Sony RX100 V vs Sony TX10: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

In the world of compact cameras, Sony has built a reputation for packing impressive tech into pocket-friendly bodies. Today, I’m diving deeply into a comparison between two Sony compacts from very different eras and segments: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V (RX100 V), launched in 2016 as a high-performance large sensor compact, versus the older but intriguingly rugged Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 (TX10) from 2011, an ultracompact designed for adventures.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or professional hunting for a second camera or even a primary compact, understanding how these two stack up in real-world use is critical. Having spent hours shooting with both models and analyzing specs through the lens of practical photography needs, I want to guide you through the nitty-gritty - from sensor technology and autofocus to ergonomics and photo genres - to help you decide which camera fits your style and budget.

Let’s jump in.

What’s in Your Hand? Size, Build Quality & Ergonomics

First impressions matter. Grab the RX100 V and TX10 side-by-side, and you’ll notice they feel worlds apart - literally and figuratively.

The RX100 V sports a more substantial body (102x58x41 mm, 299g) compared to the slim and lightweight TX10 (96x56x18 mm, only 133g). The RX100 V's chunkier build comfortably fits in your hands, with grippy textured surfaces and controls that invite quick, confident operation - think of it as a camera that embraces you like a seasoned friend with 'clubs for thumbs.'

The TX10, by contrast, is ultra-slim and sleek, aimed squarely at slip-into-your-pocket convenience and take-it-anywhere portability. The tradeoff? Ergonomics take a backseat. Its flat, pebble-shaped body, while great for casual shooting, is less secure for longer photo sessions or bursts of fast action.

But here’s the twist: TX10 offers ruggedness lacking in the RX100 V. It’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof - features designed for beach trips, hiking, or rough outdoor play without a care. The RX100 V assumes you’re handling it with care - no sealing against environmental hazards (and no waterproofing).

In a nutshell: If portability and adventurous durability top your list, the TX10 wins. If comfort and robust handling for serious shooting matter, the RX100 V feels like a professional’s tool.

Design Philosophy & User Interface: Controls Close at Hand

Looking at the top and back surfaces tells a story of two eras and priorities.

The RX100 V sports a clean yet functional control layout. Physical dials for mode, exposure compensation, and a well-placed shutter button offer quick tactile feedback - essential when you need to tweak settings on the fly. Although it lacks a touchscreen, the tilting 3-inch LCD lets you compose creatively.

On the flip side, the TX10 has a touchscreen-enabled 3-inch ‘XtraFine LCD,’ without a viewfinder or physical dials. This design choice reflects its focus on casual users who prefer taps and swipes over digging into menus with clubs for thumbs. The TX10’s controls are simplified: mostly on-screen or multi-function buttons.

If you routinely shoot manual mode or prioritize exposure controls at your fingertips, the RX100 V delivers. The TX10 is better suited for auto or scene modes, where usability favors speed and simplicity.

Sensor Technology: The Heart of Image Quality

The sensor forms the backbone of any camera’s image quality. Here, the RX100 V flexes its muscles.

• RX100 V: Uses a 1-inch type (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor with 20MP resolution.
• TX10: Smaller 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor, 16MP resolution.

From my lab tests and field evaluations, the RX100 V’s larger sensor area (~116 mm² vs ~28 mm²) leads to significantly better dynamic range, color depth, and low-light ability. Its DXO Mark scores confirm this: Excellent 22.8-bit color depth, 12.4 EV dynamic range, and a respectable low-light ISO performance (‘lowlight ISO’ around 586). The TX10’s sensor is more modest, especially noticeable in noisy shadows and highlight clipping under challenging lighting.

The RX100 V includes a useful anti-aliasing filter to balance sharpness and moiré control, while the TX10 also has this filter but constrained by its small sensor size.

Portraits taken with the RX100 V show natural skin tones with excellent tonal gradations. Landscapes pop with richer colors and less noise even on overcast days. The TX10 is better limited to bright conditions, and its images show more noise and fewer details in shadows.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Precision

For moving subjects or fast shooters, autofocus performance can make or break your experience.

• RX100 V: 315 focus points using hybrid phase-detection and contrast detection. Eye and face detection AF included.
• TX10: Only 9 contrast-detection AF points, no phase detection, no face or eye detection.

In my practical trials - tracking birds, kids playing, or quick street scenes - the RX100 V consistently nails focus with rapid lock-on and smooth tracking. The eye AF system especially shines for portraits, keeping tiny flickers in sharp focus without hunting.

The TX10 is slower and less reliable for autofocus in motion. It’s fine for steady subjects or landscapes but misses the mark on action shots or subjects moving unpredictably.

Shooting Speeds and Burst Rates: Freezing the Moment

Burst shooting is the secret sauce of sports and wildlife photographers.

• RX100 V boasts a blazing 24 fps continuous shooting, a standout feature in compacts.
• TX10 offers a modest 10 fps burst rate.

I tested both on various fast action scenarios - runner sprints, canine zoomies, bird flight. The RX100 V allowed me to capture moments like a split-second wing-flap or expression change with precision. The TX10’s buffer and speed sometimes left me wanting, especially when timing was critical.

Image Stabilization: Keeping It Sharp

Both cameras have optical image stabilization (OIS) which helps shooters handhold at slower shutter speeds.

The RX100 V’s stabilization is more advanced, assisting in both photography and video, whereas the TX10’s system is simpler and less effective at longer focal lengths. If you often shoot outdoors in low light without a tripod, the stabilization on the RX100 V is notably superior.

Lens & Zoom: Versatility vs Image Quality

Let’s talk glass.

• RX100 V: Fixed 24-70mm equivalent lens, fast aperture F1.8-2.8, enabling gorgeous background separation (bokeh) and solid performance in dim lighting.
• TX10: Fixed 25-100mm (4x zoom) lens, slower aperture F3.5-4.6.

The RX100 V’s brighter lens lets you get artistic with shallow depth of field - a boon for portraits and macro shots - plus it handles indoor and night scenes better. The TX10 offers more zoom reach but with softer images and less subject separation.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Capabilities

Macro fans will appreciate that the TX10 focuses as close as 1 cm, allowing impressive close-ups of flowers or insects.

The RX100 V’s minimum focus distance is about 5 cm, which is still decent but not as intimate as the TX10. However, the RX100 V’s larger sensor and higher image quality give more detailed macro images overall.

Screen and Viewfinder Quality: Composing Your Shots

A good display is your window - and the RX100 V includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which the TX10 lacks.

The RX100 V’s EVF offers 100% coverage and a sharp 2,359-dot resolution, crucial for bright outdoor shooting or composing discreetly. Its tilting 3" screen (1229k dots) also suits creative angles.

The TX10 leans entirely on a fixed touchscreen LCD (921k dots). The touchscreen is handy, but the lack of EVF means bright daylight use can be challenging.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Shoot Anywhere

Remember, the TX10 boasts:

• Waterproof down to 10m
• Dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof features

The RX100 V has no such environmental protection.

If your photographic life involves rugged environments - beaches, snow, mud paths - the TX10’s durability is a significant plus.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

The RX100 V is no slouch in video:

• Supports 4K video (3840x2160) at 30p, with 100 Mbps bitrate.
• XAVC S codec for quality recordings.
• Optical stabilization helps keep footage smooth.

The TX10 shoots max Full HD 1080p at 60 fps, but lacks 4K and has a less advanced codec.

For creators who value highest-quality video in a compact body, the RX100 V is far ahead.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

• RX100 V battery life is about 220 shots per charge - modest but typical for compacts with large screens and EVF.
• TX10 battery life specs are less defined but generally modest due to smaller size.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards and Memory Stick Duo formats.

Connectivity and Extras

While the RX100 V supports NFC and built-in Wi-Fi for quick image transfers and remote control, the TX10 depends on Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfer, which feels dated today.

Putting It All Together: Performance Across Photography Genres

Here’s a breakdown of how each excels in popular photography types:

• Portraits: RX100 V’s large sensor, eye AF, and bright lens give natural skin tones and dreamy bokeh. TX10’s smaller sensor limits depth and background blur.
• Landscape: RX100 V’s superior dynamic range and resolution capture detail-rich vistas. TX10 is decent in bright daylight but doesn’t hold shadows as well.
• Wildlife: RX100 V’s rapid AF and fast burst make it suitable for small-animal shots, while TX10 struggles with focus lag and low reach.
• Sports: RX100 V pulls ahead decisively with high FPS and tracking. TX10 better for snapshots than sports.
• Street: TX10’s small profile wins for stealth and spontaneity, whereas RX100 V is bulkier but offers faster response.
• Macro: TX10’s 1cm macro focusing is practical despite smaller sensor; RX100 V delivers higher quality but less close.
• Night / Astro: RX100 V handles high ISO far better for low light and astrophotography.
• Video: RX100 V for 4K and advanced codecs; TX10 for casual HD clips.
• Travel: TX10’s durability and pocketability shine. RX100 V offers superior image quality but requires care.
• Professional Work: RX100 V’s RAW support, manual modes, autofocus, and reliability give it a professional edge.

Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back Sony TX10 front Sony TX10 screen back

Overall Performance Ratings: What The Numbers Say

Unsurprisingly, the RX100 V leads overall, scoring high in image quality, autofocus, speed, and video capabilities. The TX10 scores well for portability and ruggedness but falls short of the RX100 V’s all-around prowess.

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Buy Each Camera?

Sony RX100 V:

• If you want near-professional image quality in a compact package.
• For portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports photographers needing advanced autofocus and versatile controls.
• Content creators and vloggers requiring 4K video quality.
• Photographers valuing manual exposure and RAW file control.
• Those who don’t mind paying a premium for performance.

Sony TX10:

• For cheapskates (like me) craving a super rugged, weatherproof camera that can take a beating.
• Ideal for families, travelers, hikers, or beachgoers who want an easy-to-use point-and-shoot.
• Casual shooters valuing portability and durability over image perfection.
• Anyone who needs macro shots without fuss.
• Budget-conscious buyers who don’t need cutting-edge specs.

Final Thoughts: Value, Experience, and What’s Right for You

Having wrestled with wildly different shooting conditions and subjects on both these cameras, I can say that the RX100 V remains one of the best large-sensor compacts out there - even years after launch. Its combination of sensor quality, autofocus tech, ergonomics, and video capabilities makes it a superb all-rounder for serious photographers. The control knobs and dials become second nature with practice - once you get them under your fingers, you wonder how you ever shot without.

The TX10 has its charm as a rugged everyday carry camera that won’t panic if you drop it in the surf or toss it in your backpack unshielded. But its small sensor and limited controls put it closer to a fun casual shooter than a creative tool.

If you own the RX100 V, it might well be your only camera - delivering both stunning stills and high-quality video. If you want a camera that fits in your pocket and can survive the great outdoors without a protective case, and your main goal is simple snapshots, the TX10 is a worthy little companion.

Choosing between these two comes down to asking yourself what matters more: top-tier image quality with creative control or rugged portability with ease of use?

Either way, you’re getting Sony’s solid engineering and years of experience in compact camera technology.

Thanks for reading this full deep dive! I hope sharing my hands-on experience helps you pick the camera that’ll license your vision and inspire your photography. Feel free to ask questions or share your own thoughts below!

Safe shooting out there. ????