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Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
80
Overall
63
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony RX100 V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed October 2016
  • Old Model is Sony RX100 IV
  • Newer Model is Sony RX100 VI
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Updated by Sony A57
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Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Sony RX100 V and Sony A55, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are built by Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the RX100 V (20MP) and A55 (16MP) and the RX100 V (1") and A55 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The RX100 V was released 6 years after the A55 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony RX100 V being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the RX100 V grades versus the A55 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX100 V over the Sony A55

 RX100 V A55 
ReleasedOctober 2016August 2010Newer by 75 months
Display resolution1229k921kSharper display (+308k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony RX100 V

 A55 RX100 V 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Sony RX100 V and Sony A55

 RX100 V A55 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony RX100 V provides outer measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Sony A55 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Examine the Sony RX100 V and Sony A55 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the RX100 V and the A55.

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the RX100 V and A55 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specifications. The image here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the RX100 V and A55.

Plainly, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The RX100 V due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony RX100 V will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The fresher RX100 V will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX100 V Portrait photography details
Sony A55 Portrait photography details
66
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
73
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony RX100 V Street photography factors
Sony A55 Street photography factors
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (299g)
77
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX100 V as a Sports photography camera
Sony A55 as a Sports photography camera
70
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (24.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery life (380 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony RX100 V as a Travel photography camera
Sony A55 as a Travel photography camera
80
lighter than competitors (299g)
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
62
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery life (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX100 V Landscape photography features
Sony A55 Landscape photography features
70
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
bad battery pack (220 shots)
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (380 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony RX100 V
Vlogging with Sony A55
81
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors (299g)
does not have mic socket
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
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Sony RX100 V vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 V and Sony A55
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VSony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V Sony SLT-A55
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2016-10-06 2010-08-24
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 315 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-70mm (2.9x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.8 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,229 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dot 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 24.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.20 m (at Auto ISO) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 299 gr (0.66 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 73
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 12.4
DXO Low light score 586 816
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 380 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BX1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $998 $800