• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Sony A99

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 828g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A99 advantages over Sony RX100

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 22.6 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 390 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 12.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.

  • Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 II
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A99
Sony RX100 II
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony A99
Sony RX100 III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony RX100
Nikon D800
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony RX100
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 IV
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A99
Sony RX100 IV
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
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