Sony RX100 V Review: The Ultimate Travel Camera

The new Sony RX100 V is the latest release in the Sony RX100 point-and-shoot series of cameras. While in NYC I purchased this camera from B&H Photo Video and immediately started shooting photos and videos with it. I have to say I was impressed with the results, coming from shooting with larger cameras such as the Sony A7R II and my Panasonic Lumix G7.

Who is this Cameras For?

This camera isn’t for everyone, not with a price tag of $1000 for a point-and-shoot camera. However, if you travel quite a bit, or if you need to shoot video without complications, this camera is ideal and all you really need. In fact, I didn’t shoot with my Panasonic G7 the entire two weeks I was in New York. This camera is ideal for anyone doing vlogging (or simply traveling), and I would also say that if you are marketing in social media, the RX100 V is a great option for superior photography and video. My main reasoning for buying this camera was convenience. I can shoot quality video with useable audio without an external microphone, and it offers a light-weight mobile solution.

Sony RX100 V Video Samples and Capabilities

The Sony RX100 V has an almost overwhelming number of features when it comes to video. My favorite features are the facial recognition tracking, high-frame-rate slow motion, F/1.8-2.8 lens with 24mm-70mm zoom, and pop-up flip screen for vlogging and selfies. The feature that I feel the most impressed by is the fast autofocus, it is the feature where this camera competes with the Canon G7x II and Panasonic Lumix 10X. When shooting video, fast and accurate autofocus is something that you’ll want to prioritize.

The video quality on this camera is very impressive. One of the best overall features that I’m fascinated by is the focus peaking, it’s a feature that allows you to have confidence in how sharp the image is and what is actually in focus. This is a feature that I really wish was incorporated into more cameras.

Photography Samples Shot on Sony RX100 V Edited in Lightroom Mobile

I shot some amazing photographs with the Sony RX100 V and was immediately able to transfer them to my iPhone and edit them in Lightroom Mobile. This makes it ideal for travel and sharing your images quickly and simply in social media and with friends and family.

Sony RX100 V Photography by Roberto Blake

The Sony RX100 V and Low Light Photography

The Sony RX100 V actually does an excellent job of handling low light situations for a point-and-shoot camera. I shot some pictures near the Brooklyn Bridge at ISO 6400 with the aperture set to F/2.8. It handles both video and photography amazingly well in the dead of night, in some cases better than APS-C cameras I’ve used with larger sensors. The phase detection also gives it an advantage over traditional contrast detection.

Sony RX100 V Photography by Roberto Blake

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4K Video Samples and the Overheating Issue

This camera is capable of shooting 4K Video, which is something more people are becoming interested in. However, it overheats if you shoot 4K video for too long. Five minutes seems to be the limit of the 4K video capacity of this camera, which is unfortunate considering the price. The 4K image quality is beautiful, even if it is somewhat limited.

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

The Sony RX100 V is an impressive camera a that continues to deliver the quality and performance of its predecessors. The things that I’m disappointed in are how quickly it consumes batteries and the lack of a touchscreen, as well as the 4K video overheating issue. Considering the price of this camera, a touchscreen and longer battery life are not unreasonable expectations.

The overall image and video quality is stunning, the feature set is impressive, and the convenience can’t be beat. If you are looking for a travel camera or you want to ease your way into video production, and you have the means, I would recommend this camera. If you feel that is out of your budget, the Canon G7x II and the Panasonic Lumix LX10 may be a viable alternative.