Upgrade Guide
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II→Sony RX100 VA
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The RX100 VA improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most Cyber-shot RX100 II owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the RX100 VA
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Burst rate24fps with AF/AE tracking vs 10fps (2.5fps with continuous AF)
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Generation5 years newer (2018 vs 2013)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Cyber-shot RX100 II | RX100 VA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.8 | ||
| Street | +0.7 | ||
| Travel | +0.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.9 | ||
| Documentary | +1.4 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Casual | +0.6 | ||
| Food | +0.5 | ||
| Macro | +0.3 | ||
| Architecture | +0.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | — | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Cyber-shot RX100 II | RX100 VA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £434 used | |
| Released | 2013 | 2018 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.2MP 1-inch Exmor R BSI CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 4K/30p (XAVC S), 1080p HFR up to 960fps, S-Log2 | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 25 areas, face detection and tracking | 315-point phase-detect + 25-point contrast hybrid AF, Eye AF | |
| Stabilisation | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens) | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps (2.5fps with continuous AF) | 24fps with AF/AE tracking | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 281g (with battery) | 299g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | None built in (optional FDA-EV1MK EVF on the shoe) | Pop-up OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" LCD, 1.23M dots, tilts 180° up | |
| Mount | Fixed 3.6x Zeiss 28-100mm equivalent f/1.8-4.9 | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Cyber-shot RX100 II and RX100 VA next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the RX100 VA against your specific genres — not just specs.
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