Sony RX1 vs. Sony W800: A Tale of Two Compacts for Very Different Photographers

When it comes to compact cameras, the vast spectrum of choice can be dizzying. Today, I’m diving deep into a comparison between two very different beasts from Sony’s Cyber-shot lineup: the Sony RX1 and the Sony W800. One, a large sensor premium compact aimed at professionals and serious enthusiasts; the other, a budget-friendly small sensor point-and-shoot designed for casual users.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the past 15+ years, I can tell you this comparison isn’t just about specs - it’s about how these cameras perform in the realities of portrait sessions, landscape hikes, fast-paced wildlife, and everyday snapshots. So, grab a coffee and let’s unpack these two intriguing models.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Looking at these contenders side by side, the physical difference is immediately evident.

The RX1 is a chunky, solid brick of a camera weighing in at 482 grams with dimensions 113 x 65 x 70 mm. Meanwhile, the W800 is featherlight at 125 grams and measures a compact 97 x 55 x 21 mm. This size disparity directly impacts handling. The RX1 offers a large, comfortable grip that caters well to manual control and extended shoots. Its heft brings a reassuring solidity that professionals crave during rigorous use.

The W800, on the other hand, slips easily into a pocket or purse. Its tiny frame is perfect for casual day-to-day shooting or travel where minimalism is key - but handle it longer than a few minutes and you might start craving a better grip and more physical controls.

Looking down from the top, you’ll note another difference - button layout and control accessibility.

The RX1’s top deck sports dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, plus a clear mode dial. Every control is tactile, thoughtfully placed, and invites quick adjustment on the fly - crucial for the kinds of professional applications it targets.

The W800 essentially follows a minimalist design language: a mode dial with limited options, a zoom rocker, shutter button, and power switch. No manual dials, no nice ergonomic touches - it’s all designed for simplicity and ease of use. That’s perfect if you want a grab-and-shoot camera without fuss, but it definitely limits creative control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensors are the beating heart of any camera, determining how much detail and tonal range the final image will carry. Here’s a direct comparison:

The RX1 flaunts a full-frame 35.8 x 23.8 mm CMOS sensor with 24MP resolution and an anti-alias filter. Meanwhile, the W800 uses a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at roughly 20MP (effective resolution slightly lower). That’s a sensor area difference of approximately 850 mm² vs. 28 mm² - huge.

What does this mean practically?

• Dynamic range: The RX1 boasts an impressive measured dynamic range of 14.3 stops (per DXO mark tests), allowing it to capture rich tonality in both deep shadows and bright highlights. This is invaluable in landscape and outdoor shooting.

• Color depth: At 25.1 bits, the RX1 delivers nuanced color gradations, better skin tone rendering, and more natural hues.

• Low light performance: The RX1 shines with a DXO low-light score of 2534 ISO, making it excellent in dim conditions.

In contrast, the W800 sensor is suited for bright daylight and casual snapshots but quickly shows noise and loss of detail in low light due to smaller sensor size and lower ISO performance ceiling (max ISO 3200).

If image quality is a priority, the RX1 stands head and shoulders above the W800. The difference is dramatic. But remember, this also comes with a lens that is fixed at 35mm f/2.0 - limiting zoom flexibility (more on that below).

LCD Screens and User Interface: Checking Your Shots with Confidence

The LCD screen is your window into the shot you’re creating. The RX1 sports a fixed 3-inch Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 1229k dots resolution, compared to the W800’s 2.7-inch TFT LCD at just 230k dots.

The RX1’s display is crisp, bright, and vivid, making it a joy to review images and navigate menus. The W800’s screen is adequate for basic framing but struggles in bright environments and lacks detail, making it tricky to assess focus or exposure precisely.

Neither camera has a touchscreen or built-in viewfinder (although the RX1 supports an external optical/electronic viewfinder accessory), but the RX1’s menu system and controls are much more refined and responsive, befitting its professional audience.

For street or travel photography, having a reliable LCD impacts how confident you feel about shots on the go.

Lens and Focal Length: Prime Versus Zoom - The Creative Tradeoff

Now, I suspect some readers are asking: “What about zoom?” Here we have a classic trade-off.

• The Sony RX1 features a fixed 35mm prime lens with a bright f/2.0 aperture. This glass is well-regarded for excellent sharpness, creamy bokeh, and quality construction - essentially making the RX1 a large sensor compact that behaves like a high-performing rangefinder camera.

• The Sony W800 offers a 5x optical zoom covering a 26-130mm equivalent focal range with a variable aperture of f/3.2-6.4. This gives users versatile framing options - wide-angle to telephoto - suitable for everything from selfies to distant subjects.

If you’re after ultimate image quality, bokeh, and control over depth of field, the RX1’s larger aperture prime lens is far superior. It excels at portraits with smooth skin tones and creamy background separation.

The W800’s zoom caters more to travelers and casual users wanting convenience. But the trade-off is that the lens is slower, softer wide open, and generally less capable in low light.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in the Field

The RX1 features a hybrid autofocus system based on contrast detection with 25 focus points, including center-weighted and face detection. It doesn’t have phase detection or continuous autofocus, and no animal eye AF.

The W800 relies on a simpler contrast detection AF system without many customizable focus points but includes center-weighted autofocus and face detection.

In practice, the RX1’s AF is precise and decent for manual or single AF, but it’s not designed as a speed demon. Continuous AF or fast tracking isn’t its strength, so fast sports or wildlife photographers might find it limiting.

The W800’s AF is slower, less accurate in low light, and better suited for static scenes or casual snaps.

Handling for Specific Photography Genres: How Do They Stack Up?

Let’s break down performance through common photography genres:

Portrait Photography

• RX1: With its full-frame sensor, fast 35mm f/2 lens, and face detection AF, the RX1 excels in portraiture. Skin tones are richly rendered thanks to excellent color depth, and the aperture allows for striking subject isolation with beautiful bokeh.

• W800: While fine for snapshots, it can’t compete with the RX1’s image quality or creative control. The slow lens and small sensor yield flatter images with limited background blur.

Landscape Photography

• RX1: Its dynamic range and resolution make it outstanding for landscapes. Although no weather sealing is present (a noted drawback for outdoor pros), the image quality is superb.

• W800: Useful for casual travel landscapes but lacks resolution, dynamic range, and weather resistance. Also, the digital zoom performance is poor.

Wildlife Photography

• RX1: The lack of telephoto zoom and slow continuous AF limits its wildlife utility. Burst rate maxes at 5 fps, enough for casual use but not aggressive wildlife shooting.

• W800: The 5x zoom helps get closer, but image quality, AF speed, and burst rate (1 fps) restrict serious wildlife use.

Sports Photography

• RX1: Not optimized for sports - no fast burst, no continuous AF tracking.

• W800: Similar limitations, best for family sports day snaps.

Street Photography

• RX1: Its discreet shutter, fast lens, and compact-but-substantial size suit attentive street shooters.

• W800: The ultra-compact size is great for casual, stealthy street shots but image quality is inferior; low light performance is poor.

Macro Photography

• Neither camera offers dedicated macro capabilities or focus stacking.

Night and Astro Photography

• RX1: The RX1’s high ISO performance and dynamic range shine here, though no dedicated astro modes.

• W800: Struggles severely in low light.

Video Capabilities

• RX1: Offers Full HD 1080p at up to 60fps, with microphone input - significant for hybrid shooters wanting quality video and audio control.

• W800: 720p video only, no microphone input.

Travel Photography

• RX1: Larger and heavier, but high image quality and control justify the size. Battery life at 270 shots per charge is moderate.

• W800: Lightweight, versatile zoom, and ease of use make it a great travel companion for casual photographers.

Professional Workflows

• RX1: Supports RAW capture, essential for professionals and serious enthusiasts. USB 2.0, HDMI out, and external viewfinder compatibility make it workflow friendly. No weather sealing is a downside for field pros.

• W800: JPEG-only output limits professional editing. No USB charging or HDMI.

Build Quality and Durability

Both cameras lack weather sealing and ruggedness, though the RX1’s metal body is inherently more durable.

Battery Life and Storage

• RX1: Uses NP-BX1 battery, giving approximately 270 shots per charge - average for a compact with a large sensor.

• W800: Uses NP-BN battery, no official CIPA rating but generally lightweight, easy to carry spare batteries.

Both support SD and Memory Stick cards, though the RX1 supports high-speed SDHC/SDXC which benefits large RAW file handling.

Connectivity: Sharing and Wireless Features

• The RX1 offers Eye-Fi card compatibility and HDMI output. No Bluetooth or NFC.

• The W800 lacks wireless connectivity or HDMI.

Price Point and Value Assessment

The RX1 was launched at $2798 - a premium-priced compact aimed at photographers wanting full-frame quality and portability.

The W800 retails at around $90 - positioned as an accessible point-and-shoot for everyday users.

Clearly, these cameras serve very different markets. The RX1 is a serious investment for quality-focused shooters, while the W800 caters to casual users on a budget.

Summary of Overall Performance

Looking at the data from DXO and my practical experiences:

The RX1 dominates in image quality, dynamic range, color depth, and low light. The W800 offers basic shooting with limited flexibility.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

This chart illustrates the RX1’s superiority in portraits, landscapes, and low light video. The W800 scores modestly for travel and casual snapshots but falls short for demanding applications.

Seeing is Believing: Sample Images from Both Cameras

Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

Feast your eyes on the difference: the RX1 images show fine detail, rich however natural colors, and excellent tonal gradation. The W800’s images feel flatter, noisier, and less crisp.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

If you value:

• Outstanding image quality, full manual controls, and professional-grade output:
  → The Sony RX1 is an exceptional compact full-frame camera that delivers exceptional results. It’s ideal for enthusiasts, professionals, and serious photographers who prioritize image fidelity over zoom or pocketability.

• Budget-friendly, simple point-and-shoot versatility for casual everyday use:
  → The Sony W800 suits anyone wanting an ultra-affordable, beginner-friendly compact. It works well for snapshots, family events, or travel photos where convenience trumps ultimate image quality.

For portraits, street, and low light photography, the RX1 is a clear winner. For travel portability and zoom flexibility without breaking the bank, the W800 is a decent companion.

Closing Thoughts

It’s a fascinating exercise comparing two cameras that share a brand but serve poles apart in the photographic ecosystem. The RX1 is a masterpiece of engineering that brings full-frame performance into a compact package (albeit an older model now). The W800, by contrast, is the antithesis: small, simple, and approachable - perfect for those just wanting a no-fuss camera.

If you’re serious about your craft, lean towards the RX1 or its modern successors. If you want the simplest way to snap family moments or casual landscapes without fuss, the W800 does the job admirably.

Hope this detailed comparison helps you figure out which side of the compact camera spectrum you belong to. Happy shooting!

Stay tuned for my in-depth hands-on video review where I put both cameras through real-world shooting scenarios, and provide sample RAW files for download.