Sony A58 vs Sony RX1R

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Sony A58 vs Sony RX1R

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APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX1R Review.
See real-world photos taken with the RX1R.

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Succeeded by the Sony RX1R II
Compare RX1R vs RX1R II

Compare SONY A68 vs SONY RX1R II

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Sony RX1R

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

700 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Sony RX1R advantages over Sony A58

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.31 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
RX1R test data on DxO Mark A58 test data on DxO Mark

2,537 vs 753 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
15 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
15 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 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
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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

User reviews

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Adorama
Read A58 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX1R User Reviews

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Sony RX1R

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Review Excerpt

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

Significantly sharper, more detailed JPEG images than those from the RX1; JPEG processing appears to minimize moire and aliasing artifacts; Same price as the RX1; Full-frame, 24-megapixel compact camera with fast Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs.
More prone to moire, aliasing and false color than the RX1; Only subtle improvement in sharpness in RAW files; Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.
Read our Sony RX1R Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony RX1R

Pentax K-5 IIs

$2598
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$497
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony RX1R vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sony RX1

Sony A58

Sony RX1

$598
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony RX1

Sony RX1R

Sony RX1

$2598
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$2398
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony RX1R vs Sony RX1

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58

Nikon D5200

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Sony RX1R

Nikon D5200

$2598
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX1R vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Sony RX1R

Canon T5i

$2598
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX1R vs Canon T5i

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sony A58

Sony RX1R II

$598
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

$3298
35mm

Larger sensor
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R

Sony RX1R II

$2598
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX1R vs Sony RX1R II

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