Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Compact · 24.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
57
SCORE
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Sony · Compact · 42.4 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
62
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II are both compact cameras. The RX1R arrived in 2013 and the RX1R II followed in 2015. The RX1R II weighs 507 g and measures 113 x 65 x 72 mm, against 482 g and 113 x 65 x 70 mm for the RX1R, adding 25 g and 2 mm of depth. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 27, 2013 | October 14, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 113 x 65 x 70 mm | 113 x 65 x 72 mm |
| Camera weight | 482 g | 507 g |
| Optics | 67/100 | 75/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe RX1R II is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, offering 42.4 megapixels against 24.3 on the RX1R. That is 74.5 percent more pixels, giving far more latitude to reframe a landscape or isolate a distant subject after the shot. Its 399 autofocus points, against 25 on the RX1R, also make it easier to place focus precisely off-centre. The RX1R II also gives you eye-level framing through its 2359296-dot electronic viewfinder, useful in bright sunlight when the rear screen is hard to see. The RX1R offers no viewfinder. Both use a full-frame CMOS sensor behind a fixed lens. Neither offers in-body stabilisation. The RX1R II's expanded ISO ceiling reaches 102400, against 25600 on the original. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.3 MP050 | 42.4 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 7952 x 5304 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24.7 x 35.8 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
250300 | 3990300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor casual clips and family footage the two are an even choice: both cap their video at Full HD resolution, and both reach up to 60 fps. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. For quick sharing and simpler editing, the RX1R II is the more convenient pick: it records MP4 as well as AVCHD, while the RX1R offers AVCHD only. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 44/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe RX1R is the better choice if you want light without accessories, because it carries a built-in flash for fill on faces in shade. The RX1R II drops that flash, though both cameras support an external flash when you need more power. The screens and connectivity match: each has a 3-inch LCD flip screen with live view and Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone. Neither offers a touchscreen, GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
12290001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe RX1R rates 270 shots per charge against 220 for the RX1R II under their test conditions, so the original holds the edge for a full day of shooting. Both use the same NP-BX1 battery, and neither charges over USB, so spare batteries are routine either way. Storage is a single card slot on each, accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo media. The RX1R additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo cards, a small extra option if you own that older Sony media. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-BX1 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
270 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The RX1R II is the stronger choice for most photographers who shoot deliberately and crop later. Its 42.4 megapixels, 399 autofocus points and electronic viewfinder suit landscape work, street photography in harsh sunlight and any situation where precise framing matters.
Choose the original RX1R if a built-in flash for casual indoor shots and a longer 270-shot rated battery outweigh resolution and autofocus coverage. For travel where you photograph all day away from a charger, or for anyone who wants light without carrying a flash unit, the 2013 camera still makes sense.