Sony RX1R vs Sony TX66: A Hands-On Expert Comparison for Every Photographer’s Wallet and Wishlist

As someone who’s spent the better part of 15 years juggling everything from pro-grade DSLRs to quirky compacts, I get it - choosing a camera is often like picking a club for your thumbs. You want something that fits your style, budget, and most importantly, produces photos that sing your vision. Today I’m diving deep into two wildly different Sony cameras: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R, a full-frame large sensor compact launched in 2013, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX66, a tiny ultracompact from 2012 with a zoom lens and usability for casual shooters.

They don’t just differ in price tag and size - they serve completely different purposes and audiences. But since they share a Sony badge and compact form factors, I think it’s worth a thorough side-by-side, covering everything from sensor tech, handling, image quality, right through to real-world performance across multiple photography styles.

So whether you’re a pixel peeper hunting sharp detail or a budget-savvy wanderer wanting to capture memories painlessly, this comparison will help you see which one deserves your hard-earned cash and your camera bag.

Let’s break it down.

Getting a Feel: Size, Build and Ergonomics

Before testing any camera, I always spend a few days just living with it. How does it feel as an extension of your hand? Can you reach the buttons without a thumb cramp? Is it bulky or does it slip unobtrusively into your bag or pocket?

Sony RX1R is unmistakably a large-sensor compact. With a fixed 35mm f/2 lens that’s practically legendary at its price point, its size and weight offer a very different shooting experience than the TX66.
Sony TX66 is a svelte ultracompact - so light, it almost feels like a toy in hand. That means great portability but a few tradeoffs in grip and tactile control.

In this side-by-side, you can see the RX1R’s relatively chunky body and deeper grip. The TX66 is slim and pocket-friendly by comparison.

RX1R Strengths:

• Robust, well-built metal body (feels reassuringly solid)
• Comfortable grip with better button placement for manual exposure and focus controls - vital for enthusiasts
• Customizable dials and quick access controls make it a joy to tailor settings on the fly

TX66 Strengths:

• Thin profile, postcard-sized to slide easily into a purse or coat pocket
• Touchscreen interface is intuitive, especially for beginners
• Simple control layout avoids intimidation

What I weigh in on:
If you want a camera you hold and shoot seriously with, the RX1R will earn your love. It’s built to be an all-day companion for thoughtful photography. The TX66 is designed for stealthy, grab-and-go snapshots - think of it as your golf bag camera for family outings where lugging equipment is a chore.

Peering From the Top: Controls and Design

Sony’s design philosophy is evident when comparing the two models from above. The RX1R, though compact, exhibits classic Sony “clubs for thumbs” control precision: dedicated dials for aperture, exposure compensation, and a top-plate layout primed for manual shooting.

The TX66, on the other hand, opts for minimalism. No top screens, no intricate dials - just straightforward buttons and a touchscreen. This makes it more approachable for casual users, albeit less flexible for serious exposure control.

My takeaway: If you appreciate physical controls - and I do, especially during fast shoots or harsh conditions - the RX1R won't disappoint. The TX66 leans heavily on touchscreen interaction, which means more menu navigation and slower adjustments.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now we're talking. This is where the two cameras couldn’t be more different.

The RX1R boasts a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter, measuring a generous 35.8x23.9mm. It’s the kind of sensor you’d expect from high-end pro cameras, promising top-end image quality, sharpness, and low-light prowess - the sort of performance that can rival some DSLRs.

In contrast, the TX66 sports a much smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, with 18MP resolution. This sensor is typical for point-and-shoot compacts, optimized for versatility and size but with inherent limits in noise performance and dynamic range.

Image Quality Data from DxOMark:

• RX1R scores a stellar 91 overall, with especially high marks for color depth (25 bits) and dynamic range (~13.6 EV). Its low-light ISO performance is excellent, rated at ISO 2537.
• TX66 hasn’t been officially tested, but that's expected given its category and sensor size - image quality will reflect smaller sensor compromises.

Real-world testing notes:

• The RX1R produces crisp images with rich tonality and retains details in shadow and highlight areas with remarkable fidelity. Skin tones are natural, and noise stays under control up to ISO 3200.
• The TX66 struggles in lower light - noise becomes apparent beyond ISO 400, and shadows lose detail quickly. Its anti-alias filter, while preventing moiré, softens edges slightly.

For pixel peepers and serious output: the RX1R is the go-to for large prints and commercial quality. The TX66 is mainly for casual sharing and social media snapshots.

The View From Behind: LCD and Interface

Sony equipped the RX1R with a 3-inch fixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD with approximately 1.2 million dots. It’s bright, sharp, and offers decent viewing angles but lacks touchscreen capabilities.

The TX66 features a slightly larger 3.3-inch Xtra Fine TruBlack OLED touchscreen with about the same resolution (~1.23 million dots). The OLED tech delivers deeper blacks and better contrast, making images pop on playback. Also, touch operation makes navigating menus and selecting focus points a breeze for casual users.

User Interface Thoughts:

• The RX1R’s screen is crisp but somewhat dated vs. modern touchscreens - no touch focus or menus, so you’ll rely on physical buttons. This makes sense for its audience - who usually prefer tactile controls anyway.
• The TX66’s touchscreen is its standout for novice shooters and those wanting quick setup changes, but it lacks customization.

Lens and Autofocus: Precision vs. Versatility

The RX1R's fixed 35mm f/2 Zeiss Sonnar lens is a legend in the compact camera world - exceptionally sharp, sharp, with creamy bokeh rendering. Its wide aperture lets you isolate subjects beautifully in portraits and perform well in low light.

TX66 packs a versatile 26-130mm equivalent (5x) zoom with a variable aperture from f/3.5 to f/4.8, making it flexible for everyday snapshots from landscapes to moderate telephoto shots. However, the optical quality can’t compete with the RX1R’s prime optics, especially wide open.

Their autofocus systems share some traits: both rely on contrast-detection AF with decent face detection. Neither support phase-detection autofocus, which limits speed and precision. Neither offers continuous AF tracking in burst modes.

Shooting experience differences:

• RX1R offers 25 AF points, including face detection, but only single AF which means locking focus before each shot - not ideal for fast action but great for controlled compositions.
• TX66 has unspecified focus points but supports touch AF and face detection, good enough for casual shooting but not reliable for wildlife or sports.

Burst Rate and Shutter: Capturing Fast Moments

If you’re into sports, wildlife, or dynamic street photography, the frame rate and shutter capabilities matter deeply.

RX1R offers up to 5fps continuous shooting - not blazing fast but reasonable for controlled burst sequences. Max shutter speed is 1/4000s, which gives you room for daylight wide-aperture shots without ND filters.

TX66 boosts burst rate to 10fps, appealing for fleeting moments, but its smaller sensor limits the action capture quality.

Stealth and Street Cred: Low-Light Performance & Discreteness

For street photographers, discretion, size, and quick operation are key. Here, the TX66 shines with its slim profile, touchscreen ease, and image stabilization. Optical IS helps reduce camera shake, critical in low light without high ISO push.

RX1R lacks image stabilization entirely - which is a major point of caution if you shoot handheld in tricky light. You’ll need faster lenses or a tripod.

On the other hand, RX1R’s superior sensor handles high ISO far better. Up to ISO 3200 or even 6400 can produce usable images, letting you shoot in darker scenes with decent shutter speeds.

My pick for street photography:
If stealth and a pocketable size are priorities, TX66 wins by default, but RX1R will reward you with better image quality if size isn’t a problem.

Macro and Close-Up Potential

TX66 offers focus down to 1cm, a neat feature for capturing small details and flowers. RX1R lacks a macro spec but its 35mm lens lets you get reasonably close with excellent sharpness.

Focus precision on the RX1R is very high, albeit manual focus is often preferred by pros for critical focus scenarios. The TX66’s touch AF enables quick focus shifts, valuable for quick macros but with less control.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weatherproofing

RX1R’s large sensor and excellent dynamic range (~13.6 stops) allows for landscapes with stunning detail retention from shadows to highlights. Combined with the fixed wide-ish 35mm f/2 lens (great for wide vistas), it’s a solid choice for landscape shooters wanting image quality over zoom.

TX66’s small sensor and narrow dynamic range limit its usefulness for landscapes where highlight and shadow detail are critical. Its zoom range helps compose more diverse shots but at cost of detail.

Neither offer weather sealing, so neither is ideal for ultra-harsh outdoor use without protection.

Night and Astro Photography

RX1R’s full-frame sensor gives it a big leg-up here. The low light ISO rating and high maximum ISO allow capturing stars or night street scenes with reduced noise. The absence of in-body stabilization means you’ll still need a tripod or very steady hands for longer exposures.

TX66 can take night pictures but expect significant noise and soft detail once you shoot above ISO 400. No manual modes further hamper astrophotography.

Video Aspects

Both cameras support Full HD video recording (1920x1080), but their video prowess is modest by today’s standards.

RX1R offers multiple frame rates (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), microphone input for better sound capture, and AVCHD/MPEG-4 codecs.

TX66 also does Full HD 60fps video but lacks microphone input, limiting audio quality.

Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features like log profiles.

Battery Life and Connectivity

RX1R’s battery life is rated at roughly 270 shots per charge - lower than most DSLRs - due to its dense sensor and processing demands. TX66 comes in at around 250 shots, typical for compacts.

Both cameras offer single memory card slots, but TX66 supports microSD as well, making card options flexible.

Connectivity-wise, RX1R supports Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility (limited modern support), USB 2.0, and HDMI. TX66 has HDMI but no wireless features.

Sample Photos Showdown

Experience tells me numbers only tell part of the story. Real images reveal nuances of color, sharpness, and bokeh.

Sony RX1R front Sony RX1R screen back Sony TX66 front Sony TX66 screen back

Observe how RX1R’s portraits produce smooth, natural skin tones with creamy background blur, while TX66’s shots appear flatter with less subject separation. Landscape shots from RX1R reveal finer textures and better shadow recovery. Wildlife and sports shots reveal RX1R’s advantage in detail though slower capture rates limit quick action sequences.

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Relying on rigorous industry-standard benchmarks along with hands-on testing, here is how they broadly stack up:

RX1R excels: in portrait, landscape, night, and professional workflows thanks to sensor quality and controls.
TX66 shines: at travel, casual street, and macro snapshots where portability and instant ease trump raw quality.

Who Should Buy the Sony RX1R?

• Advanced enthusiasts and professionals hungry for DSLR-level image quality in a compact form
• Portrait, landscape, and street photographers prioritizing image fidelity and tactile controls
• Those who shoot primarily stills with occasional Full HD video and want a fixed prized prime lens
• Users comfortable with manual focus and slower continuous shooting rates

Be prepared: this camera demands care, good technique (tripod use often), and a forgiving budget (~$2800). It is a tool for deliberate artistry, not snapshot convenience.

Who Should Buy the Sony TX66?

• Casual shooters and enthusiasts on a budget wanting a pocket camera they can learn on
• Travelers who prioritize ultra-light packs and versatile zooms for vacation photos
• Street photographers needing stealth but willing to compromise on image quality
• Beginners who prefer touchscreen simplicity over dials and manual modes

Note: At ~$350, it’s an entry-level camera with modest image specs and limited manual control but serves as a reliable everyday shooter.

Summing It Up: Final Thoughts from the Trenches

This comparison is a clear study in priorities and tradeoffs - between image quality and portability, manual control and ease of use, pro-grade hardware and casual convenience.

The Sony RX1R remains a formidable classic in large sensor compact cameras, delivering astonishing image quality in a pocketable body. Its fixed 35mm f/2 lens is capable of producing sharp, pleasing photos suitable for serious projects.

The Sony TX66 embodies a much different philosophy: compactness, budget-friendliness, and straightforward operation. It’s not a pixel monster, but it gets the job done for everyday photography with instant gratification.

In my testing experience, the RX1R will reward enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and control and are ready to invest in a tool that elevates their craft. The TX66 suits photographers who need a versatile travel companion without fuss or hefty investment.

Whichever side of the fence you’re on, I hope this deep dive helps you weigh the options wisely. After all, the best camera is the one that fits your unique style, workflow, and shot list - not just the one with the biggest sensor or flashiest specs.

If You Want to Dive Deeper...

Feel free to reach out with your shooting style or budget constraints, and I’d be happy to share tailored recommendations or troubleshooting tips from years of getting hands-on with countless Sony cameras and beyond. Happy shooting!