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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs

Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5T
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed July 2018
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Sony NEX-5R and Sony RX100 VA, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is relatively close but the NEX-5R (APS-C) and RX100 VA (1") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The NEX-5R was launched 6 years prior to the RX100 VA which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the NEX-5R grades vs the RX100 VA in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony RX100 VA

 NEX-5R RX100 VA 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony NEX-5R

 RX100 VA NEX-5R 
RevealedJuly 2018August 2012Newer by 71 months
Screen resolution1229k920kSharper screen (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-5R and Sony RX100 VA

 NEX-5R RX100 VA 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-5R features external dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 VA has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-5R and Sony RX100 VA in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the NEX-5R against the RX100 VA.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5R and RX100 VA is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5R and RX100 VA.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-5R featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX100 VA will result in more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5R will be behind in sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography details
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography details
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
66
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Street photography camera
80
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
86
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (299g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Sports photography camera
68
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
70
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (24.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Travel photography info
Sony RX100 VA Travel photography info
73
includes touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
76
lighter than competition (299 grams)
MP count good (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 VA
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
66
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Vlogging camera
31
built-in touchscreen
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external mic socket
81
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (299 grams)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and Sony RX100 VA
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5R Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-08-29 2018-07-13
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 99 315
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 276 grams (0.61 lb) 299 grams (0.66 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 910 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 220 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $750 $998