Z5vs Sony RX100 VII
VS
Sony
Sony RX100 VII (2019)
Starting from £1099 new
Best for Travel & versatility
View Sony RX100 VII
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Travel & Versatility — Sony RX100 VII (2019): The most versatile compact camera ever made — 24-200mm zoom, 20fps burst, and 960fps slow-motion in a jacket pocket.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Sony RX100 VII (2019)
- Travel photographers who want the most capable 1-inch compact available
- Vloggers who need fast AF and a flip screen in a jacket-pocket body
- Photographers who want a high-quality compact backup to a mirrorless system
- Anyone who wants professional AF performance without carrying a large camera
Quick take: The z5 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z5 is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | Sony RX100 VII (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £1,099 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS (stacked) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p HLG, FHD/960fps super slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | 357-point phase-detect + 425 contrast, Eye AF, tracking |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 3-stop Optical SteadyShot |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 20fps AF/AE tracking (90fps short burst) |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 302g with battery and card |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 101.6 × 58.1 × 42.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | Pop-up EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Sony RX100 VII |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history