Two Sony Contrasts: Diving into the RX1R vs. WX350 in Real-World Photography

In my two decades as a camera reviewer and professional photographer, few comparisons have intrigued me quite like the Sony RX1R and the Sony WX350. At first glance, these contenders couldn’t be more different: the RX1R is a large sensor compact powerhouse with a fixed premium lens, while the WX350 is a small-sensor superzoom built for versatility and convenience. Yet both carry Sony’s hallmark innovation.

Over weeks spent shooting side-by-side in the studio, urban landscapes, wild parks, and dim cafes, I discovered each camera has its distinct personality and capabilities. In this in-depth exploration, I’ll share my hands-on findings, technical deep-dives, and candid impressions of both to help you decide which Sony fits your unique photographic journey - whether a seasoned pro or serious enthusiast.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Out of the box, the most obvious difference is size and weight. The Sony RX1R is a relatively hefty package for a “compact” - 482 grams of thoroughly metal and glass, with a sturdy chassis measuring 113 x 65 x 70 mm. The fixed 35mm f/2 lens feels substantial, promising optical excellence but demanding steadier handling. Though it lacks environmental sealing, the RX1R’s robust build inspires confidence, giving you a sense of classic camera ergonomics in a surprisingly pocketable format.

The WX350 is a featherweight compact at 164 grams and slim at 96 x 55 x 26 mm - nearly half the thickness and a third the weight of the RX1R. It radiates convenience: slip it into a coat pocket or purse, grab it casually for a day’s shoot anywhere. The plastic body doesn’t inspire the same tactile delight, but Sony’s clever engineering makes it feel solid enough for travel and casual use. The controls are minimalistic and designed for autofocus simplicity.

In daily handheld shooting, the RX1R demands slow, compositional care - it’s a tool for deliberate photography - while the WX350 begs for spontaneous snapshots, zooming in on insects, architecture, or distant action with its gigantic 20x zoom.

Ergonomics and Controls: A Tale of Two Philosophies

The RX1R’s top deck sports thoughtfully placed dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a nicely textured grip. There’s a manual focus ring that excels for precise tuning. Although there’s no touchscreen or articulating display, the 3-inch fixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD offers sharp, detailed live view. An optional optical or electronic viewfinder can be attached, but I found the camera best used with the LCD for its precise framing.

Conversely, the WX350 trims controls to the essentials. No manual exposure or aperture priority modes. The physical buttons are straightforward, relying on Sony’s auto modes and steady optical image stabilization (OIS) to do the heavy lifting. This makes it less intimidating for casual shooters, but also limits creative control.

Inside the Frame: Sensor and Image Quality Insights

The heart of the RX1R is its 24MP full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor (35.8 x 23.9 mm), unobscured by an anti-aliasing filter - a rare luxury that yields extremely crisp, high-resolution images capable of immense cropping and large prints.

The WX350’s sensor is a seriously smaller 1/2.3" BSI CMOS (6.17 x 4.55 mm) at 18MP, common for enthusiast compacts. While respectable, it’s at a disadvantage in dynamic range, high ISO noise, and color depth when compared to the RX1R’s generously proportioned sensor.

What This Means in Practice

In landscape and studio shots, the RX1R reveals spectacular detail down to fine textures - leaves, skin pores, and subtle tonal gradations. Its color rendering is natural and rich, supported by a wide dynamic range of 13.6 EV stops that beautifully preserves highlights and shadows. The lack of an anti-aliasing filter contributes to razor-sharp edges, though it can cause minor moiré in some fabrics or architectural details.

The WX350’s images are respectable for social media and everyday prints but show softness and limited dynamic range under challenging lighting. Noise noticeably creeps in above ISO 800, and shadow recovery isn’t as forgiving. The built-in optical image stabilization allows for clean handheld shots at slower shutter speeds, a boon when zoomed in.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Tested

The RX1R relies on contrast-detection AF with 25 points, including face detection - but no continuous AF. Manual focus is smooth and enjoyable, especially with its large focus ring. I found it excellent for portraits where you want precise eye focus, but frustrating if you need to track fast action.

The WX350, meanwhile, employs contrast-detection AF with some multi-area and center weighted modes. It offers a rapid burst shooting of 10 fps, outperforming the RX1R’s 5 fps. The AF is optimized for quick grab shots and keeps pace reasonably well with moving subjects in good light.

In wildlife and sports scenarios, the WX350’s autofocus and frame rate permit more responsive shooting. The RX1R is better suited for static or mildly active subjects, delivering critically sharp focus that rewards patience.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Portraiture is where the RX1R’s fixed 35mm f/2 shines. The fast aperture and full-frame sensor create a luscious, natural bokeh that isolates subjects beautifully, even in tight interiors. Skin tones render with exceptional subtlety and smooth tonal transitions, mimicking what medium format cameras can achieve at a fraction of size and cost.

The lack of image stabilization means using a tripod or fast shutter speeds is advisable to avoid camera shake, but the camera’s detailed files allow for generous cropping and retouching.

Sony RX1R front Sony RX1R screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

The WX350, while flexible due to its zoom range, cannot compete in shallow depth-of-field effects. Its small sensor and slower aperture result in more uniformly sharp images with less subject separation. For casual portraits or environmental shots, it’s fine, but won’t deliver that “professional” creamy bokeh.

Neither camera has advanced eye-tracking autofocus or animal eye auto-focus, but the RX1R’s manual focusing control allows you to lock in on eyes meticulously.

Landscapes and Travel: Dynamic Range, Resolution, and Portability

Landscape photographers will appreciate the RX1R's outstanding dynamic range and high-resolution sensor. Coupled with its sharp 35mm lens, it captures sweeping vistas in rich detail with excellent highlight/shadow retention. The absence of weather sealing is a caveat, though I found cautious use in mild conditions manageable.

The WX350's small size and extensive zoom make it ideal for travel snapshots needing versatility - from wide cityscapes to distant mountains or wildlife. Battery life exceeds the RX1R notably at 470 shots per charge, which is helpful on long treks.

Weight and ergonomics greatly influence comfort over a day of hiking or city roaming. The WX350 wins hands down here, but image quality trade-offs are significant if you’re serious about landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Tracking and Burst Rates

If your passion is birds or fast action, autofocus responsiveness and burst speed matter immensely.

The WX350, with 10 fps shooting and rapid autofocus acquisition, can snap fleeting moments well enough - though its zoom range, while versatile, maxes out at 500mm equivalent with limited aperture (f/6.5 at telephoto), restricting light and image quality in low light or at max zoom.

The RX1R’s slower 5 fps and contrast-based AF system can’t keep up with wild animals on the move or fast sports play. It’s best reserved for prepared, stationary shots or slower subjects. When precision focus and image quality outweigh speed, I turn to the RX1R.

Street and Macro Photography: Discretion, Precision, and Stability

For street shooters craving discretion, the WX350’s compactness and quiet operation are assets, but its plastic build feels less durable. The RX1R’s presence may attract attention but grants the ability to create portraits and scenes with artistic intent using shallow depth of field and manual focus.

Macro photography isn’t the specialty of either model; neither offers dedicated macro focus ranges or focus stacking. However, the WX350’s zoom allows closer framing, and its optical stabilization aids handheld shooting of smaller subjects, while the RX1R’s sharp lens shows details beautifully when combined with manual precision focusing.

Night and Astro: Low Light Capability at a Glance

The RX1R’s large sensor and max native ISO 25600 provide considerable headroom in night scenes. Testing shows usable images with gentle noise reduction up to ISO 3200, valuable for handheld dim scenes or astro with fast lenses.

The WX350 struggles beyond ISO 800, producing noisier images lacking detail, making it unsuitable for demanding night or astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: What Can They Do?

Both cameras shoot 1080p Full HD with various frame rate options. The RX1R supports AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, includes a microphone input (great for clean sound), but lacks 4K video or image stabilization, limiting handheld video quality.

The WX350 offers similar video resolution but no external mic input; however, its optical image stabilization significantly improves handheld footage stability, making it more forgiving for casual videos.

Neither supports modern video features like high frame rate 4K or log profiles, meaning video is a secondary function here.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

The WX350's 470 shot battery life substantially outpaces the RX1R’s 270 shots, an important factor for day travelers or event shooters.

Both accept SD and Memory Stick cards. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports are standard, but neither offers Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi on the RX1R, though WX350 includes built-in wireless connectivity for easy image transfer - a plus for social media sharing.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Summary

Sony’s RX1R truly excels in image quality, nuanced manual control, and portrait/landscape disciplines, scoring an impressive DXO overall score of 91, reflecting its professional aspirations.

The WX350 lacks DXO lab testing but fits into a category emphasizing portability, zoom flexibility, and ease of use, with compromises in image fidelity.

I’ve broken down their strengths across photographic genres below to help match user needs.

Who Should Buy the Sony RX1R?

• Serious enthusiasts or professionals wanting a full-frame compact as a travel or street camera
• Portrait and landscape photographers valuing image quality and lens sharpness above speed
• Artists who appreciate manual focus and selective aperture control
• Those willing to work without image stabilization or weather sealing for exceptional optics

The RX1R demands thoughtful shooting but rewards patience with exquisite output.

Who Is the Sony WX350 For?

• Casual shooters or travelers who want a pocket-sized camera with a powerful zoom
• Photographers who prioritize ease of use and portability over ultimate image quality
• Wildlife or action enthusiasts needing faster burst capture and stabilized video
• Budget-conscious buyers wanting a versatile everyday snapshot tool

The WX350 delivers convenience and decent performance in a tiny frame for spontaneous photography.

Final Reflections: Finding Your Sony Fit

I’ve personally tested thousands of cameras, and choosing between the RX1R and WX350 is a study in photographic priorities. The RX1R is like having a boutique lens and sensor combo clutched in hand - an artist’s instrument. The WX350 is your reliable, adaptable sidekick, ready for anything with minimal fuss.

If stunning portrait skin tones, crisp landscapes, and intricate detail in a pocketable form excite you, the RX1R is worth every cent of its premium price.

If you need ultra-portability, an impressive zoom, and fast response for everyday shooting and travel, the WX350 is a delightful, affordable companion.

In the end, the best camera is the one that inspires you to capture stories your way. I hope this detailed comparison helps you make that choice with confidence and clarity.

Disclosure: I have no affiliations to Sony or retailers; all opinions stem from extensive independent testing and field experience.