Sony a5100 vs Sony RX100 VA: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros Alike

When it comes to Sony cameras, picking the right model can be tricky, especially when the lineup spans entry-level mirrorless to high-end compacts. Today, I’m putting the Sony Alpha a5100 head-to-head with the Sony RX100 VA (fifth generation). Both pack solid tech, but their designs, features, and use cases diverge significantly. After extensive hands-on testing, I'll break down how each performs across diverse photography disciplines, from landscapes to sports, and help you decide which fits your style and budget.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Build, and Controls

Starting with the obvious: their physical presence. The a5100 wears the classic mirrorless-style body - compact, but with a decent grip. Weighing 283g and measuring 110x63x36 mm, it’s easy to tuck into a bag without carrying bulk. The RX100 VA, a premium large-sensor compact, is sleeker and pocket-friendly (102x58x41 mm, 299g), designed for ultimate portability.

Top-side controls tell a tale. The a5100 features minimal external dials and clubs for thumbs, embracing simplicity - perfect for those upgrading from smartphones or DSLRs intimidated by loads of buttons. The RX100 VA boasts more physical control dials, meaning you can adjust settings fast without diving into menus - which will appeal to enthusiasts wanting quick access to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

While neither model boasts weather sealing, their solid builds feel sturdy; neither will withstand a monsoon without a protective cover.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let's zoom deep into image quality, which is always king.

The a5100 sports an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, measuring 23.5x15.6 mm with 24MP resolution, the same sensor size as many mid-tier crop-sensor DSLRs. In contrast, the RX100 VA packs a smaller 1" BSI-CMOS sensor at 20MP (13.2x8.8 mm), which is about four times smaller in area.

Sensor size affects depth of field control, noise performance, and dynamic range. The a5100’s larger sensor generally means better low light performance and more pleasing background blur (bokeh). Sony’s Bionz X processor powers both models, enabling solid image processing - but I found the a5100 holds an edge in dynamic range, capturing deeper shadow detail and retaining highlights, thanks to its larger chip.

On DxOMark metrics (the closest benchmark we have for the a5100, given no official RX100 VA test), the a5100 scores an overall 80 points with excellent color depth (23.8 bits) and dynamic range (12.7 EV). These translate into vibrant, true-to-life skin tones and rich landscape shots with ample flexibility in post-processing.

The RX100 VA, while slightly behind on raw image latitude due to sensor size, still packs a punch. Its backside-illuminated sensor improves noise handling relative to other 1" sensors, making it viable for most casual to semi-professional use, especially in good light.

Facing Off on Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Fast, reliable autofocus (AF) can make or break your shooting experience, especially with moving subjects.

The a5100 uses a hybrid AF system, combining phase-detection and contrast-detection on 179 points. This system includes face detection and eye-AF for improved portrait focus accuracy. It tracks subjects continuously at up to 6 fps burst speed. While decent at tracking moderate movement, it can falter in fast-action scenarios such as sports or wildlife.

The RX100 VA takes AF seriously. With 315 focus points covering a wide AF area, it boasts a phase-detection AF system offering blazing-fast lock times and continuous AF up to 24 fps burst - four times the a5100’s rate. In my real-world tests (tracking sprinting athletes and birds in flight), the RX100 VA’s AF and buffer handled action much better with fewer focus misses.

Both cameras support manual focus and various focus area modes; however, the lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the a5100 hinders fast AF confirmation compared to the RX100 VA’s sharp, high-res EVF - critical when shooting in bright daylight or high-speed bursts.

Designing for Comfort and Ease of Use

The a5100’s tilting touchscreen (3-inch, 922k dots) enables intuitive touch focus, ideal for beginners or vloggers. You can flip it up 180°, but due to the absence of an EVF, composing in bright conditions requires reliance on the rear screen - a bit limiting outdoors.

The RX100 VA sports a slightly higher-res 3-inch tilting LCD (1,229k dots) but no touchscreen. By contrast, it compensates with a high-contrast electronic viewfinder (2,359k dots, 0.59x magnification) - a gem for precise framing and manual focusing, especially outdoors or in bright light.

Both cameras’ menu systems feel well thought out, but the RX100 VA, with its additional physical controls, enables faster adjustment once you get familiar. The a5100 makes up for simplicity and touchscreen ease, which suits new users and those who prefer tapping to turning dials.

Lens Ecosystem & Flexibility: The Lifeblood of Versatility

Here we hit a decisive difference: the a5100 supports interchangeable lenses via Sony's E-mount, compatible with a broad range of optics ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, primes to zooms. That opens doors to versatile photography styles, including macro, portraiture, sports, and wildlife, all requiring specific glass to get the best results.

The RX100 VA comes with a built-in 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 lens - an impressively fast zoom for a compact camera but inherently limited compared to changing lenses. Its minimum focusing distance is 5 cm, offering some macro capabilities but nowhere near the flexibility of dedicated macro lenses.

This distinction makes the a5100 a better pick for photographers planning to grow and experiment with different genres, while the RX100 VA caters to users who want an all-in-one grab-and-go solution without the need to carry multiple lenses.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

If you hate hunting for chargers during a shoot, battery life matters. The a5100 offers approximately 400 shots per charge, almost double the RX100 VA's rated 220 shots, making it preferable for long hours or travel shooting.

Both rely on Sony-specific proprietary batteries (NP-FW50 and NP-BX1 respectively) and store images on SD cards (including SDHC and SDXC). Both cameras have a single card slot, which limits backup options during pro work but is standard for their class.

Connectivity-wise, both feature built-in Wi-Fi & NFC for wireless image transfer and remote control - handy for quick sharing or smartphone tethering. Neither supports Bluetooth, which is a minor drawback if you prefer always-on connections.

USB ports differ: the a5100 uses USB 2.0, slower than modern standards but fine for casual transfers. The RX100 VA supports USB charging but has no dedicated microphone or headphone jacks, limiting serious video audio control.

What About Video? Capabilities and Use Cases

Videographers need to weigh each option’s strengths carefully.

The a5100 shoots Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps, supporting MPEG-4, AVCHD, and Sony’s XAVC S codecs - pretty standard fare in entry-level mirrorless cameras. However, it lacks in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and microphone inputs, making handheld video shaky and audio limited to on-board capture.

The RX100 VA steps up significantly on video specs: it can record 4K UHD at 30p with the high-quality XAVC S codec and boasts optical image stabilization in its lens. This combination delivers smoother handheld footage and crisper detail - rare in a camera this compact. However, like the a5100, it lacks external mic or headphone jacks, so serious audio work requires extra gear.

The RX100 VA also supports slow-motion video at 120 fps in 720p resolution, great for action detail. The a5100’s 120 fps is limited to 720p, with fewer codec options.

Photography Specialties: A Discipline-by-Discipline Analysis

Now that we’ve established the basics, let’s examine how these cameras handle specific photography styles.

1. Portraits

The a5100’s APS-C sensor delivers gorgeous bokeh with Sony’s 179-point hybrid AF, which includes face and eye detection for nailing focus on subjects’ eyes - crucial for compelling portraits. Colors render naturally, with excellent skin tone rendition. You can also take advantage of E-mount lens options, like fast primes, for creamy backgrounds.

The RX100 VA performs well for casual portraits, especially in daylight with its fast f/1.8-2.8 lens. The electronic viewfinder aids precise framing, but its smaller sensor yields less background separation, resulting in slightly flatter images. Its face detection AF works well but lacks eye AF, which can challenge pinpoint focus on eyes.

2. Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is king in landscapes, and the a5100’s larger sensor and 24MP resolution serve this genre well, yielding sharp, detailed images with rich tonal gradation. Canonically, APS-C cameras produce better shadow recovery and highlight preservation than 1" sensors.

The RX100 VA, with its smaller sensor, lags here slightly but remains capable thanks to its lens sharpness and color fidelity. Its compact size wins points for portability on hikes, but battery life and sensor size limit longer exposure or high dynamic range bracketing.

3. Wildlife Photography

A demanding genre requiring speedy autofocus, high burst rates, and telephoto reach.

The a5100’s 6 fps burst rate and 179 focus points offer moderate tracking of moving subjects, but buffer and AF speed can bottleneck in fast action. Without native telephoto lenses or integrated stabilization in body, you’ll need investment in pricey lenses to get reach.

The RX100 VA, with its 24 fps burst rate and lightning-fast AF, can punch above its weight on wings-in-flight shots, though its 70mm max focal length (~189mm 35mm equivalent due to crop factor) restricts distant wildlife framing. This camera’s optical stabilization helps handheld shooting.

4. Sports Photography

Like wildlife, this needs accurate continuous autofocus and high frame rates.

The RX100 VA’s 24 fps superiority and responsive AF make it more reliable in tracking fast sports, although lens reach is limited. The a5100 struggles keeping up with peak action but performs adequately for slower indoor sports or casual fans.

5. Street Photography

Discretion and portability rule in street shooting.

The RX100 VA excels here with its pocketable size, silent shutter (up to 1/32000 electronic shutter speed), bright lens, and quick autofocus. Its fast mechanical shutter limits shutter drag in busy streets.

The a5100 is slightly bigger and requires more conscious handling, but compared to DSLRs, still compact. Its touchscreen and face detection can speed capturing candid moments. Lack of EVF hurts composition in bright light, and slower max shutter speed (1/4000) can be limiting.

6. Macro Photography

For macro, minimum focusing distance and magnification matter.

The RX100 VA’s 5 cm macro range on the built-in lens and optical stabilizer delivers decent close-up sharpness for flowers and insects without lenses. The a5100’s capability depends entirely on your glass choices - good macro lenses can outperform the RX100’s fixed zoom substantially.

7. Night/Astro Photography

Low light pushes sensor limits.

The a5100’s larger sensor and ISO up to 25600 (base 100) give it an edge in noise management and longer exposures. It lacks in-body stabilization, requiring a tripod for sharp long exposures. The camera supports exposure bracketing, useful for blending night scenes.

The RX100 VA can boost ISO similarly (up to 25600 boosted), but the sensor’s smaller area introduces more noise at high ISOs. Its optical stabilization helps handheld night shots but can’t replace a tripod for astrophotography.

8. Video Enthusiasts

We touched on video earlier; the RX100 VA’s 4K UHD feature and optical stabilization make it an easy pick for high-quality travel or vlogging video. The a5100 is more a photo-focused device with solid 1080p video but fewer bells and whistles for video creators.

9. Travel Photography

On the road, size, versatility, and battery life matter.

The RX100 VA wins for portability and video, fitting in most pockets with solid zoom lens coverage. However, its shorter battery life requires carrying spares.

The a5100, while larger, offers longer shooting per charge and the chance to switch lenses for scenarios ranging from wide scenes to portraits. Its wireless features aid quick sharing on the go.

10. Professional Workflows

The a5100 supports raw capture, a must for serious editing. Its APS-C sensor delivers files that integrate well with professional workflows.

The RX100 VA also supports raw but from a smaller sensor. Neither camera is designed explicitly for pro work: single card slots and limited ruggedness constrain reliability. Still, the a5100’s lens system provides better scope for specialized tasks.

Summarizing Performance and Scores

Our scoring matrix based on testing data reflects:

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Sony a5100

Pros:

• Larger APS-C sensor for superior image quality and low light handling
• Rich E-mount lens ecosystem enables versatile shooting
• Longer battery life suits prolonged shooting sessions
• Touchscreen interface simplifies focus and menu navigation
• More affordable (around $448 street price)

Cons:

• No electronic viewfinder, challenging in bright light
• Slow burst rate and average AF for fast action
• No in-body image stabilization
• Basic video capabilities (1080p max, no 4K)
• Minimal weather sealing

Sony RX100 VA

Pros:

• Bright, fast fixed zoom lens perfect for travel and street
• Electronic viewfinder with high resolution
• Premium 4K video with optical stabilization
• Super fast AF with 315 focus points and 24 fps burst
• Compact and pocketable design

Cons:

• Smaller 1" sensor limits dynamic range and low light quality
• No touchscreen; menu navigation less intuitive
• Short battery life requires spares for outdoor use
• Fixed lens limits versatility for specialized genres
• Higher price tag (~$998 street price)

Sony a5100 front Sony a5100 screen back Sony RX100 VA front Sony RX100 VA screen back

Which One Should You Buy?

After putting these cameras through their paces across technical lab measurements and real-life shooting scenarios, who wins? Well, that depends on your priorities.

• If you’re a budget-conscious enthusiast or an aspiring photographer eager to experiment with different genres and lenses, the Sony a5100’s larger sensor, flexibility with lenses, and longer battery life make it an excellent pick. It’s particularly suited for portraits, landscapes, and casual wildlife or sports without breaking the bank.

• If portability, fast autofocus, and crisp video are your must-haves - say you’re a traveler, street photographer, or vlogger who wants an all-in-one powerhouse compact - the RX100 VA is a marvel. Its 4K recording, EVF, and blazing burst rate help you seize fleeting moments with precision.

Final Thoughts From My Experience

When I first tested the a5100 years ago, its approachable design and image quality impressed me - it still holds its ground for enthusiasts who prioritize photography fundamentals over video or speed.

The RX100 VA feels like a tech-packed compact marvel born from Sony’s relentless push for miniaturization without sacrificing performance - a camera tailor-made for photographers who value convenience and speed.

Neither camera is without compromises: the a5100’s lack of an EVF is glaring in bright conditions, and the RX100 VA’s sensor size constrains image quality in demanding situations.

Ultimately, your choice should hinge on how you shoot and what you shoot most. Want to invest in lenses and stretch your creative wings? Go a5100. Need a pocket rocket that performs fast and shoots stunning video? The RX100 VA deserves a close look.

Thanks for riding along! If you have any questions or want me to test specific scenarios, drop me a line. Choosing gear is a personal journey, and I’m here to help you make informed, confident decisions.

Happy shooting!

tl;dr:

Images used under fair use for educational camera comparison.

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