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Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II

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Sony RX1R II

42 MP | Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sony RX1R II
$3,298.00
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Sony A7S II

12 MP | Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) CMOS Sensor

Sony A7S II
$2,398.00
Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two Sony cameras cameras with different body types: Sony RX1R II is a Large Sensor Compact camera with a 42.0MP Full frame sensor whereas Sony A7S II is a Pro Mirrorless camera with a 12.0MP Full frame sensor.
Comparing an interchangeble lens camera to a fixed lens camera is a bit tricky but we will do our best to make this a fair comparison. Fortunately, you can't go wrong with any of these cameras as we rank them amongst Top 10 cameras in their classes. Sony RX1R II is ranked #1 out of 46 Large Sensor Compact cameras with an overall score of 86 whereas Sony A7S II is ranked #10 out of 30 Pro Mirrorless cameras with an overall score of 89.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Sony RX1R II Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-10-13
  • 42MP - Full frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
  • ISO 50 - 25600 ( expands to 102400)
  • 35 mm f2.00 Prime Lens
  • 3″ Tilting Screen
  • 2359k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 5.0 fps continuous shooting
  • 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 507g. 113 x 65 x 72 mm
  • Replaced Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R Compare

Sony A7S II Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-10-12
  • 12MP - Full frame CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 102400 ( expands to 50-409600)
  • Sony E (NEX) Mount
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3″ Tilting Screen
  • 2359k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 5.0 fps continuous shooting
  • 3840 x 2160 video resolution
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 627g. 127 x 96 x 60 mm
  • Weather Sealed Body
  • Replaced Sony Alpha 7S Compare
Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II over Sony Alpha A7S II
Max Sensor Resolution 42 MP vs 12 MP 250% more pixels
Weight 507 g vs 627 g 120 g lighter
Color Depth 25.8 vs 23.6 higher color depth
Dynamic Range 13.9 vs 13.3 higher dynamic range
Low Light ISO 3204 vs 2993 better High ISO performance
Anti Alias Filter Simulator Yes vs No Turn on Anti Alias filter effect to minimise Moire
Max Video Bit rate 50 Mpbsmbps vs 100mbps Higher bit rate for better video quality
Reasons to choose Sony Alpha A7S II over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
Built-in Image Stabilization Sensor-shift vs None All the lenses are stabilized
Max ISO 102.400 vs 25.600 300% higher Max ISO
Number of Focus Points 169 vs 25 144 more focus points
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s faster shutter speed
Battery Life 370 shots vs 220 shots 150 more frames with a single charge
Headphone Port Yes vs No better video control
Environmental Sealing Yes vs No shoot at tough conditions
Sensor Pixel Area 70.55µm2 vs 20.43µm2 245% larger pixel area
Price $2,398 vs $3,298 $900 cheaper
Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080 Higher Resolution Video
AE Bracketing Yes vs No Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Common Strengths of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II and Sony Alpha A7S II
Wireless Connection Yes vs Yes Better connectivity
Articulating Screen Yes vs Yes Flexible shooting positions
External Flash Shoe Yes vs Yes Better for flash photography
Viewfinder Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Electronic) Better framing and control
RAW Support Yes vs Yes Better image quality
Face Detection Focus Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
LCD Screen Resolution 1.229k dots vs 1.229k dots Higher resolution screens
Microphone Port Yes vs Yes High quality audio recording option
NFC Connection Yes vs Yes Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Smartphone Remote Control Yes vs Yes Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Common Weaknesses of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II and Sony Alpha A7S II
Built-in Flash No vs No Require external flash
Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II: Physical Specs Comparison

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II. Sony RX1R II is 14mm narrower and 31mm shorter than Sony A7S II but it is also 12mm thicker. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Sony RX1R II has a built-in lens but Sony A7S II doesn't. Once you put a lens on A7S II, its thickness will increase significantly.

Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Now lets look at the top view comparison of Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II.
Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II Camera Size Comparison - Top View

Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II Detailed Size Comparison

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Sony RX1R II is significantly lighter (120g ) than the Sony A7S II which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on A7S II, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II: Sensor Comparison

Sony RX1R II has a 42.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features BIONZ X processor. On the other hand, Sony A7S II has a 12.0MP Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor.

Sony RX1R II's sensor provides 30MP more than Sony A7S II's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely. On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.

Another difference between these two cameras is that Sony RX1R II's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moire occurring in certain scenes.

Below you can see the RX1R II and A7S II sensor size comparison.

Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II Sensor Size Comparison


Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II have almost the same sensor size so none of them has any significant advantage over other in providing control over depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

What types of Photography are Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Sony RX1R II for Portrait Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony A7S II for Portrait Photography

EXCELLENT
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 42.0MP
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
No Image Stabilization
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Read the details

Sony RX1R II for Street Photography

GOOD

Sony A7S II for Street Photography

EXCELLENT
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.00
No Image Stabilization
35 mm - Poor Wide Angle Coverage
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Medium sized Body
Read the details

Sony RX1R II for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Sony A7S II for Sports Photography

EXCELLENT
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
25 Focus Points
Good Low Light ISO
Wireless Connection
Average Continuous Shooting: 5.0fps
No Image Stabilization
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Poor Battery Life: 220 shots
35 mm Tele Lens
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
169 Focus Points
Good Low Light ISO
Wireless Connection
Average Continuous Shooting: 5.0fps
Read the details

Sony RX1R II for Daily Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony A7S II for Daily Photography

EXCELLENT
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Compact Body
507g
Body Thickness 72mm
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Medium size Body
627g
Body Thickness 60mm
Read the details

Sony RX1R II for Landscape Photography

EXCELLENT

Sony A7S II for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 42.0MP
35 mm - Poor Wide Angle Coverage
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Read the details


Sony RX1R II vs Sony A7S II: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Sony RX1R II and Sony A7S II scores compare:

Sony RX1R II
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #1 out of 44 in Large sensor compact cameras
Ranked #27 out of 1131 in all Cameras
Sony A7S II
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #7 out of 49 in SLR-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked #16 out of 1131 in all Cameras

Sony A7S II has a higher Overall Score than the Sony RX1R II and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Sony RX1R II
Sony RX1R II
$3,298.00

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S II
$2,398.00

Sony A7S II vs Sony RX1R II Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II Sony Alpha A7S II
Brand Sony Sony
Announced 2015-10-13 2015-10-12
Body Type Large sensor compact SLR-style mirrorless
Price $3,298.00 $2,398.00
Sensor
Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Size Full frame Full frame
Dimensions 35.9 x 24 mm 35.6 x 23.8 mm
Area 861.60mm2 847.28mm2
Megapixels 42 megapixels 12 megapixels
Max Resolution 7952 x 5304 4240 x 2832
Max Native Light sensitivity 25,600 ISO 102,400 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity 102400 ISO 409600 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 50 ISO 100 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity - 50 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 25 169
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens Sony E (NEX)
Number of Available Lenses n/a 83
Lens Focal Range 35 mm (1×) no lens
Max Aperture F2.0 no lens
Macro Focus Range 14cm no lens
Screen
Type Tilting Tilting
Size 3″ 3″
Resolution 1,229k dots 1,229k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution 2,359k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74 0.78
Photography Features
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization No Sensor-shift
Built-in Flash
Max Flash Sync 1/4000s no built-in flash
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps 5.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160
Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Built-In Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 507g 627g
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 72mm 127 x 96 x 60mm
Battery Life 220 shots 370 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording With Downloadable App
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score 97 85
DxO Color Depth 25.8 23.6
DxO Dynamic Range 13.9 13.3
DxO Low Light ISO 3204 2993
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