• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Sony RX10

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.99 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    696 vs 474 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 640 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    73 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX10 advantages over Canon 50D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More dynamic range
    12.6 vs 11.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/3200 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 15.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Sony RX10
Sony RX10
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Review Excerpt

  • Smaller than SLR/CSC with comparable lenses; Larger sensor than other bridge cameras; SLR-like body without the hassle of changing lenses; Weather-sealed; Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture; Generous zoom range; Great viewfinder; Swift performance; Plenty of enthusiast-friendly features including raw shooting; Wi-Fi and NFC wireless sharing.

  • Expensive compared to other bridge cameras; Menus respond slowly after burst shooting; Lens doesn't zoom very quickly; High ISO performance doesn't quite match RX100 II.

  • Read our Sony RX10 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Canon 50D
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 50D vs Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Top deck display
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX10 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D
Samsung GX-20
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Samsung GX-20

Sony RX10
Samsung GX-20
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 50D
Pentax K-7
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

Sony RX10
Pentax K-7
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Sony RX10
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony RX10 II

Canon 50D
Sony RX10 II
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony RX10 II

Sony RX10
Sony RX10 II
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony RX10 vs Sony RX10 II

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