I have invested in a RX1 - should I switch?

This review is intended to help the RX1-owners that a switch to the Alpha 7 consider. Part the image quality I save consciously in many parts of (identical sensors vs. different lenses), but would like to mention the most obvious advantages and disadvantages for transfer passengers to use.

To make it short: There are few reasons that you can talk nicely to remain with the RX1.

When I bought the RX1 me almost a year ago, came for me a time of Anfreundens with the supposed drawbacks of this camera: a fixed focal length (I'm missing just in the city then often just a little more wide-angle), slower autofocus, no sealed housing / lens (the RX1 was due to dust on the sensor after just 3 weeks first in repair at Sony) in spite of all the best camera I've ever had especially because they never stayed for convenience at home as opposed to DSLR.

Cheaper camera, more features and a solution so many pain points of RX1 should I change: As it is the Alpha 7 at a much lower starting price point (more on that later) came on the market, which of course was quite a conflict of conscience? The length of the review was to me at this point, please forgive otherwise I shall be very much shorter.

AUTO FOCUS
In the A7 you will benefit from a phase comparison focus with 127 measurement fields, the RX1 has also passive autofocus with contrast measurement. In theory, the phase comparison is much faster, since the sample measurement is omitted as in the RX1. For fast-moving subjects have been so much more chances of getting a sharp snapshot as the RX1. Since I mainly use the RX1 for landscape and street photography, first for me, I was not interested so important to the behavior of AF in low light conditions or at twilight and photography at the long end of the lens kit here the bad news: the A7 here has its problems. The comparatively weak light intensity of the kit-lens raises hopes, however, that with a 55mm 1.8er example (was not yet available when ordering) better results can be achieved. For those who ogle the A7R then has the same AF system as the RX1 (allegedly because of technological problems, through elimination of the low-pass filter).

SHUTTER
When RX1 virtually inaudible at the A7 a loud clunk even the Nikon D600 is quieter and actually will work out a mirror. An adjustment for a quieter shutter has the A7. One can only one of the "click" s at the A7 (not in A7R) mapped electronically (see below). Here everyone must decide for themselves concealed photographing (which would be the folding screen very possible), weddings and wildlife photography are scenarios that. With the A7 tw can be difficult. The A7, unlike the A7R represent the first curtain electronically (then only "- / Click ') - at the A7R can not do that, there is forcibly a loud" clack-clack ". Thanks also to the many comments on this review: it is at the RX1 a leaf shutter, the A7 has a focal plane shutter - to the sound to get around, unfortunately, none of the variants of the A7.

Also triggered from the reviews confirmed that the vibrations that passes on the closure of the stand at long exposures do not result in impairment - if a fault is there, it gets smaller with increasing exposure time. Certain shorter combinations may well certainly be impaired (see DP Review and Steve Huff).

The ability to switch the first shutter curtain electronically not only increases the life time of the seal, but also allows reasonable Macro-photographing. What is, of course with my SLR, would a A7R without electronic shutter curtain may only poorer quality possible - but that needs only the macro lens to show in practice, which is known not yet available.

Continuous shooting succeed with the Alpha 7 significantly better than with the RX1 is also the camera is available again more quickly after a shot.

Now, after almost 1,900 images with the A7 I have to say that the sound of the camera in space disrupts - especially when people photographed 1x, makes the sound of the camera all the attention that they could be the next 'victim' of my Snapshot Search , The RX1 was relaxed many times, even if, thanks to fixed focal length had a good chance to "bring in Positon" by to consider with more attention than necessary. On the other hand, it is with the A7 not much different than sitting with a SLR in the room. Outside, for cities and photography in museums, the noise does not really matter.

OPERATION / Firmware
Here no long familiarization period is required overall, the A7 USER INTERFACE liquid, a little more modern (eg the choice of panel now shows the A (perture) mode a treadmill the iris). The on the RX1 in conjunction with pocket anyway unfavorable placed AF dial is moved backwards. Come to have 2 more PROGRAMMABLE BUTTONS C1 / C2 and a wheel in front of the trigger (on battery compartment), which can also be freely programmed. This is fortunately also for the Control Wheel, on which lies the ISO Manipulation by factory setting. The wheel is so smooth that you can quickly accidentally ISO turns up or down without realizing it - under Options you can cancel the function assignment to happiness. Still not possible:. HDR with zeitl delayed trigger because the RX1 no remote release can be connected, sorely missed when using a tripod. For the Alpha 7 there is always the possibility to use an IR remote control. Long exposures are still limited to 30 seconds.

VIEWFINDER / DISPLAY
Who has the EVF used at the RX1 as an accessory, of course, would be about it this makes the built-EVF the camera but also a little bulkier, if one can speak of it at all in which case it is namely again a little thinner than that of the RX1. The viewfinder has as the RX1 also 100% coverage with a size ratio of 0,71x with only 1230 dots per line of FDA-EV1MK comes to 2359 dots per line in practice you see the difference, but the Alpha 7 is also comparatively faster with fast pans and the viewfinder by pulling less than the RX1 combo. Who has the EVF often used on the RX1 lack rotate display as an angle finder, will be happy about the foldable display, especially if you are traveling with a tripod 90 ° plate supervision and 45 ° view from below are possible. Unfortunately, the screen is not as flexible as the Alpha 99 or a Canon G12 in all axes.

BATTERY / BATTERY LIFE
The batteries of the type W are with the combination of the charger RX1 ever not be loaded re-use the optional battery charger ACCTRBX is therefore not possible. The RX1 as battery eaters with their battery comes on 4.5Wh, the Alpha 7 comes with 7.3Wh therefore the maturity improves unfortunately only marginally felt the Alpha 7 is just as fast as the empty RX1, especially when features such as NFC or WiFi uses a second battery is therefore highly recommended.

Manual focus on the lens RING
Goes much smoother and faster than Gekurbel with the RX1 at the Alpha 7. Is also very nice that you now after the AF system can focus manually without moving the Dial (simply hold the butts down on the release lever, focusing with lens ring, press release) - after releasing the button you are then again in AF mode.

CONNECTIVITY / APPS
The opportunity to exchange via NFC or wireless images is mainly traveling very interesting. Who has not played with adapter pictures on an iPad, which can now via direct wireless connection to do the transfer is very fast. Also a remote control via app is possible. Who, however, photographed in RAW (yet?) A few Enschränkungen: RAW transfer to iPad does not go any more than the remote triggering via App in RAW mode. The camera will keep coming back to JPEG. To fast times to share a particularly successful snapshot with the home, or to enjoy the evening at the hotel on the tablet on the yield of the day, but the connectivity is a beautiful thing.
In addition, as with the NEX series usual, the camera can be equipped with additional functions in-camera apps whether a multiple exposure should be a standard feature, or 5 EUR is worth more, is anyone's guess is my hope that in the course of Full frame extension also professional workflow tw. can be outsourced in the apps so I can ever make a tagging in the camera for example.

OTHER BUSINESS
Speedlight missing, which I think is not a big loss is the light mace for the frontal attack hurts when RX1 usually more than good. The Alpha 7 is significantly better in the hand, but the casing is made of plastic falls on only in direct comparison. For the Alpha 7R Sony has again donated a magnesium housing.

LENS PARK
Probably the most important factor that speaks in the long term against the RX1, the system of lenses, which stands behind the Alpha 7. According to the lady at the Sony Store in Vegas get a total of 15 Sony E-Mount Full frame lenses 2015 to market a macro lens is intended to be. Currently (12/13) are 5 lenses available. The kit lens is not bad, but who comes from the 35mm 2.0 the RX1 is first disappointed. Here the quality of the other lenses will show (eg the 55mm 1.8 sounds very promising). Thus we come back to the cost factor. Those who come from the NEX system can continue using the lenses with Crop and gradually replace / buy new einsteigt who is from the extremely high cost of the Zeiss lenses. Cost is also a factor, which then can be more expensive to build a corresponding lens parks again, as the SLR systems à la Nikon / Canon with cheaper lenses equal or better quality. Thus, the budget compared to the RX1 cost into perspective with the body very quickly. But one has the appropriate flexibility to further expand its system. Another way to marry the systems is now available Novoflex adapter.

CONCLUSION
The Alpha 7 is a workhorse that makes much better than the RX1 va operability (EVF, folding screen, WiFi / NFC) and the significantly faster shooting subjects in series they move more in the area absolutely full-fledged SLR replacement. Thanks to a few additional features, they can be integrated in workflows faster than the RX1. The RX1 is, however, compact, has a lens that will be (at least for now) for the Alpha 7 is not available (there is only one 35mm 2.8) and is based on the price (including the accessories) almost an icon so I likes me not really decide against it. In addition, the RX1 can pass for the unsuspecting as compact camera, which in camera shy people less defensive triggers when the SLR-like alpha 7 (times apart from the fact that you also can pack into a large jacket pocket, the RX1, which is never the Alpha 7 will happen). In the long term is one of the field of Alpha 7, as soon as the new lenses fully retrieve the potential of the camera. The RX1 is therefore first stay with me until the expansion of the lens parks for the Alpha 7 for fresh funds shouts