Upgrade Guide
Sony RX100 V→Sony RX100 VA
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the RX100 V. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the RX100 VA
-
Generation2 years newer (2018 vs 2016)
Unchanged or similar
-
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 | RX100 V | RX100 VA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.2 | ||
| Street | +0.1 | ||
| Travel | +0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.2 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.1 | ||
| Documentary | +0.2 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Casual | +0.1 | ||
| Food | +0.2 | ||
| Macro | +0.1 | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | RX100 V | RX100 VA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £360 used | £434 used | |
| Released | 2016 | 2018 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | |
| Video | 4K/30p (XAVC S), 1080p HFR up to 960fps, S-Log2 | 4K/30p (XAVC S), 1080p HFR up to 960fps, S-Log2 | |
| Autofocus | 315-point phase-detect + 25-point contrast hybrid AF, Eye AF | 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 | 24fps with AF/AE tracking | 24fps with AF/AE tracking | |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~220 shots (CIPA) | |
| Weight | 299g (with battery and card) | 299g (with battery and card) | |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Pop-up OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | Pop-up OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" LCD, 1.23M dots, tilts 180° up | 3.0" LCD, 1.23M dots, tilts 180° up | |
| Mount | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 | 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
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See RX100 V and RX100 VA next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the RX100 VA against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the RX100 V
Related buying guides
Camera family history