Upgrade Guide
Sony A9→Sony RX100
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Skip it
The RX100 offers little measurable spec improvement over the A9. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution20MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | A9 | RX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -4.2 | ||
| Street | +0.3 | ||
| Travel | +0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -5.3 | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Documentary | -3.5 | ||
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Landscape | -2.2 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Casual | -0.6 | ||
| Food | -2.9 | ||
| Macro | -2.9 | ||
| Architecture | -2.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | -4.7 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A9 | RX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,026 used | £74 used | |
| Released | 2017 | 2012 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | 20.2MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | 25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection | |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) | 10fps (focus fixed at the first frame) | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card) | 240g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) | No viewfinder | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the RX100 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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