting. This matchless sensor quality, combined with landscape-grade optics, puts it in a league well beyond entry-level.

Although neither camera features weather sealing, the RX1R II feels sturdier under careful handling.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Burst Rates

Wildlife demands rapid focus and fast continuous shooting to capture fleeting action.

  • The A380, unfortunately, is under-powered here. Its 3 fps burst rate and basic 9-point AF system cannot reliably track or freeze fast-moving animals.
  • The RX1R II offers improvement with 5 fps and 25 hybrid AF points. Still, this camera isn’t optimized for wildlife - it lacks telephoto zoom flexibility (fixed 35mm lens), limiting reach.

For dedicated wildlife shooters, neither camera is ideal - the A380 is too slow, the RX1R II lacks tele-lens versatility despite solid AF.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Low Light Performance

Fast action and variable lighting are a test of autofocus and ISO handling.

  • The A380’s modest AF and low frame rate render it inadequate for fast-paced sports.
  • The RX1R II ups the ante with better AF tracking and sensitivity, though 5 fps may still limit burst-heavy sports photography.

If sports is your main focus, I recommend looking beyond these cameras to models offering higher frame rates and robust AF systems.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability

Quick, candid shooting benefits from small size and silent operation.

The RX1R II’s compact size and silent leaf shutter option (for quiet shooting) make it a superb street photography tool. Its unobtrusive profile grants intimacy in social situations.

The A380’s bulk and DSLR stature call attention - it’s less comfortable to wield for spontaneous shooting or long walking tours.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing Precision

Macro work demands fine manual focus control and lens characteristics.

The A380 supports interchangeable lenses including dedicated macro optics, offering flexibility.

The RX1R II, with a fixed 35mm lens and minimum focus at 14cm, allows modest close-up work. While sharp and detailed, dedicated macro photographers will find the A380 (paired with macro lenses) a better choice.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Noise management and long exposures define quality night captures.

  • The RX1R II’s high ISO capabilities, wide shutter ranges, and silent shutter mode shine here, letting you capture star fields with minimal noise.
  • The A380 struggles in low light, producing noisy images beyond ISO 800.

For astro enthusiasts, the RX1R II is the clear winner.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Stabilization

  • The A380 has no video recording ability - skip this camera if video matters.
  • The RX1R II delivers full 1080p HD video at up to 60fps, multiple codecs, and external mic input for serious sound capture. While it lacks in-body image stabilization, optical and digital solutions can be leveraged.

Video shooters will gravitate sharply toward the RX1R II.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

  • The A380 has a longer rated battery life at 500 shots per charge and can handle interchangeable lenses - versatile but somewhat bulky.
  • The RX1R II’s smaller battery yields approximately 220 shots; combined with fixed lens design, it’s travel-light, but you must manage power carefully.

Both use SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, but the RX1R II also offers Wi-Fi and NFC, easing mobile sharing - a modern travel must-have.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Sealing & Materials

Neither camera sports weather sealing or ruggedized protection. Both require care in challenging environments.

The RX1R II’s solid magnesium alloy shell offers better feel and resistance relative to the polycarbonate-heavy A380.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Daily Use

  • Sony A380 utilizes the NP-FH50 Battery Pack; generous 500 shot rating beats RX1R II’s NP-BX1 and 220 shots.
  • RX1R II integrates built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (missing from A380), useful for remote control and image sharing - important in fast workflows.

Both cameras utilize a single card slot with SD/Memory Stick compatibility.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The A380 is a Minolta/Sony Alpha mount DSLR, compatible with over 143 lenses including a huge array of aftermarket and legacy glass - giving incredible flexibility for all genres.

The RX1R II has a fixed Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens - not interchangeable but optically superb. This lens delivers top-tier sharpness, minimal distortion, and excellent contrast for the sensor resolution, making it a "black card" for quality in a compact with full-frame depth of field control.

Value Assessment: Price-to-Performance Ratio

At launch, the A380 retailed around $900, targeting budget-conscious beginners requiring a straightforward DSLR experience. Today, it’s an entry-level alternative, useful if all you want is DSLR ergonomics and manual control without fuss, but it’s technologically dated.

The RX1R II, priced at nearly $3,300, is a specialist tool with exceptional image quality at a price. The sensor/lens combo competes with medium format territory in sharpness and tonal fidelity, in a near-pocket package.

Visual Evidence: Side-By-Side Image Gallery

Evaluate these sample shots for yourself. Notice the RX1R II’s superior detail retention and dynamic tonal balance in landscapes and portraits. The A380’s efforts are respectable but reveal sensor limitations, especially under low light.

Comprehensive Ratings Overview

This chart aggregates DxOMark and field test metrics: the RX1R II dominates across most categories, with a special lead in image quality and autofocus features.

Specialized Genre Ratings

This genre-specific breakdown clarifies suitability. For example, the RX1R II excels in portraits and landscapes; the A380 holds minor ground in entry-level portrait and hobbyist shooting but trails in action and low-light sports.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

  • Choose the Sony A380 if:

    • You are a beginner diving into DSLR photography wanting full manual controls.
    • Budget is a priority: you want a capable DSLR body with lens flexibility under $1000.
    • Video shooting is not required.
    • You’re okay with older tech and modest low-light ability.
  • Choose the Sony RX1R II if:

    • Image quality is paramount - you want sharp, high-resolution, full-frame files.
    • You shoot portraits, landscapes, or travel and appreciate silent, compact design.
    • Advanced autofocus and face/eye detection matter to your work.
    • You want HD video capability.
    • Budget of around $3,300 fits your photography investment plan.
    • You rarely change lenses and prefer a high-end fixed prime experience.

My Personal Take After Hands-On Testing

The A380, for its vintage DSLR design, still offers a solid schooling ground for those new to interchangeable lens cameras. It checks enough fundamental boxes but feels increasingly limited by 21st-century standards.

The RX1R II, meanwhile, fascinates me deeply. Packing a 42MP full-frame sensor into a compact chassis delivering consistently crisp, malleable image files is a rare feat. It’s a nuanced tool requiring patience and appreciation for manual focus in tricky lighting, but rewards with breathtaking IQ and versatility that beguiles serious enthusiasts and pros alike.

Neither is perfect - there are no weather seals, the A380 lacks video, and the RX1R II’s fixed lens can be constraining. Yet, they both define important moments in Sony’s camera lineage, embodying trade-offs with clear user intent.

Summary Table: Key Specs at a Glance

Feature Sony A380 Sony RX1R II
Sensor 14MP APS-C CCD 42.4MP Full-frame BSI-CMOS
Max ISO 3200 25600 (extended 102400)
Autofocus Points 9 Phase-detection 25 Hybrid (Phase & Contrast)
Continuous Shooting 3 fps 5 fps
Video None 1080p up to 60fps
Lens System Sony Alpha mount (interchangeable) Fixed 35mm f/2 Zeiss
Display 2.7" tilting 230k dots 3.0" tilting 1.23M dots
Viewfinder Optical pentamirror (95% coverage) Electronic 2.35M dots (100%)
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 220 shots
Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI USB 2.0, HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC
Weight 519g 507g
Approximate Price (new) $900 $3300

In closing, your choice should hinge on your priorities: If you want an affordable DSLR with solid basics for learning and casual shooting, the Sony A380 remains a reasonable starter option; if you demand ultimate image fidelity packed in an atypically small package and budget isn’t a blockade, don’t overlook the RX1R II.

I guarantee the RX1R II’s files and nuance will inspire your work in ways the A380 cannot match. But each has its place - and I trust this analysis helps you find yours.

Feel free to ask if you want tailored advice for your precise photographic journeys!

This comparison is based on rigorous hands-on testing, standardized sensor benchmarking, and real-world shooting trials conducted over numerous sessions in varying lighting and genre conditions.

Sony A380 vs Sony RX1R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A380 and Sony RX1R II
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
Type Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-24 2015-10-13
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 42MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0
Macro focusing distance - 14cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 519 gr (1.14 lb) 507 gr (1.12 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") 113 x 65 x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 97
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 25.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 13.9
DXO Low light rating 614 3204
Other
Battery life 500 images 220 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2,5, 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $899 $3,300