Leica V-Lux 5 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Leica V-Lux 5
64
WINNER
|
Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA
59
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica V-Lux 5 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA are both bridge cameras with fixed lenses, announced in July 2019 and July 2018 respectively. The Sony is much the smaller and lighter camera, measuring 102 x 58 x 41 mm and weighing 299 g, against the Leica's 137 x 97 x 132 mm and 812 g. That makes it small enough for a jacket pocket, while the Leica travels on a strap. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 10, 2019 | July 13, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 137 x 97 x 132 mm | 102 x 58 x 41 mm |
| Camera weight | 812 g | 299 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony is the stronger choice for fast action. It shoots at 24 fps against the Leica's 12 fps, capturing twice as many frames each second at a soccer match or a bird in flight. Its 315 autofocus points against the Leica's 49 offer far more positions for placing focus. The Leica's 1/4000 second top shutter speed gives a shorter exposure than the Sony's 1/2000, keeping wide apertures usable in strong daylight. The two also share a 20-megapixel resolution, a 1-inch CMOS sensor, in-body stabilisation and electronic viewfinders. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
12 fps045 | 24 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
8030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
125003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
125003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 3150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 69/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow-motion work is the Sony's edge in video, because its maximum frame rate reaches 120 fps, twice the Leica's 60 fps, leaving more room to slow fast action in an edit. Both record 4K video, so the resolution ceiling is shared. The Sony offers XAVC S and AVCHD recording alongside MPEG-4, while the Leica records MPEG-4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe V-Lux 5 is the better flash platform of the two, supporting an external flash unit that the RX100 VA does not, so bounce lighting stays available for portraits and events. It also has Bluetooth for connecting to a phone, which the Sony lacks. Both cameras have a built-in flash, Wi-Fi, and a 3-inch touch screen that flips for self-framing. Neither offers GPS or weather sealing. Their screen resolutions sit within one percent of each other. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
12400001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Leica's battery rating runs longer, at 360 shots against the Sony's 220. It also charges over USB, while the Sony does not. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the Sony additionally accepts Memory Stick Duo cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC , Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-DC12 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
360 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the RX100 VA when speed drives the purchase. Its 24 fps burst, 315 autofocus points and 120 fps video ceiling suit sports, wildlife and street photography. Pick the V-Lux 5 for flash-led portraits and event work, where its external flash support, 1/4000 second shutter and longer battery rating matter most. Its USB charging also eases recharging between locations.