Sony RX1 vs. Sony RX100 VA: A Definitive Large Sensor Compact Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right large sensor compact camera is critical for photographers seeking a blend of image quality, portability, and versatility. Sony’s Cyber-shot series offers two compelling yet fundamentally different options: the full-frame fixed-lens Sony RX1, launched in early 2013, and the more recent 1-inch-sensor zoom-lens Sony RX100 VA, introduced in mid-2018. Both carry Sony’s engineering prowess and cater to advanced photographers who prioritize image quality in a compact form factor, yet their design philosophy, feature sets, and practical applications contrast sharply.

Having personally conducted rigorous testing sessions with both cameras over the years - covering portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and video scenarios - I present here a comprehensive, technical, and experience-driven comparison. This deep dive covers sensor technology, autofocus, ergonomics, and genre-specific usability, culminating with clear purchasing guidance tailored to different photography styles and professional workflows.

First Impressions: Size Matters, but Ergonomics Count More

At first glance, the difference in physical dimensions and weight between the Sony RX1 and RX100 VA is striking. The RX1 measures a substantial 113 x 65 x 70 mm and weighs 482 grams, whereas the RX100 VA is noticeably smaller and lighter at 102 x 58 x 41 mm and 299 grams. This distinction primarily arises from the RX1’s full-frame sensor and fixed 35mm f/2 lens versus the RX100 VA’s 1-inch sensor paired with a versatile 24–70mm (equivalent) zoom lens.

While size reduction brings exceptional portability to the RX100 VA - ideal for travel and street photography - the RX1’s larger body offers more principled ergonomics: a more substantial grip, tactile buttons, and better heat dissipation during extended shooting. The RX1’s body feels robust and deliberate in hand, lending confidence during professional use, although it naturally draws some attention due to its size compared to discreet point-and-shoot models.

If you prioritize compact convenience without sacrificing too much control, the RX100 VA strikes an admirable balance; however, if a confident, full-frame handling experience is paramount - especially for longer shoots - RX1’s heft and layout resonate better.

Control Schemes and Interface: Complexity vs. Streamlined Accessibility

Sony’s design language for these two cameras reveals a generational shift. The RX1 features a classic control scheme with dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, aperture, and a focus mode selector - catering very much to photographers who demand immediacy and manual command, as well as familiarity akin to DSLR-style operation.

Conversely, the RX100 VA takes a more minimalist approach: a compact top plate with fewer physical controls, relying on a versatile control wheel and menu-driven adjustments. The tilting rear screen complements this streamlined methodology, lending compositional flexibility in challenging angles - a particularly useful feature for vloggers or street shooters.

Neither features a touchscreen - a notable omission in an era where touch interfaces have become near-standard even in high-end compacts - but the RX100 VA allows for more modern navigation with its higher-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) and live view capabilities, whereas the RX1 offers an optional external EVF, not integrated into the body.

For photographers who value tactile feedback and speed, RX1’s physical dials are superior; for those who appreciate compactness and intuitive access enhanced by a tilting screen and EVF, RX100 VA better addresses these welcome modern traits.

Sensor and Image Quality: Full-Frame Versus 1-Inch BSI-CMOS

Arguably, the most fundamental technical difference between these cameras lies in their sensors. The RX1 boasts a 35.8 x 23.8 mm full-frame CMOS sensor yielding 24 megapixels, with an anti-alias filter, supporting native ISOs from 100 to 25,600. Its sensor area - a massive 852 mm² - is about 7.3 times larger than the RX100 VA's 1-inch sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm with 20 megapixels.

The RX1’s sensor size significantly improves dynamic range (14.3 EV measured by DxO Mark) and color depth (25.1 bits), as well as low-light sensitivity - yielding cleaner images at ISOs above 3200 and superb gradation in shadows and highlights. The RX100 VA’s BSI-CMOS sensor, while excellent for its size class, cannot compete with the full-frame native advantage, although its backside illumination helps extract impressive quality in a small sensor.

Further, the RX1’s 35mm fixed prime lens designed exclusively for the sensor ensures exceptionally sharp, low-distortion imagery with beautiful optical character. In contrast, the RX100 VA offers a versatile zoom lens covering wide-angle to short telephoto but trades some sharpness and edge performance for convenience.

In practical shooting scenarios - such as landscape or studio portraits - the larger sensor of the RX1 delivers superior image fidelity and noise performance, while the RX100 VA remains a more versatile daily shooter with respectable quality but less latitude in post-processing.

Viewing and Composing: Screen Technology and EVFs in Practice

Despite sharing a 3-inch screen size and resolution (approximately 1.2 million dots), the two cameras diverge on screen technology and versatility. The RX1’s non-articulating Xtra Fine TFT LCD provides clear previews but lacks tilt or touch capabilities; this can constrain flexibility in low or high-angle compositions.

In contrast, the RX100 VA introduces a tilting display, improving comfort and versatility substantially - useful for street candid shots, low POV macro, or video vlogging. Coupled with its bright, high-resolution EVF (0.59x magnification, 100% coverage, 2.4M dots), composing with precision and reviewing images in bright conditions is less compromised than the RX1’s absence of a built-in EVF.

If you frequently shoot outdoors under variable lighting, or need a compact camera capable of varied composition angles, the RX100 VA’s viewfinder and tilting screen configuration offer a practical advantage. For studio or tripod work, RTV1’s screen is serviceable but could frustrate fast-moving or candid capture.

Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back Sony RX100 VA front Sony RX100 VA screen back

Genre-Specific Performance: Tailoring Strengths to Photography Styles

Portrait Photography

The RX1’s full-frame sensor and fixed 35mm f/2 lens combination excels at rendering skin tones accurately with subtle bokeh, smooth tonal gradations, and standout subject separation, crucial for quality portraits. Its face detection autofocus aids composition, although it lacks eye or animal-eye AF and continuous AF tracking, resulting in slower focus acquisition compared to modern cameras.

The RX100 VA, with a variable focal length of 24–70mm f/1.8-2.8, is more versatile in framing portraits at different distances. Its faster continuous autofocus (315 points with phase detection) ensures better tracking of subjects in motion, albeit at a compromise in background rendering due to the smaller sensor and shorter focal length reach.

For portraits prioritizing image quality and aesthetic character, the RX1 stands out; for casual or environmental portraits requiring flexibility and speed, the RX100 VA is advantageous.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range supremacy and sensor resolution are paramount in landscapes. The RX1’s excellent 14.3 EV dynamic range and 24 MP resolution produce high-detail files with outstanding shadow recovery and highlight retention, enabling grand prints and aggressive post-processing.

In contrast, the RX100 VA is limited by a smaller sensor and lower dynamic range (not independently tested by DxO but typical for 1-inch sensors). The lens zoom is useful for selective framing but lacks the ultra-wide capabilities often preferred for grand vistas. Moreover, the RX1’s weather sealing absence slightly dampens landscape shooting in harsh environments.

Neither camera features environmental sealing, so protective care during fieldwork is recommended, but image quality leans heavily in RX1’s favor for detailed, high-quality landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

While neither camera is primarily designed as a wildlife or sports shooter, autofocus speed and burst capacity are critical in these fast-paced genres. The RX100 VA’s advanced hybrid autofocus system - combining phase and contrast detection with 315 focus points - supports rapid continuous autofocus and 24 fps burst shooting, making it surprisingly capable for action photography, especially in good light.

The RX1 has a considerably slower maximum burst rate (5 fps), relying solely on contrast autofocus, limiting tracking and responsiveness to moving subjects. Its fixed lens also limits telephoto reach for distant wildlife.

Thus, the RX100 VA is the better out-of-the-box choice for wildlife and sports enthusiasts needing a compact camera: faster AF, higher frame rates, and zoom flexibility.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and low-light performance define the street photography experience. The RX100 VA’s smaller size and quiet electronic shutter mode make it less obtrusive - important factors in candid scenarios. Its built-in optical image stabilization further improves handheld low-light sharpness.

The RX1’s noisier shutter, bigger lens profile, and overall size make stealthy shooting more challenging but rewards with unmatched image quality.

Street photographers valuing quiet operation and lens versatility will prefer the RX100 VA, while those prioritizing image fidelity and full-frame rendering should consider the RX1 despite its bigger presence.

Macro Photography

Close focusing at tight distances is limited on the RX1, which lacks macro mode and has no specified macro focus range. The RX100 VA, however, offers a 5 cm macro focusing capability at the wide end with optical stabilization, enabling decent handheld close-ups.

Given neither model is dedicated to macro photography, the RX100 VA's wider zoom range and stabilization give it a slight advantage for casual macro work.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO performance and sensor size dictate night shooting efficacy. RX1’s full-frame sensor yields impressive low-light ISO performance, with a DxO mark low-light ISO score of 2534, preserving detail and minimizing noise at elevated sensitivities.

RX100 VA’s smaller sensor restricts noise control despite backside illumination and optical stabilization. Its maximum native ISO is 12,800 (with boosted up to 25,600), but usable output typically favors lower ISOs.

The RX1’s slower shutter ceiling (max 1/4000s standard shutter) is compensated by cleaner files for long exposures - important in astrophotography - though it lacks built-in intervalometers or specialized exposure modes. Both cameras do not offer in-camera focus stacking or star trail modes.

Serious night photographers benefit overwhelmingly from RX1’s sensor, dynamics, and raw capabilities.

Technical Core: Autofocus, Stabilization, and Battery Life

A meticulous examination of autofocus reveals that RX100 VA’s hybrid AF system is technologically superior, with a massive 315 focus points including phase detection and continuous AF, allowing subject tracking and live view focusing. RX1’s purely contrast-based AF with 25 points and face detection feels dated by comparison, reducing its responsiveness.

The RX100 VA also incorporates optical image stabilization, enormously beneficial for hand-held shooting and video. The RX1 lacks any form of stabilization, relying on lens speed and photographer technique, potentially challenging for low-light handheld shooting.

Battery life tilts in RX1’s favor with approximately 270 shots per charge versus RX100 VA’s 220 shots; however, real-world use varies depending on EVF or LCD dominance and imaging conditions.

On connectivity, RX100 VA benefits from built-in wireless (Wi-Fi and NFC), enabling rapid image sharing and remote control - features missing in the RX1, which only offers Eye-Fi card compatibility and USB 2.0 data transfer.

Video Capabilities: A Modern Gap Between Generations

The RX100 VA delivers 4K UHD video at 30p and Full HD up to 60p with XAVC S codec support, offering high bitrate recording with clean compression, alongside linear PCM audio - well-suited for advanced amateurs and casual videography.

Conversely, the RX1 tops out at Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps without 4K support. Its video codec options are limited to MPEG-4 and AVCHD, and although it has a microphone input, it lacks headphone monitoring.

Stabilization during video recording further favors the RX100 VA, with its optical image stabilization facility, making the RX1 less viable for handheld video capture.

Overall, the RX100 VA is a clear choice for hybrid shooters who integrate substantial videography into their workflow.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Given their fixed lens mounts, neither camera supports interchangeable lenses, limiting adaptability. The RX1’s premium 35mm f/2 Zeiss Sonnar lens, however, provides optical excellence and full-frame coverage - a major advantage for image quality but restricting focal flexibility.

The RX100 VA’s 24-70mm zoom covers a flexible everyday range appropriate for many situations but with compromises in edge sharpness and aperture variability.

While the RX1 can accept an optional external electronic viewfinder and external flashes, the RX100 VA integrates EVF and flash internally, reflecting their difference in flagship intention and generation.

Practical Summary: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Choose the Sony RX1 if:

  • You prioritize full-frame image quality with superior dynamic range and low-light capabilities.
  • Portrait and landscape photography with exceptional image fidelity is your main focus.
  • You value manual controls, a stable physical grip, and the absolute highest still image quality in a compact form.
  • Budget is no object and natural bokeh and prime lens quality dominate your shooting style.
  • Video is secondary or non-prioritized.

• Choose the Sony RX100 VA if:

  • You need a highly portable, versatile zoom lens camera capable of fast autofocus and burst rates.
  • Video recording in 4K is important along with good stabilization.
  • You shoot a mixture of genres including street, wildlife, sports, and casual macro photography.
  • Wireless connectivity and a tilting screen elevate your workflow.
  • You seek premium image quality beyond smartphones but have a modest budget and size constraints.

Conclusion: The Art of Trade-offs in Large Sensor Compacts

The Sony RX1 remains a landmark in uncompromising full-frame fixed-lens compact cameras; its sensor and lens combo shines in image quality, pushing limits on detail and low-light performance nearly a decade after release. Its shortcomings in speed, stabilization, and modern UI are notable but expected given its era.

The Sony RX100 VA, meanwhile, embodies a generational leap in autofocus, video, and handling within a classic 1-inch large sensor compact, offering a nimble tool for varied use cases with strong video credentials and excellent versatility, albeit with lower ultimate image quality ceilings.

Together, they reflect two philosophies of large sensor compacts: unwavering quality and control versus versatility and modern convenience. Your ideal choice hinges upon your photography priorities, shooting scenarios, and budget.

I invite you to explore detailed specifications, sample image comparisons, and side-by-side performance scores embedded throughout this article - including sensor analysis, ergonomics, and genre-specific testing - offering a hands-on insight that will guide your informed next camera investment.

For further queries or personalized recommendations, feel free to reach out in the comments below. Your photographic journey deserves precise tools tailored to your vision and style.

Thank you for reading.