Why you should get a Sony RX100 camera instead of a Kodak PixPro
Early this year, when I wrote about the Sony RX10III camera, I mentioned how my Sony RX100V malfunctioned and broke after being sidelined for a long period of time. You can't blame me for benching my Sony RX100V, though. Having both Leica Q2 and Fujifilm X100V, you would understand most of the time I would rather go out with my X100V or my Q2.
However, miraculously, my Sony RX100V came back to life! I wish I could tell you how that happened, but I can't; I am grateful it is now alive and well again. Since I don't know when this camera is going to stop working again, I have been using it more. I bring it out daily, even when I don't plan to take pictures, because you never know when you will get inspired.
After six months of daily outings, I found my Sony RX100V quite capable as a compact snap-and-shoot camera. Before I designated my RX100V to be my daily camera, I considered getting a cheap Kodak PixPro FZ55. I have heard that Kodak PixPro has become one of the most popular cameras in Japan and Asia. It became one trending TikTok camera that Gen Z uses at parties. I may still get it if you want to see me review the camera. Otherwise, I am here to share why you may want to consider having a Sony RX100 series camera instead.
A big reason Kodak PixPro cameras are favorable is their size. Even though the PixPro 55 is tiny, the RX100V is also relatively compact. I carry my RX100V with some batteries in a small pouch, and they don't add much weight to my bag.
If you simply want to snap some blurry party pictures and don't care about image quality, a PixPro camera is totally fine. However, if you like to print your pictures or edit and stylize them, then the RX100V is going to be a better choice due to its sensor size. As someone who has been shooting with full-frame cameras, even the RX100V's 1-inch sensor can be limited at times, but it is excellent for daily captures.
With a PixPro camera, you can only shoot in jpeg, but with a Sony RX100V, you can shoot both in raw and jpeg. You can choose to shoot in either format or both. The light meter in the RX100V is excellent, I put my camera in A mode and rarely adjust any setting when I shoot. Most of the time, the pictures turn out great, not over or under-exposed. Under contrast lighting, if I want to bring back some blown highlights, the raw file has so much to work with, and I am often amazed by its flexibility.
Sony RX100V Black and White SOOC
RAW file edited in Lightroom with a JW Preset
I can go on and on about its excellent features. Still, since this is not exactly a newly released camera, I am sure you have heard about its 315 phase-detection AF points, the pop-up viewfinder, 24 frames per second continue shooting feature, slow motion, or full pixel readout 4K video recording. You will not find all these premium and valuable features on a toy camera like the ProPix. I shoot with both RAW + jpeg and in black and white mode to keep things simple. I found myself loving the shooting experience and the straight-out-of-camera monochromatic JPEG images I could produce with this fantastic little camera.
Sony RX100V Black and White SOOC
RAW file edited in Adobe Lightroom
With all that said, the Sony RX100V has one fatal negative issue: its price. It literally cost 10x a Kodak PixPro FZ55 would cost! Under certain financial conditions, I can absolutely see the appeal of a Kodak PixPro camera. A fun camera that you have nothing to worry about since the image quality is not going to be a big concern. However, if you have the budget, you will enjoy it and feel more satisfied with the pictures you can capture using a Sony RX100V. Let me know in the comment if you want me to get the PixPro FZ55 and review it.
Cameras Mentioned:
