Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100
95 Imaging
32 Features
14 Overall
24


91 Imaging
50 Features
68 Overall
57
Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
- 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
- Revealed February 2009
- Additionally Known as PL10
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Launched August 2012
- Successor is Sony RX100 II

Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100 Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Samsung CL5 versus Sony RX100, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the CL5 (9MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the CL5 (1/2.5") and RX100 (1") offer different sensor sizing.

The CL5 was announced 4 years before the RX100 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung CL5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the CL5 matches up versus the RX100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung CL5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. The whole galleries are provided at Samsung CL5 Gallery & Sony RX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Sony RX100
CL5 | RX100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Samsung CL5
RX100 | CL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 42 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+999k dot) |
Common features in the Samsung CL5 and Sony RX100
CL5 | RX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Samsung CL5 comes with outside dimensions of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony RX100 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Analyze the Samsung CL5 versus Sony RX100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the CL5 versus the RX100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the CL5 and RX100 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching specs. The photograph underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the CL5 and RX100.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The CL5 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX100 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older CL5 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony RX100 Specifications
Samsung CL5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model type | Samsung CL5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 |
Also called as | PL10 | - |
Type | Ultracompact | Large Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-02-23 | 2012-08-28 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 9 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3456 x 2592 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-114mm (3.0x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 1,229k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | WhiteMagic TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 16 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/2000 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 141 grams (0.31 lb) | 240 grams (0.53 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 390 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $391 | $448 |