Sony A99 II vs Sony RX100 VA

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Sony A99 II vs Sony RX100 VA

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35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 VA Review.

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Differences

Sony A99 II advantages over Sony RX100 VA

Larger sensor
35mm vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 4.51 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer video battery life
135 vs 35 minutes
Capture more video
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

490 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
42.4 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Sony A99 II

Less expensive
$998 vs $3198
Save money for lenses or accessories
Slower slow-motion
1000 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
41 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
299g vs 849g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
23.9 fps vs 10.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
233 vs 61 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
23.9 fps vs 11.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
103 vs 25 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read A99 II User Reviews

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Buy the Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 VA

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Review Excerpt

Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II Review

We haven’t reviewed the Sony RX100 VA.
Read our Sony RX100 VA Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony A99 II

Canon 5DS R

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1849
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5DS R

Sony RX100 VA

Canon 5DS R

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1849
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony RX100 VA

Canon 5D Mark IV

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Sony A99 II

Sony RX100 V

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 V

$998
1 inch

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

$998
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

Sony RX100 VA

Nikon D850

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Nikon D850

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Sony A99 II

Sony ZV-1

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$800
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony ZV-1

Sony RX100 VA

Sony ZV-1

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

$800
1 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony ZV-1

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