Sony a1 vs Sony QX30
61 Imaging
80 Features
93 Overall
85
91 Imaging
44 Features
37 Overall
41
Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs
(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
(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
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban 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.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe 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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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha a1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30. The complete galleries are available at Sony a1 Gallery & Sony QX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony QX30
| a1 | QX30 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2021 | September 2014 | More modern by 78 months | |
| Manual focus | More precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | " | Bigger screen (+3") | |
| Screen resolution | 1440k | 0k | Crisper 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.
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.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the a1 and QX30 is 61 and 91 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony a1 vs Sony QX30 Specifications
| Sony Alpha a1 | Sony 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 |