Upgrade Guide
Sony RX1→Sony RX100
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the RX1. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the RX100
-
Burst rate10fps (focus fixed at the first frame) vs 5fps (2.5fps with AF-S per frame)
-
Battery life~330 shots (CIPA) vs ~220 shots (CIPA)
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution20MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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 | RX1 | RX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.7 | ||
| Street | -0.3 | ||
| Travel | +0.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.3 | ||
| Documentary | -0.6 | ||
| Landscape | -0.4 | ||
| Casual | +0.6 | ||
| Food | -0.6 | ||
| Macro | -0.2 | ||
| Architecture | -0.5 | ||
| Astrophotography | -2.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | RX1 | RX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £336 used | £74 used | |
| Released | 2012 | 2012 | |
| Sensor | 24.3MP full-frame CMOS | 20.2MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection | 25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection | |
| Stabilisation | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 5fps (2.5fps with AF-S per frame) | 10fps (focus fixed at the first frame) | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 482g (with battery and card) | 240g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optional EVF (FDA-EV1MK) or optical finder | No viewfinder | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | |
| Mount | Fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / Memory Stick slot | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See RX1 and RX100 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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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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