The Best Compact Camera for Professional Photographers: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 is a compact camera that packs a punch. It boasts a full-frame sensor and exceptional image quality, making it the perfect tool for professional photographers who want to work on-the-go. In this blog post, we explore why the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 is one of the best compact cameras on the market, and how it can help you take your photography to the next level.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 article cover photo

Key Features

Jul 13 2018

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor Type1″
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight299g
MSRP$2798USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00

As a professional photographer, you need a camera that can keep up with your lifestyle. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 is the perfect solution for those who need a compact camera with exceptional image quality and features. The full-frame sensor and fixed lens make it easy to use, and the camera’s compact size means you can take it with you wherever you go. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00, including its features and benefits, so you can decide if this is the right camera for you.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Full-frame sensor
Excellent image quality
Compact and portable
Fast autofocus
Good low light performance
Built-in EVF
Customizable buttons and functions
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
Zeiss lens

Cons

Expensive
No built-in flash
Limited zoom range
Fixed lens
Mediocre battery life
Slow continuous shooting speed
Limited video recording options
No articulated screen
No image stabilization

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00

Weather sealed
Dimensions102 x 58 x 41mm
Weight299g
Thickness41mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution1,229k dots
Body typeLarge sensor compact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,229k dots. This makes the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.59x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 has a 20MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 has a native ISO range of 125 - 12800 which can be boosted to 80 - 25600. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jul 13 2018

Announced

125 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor1″
Extended ISO80 - 25600
Max resolution5472 x 3648 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1″

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Battery Life220 shots
Battery ModelNP-BX1
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 supports SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 uses the NP-BX1 model of battery pack. This is rated for 220 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 315 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 weather sealed?

No the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 announced?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 was announced on Jul 13 2018

Does the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00?

The Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 VA00 has a native ISO range of 125-12800, which can be expanded to ISO 80-25600 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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