The Sony Cyber-shot series has brought us some brilliant compact cameras. One of the best and most recognized models is the RX100. In this article, we look specifically at the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V – the fifth iteration of the RX100 which was originally released in 2016.
Despite being four-years-old, it still offers great quality and features for a reasonable price. Beginners can benefit from the functionality and excellent basic image quality. We look at its specifications and what is has to offer. This could end up being the perfect compact camera for you.
Main Features
From the offset, we can see that the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V has a lot to offer. It produces 20MP resolution images and 4K HD video – for the price, this is excellent quality. If you want a camera for travel photography or vlogging, this could be a great option.
- Size: 101 x 58 x 41mm
- Weight: 299g
- Sensor: 1.0 Exmor RS CMOS 20MP
- Image Processor: BIONZ X
- RAW Images: Yes
- ISO Range: 100-12,800
- Connectivity: WiFi / USB
- Touchscreen: No
The lack of touchscreen may prove inconvenient for some and this is one area where it falls short. Regardless, the LCD screen is high quality and displays clear previews of your images. Furthermore, although it has a max ISO of 12,800, don’t expect exceptional quality low-light photos. Low-light images are OK but nothing groundbreaking.
Design
The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V certainly looks fantastic. The RX100 series has always had a stylish and functional design and this version is no exception. Its design is relatively simple, and the interface is not cluttered. The rear has a control button and dial and several function buttons. Moreover, there is a program dial on the top – that’s it!
We feel that users will appreciate the small design and compact size. The lens is relatively large in comparison to the camera body! It can easily fit in your pocket and is a lightweight 299g. It also has clip brackets on each side which means you can attach it to a camera strap. The only downside to the lens is that there is no lens cap – the lens has a plastic cover when retracted but this is quite thin.
Overall, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V is well-designed – it is ergonomic and comfortable to handle.
Performance
This camera excels at producing high-quality videos. It can record in 4K HD and this is aided by the built-in image stabilization and the fast autofocus system. Furthermore, users can tilt the screen which gives flexibility when recording.
In terms of photography, the 20MP sensor and BIONZ X processor perform well. Images are sharp and clear and have minimal distortion. Obviously, the image quality isn’t comparable to high-end DSLR cameras, but it is great for travel and street photography. The image quality is on par with the Canon PowerShot SX420. Moreover, users can shoot in a full RAW mode, which means images can be processed in software like Adobe Lightroom afterward.
The interface and menus are easy to navigate and you can quickly change photo settings. Furthermore, the lens zoom is easy to control and the zoom motion is fluid – simply use the top control dial.
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V vs. Cyber-shot RX100 VI
As stated above, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V was released in 2016. Since then, a newer model has been released – the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI. We have compared these two models so you can understand if it is worthwhile to pay extra for the newer model.
In most categories, the specifications of these two cameras are identical. Both weigh 299g and have the same external dimensions. This means that both cameras are hugely portable and great as travel companions. Furthermore, both have the large 1” CMOS sensor and 20MP resolution photos. Moreover, both can record video at 4K HD.
So what is the difference? One of the key changes is the lens – the RX100 VI has an extended telephoto lens – 24-200mm. This is a sizable difference compared to the 24-70mm of the RX100 V. Secondly, the RX100 VI has a greater overall zoom at 8.3x compared to the RX100 V’s 2.9x. We have created a basic comparison table below:
| Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V | Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI | |
| Megapixel Count | 20MP | 20MP |
| Processor | BIONZ X | BIONZ X |
| Lens Mount | ZEISS 24-70mm | ZEISS 24-200mm |
| Weight | 299g | 299g |
| Dimensions | 101 x 58 x 41mm | 101 x 58 x 41mm |
| Max ISO | 12,800 | 12,800 |
In contrast, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V has a larger maximum aperture of f/1.8. Moreover, the RX100 V has a built-in ND filter too. If you envision taking a large number of zoom photos, the RX100 VI could be the better choice. Otherwise, the RX100 V is a perfectly acceptable device.
Choosing the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V
Despite being released in 2016, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V remains a high-quality compact camera. We love the 24-70mm zoom lens – it is a fantastic mid-range zoom lens that gives users excellent flexibility. Furthermore, the image processor and sensor still provide fantastic image quality. In addition to this, the camera still performs relatively well in low-light situations.
To ensure consistent photo quality and sharp images, this device also has a brilliant autofocus system with multiple autofocus points. Not only this, but it has a continuous shooting mode of up to 24 fps. Alternatively, if you want to record video, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V also offers 4K HD quality. It is generally a well-rounded compact camera with a host of useful features. It is certainly one of the better compact cameras available.
