Clicky

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Released July 2018
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Older Model is Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Sony RX100 VA and Sony WX500, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the RX100 VA (20MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is very close but the RX100 VA (1") and WX500 (1/2.3") posses different sensor dimensions.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The RX100 VA was manufactured 3 years later than the WX500 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the RX100 VA scores versus the WX500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony WX500

 RX100 VA WX500 
LaunchedJuly 2018April 2015Fresher by 40 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution1229k921kCrisper display (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Sony RX100 VA

 WX500 RX100 VA 

Common features in the Sony RX100 VA and Sony WX500

 RX100 VA WX500 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony RX100 VA has physical measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") along with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Sony RX100 VA and Sony WX500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the RX100 VA and the WX500.

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the RX100 VA and WX500 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The visual here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the RX100 VA and WX500.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The RX100 VA due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sony RX100 VA will result in greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The newer RX100 VA provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX100 VA as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Portrait photography camera
66
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
39
MP count good (18 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony RX100 VA
Street photography with Sony WX500
86
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors (299 grams)
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (236g)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sony RX100 VA Sports photography information
Sony WX500 Sports photography information
70
silent mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (24.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
includes tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery (220 shots)
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Sony RX100 VA as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Travel photography camera
76
lighter than competitors (299 grams)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse function
low battery (220 shots)
71
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (236g)
MP count good (18MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Sony RX100 VA Landscape photography features
Sony WX500 Landscape photography features
66
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low battery (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
49
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
better than average battery power (360 shots)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX100 VA Vlogging features
Sony WX500 Vlogging features
81
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors (299 grams)
missing external microphone jack
35
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (236g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sony RX100 VA vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 VA and Sony WX500
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2018-07-13 2015-04-14
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 315 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-70mm (2.9x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,229 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 24.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.20 m (at Auto ISO) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 299 gr (0.66 lb) 236 gr (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots 360 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BX1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $998 $348