Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V is a compact camera from 2016. It measures 102 x 58 x 41 mm and weighs 299 g, so it rides in a jacket pocket or a small bag without needing a dedicated case.

The lens is fixed to the body, which means everything is built into one unit. There is no lens system to buy, mount or carry, so the kit for a day out is simply the camera itself.

That mix suits travel, family and everyday photographers who want a camera they can carry everywhere without extra kit.

A 20 megapixel one-inch CMOS sensor sits behind the fixed lens, with Bionz X processing handling the files. Sensitivity runs from a base of 125 up to 12800, a rated span reaching from bright light toward dimmer conditions.

The headline shooting figure is 24 fps in burst mode, a maximum rate rather than a sustained promise. The autofocus system lists 315 points.

In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake for handheld shooting. The electronic viewfinder packs 2.36 million dots for eye-level composition, and the top shutter speed is 1/2000 of a second.

Our Optics score of 64 marks a good result, around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. Burst rate, stabilisation and the autofocus point count earned full marks, while the sensor format and the ISO range both scored below the maximum.

The RX100 V records 4K video, its maximum recording resolution, and that resolution leaves room to crop footage in an edit. For a compact stills camera, that makes it a practical option for holiday films and family clips. Our Video score of 77 reflects a good set of recording options.

Frame rates reach 120 fps, enough to slow down sport, splashes and other quick motion. That is a useful creative option in a camera of this size.

Files record in XAVC S, MPEG-4, MOV and AVCHD, so you can pick the format that matches your editing software and how you store footage.

There is no built-in timelapse mode, so interval projects need a workaround. Worth planning before a shoot that depends on one.

Framing happens through a 3 inch TFT LCD with 1.23 million dots, a detailed panel for checking focus. It flips, so you can shoot from waist level or angle it toward yourself for group shots.

There is no touch input, so focus points and menu settings are handled with buttons and dials instead.

A built-in flash covers indoor fill light, and Wi-Fi is on board for wireless connection. There is no fitting for an external flash, no GPS for tagging photos, and no Bluetooth.

The body is not weather sealed, so keep it in a pocket or bag in rain, spray or dusty conditions.

A single card slot accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards along with Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo formats. With no second slot, there is no second copy if a card fails mid shoot.

The NP-BX1 battery is rated at 220 shots. Treat that figure as a guide rather than a promise of endurance; a full day out calls for a charged spare.

There is no USB charging, so the battery cannot be topped up from a laptop or power bank on the go. Charging therefore needs to happen between shoots, which is worth remembering when planning a longer outing.