• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Sony RX100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.69 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    663 vs 390 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 advantages over Canon T1i

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 526g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.4 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
  • 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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon T1i

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Buy the Sony RX100
Sony RX100

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.

  • Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.

  • Read our Sony RX100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 II

Canon T1i
Sony RX100 II
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 II
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Canon T1i
Sony RX100 III
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i
Canon XSi
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Sony RX100
Canon XSi
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 vs Canon XSi

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Sony RX100
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i
Pentax K2000
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K2000

Sony RX100
Pentax K2000
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 vs Pentax K2000

Compare Other Cameras?