Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V vs Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V
56
SCORE
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Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI
69
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V and Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI are pocket-sized compacts with fixed lenses, made for photographers who want a capable camera that travels anywhere. The V arrived in 2016 and the VI in 2018. Both share a 102 x 58 mm footprint, with the VI measuring 43 mm deep against 41 mm and weighing 301 g against 299 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 6, 2016 | June 5, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 102 x 58 x 41 mm | 102 x 58 x 43 mm |
| Camera weight | 299 g | 301 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBoth cameras deliver the same 20 MP resolution from a 1-inch CMOS sensor, so neither gives you extra cropping room. Burst shooting matches too, at up to 24 fps, and both include in-body stabilisation and an electronic viewfinder with 2,359,296 dots for eye-level composing. The difference is in the expanded ISO settings. The VI reaches 25600 at the top and 80 at the bottom, while the V's expanded range stays within its native 125 to 12800 span. | ||
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. |
24 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. |
Bionz X | 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. |
12530200 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 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. |
12530200 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 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. |
200080032000 | 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. |
3150300 | 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 | 235929609900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 77/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe RX100 V is the pick if your editing workflow depends on MOV files, because it is the only one of the two that records them. The VI records MPEG-4, AVCHD and XAVC S instead. The video ceilings match, with both cameras topping out at 4K resolution and both supporting frame rates up to 120 fps for slow-motion work. Neither includes a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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. |
120 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, MOV, AVCHD, XAVC S | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 44/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe RX100 VI is the better-connected camera for travel and outdoor shooting. It supports touch-screen control, GPS for geotagging photos on the road, Bluetooth pairing and weather sealing, along with live view. The V offers none of those. Both share a 3-inch screen with 1,228,800 dots that flips up for waist-level and selfie framing, plus Wi-Fi for sending images to a phone. Both also carry a built-in flash, and neither supports an external flash. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
12288001150001500000 | 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. |
No |  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. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe RX100 VI carries the higher battery rating, at 250 shots against 220 for the V, and it charges over USB so you can top it up from a power bank between locations. Both use the same NP-BX1 battery, so one set of spares covers either camera. Each has a single card slot that accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The V additionally takes Memory Stick Duo media, which matters only if you already shoot that format. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-BX1 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
220 shots1505000 | 250 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For travel and everyday photography, the RX100 VI is the stronger choice. GPS geotags a hiking or road-trip album, weather sealing suits changeable conditions outdoors, and touch control makes settings faster to adjust on the fly. It also charges over USB and carries the higher 250-shot battery rating.
The V remains a capable alternative if your editing workflow depends on MOV video files or you still shoot Memory Stick Duo cards. It matches the VI on 20 MP resolution, 24 fps burst and 4K video, so the difference comes down to features rather than image size or speed.