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Sony a1 vs Sony QX30

Portability
61
Imaging
80
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha a1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
37
Overall
41

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2021
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Released September 2014
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Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Sony a1 vs Sony QX30, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Lens-style and both are offered by Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the a1 (50MP) and QX30 (20MP) and the a1 (Full frame) and QX30 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The a1 was launched 6 years after the QX30 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the a1 matches up against the QX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony QX30

 a1 QX30 
ReleasedJanuary 2021September 2014More modern by 78 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution1440k0kCrisper screen (+1440k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Sony a1

 QX30 a1 

Common features in the Sony a1 and Sony QX30

 a1 QX30 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Sony a1 has got exterior dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Sony QX30 has sizing of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Analyze the Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the a1 versus the QX30.

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the a1 and QX30 is 61 and 91 respectively.

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The picture below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the a1 and QX30.

Plainly, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The a1 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony a1 will offer more detail utilizing its extra 30 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern a1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony a1
Portrait photography with Sony QX30
88
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/400s)
high sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
37
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony a1 Street photography info
Sony QX30 Street photography info
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes focus via touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (32,000)
62
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony a1 Sports photography information
Sony QX30 Sports photography information
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
max fps high (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (50MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony a1 Travel photography features
Sony QX30 Travel photography features
73
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes focus via touch
high sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
Sony QX30 Landscape photography advice
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good battery pack (530 shots)
has double storage slots
39
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen ( inches)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony a1 Vlogging advice
Sony QX30 Vlogging advice
36
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
has external mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
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Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony a1 and Sony QX30
 Sony Alpha a1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha a1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Class Pro Mirrorless Lens-style
Announced 2021-01-26 2014-09-03
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 50 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8640 x 5760 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 32000 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 759 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Number of lenses 133 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" -
Resolution of screen 1,440k dot 0k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 9,437k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.9x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync None
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/400 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 1920x1080
Video file format XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 737 grams (1.62 lbs) 193 grams (0.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 530 pictures 200 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots Dual Single
Price at release $6,498 $348