Upgrade Guide
Sony RX1→Sony RX100 V
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the RX1. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the RX100 V
-
Burst rate24fps with AF/AE tracking vs 5fps (2.5fps with AF-S per frame)
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Generation4 years newer (2016 vs 2012)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution20MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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 | RX1 | RX100 V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.9 | ||
| Street | +0.9 | ||
| Travel | +1.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Documentary | +0.6 | ||
| Landscape | -0.2 | ||
| Casual | +1.2 | ||
| Food | +0.5 | ||
| Macro | +0.5 | ||
| Architecture | +0.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.9 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | RX1 | RX100 V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £336 used | £360 used | |
| Released | 2012 | 2016 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.3MP full-frame CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 4K/30p (XAVC S), 1080p HFR up to 960fps, S-Log2 | |
| Autofocus | 25-point contrast-detect AF with face detection | 315-point phase-detect + 25-point contrast hybrid AF, Eye AF | |
| Stabilisation | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 5fps (2.5fps with AF-S per frame) | 24fps with AF/AE tracking | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~220 shots (CIPA) | |
| Weight | 482g (with battery and card) | 299g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optional EVF (FDA-EV1MK) or optical finder | Pop-up OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" LCD, 1.23M dots, tilts 180° up | |
| Mount | Fixed Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / Memory Stick slot | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the RX100 V against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the RX1
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Camera family history