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Sony RX100 V Comparison Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in October 2016 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20 megapixel.

camera

Is the Sony RX100 V a good camera? The RX100 V has a Camera Elo of 2261. This rating puts the RX100 V among the top 20 percent of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the RX100 V ranks among the top 50 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Sony RX100 V
Fixed lens compact camera
24-70mm f/1.8-2.8
20 MP, 1" Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 125 - 12 800 (80 - 25 600)
Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1229k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
24 shutter flaps per second
220 shots per battery charge
102 x 58 x 41 mm, 299 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Sony RX100 V vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Sony RX100 V vs credit card front
RX100 V versus credit card top view
RX100 V and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Sony RX100 V alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 999ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G5 X 112 mm 76 mm 44 mm 353 g 210 n Oct 2015 799ebay.com
3.
 
Panasonic FZ2000 138 mm 102 mm 135 mm 915 g 350 n Sep 2016 1,199 amazon.com
4.
 
Sony ZV-1 II 106 mm 60 mm 47 mm 292 g 290 n May 2023 899 amazon.com
5.
 
Sony RX100 VII 102 mm 58 mm 43 mm 302 g 260 n Jul 2019 1,199 amazon.com
6.
 
Sony RX100 VI 102 mm 58 mm 43 mm 301 g 240 n Jun 2018 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Sony HX80 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 390 n Mar 2016 349ebay.com
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX90V 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 360 n Apr 2015 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 III 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 290 g 320 n May 2014 799ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX100 II 102 mm 58 mm 38 mm 281 g 350 n Jun 2013 749ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Sony RX100 V was launched in the US market at a price of $999. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Sony RX100 V features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Sony RX100 V among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Sony RX100 V sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
2.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
3.
 
Panasonic FZ2000 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653870
4.
 
Sony ZV-1 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.312.996567
5.
 
Sony RX100 VII 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p21.812.441863
6.
 
Sony RX100 VI 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.347864
7.
 
Sony HX80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.411.882248
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
9.
 
Sony HX90V 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.211.673847
10.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
11.
 
Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The RX100 V indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the RX100 V can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX100 V has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2359k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.59x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Sony RX100 V in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
3.
 
Panasonic FZ20002360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Sony ZV-1 IInone n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/2000s 24.0/s n n
5.
 
Sony RX100 VII2359 n3.0 / 921 tilting Y 1/2000s 90.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Sony RX100 VI2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Sony HX80638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony HX90V638 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony RX100 IIoptional n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the RX100 V

One convenient feature of the RX100 V is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Panasonic FZ2000Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
4.
 
Sony ZV-1 IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Sony RX100 VII-stereo / monoY-micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Sony RX100 VI-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
7.
 
Sony HX80-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Sony HX90V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony RX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the RX100 V offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The RX100 V has a zoom lens built in (8.8-25.7mm f/1.8-2.8), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 70mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the RX100 V can be found in the free online Sony RX100 V Manual or on the Sony support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the RX100 V. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 999ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G5 X5/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 799ebay.com
3.
 
Panasonic FZ2000..+..82/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2016 1,199 amazon.com
4.
 
Sony ZV-1 II4.5/5....83/1003.5/5.. May 2023 899 amazon.com
5.
 
Sony RX100 VII4.5/5..4/5..4/55/5 Jul 2019 1,199 amazon.com
6.
 
Sony RX100 VI4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2018 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Sony HX80............ Mar 2016 349ebay.com
8.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX90V4/5+ +....4/54.5/5 Apr 2015 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 III5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 799ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX100 II5/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 749ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Sony RX100 V FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the RX100 V.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Sony RX100 V?

The camera is build around a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Sony RX100 V to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Sony equipped the RX100 V with the BIONZ X image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Sony RX100 V?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-25600.

Does the Sony RX100 V have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the RX100 V is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Sony RX100 V?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Sony RX100 V?

The RX100 V offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Sony RX100 V feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Does the Sony RX100 V support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Sony RX100 V use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-BX1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Sony RX100 V
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8
    Launch Date October 2016
    Launch Price USD 999
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 472 x 3 648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 12 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 70
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 586
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.59x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1229k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 24 shutter flaps/s
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type NP-BX1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)220 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 102 x 58 x 41 mm
    (4.0 x 2.3 x 1.6 in)
    Camera Weight 299 g (10.5 oz)

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