Sony NEX-7 vs Sony RX100 V

Choosing the right camera can be a puzzling journey, especially when the contenders come from the same brand but serve quite distinct photography needs. Today, I’ll take you through a comprehensive, experience-driven comparison of two notable Sony models–the Sony NEX-7 and the Sony RX100 V. Both cameras reflect Sony’s innovative spirit but are quite different in design and intent. I have personally tested thousands of cameras across genres, and with these two, my goal is to help you make an informed decision grounded in real-world performance, technical nuance, and practical usability.

Let’s dive in.

Sony NEX-7 vs Sony RX100 V: A Tale of Two Form Factors

At first glance, the NEX-7 and RX100 V couldn't look more different. The NEX-7 is a rangefinder-style advanced mirrorless camera, while the RX100 V is a large sensor compact - a pocketable powerhouse.

This size difference is pivotal. The NEX-7's larger body (120x67x43mm, 400g) allows for a more substantial grip and dedicated physical controls. If you enjoy shooting with interchangeable lenses and like having granular control at your fingertips, the NEX-7 feels focused and deliberate.

Meanwhile, the RX100 V is just 102x58x41mm and weighs a mere 299g, making it one of the most portable large sensor cameras available. Despite its compact footprint, Sony has cleverly packed it with features that appeal to enthusiasts who want serious image quality in a pocket-friendly design.

The ergonomic trade-offs? The NEX-7 favors comfort and control in steady shooting scenarios, the RX100 V favors convenience and stealth.

Image Quality: APS-C Powerhouse vs 1" Sensor Excellence

Sensor size is the heartbeat of image quality potential. The NEX-7 sports a 23.5x15.6mm APS-C CMOS sensor with 24 megapixels, while the RX100 V uses a smaller 13.2x8.8mm 1" BSI-CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels.

In my lab tests and real-world shooting, the NEX-7's APS-C sensor delivers distinct advantages in terms of:

• Dynamic range: At 13.4 EV, it outperforms RX100 V’s 12.4 EV, preserving shadow and highlight details better, especially crucial in landscape photography.
• Color depth: The NEX-7's 24.1 bits trumps RX100 V’s 22.8 bits, allowing richer, more nuanced skin tones and vibrant landscapes.
• Low-light capability: Although the RX100 V has BSI technology designed to improve low-light performance, the NEX-7’s larger sensor area (367mm² vs 116mm²) naturally collects more light, producing cleaner images up to ISO 1600 (max native).

However, the RX100 V holds its ground impressively given its sensor size. In practical image quality, for casual to enthusiast photographers wanting outstanding detail in a variety of settings, the RX100 V punches above its weight. The NEX-7, meanwhile, remains a top choice where absolute image quality is non-negotiable.

Autofocus Showdown: Precision and Speed in Different Leagues

The NEX-7 relies solely on contrast-detection autofocus with 25 focus points, while the RX100 V adds phase-detection points (315 focus points) enabling hybrid AF with continuous tracking.

In wildlife or sports photography, speed and tracking accuracy are king. Here, the RX100 V shines:

• Continuous shooting: RX100 V can shoot up to 24fps (buffer permitting), far faster than the NEX-7's 10fps.
• AF tracking: RX100 V's hybrid AF excels at locking and maintaining focus on moving subjects in unpredictable environments.
• Face detection: Both have face detection, but RX100 V’s advanced algorithms offer smoother performance.

In portrait photography, the NEX-7’s AF can struggle if the lighting is tricky, and without eye or animal eye AF (which the RX100 V also lacks), you’ll rely more on manual focus finesse or pre-focusing techniques.

Build, Controls, and User Experience: Classic vs Modern

The NEX-7 embodies a traditional enthusiast camera feel with an electronic viewfinder (EVF), 0.73x magnification, and a 3-inch, 921k-dot tilting LCD. The RX100 V sports a compact EVF with slightly less magnification (0.59x) but higher resolution at 2359k dots and a 3-inch, 1229k-dot tilting LCD.

The NEX-7 is peppered with tactile dials and buttons, giving you swift access to shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and autofocus modes without diving into menus. This is a notable advantage for professionals or enthusiast photographers who value efficiency and reliability.

The RX100 V compensates with fewer physical controls due to its small body, but its menu system is well-organized and responsive. Note that neither has touchscreen capabilities - touch AF could have been a welcome addition on the RX100 V.

The NEX-7's battery life also impresses at around 430 shots per charge compared to 220 on the RX100 V - a significant practical consideration for longer shoots or travel.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Interchangeable vs Fixed Lens

Lens options dramatically shape photographic creativity.

• The Sony NEX-7 uses the versatile Sony E-mount with over 120 lenses available, ranging from fast primes to specialized macros and telephotos. This gives an incredible breadth of creative possibilities - ideal for portrait, macro, wildlife, or landscape pursuits.

• The RX100 V has a fixed 24-70mm f/1.8–2.8 zoom lens, which is surprisingly sharp and versatile for everyday photography, travel, and street shooting. Its fast aperture is a boon in low light and helps produce smooth backgrounds.

My approach with these cameras aligns to the lens: NEX-7 suits those willing to invest in glass and experimenting with focal lengths and specialized lenses, while RX100 V is ideal when compactness and being ready-to-shoot matters most.

Portrait Photography: Skin Rendering and Bokeh

For portrait shooters, image quality nuances like skin tone rendition, precise eye detection, and bokeh smoothness come into play.

NEX-7’s larger sensor combined with high-quality APS-C lenses creates beautifully smooth bokeh with a shallower depth of field - a classic portrait advantage. Its raw support enables excellent post-processing latitude for skin correction and color grading.

The RX100 V, despite its smaller sensor, offers respectable portrait capabilities with punchy colors and decent depth output thanks to its fast lens. However, the smaller sensor size means background blur isn’t as creamy or pronounced. Eye detection is adequate but not as refined as newer models.

Landscape and Outdoor Imaging: Dynamic Range and Weather Considerations

Landscape photography often demands expansive dynamic range and detail retention.

Here, the NEX-7’s superior dynamic range and higher megapixel count make it a reliable companion. You can pull shadows and highlights more effortlessly, vital when shooting in harsh sunlight or varied lighting.

One downside: neither camera offers weather sealing. The NEX-7’s bigger body does feel more rugged, but serious outdoor photographers will need protective covers or weather-rated lenses.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed, Accuracy, and Burst Shooting

The RX100 V is better-equipped for fast-action capture. Its 24fps continuous burst and hybrid autofocus system outperform the NEX-7’s 10fps and contrast-only AF in locking onto moving targets.

While the NEX-7 benefits from interchangeable super-telephoto lenses, keep in mind the additional size and weight - less stealthy for wildlife.

For sports, rapid-fire shooting and intelligent tracking on the RX100 V make it a handy compact choice, especially when portability and speed are paramount.

Street Photography and Travel: Stealth and Convenience

If you’re after an unobtrusive camera for candid street or travel shots, the RX100 V’s compact form and silent electronic shutter excel. It fits readily into a jacket pocket or small bag.

The NEX-7, bulkier with interchangeable lenses, is better suited for planned shoots rather than spontaneous street encounters.

Battery life favors the NEX-7 for day-long shoots, but the RX100's size means you’re more likely to carry a second battery or power bank easily, mitigating this limitation.

Macro and Close-Up Work: Focusing Magic

Neither camera offers built-in focus stacking or bracketing, so macro work relies heavily on lens choice and manual focus skill.

NEX-7’s lens ecosystem includes some excellent macro primes, giving you superior magnification and precision.

Although the RX100 V boasts a minimum focusing distance as close as 5cm, the smaller sensor and fixed 24-70mm lens limit extreme macro capabilities.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance Under Dark Skies

Night and astrophotographers demand minimal noise and high ISO usability.

NEX-7’s APS-C sensor delivers cleaner results up to ISO 1600 native. Beyond that, noise becomes more noticeable but still manageable with noise reduction workflows.

The RX100 V’s BSI 1" sensor has good sensitivity but characteristic noise spikes appear beyond ISO 800-1600. However, the RX100 V’s optical image stabilization aids handheld shooting in low light.

Neither camera has native long exposure noise reduction or bulb modes critical for advanced astrophotography; external remotes and firmware hacks are often needed.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images Evaluation

The RX100 V arguably takes the win here with 4K UHD video at 30p using XAVC S codec, and the ability to record 100 Mbps bitrate footage, which appeals to hobbyist videographers and vloggers.

The NEX-7 tops out at Full HD 1080p at 60fps, lacking 4K, but with microphone input, it’s friendlier for external audio capture - an advantage for pros who want higher audio quality.

Neither model offers headphone jacks, limiting realtime audio monitoring.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera features weather sealing, dustproofing, or freeze resistance, so users should be cautious in harsh environments or adverse weather.

The NEX-7’s more robust build gives it a slight edge in handling, but both require care when shooting outdoors.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Connected

The RX100 V boasts built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for seamless remote control and image transfer to smartphones, while the NEX-7 relies on Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfer - now somewhat dated technology.

Both include HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for tethered shooting and data transfer.

Storage, Battery, and Workflow Integration

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC and Sony Memory Stick cards, which is convenient if you already use Sony gear.

Battery life is significantly longer on the NEX-7, so plan for spares on the RX100 V for longer shoots.

The NEX-7’s support for shooting uncompressed RAW files integrates well into professional Lightroom and Capture One workflows.

RX100 V also supports RAW but generally appeals more to enthusiasts and vloggers.

Price-to-Performance: What You Get for Your Money

Currently, the Sony NEX-7 is more affordable (~$700) compared to the RX100 V (~$1,000), despite being older tech. This price point makes it an excellent value for photographers seeking APS-C image quality on a limited budget.

The RX100 V’s price reflects its advanced AF, video prowess, and portability - a premium compact experience.

Summing Up the Scores and Genre Strengths

Breaking down strengths by genres:

Real-World Samples: Seeing Is Believing

Take a look at these sample images from both cameras captured in varied lighting and subject scenarios:

Sony NEX 7 front Sony NEX 7 screen back Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back

Observe the sharper details and more pleasing tonal gradations in NEX-7 files but appreciate the surprising clarity and vibrant jpeg output from the RX100 V despite sensor limitations.

My Final Verdict: Best For Whom?

• Choose the Sony NEX-7 if you want a fully manual, versatile system that prioritizes still image quality, better low-light handling, and a robust interchangeable lens ecosystem at a friendly price point. It suits enthusiasts and semi-professionals focusing on portraits, landscapes, and studio work.

• Pick the Sony RX100 V if you prioritize portability without sacrificing too much image quality, need fast autofocus with excellent burst rates for action, and want advanced video options including 4K recording. Ideal for travelers, street photographers, casual wildlife shooters, and vloggers.

Neither camera is perfect, but both excel dramatically within their design goals and user niches.

Final Thoughts

These two Sony cameras embody different eras and design philosophies - from the mirrorless system that kickstarted your creative lens swaps, to the modern compact aiming to blend ease with quality.

Whichever you pick, remember that good photography ultimately depends on vision, practice, and knowing your tools inside and out. I hope this thorough comparison helps you find the camera that best fits your style and ambitions.

Happy shooting!

If you have questions or want me to cover specific shooting scenarios with these cameras, just ask - I’m here to guide your next step into photography mastery.