Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Detailed Comparison

In this article, we’ll be comparing two Sony cameras, the Sony a5000 vs RX100. These two cameras are in different series and were released two years apart; the earlier one being the Sony RX100 which was released in 2012.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100



What Camera
Get the Sony a5000 now!Get the Sony RX100 now!

The idea of this article is not necessarily to see which of these Sony cameras the better camera is. But to help you discover which is better suited to your needs.

This is why we have compared the features of one camera with those of the other camera. You are able to see the individual strengths and weaknesses of each camera.

However, we know that you might want to make as quick a decision as possible. This is why we have the basic facts of this article in bite sizes. They are contained in the comparison overview and comparison table.

Nonetheless, we recommend that you read through the entire article to get the full gist. We also recommend that you check out some of our other Sony-Sony comparison articles like the Sony a7R vs Sony a6000.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Comparison Overview

Here’s a quick rundown of facts:

Overall Review Of The Sony a5000 Vs RX100

Based on our research, we wouldn’t go as far as saying either camera could serve as a good professional camera. However, either camera could make for a good entry-level and maybe a backup camera if you are at the semi-professional level.

Rating Of The Features Of The Sony a5000 Vs RX100

While the Sony a5000 is a mirrorless camera, the Sony RX100is a point and shoot. And while it might not have been very conceivable, the point and shoot actually gives the mirrorless a run for its money.

The Sony a5000 has a couple of interesting features like its wireless connection and articulating screen. On the other hand, the RX100 has its in body image stabilization and the better screen resolution (1229k dots as against 461k dots).

Furthermore, they both have a couple of features in common like the 20 megapixel sensor resolution, the inbuilt flash, the Near Field Communication connection and the ability to be controlled using a remote.

However, it is not all fun and games. First off, they both do not have a viewfinder. So, if you’ll be getting either of these cameras, be prepared to make do with the LCD screen.

There is also the fact that neither camera is weather sealed; that is, they are neither protected against dust nor against water. Also, neither camera is amazing at recording videos. They both cannot record 4k videos and also do not have a microphone port and/or a headphone port.

However, as we earlier stated, we do consider both cameras good for the level of expertise they cater to. Just be sure that you are getting them primarily for pictures.

Price/Value Ratio – Sony a5000 Vs RX100

Both the Sony a5000 and the Sony RX100 are pretty affordable; probably two of the most affordable cameras in the market right now. As to the price-value ratio, we believe that you get what you paid for in either case.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Comparison Table

 

Sony a5000

Sony RX100

Weight 0.6 pound 0.5 pound
Dimensions 4.3 by 2.5 by 1.4 inches 4 by 2.3 by 1.4 inches
Sensor Size and Type CMOS APS-C CMOS 1 inch
Wireless Connection Yes No
Viewfinder None None
Sensor Resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Continuous Shooting 4 frames per second (fps) 10 frames per second (fps)
Battery Life 420 shots per charge 330 shots per charge
Screen Type Tilting Screen Fixed Screen
Shutter Speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
ISO Range 100 to 16000 100 to 25600
Sony a5000 Vs RX100



What Camera
Get the Sony a5000 now!Get the Sony RX100 now!

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Which Is Better For What?

Sony a5000

Sony RX100

First off, this camera has an inbuilt wireless connection. So, consider getting this one of you need a camera that can afford quick internet access. On the other hand, this camera is the better option of you’ll be shooting in places where there is a lot of movement like a sports center.
Also, you can get shots from interesting angles because of its tilting screen. Also, this camera is lighter and more compact, not by much, though.
Sony a5000 Vs RX100



What Camera
Get the Sony a5000 now!Get the Sony RX100 now!

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Common Features

In this section, we get to see how similar the Sony a5000 is to the Sony RX100. This is why this section contains those features that you are sure to find in both cameras. Now, while some of these features will be exactly alike, some others will be slightly different. Also, we’ve added those features that you won’t find in either camera.

1. Viewfinder

First up, we have the viewfinder. And just to clear things up, neither the a5000 nor the RX100 has a viewfinder and we are not really excited about this.

Now, let’s backtrack. What is the viewfinder? The viewfinder is one small screen-like thing on the camera that you see your subject through.

The basic idea of the viewfinder is for you to see your subject as is when you want to snap. You’ll be able to detect if there are any changes to be made as regards lighting, positioning or any such thing.

There are basically two kinds of viewfinders. The optical viewfinder (which all DSLRs and some compact cameras have) is kinda like a mirror. Images appear on the viewfinder the way they appear to the human eye. It’s like looking through a window or a pair of binoculars.

On the other hand, an electronic viewfinder (which some mirrorless cameras and some compact cameras have) is basically a small LCD screen. Images appear on the viewfinder the way they appear to your camera’s sensor, or as close to it as possible. Basically, what you see on an electronic viewfinder is a digital image.

That said, what do you do if your camera doesn’t have a viewfinder as is the case with both these cameras? You’ll have to make do with the LCD screen.

The LCD screen isn’t the best idea as you’d struggle with seeing images on said screen if you are under too much light. However, seeing as the a5000 and the RX100 do not have a viewfinder, there is much of a choice.

2. Weight

This is one thing we like about both cameras; they are both lightweight. We are really not surprised because compact and mirrorless cameras are usually pretty lightweight.

The Sony a5000 weighs 0.6 pounds while the RX100 is even lighter at 0.5 pounds. And while both cameras can easily be transported around, the RX100 is sure the more compact one and can even fit in your pocket.

However, bear in mind that just like all other compact cameras, the RX100 has its lens built-in while the a5000 uses interchangeable lens. So, we actually just compared the weight of a camera with the lens against the weight of another camera without its lens.

Bear in mind that once a lens is added to the Sony a5000, it will definitely weigh heavier than 0.6 pounds.

3. Sensor Resolution

The sensor resolution tells us in megapixels the quality of the photos a camera can take. Of course, the higher the sensor resolution in megapixels, the better the photos you’ll be able to take.

Just to put things in perspective, when we say the photos are of good quality, we mean that you’ll be able to crop them to certain details and you’ll also be able to print them large.

Both the Sony a5000 and the Sony RX100 offer a 20 megapixel sensor resolution. And while this is not the best sensor resolution in the market, it is sure impressive, especially for two entry-level cameras.

4. Near Field Communication Connection

Seeing as neither the a5000 nor the RX100 have the Bluetooth feature, it is sure a good thing that they both have the Near Field Communication (NFC) connection feature.

A camera that is NFC enabled can connect with other devices that are also NFC enabled, not necessarily a camera. And via this connection, files can be wirelessly transferred from the camera to an off-camera device.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100



What Camera
Get the Sony a5000 now!Get the Sony RX100 now!

5. Smartphone Control

This is something else that both cameras share in common. To control either of these cameras using a smartphone, you’ll have to download the appropriate app and then make the smartphone-camera connection.

Once this connection has been established, you can take mock shots and even change settings from your smartphone. The smartphone could also serve as your viewfinder.

6. Inbuilt Flash

You will definitely need an extra source of light than what your environment provides when you take pictures. After all, the major difference between day and night is the presence/absence of light.

That said, some cameras, like the two cameras in this review, have an inbuilt flash as that extra light source. The inbuilt flash isn’t exactly the answer to all your bad light prayers but it is definitely useful and we have to give it credit for always being there.

However, things would have been a lot better if both cameras also had an external flash port. An external flash is almost always a better light source than an inbuilt flash.

In fact, the external flash could also come in handy if you need to take flash photography. However, seeing as they both do not have an external flash port, you’ll have to make do with the inbuilt flash.

7. RAW Support

Pictures can either be shot in jpeg or in RAW. However, while basically every digital camera can shoot pictures in jpeg, not all of them can shoot in RAW.

Photos shot in jpeg are usually of an OK quality. However, the quality is definitely not as good as RAW photos and is certainly not something you want to show someone else professionally.

Nonetheless, some people settle for this because jpeg photos are not large files and so do not take up so much space. On the other hand, RAW photos are usually of their original quality.

So, if the camera has a good sensor resolution, you’l get really good quality photos. However, bear in mind that RAW photos take up quite a lot of space.

8. Face Detection

Both the Sony a5000 and the Sony RX100 are able to detect faces when you set them to take pictures. When the faces are detected, the sensor is able to lock on the faces and take pictures that are not blurry.

9. Time Lapse Record

When a camera time lapse records, it basically records in a slower frequency than it would record a regular video. However, when such video is played back, it runs faster than a normal video would.

This is could be a creative outlet for you as you record your videos, don’t you think? Anyway, to time lapse record with either camera, you’ll have to download the appropriate app as neither camera has this feature built-in.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – A Sony a5000 Demonstration Video

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 — Unique Features

The idea of this section is to see how different the a5000 is from the RX100. This is why this section contains those features that you will find in one camera but not the other. It also contains those features that you will find in both cameras but are very different.

1. Mirrorless Vs Compact

This is a very important difference and is probably enough to help you decide which camera you go for. We’ll explain.

The Sony a5000 is a mirrorless camera while the Sony RX100 is a compact or point and shoot camera. What’s the difference? We’ll explain.

A point and shoot is a very basic camera, one step above the disposable camera. It is really compact and will fit in the pocket. Its operations are also pretty basic and you probably won’t have the freedom of making as many settings changes as you want.

We are not saying that point and shoot cameras are a terrible idea. Far from it as they do have their uses. This kind of camera is actually quite popular among people who are not looking for something so serious; just something that can be used in family gatherings, on vacations and such.

On the other hand, mirrorless cameras are of different sophistication, some of them doing as well as and even better than DSLRs. Mirrorless cameras are so called because they do not have the mirror that reflects light onto an optical viewfinder (they also do not have the optical viewfinder).

What happens is that light hits the sensor and the sensor sends a digital image to the electronic viewfinder or, in the case of the Sony a5000, the LCD screen.

2. Wireless Connection

Of the two cameras in this review, only the Sony a5000 has an inbuilt wireless connection. The inbuilt wireless connection allows the camera access to the internet.

Via this connection, files can be transferred from the camera to an online location and apps can even be downloaded if necessary.

On the other hand, while the Sony RX100 doesn’t have an inbuilt wireless connection feature, you can use something called an Eye-Fi device if you need internet access.

The Eye-Fi device is kinda like an SD card. Once inserted into the camera, you’ll be able to gain access to the internet with this camera. However, bear in mind that the Eye-Fi device is not as quick or seamless as an inbuilt wireless connection.

3. Articulating Screen

An articulating screen is basically that kind of screen that can be turned or moved in certain directions without actually moving the camera body.

There are two kinds of articulating screens. A tilting screen can be moved upward and then back down again. However, the angles differ from one camera to the other.

A full-flex screen, on the other hand, can be rotated and as such, can be used to record oneself by oneself. Whatever the kind of articulating screen, though, the basic idea is for you to be able to shoot images from different interesting angles.

That said, of the two cameras in this review, only the Sony a5000 has a tilting screen. The Sony RX100 has a fixed screen which is not really interesting.

Since we are talking screens, let’s look at the screen resolution of both cameras. Now, for a camera whose screen doubles as a viewfinder, we are not happy about the screen resolution of the Sony a5000.

The Sony a5000 has a 461k dot screen resolution. However, the RX100 does a lot better; its screen resolution is 1229k dot and we are so having it.

4. Image Stabilization

This is one feature that you will only get with the RX100. The implication of a camera having an in body image stabilization feature is that the sensor is stabilized when you shoot and photos do not come out looking blurry.

Of the two cameras in this review, only the Sony RX100 has this feature. However, all hope is not lost with the a5000.

The Sony a5000 has 23 optical stabilization lenses. Any of those lenses will be good enough to stabilize the sensor and eliminate the possibility of having blurry pictures.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100



What Camera
Get the Sony a5000 now!Get the Sony RX100 now!

5. ISO Range

This is something else that the RX100 does better than the a5000. But before we go into all that, let us clear things up a bit.

The ISO tells us, in numbers, how sensitive a camera is to light. That is, the higher the ISO number, the more light the camera is able to let in and vice versa.

Both sides of the ISO spectrum actually have their uses. For instance, if you are shooting in a place where there isn’t enough light, you’ll need to set your camera to a high ISO.

This is because in this setting, the camera tries to let in as much light as it can in a bid to make up for the lack of light. However, bear in mind that with a high ISO comes a higher possibility of having grainy pictures.

On the other hand, a low ISO is the better option for a situation where the light is too much. The camera lets in only as little light as is needed.

Knowing all these, you probably agree with us that having a wide ISO range makes a lot of sense. It just affords you enough room to make as many ISO changes as is necessary.

That said, the ISO range of the Sony a5000 is between 100 and 16000 while that of the RX100 is between 100 and 25600.

6. Continuous Shooting

This is one area where the Sony RX100 does better than the Sony RX100. The continuous shooting mode allows you take as many pictures as possible in a short frame of time. Typically, this is measured by the number of shots that can be taken in one second.

This continuous shooting mode is usually used in places where there is a lot of movement like sports venues, wildlife forests and all such places. It will also come in handy if you don’t have enough time to do the shooting you need to do.

That said, the Sony a5000 can only take 4 frames per second while the RX100 can take 10 frames per second. The difference between the continuous shooting rate of the a5000 and that of the RX100 is pretty significant.

7. Battery Life

How long can you use either camera before it needs to be charged? Well, the battery life of a camera is determined by how many shots you can get before it needs to be charged.

That said, both cameras do not have a very impressive battery life. With the Sony a5000, you can get 420 shots before it needs to be charged while the Sony RX100 can only give you 330 shots before you need to charge it again.

We are not very impressed with the battery life of either camera. However, for what they were both created for, the battery life might actually be quite satisfactory.

8. Lenses

First off, while the Sony a5000 is an interchangeable lens camera, the Sony RX100 has a fixed lens. That is, the lens the RX100 comes with is what you get, there’s no changing it.

On the other hand, the a5000 that is an interchangeable lens camera has 102 lenses available to it. Also, because this camera does not have the in body image stabilization feature, it also comes with 23 optical stabilization lenses.

Sony a5000 vs RX100 – A Sony RX100 Demonstration Video

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Unique Pros

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 –Pros Of The Sony a5000

  • First off, the Sony a5000 has an inbuilt wireless connection. As a result, you can get better access to the internet and via this connection, you’ll be able to transfer files to an online location.
  • Furthermore, this camera has a tilting screen that enables you take shots from different interesting angles.
  • This camera also has a faster shutter speed (1/4000s) than the Sony RX100 (1/2000s).
  • While both cameras do not have a very impressive battery life, we cannot ignore the fact that the a5000 has a slightly longer battery life than the RX100.
  • Furthermore, this camera has a better dynamic range (13.0) than the RX100 (12.4).
  • We actually like that this camera is an interchangeable lens camera. You can try out different lenses to get your desired look. Versatility is always a better idea than otherwise.
  • Finally, this camera is slightly less expensive than the Sony RX100.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Pros Of The Sony RX100

  • First off, the Sony RX100 has the in body image stabilization feature. And as a result, photos taken with this camera will not come out looking blurry.
  • Furthermore, this camera has a slightly better ISO range than the a5000.
  • We also need to mention that the Sony RX100 has a way better screen resolution than the Sony a5000.
  • This camera has a better continuous shooting rate and so would be the better idea for shooting subjects that move around a lot including toddlers.
  • Finally, this camera is slightly lighter than the RX100.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Unique Cons

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Cons Of The Sony a5000

  • First off, this camera does not have an in body image stabilization feature. As a result, photos taken could come out looking blurry. However, this can be taken care of by using any of the a5000’s 23 optical stabilization lenses.
  • Also, this camera does not have a very impressive screen resolution. And we doubly unimpressed because this screen is also supposed to do the work of a viewfinder.
  • Finally, this camera does not have a very impressive continuous shooting rate.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Cons Of The Sony RX100

  • First off, to gain access to the internet, you have to make use of an Eye-Fi device which isn’t very convenient or swift.
  • Also, this camera does not have a very impressive shutter speed.
  • Finally, the RX100 has a fixed screen which doesn’t do much for your creativity.

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Common Pros

 

Sony a5000

Sony RX100

Sensor Resolution 20 megapixel sensor resolution is pretty impressive. You’ll have really good quality pictures with this camera. Same as the Sony a5000.
Near Field Communication This Near Field Communication connection provides a medium for you to transfer files from your camera to an off camera device. However, that other device has to also be NFC enabled. Same as the Sony a5000.
Smartphone Control If need be, you can control the Sony a5000 from a smartphone. You just need to download the appropriate app, establish a connection between the camera and the smartphone and you’re good. You can take mock shots and even change settings if necessary. Same as the Sony a5000.
RAW Support The Sony a5000 can take RAW photos. RAW photos are usually of better quality than their counterparts, jpeg photos. However, if you’ll be using RAW, you’ll have to take backup storage with you because RAW photos are usually large files. Same as the Sony a5000.
Built In Flash The Sony a5000 has an inbuilt flash. And while, as we earlier pointed out, this flash will not solve all your bad light problems, it doesn’t hurt to have it handy. Same as the Sony a5000.
Face Detection Finally, the Sony a5000 is able to detect and focus on faces as you prepare to take a shot. This helps reduce the possibility of blur when you snap faces alone, making this camera a good portrait camera. Same as the Sony a5000.
Sony a5000 Vs RX100



What Camera
Get the Sony a5000 now!Get the Sony RX100 now!

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Common Cons

 

Sony a5000

Sony RX100

Weather Sealing First off, this camera is not weather sealed. What this means is that it is neither protected against dust nor against water. And as a result, you’ll have to be careful when and where you decide to use this camera. Same as the Sony a5000.
Viewfinder Furthermore, this camera does not have a viewfinder and doesn’t have a provision for an external one to be attached. As a result, one will have to make do with the LCD screen which might be good in some conditions but definitely not in places where there is too much light. Things are a little bit worse for this camera because the LCD screen does not have a very impressive resolution. Same as the Sony a5000. However, the screen resolution of this camera is pretty impressive.
4K Videos The Sony a5000 has a 1920 by 1080 video resolution and so cannot record 4k videos. Same as the Sony a5000.
Microphone and Headphone Ports This also has something to do with the quality of videos, or more specifically audio, that this camera is able to record. While this camera has an inbuilt microphone and speaker, these inbuilt features are not able to allow for good audio input and output respectively. However, you’ll have to make do seeing as you can’t attach an external microphone or headphones to this camera. Same as the Sony a5000.
Flash Shoe Finally, you cannot attach an external flash to this camera because it doesn’t have a flash shoe. This would have a better light source than the inbuilt flash. It is also a better idea for shooting flash photography. Same as the Sony a5000.

Sony a5000 vs RX100 – What People Think About Both

Sony a5000

Sony RX100

One thing that a lot of people gush about when talking about this camera is the size and weight. Apparently, the camera is small and light enough that it can be used as a travel buddy. But aside the size and weight people happen to believe that this camera is a good idea for beginners. They say that the camera is really easy to figure out and operate as the interface is pretty user friendly. Then there is the fact that the camera is able to take good pictures and yet does not cost an arm and a leg. First off, people seem to be impressed with the picture quality that this camera affords. The fact that it does this while still being compact and lightweight is something that a good number of people are really here for. People also seem to be impressed with the performance of this camera in low light.
However, those that got this camera for videos are not really excited about things. The fact that an external microphone cannot be attached to the camera is one of the reasons. However, there is also the fact that there is a limit to how long a video the camera can record. However, a few people have complained about the lack of a weather sealing feature and the fact that it might not be the easiest camera for beginners to use.
Sony a5000 Vs RX100



What Camera
Get the Sony a5000 now!Get the Sony RX100 now!

Sony a5000 Vs RX100 – Our Take

Sony a5000

Sony RX100

We like the Sony a5000 and for an entry-level camera, we believe it does really well. It has a good sensor resolution which means it takes really good photos. There is also the fact that it has an inbuilt wireless connection which will allow you wirelessly transfer files to an online location. And of course, we can’t say all these without mentioning that it is lightweight. We also like the Sony RX100 and believe that it does really well for a point and shoot. There is no overestimating the portability of this camera and it is amazing that the camera packs a number of nice features in such a small body. We especially like that this camera has an in body image stabilization feature and that it has a decent ISO range.
There are a number of things that do not spark joy for us with this camera as we have already pointed out in earlier sections. Nonetheless, this isn’t exactly what we like but which is better for you. So, if you’ve decided on this, get the Sony a5000 now! There are also a number of things that do not get us excited about this camera. However, because this isn’t about us, we’ll leave it to you. Did you decide on this cameras? Well, get the Sony RX100 now!