• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX1R advantages over Sony A9

  • Less expensive
    $2398 vs $2999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    482g vs 673g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Sony A9 advantages over Sony RX1R

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,517 vs 2,537 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    364 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    240 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Significantly sharper, more detailed JPEG images than those from the RX1; JPEG processing appears to minimize moire and aliasing artifacts; Same price as the RX1; Full-frame, 24-megapixel compact camera with fast Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs.

  • More prone to moire, aliasing and false color than the RX1; Only subtle improvement in sharpness in RAW files; Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.

  • New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.

  • Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX1

Sony RX1R
Sony RX1
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Sony A9
Sony RX1
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R
Sony RX1R II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony A9
Sony RX1R II
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony RX1R
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A9
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1R
Zeiss ZX1
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A9
Zeiss ZX1
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony RX1R
Sony A9 II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A9
Sony A9 II
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer
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