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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.

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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.

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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

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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.


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